Practical techniques for 3D resistivity surveys and data inversion1

Techniques to reduce the time needed to carry out 3D resistivity surveys with a moderate number (25 to 100) of electrodes and the computing time required to interpret the data have been developed. The electrodes in a 3D survey are normally arranged in a square grid and the pole-pole array is used to make the potential measurements. The number of measurements required can be reduced to about one-third of the maximum possible number without seriously degrading the resolution of the resulting inversion model by making measurements along the horizontal, vertical and 45° diagonal rows of electrodes passing through the current electrode. The smoothness-constrained least-squares inversion method is used for the data interpretation. The computing time required by this technique can be greatly reduced by using a homogeneous half-space as the starting model so that the Jacobian matrix of partial derivatives can be calculated analytically. A quasi-Newton updating method is then used to estimate the partial derivatives for subsequent iterations. This inversion technique has been tested on synthetic and field data where a satisfactory model is obtained using a modest amount of computer time. On an 80486DX2/66 microcomputer, it takes about 20 minutes to invert the data from a 7 by 7 electrode survey grid. using the techniques described below, 3D resistivity surveys and data inversion can be carried out using commercially available field equipment and an inexpensive microcomputer.     

The inversion of data from very large three-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography mobile surveys

New developments in mobile resistivity meter instrumentation have made it possible to survey large areas with dense data coverage. The mobile system usually has a limited number of electrodes attached to a cable that is pulled along behind an operator so that a large area can be covered within a short time. Such surveys can produce three-dimensional datasets with hundreds of thousands of electrodes positions and data points. Similarly, the inverse model used to interpret the data can have several hundred thousand cells. It is impractical to model such large datasets within a reasonable time on microcomputers used by many small companies employing standard inversion techniques. We describe a model segmentation technique that subdivides the finite-element mesh used to calculate the apparent resistivity and Jacobian matrix values into a number of smaller meshes. A fast technique that optimizes the calculation of the Jacobian matrix values for multi-channel systems was also developed. A one-dimensional wavelet transform method was then used to compress the storage of the Jacobian matrix, in turn reducing the computer time and memory required to solve the least-squares optimization equation to determine the inverse model resistivity values. The new techniques reduce the calculation time and memory required by more than 80% while producing models that differ by less than 1% from that obtained using the standard inversion technique with a single mesh. We present results using a synthetic model and a field dataset that illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.     

宽带高频电磁场数据反演方法研究

采用非线性最小二乘法结合蒙特卡罗法,实现宽带高频电磁场椭圆极化率数据的精确反演,确定地下层状介质的真实电阻率和介电常数.反演结果表明,对于均匀半空间和二层介质模型,最小二乘法能够很好地实现反演,而对于三层或更多层的介质,首先利用蒙特卡罗法确定拟合初始模型,再进行最小二乘反演,能够避免收敛到局部极小值,提高了反演的稳定性.为了加速正演响应函数的计算和迭代的速度,采用高密度采样的线性滤波算法,大大加快了该精确反演方法的速度.针对如覆盖区地质填图和土壤调查等大面积确定地质体性质的应用,本文还给出了一种近似反演方法（相位矢量图法）,能够快速获取视电阻率和视介电常数,不仅可以为应用提供有用的基础信息,而且可作为精确反演方法的初始模型.     

A STUDY ON THE DIRECT INTERPRETATION OF RESISTIVITY SOUNDING DATA MEASURED BY WENNER ELECTRODE CONFIGURATION*

This paper describes certain procedures for deriving from the apparent resistivity data as measured by the Wenner electrode configuration two functions, known as the kernel and the associated kernel respectively, both of which are functions dependent on the layer resistivities and thicknesses. It is shown that the solution of the integral equation for the Wenner electrode configuration leads directly to the associated kernel, from which an integral expression expressing the kernel explicitly in terms of the apparent resistivity function can be derived. The kernel is related to the associated kernel by a simple functional equation where K₁(λ) is the kernel and B₁(λ) the associated kernel. Composite numerical quadrature formulas and also integration formulas based on partial approximation of the integrand by a parabolic arc within a small interval are developed for the calculation of the kernel and the associated kernel from apparent resistivity data. Both techniques of integration require knowledge of the values of the apparent resistivity function at points lying between the input data points. It is shown that such unknown values of the apparent resistivity function can satisfactorily be obtained by interpolation using the least-squares method. The least-squares method involves the approximation of the observed set of apparent resistivity data by orthogonal polynomials generated by Forsythe's method (Forsythe 1956). Values of the kernel and of the associated kernel obtained by numerical integration compare favourably with the corresponding theoretical values of these functions.     

Constructing the Apparent Geological Model by Fusing Surface Resistivity Survey and Borehole Records

We constructed an apparent geological model with resistivity data from surface resistivity surveys. We developed a data fusion approach by integrating dense electrical resistivity measurements collected with Schlumberger arrays and wellbore logs. This approach includes an optimization algorithm and a geostatistic interpolation method. We first generated an apparent formation factor model from the surface resistivity measurements and groundwater resistivity records with an inverse distance method. We then converted the model into a geology model with the optimized judgment criteria from the algorithms relating the apparent formation factors to the borehole geology. We also employed a non-parametric bootstrap method to analyze the uncertainty of the predicted sediment types, and the predictive uncertainties of clay, gravel, and sand were less than 5%. Overall, our model is capable of capturing the spatial features of the sediment types. More importantly, this approach can be arranged in a self-updated sequence to enable adjustments to the model to accommodate newly collected core records or geophysical data. This approach yields a more detailed apparent geological model for use in future groundwater simulations, which is of benefit to multi-discipline studies.     

NUMERICAL INTERPRETATION OF RESISTIVITY SOUNDINGS OVER HORIZONTAL BEDS*

The digital computer technique described for interpreting resistivity soundings over a horizontally stratified earth requires two steps. First, the kernel function is evaluated numerically from the inverse Hankel transform of the observed apparent resistivity curve. Special attention is given to the inversion of resistivity data recorded over a section with a resistant basement. The second step consists in the least-squares estimation of layer resistivities and thicknesses from the kernel function. For the case of S or T-equivalent beds only one layer-parameter can be obtained, either the longitudinal conductance, or the transverse resistance respectively. Two examples given in the paper show that a wide tolerance is permitted for Choosing the starting values of the layering parameters in the successive approximation procedure. Another important feature for practical applications is good convergence of the iterations. The method is probably best suited for interpreting profiles of electrical soundings with the purpose of mapping approximately horizontal interfaces at depth.     

A new method for geoelectrical investigations underwater1

A new electrical method is proposed for determining the apparent resistivity of multi-earth layers located underwater. The method is based on direct current geoelectric sounding principles. A layered earth model is used to simulate the stratigraphic target. The measurement array is of pole-pole type; it is located underwater and is orientated vertically. This particular electrode configuration is very useful when conventional electrical methods cannot be used, especially if the water depth becomes very important. The calculated apparent resistivity shows a substantial quality increase in the measured signal caused by the underwater targets, from which little or no response is measured using conventional surface electrode methods. In practice, however, different factors such as water stratification, underwater streams or meteorological conditions complicate the interpretation of the field results. A case study is presented, where field surveys carried out on Lake Geneva were interpreted using the calculated apparent resistivity master-curves.     

2.5维井间电磁反演在中国东部孤岛油田的应用

In this study, we present a practical technique of transforming cross-hole EM data into the inter-well resistivity distribution. The a priori information constraint is incorporated into an iterative regularized inversion procedure and a variable roughness is added into the inversion process. Finite element approximation based on a two and a half-dimensional （2.5D） model has been developed for the forward problem and the ＂pseudo-forward＂ problem needed for constructing the sensitivity matrix and synthetic data set. The regularized least-squares inversion scheme, constrained with the a priori information obtained from well logs, was adopted to reconstruct the inter-well resistivity profile from two synthetic electromagnetic data sets and field data acquired in the Gudao Oil Field, East China. The partial derivatives of the sensitivity matrix were computed by the adjoint equation based on the reciprocity principle. Inversion results of the synthetic and field data examples suggest that our method is robust and stable in the presence of random noise in the field data and can be used for cross-hole EM field data interpretation.     

An application of three-dimensional electrical resistivity imaging for the detection of an underground waste-water system

A 3D electrical resistivity imaging survey is presented in this paper. The objective was to investigate an underground wastewater system at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. Apparent resistivity data were collected along ten parallel lines using a Wenner-Schlumberger configuration; electrode cables were oriented in the x-direction with 3 m spacing. Roll-along measurements using a line spacing of 3 m were carried out covering a grid of 20 × 10 electrodes. All data sets were merged into a single data file in order to perform a 3D inversion. Two different 3D least squares algorithms, based on the robust inversion method and the smoothness-constrained technique, were used for the inversion of the apparent resistivity data. Both the horizontal and vertical extents of the anomalous zones found by inversion are displayed. The results indicate the superiority of the robust inversion method over the smoothness-constrained technique at this site. The results are in sufficient accordance with previously known information about the investigation area. The results show that 3D electrical resistivity imaging surveys, in combination with an appropriate 3D inversion method, can be highly useful for engineering and archaeological investigations as well as for environmental applications.     

基于不等式约束的最小二乘法三维电阻率反演及其算法优化

基于光滑约束的最小二乘法是三维电阻率反演的主要方法,但该方法在某些情况下存在着多解性较强的问题,且普遍耗时较长,严重制约了三维反演方法的推广与发展.为改善上述问题,将表征模型参数变化范围的不等式约束作为先验信息引入最小二乘线性反演方法中,有效地改善了反演结果的精度,降低了反演的多解性问题.为了解决耗时较长的问题,基于预条件共轭梯度(PCG)算法和Cholesky分解法的特点提出了一套优化三维电阻率反演计算效率的计算方案.在该方案中,Cholesky分解法被用来求解敏感度矩阵计算中的多个点源场的正演问题,Cholesky分解法只需对总体系数矩阵进行一次分解,然后对不同的右端向量进行回代即可.将预条件共轭梯度法引入到三维电阻率反演方程的求解中,将雅可比迭代中的对角阵作为预处理矩阵,其具有求逆方便、无需内存空间的特点,有效地加快了收敛速度.对合成数据以及实测数据的反演算例表明,借助不等式约束和反演效率优化方案,最小二乘反演方法可得到较为精确的反演结果,有效地提高了反演计算效率,具有良好的推广前景.     

AN INTERPRETATION SYSTEM FOR GEO-ELECTRICAL SOUNDING GRAPHS *

For the two and three layer cases geo-electrical sounding graphs can be rapidly and accurately evaluated by comparing them with an adequate set of standard model graphs. The variety of model graphs required is reasonably limited and the use of a computer is unnecessary for this type of interpretation. For more than three layers a compilation of model graphs is not possible, because the variety of curves required in practice increases immensely. To evaluate a measured graph under these conditions, a model graph is calculated by computer for an approximately calculated resistivity profile which is determined, for example, by means of the auxiliary point methods. This model graph is then compared with the measured curve, and from the deviation between the curves a new resistivity profile is derived, the model graph of which is calculated for another comparison procedure, etc. This type of interpretation, although exact, is very inconvenient and time-consuming, because there is no simple method by which an improved resistivity profile can be derived from the deviations between a model graph and a measured graph. The aim of this paper is, on the one hand, to give a simple interpretation method, suitable for use during field work, for multi-layer geo-electrical sounding graphs, and, on the other hand, to indicate an automatic evaluation procedure based on these principles, suitable for use by digital computer. This interpretation system is based on the resolution of the kernel function of Stefanescu's integral into partial fractions. The system consists of a calculation method for an arbitrary multi-layer case and a highly accurate approximation method for determining those partial fractions which are important for interpretation. The partial fractions are found by fitting three-layer graphs to a measured curve. Using the roots and coefficients of these partial fractions and simple equations derived from the kernel function of Stefanescu's integral, the thicknesses and resistivities of layers may be directly calculated for successively increasing depths. The system also provides a simple method for the approximative construction of model graphs.     

A DIGITAL LINEAR FILTER FOR RESISTIVITY SOUNDING WITH A GENERALIZED ELECTRODE ARRAY*

This paper presents a digital linear filter which maps composite resistivity transforms to apparent resistivities for any four—electrode array over a horizontally layered earth. A filter is provided for each of three sampling rates; the choice of filter will depend on resistivity contrasts and computational facilities. Two methods of filter design are compared. The Wiener-Hopf least-squares method is preferable for low sampling rate filters. The Fourier transform method is more successful in producing a filter with a high sampling rate which can handle resistivity contrasts of 100 000: 1.     

利用接收函数和大地电磁数据联合反演南迦巴瓦构造结中部地区壳幔结构

利用2010年布设在西藏南迦巴瓦构造结的郎嘎、崩嘎、直白和拉格四个宽频地震台所观测到的近5个月的地震记录,采用时间域迭代反褶积技术处理得到接收函数,通过筛选多条相近震中距和反方位角的高质量接收函数求取其叠加平均.对大地电磁数据做Rhoplus分析处理得到视电阻率和相位曲线.利用单台接收函数和相同位置的大地电磁视电阻率和相位联合反演地下一维壳幔结构.联合反演采用遗传算法,并通过权衡图分析大地电磁和地震数据的兼容性.理论值和实测值的对比显示两种数据能同时得到较好拟合.联合反演结果表明:(1)中上地壳为9 km至14 km厚的高阻高速层覆盖于低阻低速层之上的结构,中地壳低阻低速层可能与深部流体和局部熔融共同作用有关.(2)下地壳存在最厚达20 km的高导的壳幔过渡层,波速在4 km/s左右;上地幔约130 km至150 km以下存在软流圈.(3)上地壳的高阻高速层解释为多雄拉组混合岩化角闪岩相变质岩,而直白台所显示的低阻低速层与高压麻粒岩的少量部分熔融有关,可能源于壳幔过渡带镁铁质岩石的相变或更深处幔源岩浆底侵作用的产物.     

An assessment of inversion methods for AEM data applied to environmental studies

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys are currently being flown over populated areas and applied to detailed problems using high flight line densities. Interpretation information is supplied through a model of the subsurface resistivity distribution. Theoretical and survey data are used here to study the character and reliability of such models. Although the survey data were obtained using a fixed-wing system, the corresponding associations with helicopter, towed-bird systems are discussed. Both Fraser half-space and 1D inversion techniques are considered in relation to their ability to distinguish geological, cultural and environmental influences on the survey data. Fraser half-space modelling provides the dual interpretation parameters of apparent resistivity and apparent depth at each operational frequency. The apparent resistivity was found to be a remarkably stable parameter and appears robust to the presence of a variety of at-surface cultural features. Such features provide both incorrect altitude data and multidimensional influences. Their influences are observed most strongly in the joint estimate of apparent depth and this accounts for the stability of the apparent resistivity. Positive apparent depths, in the example data, result from underestimated altitude measurements. It is demonstrated that increasingly negative apparent depths are associated with increasing misfits between a 1D model and the data. Centroid depth calculations, which are a transform of the Fraser half-space parameters, provide an example of the detection of non-1D influences on data obtained above a populated area. 1D inversion of both theoretical and survey data is examined. The simplest use of the 1D inversion method is in providing an estimate of a half-space resistivity. This can be undertaken prior to multilayer inversion as an initial assessment. Underestimated altitude measurements also enter the problem and, in keeping with the Fraser pseudo-layer concept, an at-surface highly resistive layer of variable thickness can be usefully introduced as a constrained parameter. It is clearly difficult to ascribe levels of significance to a ‘measure’ of misfit contained in a negative apparent depth with the dimensions of metres. The reliability of 1D models is better assessed using a formal misfit parameter. With the misfit parameter in place, the example data suggest that the 1D inversion methods provide reliable apparent resistivity values with a higher resolution than the equivalent information from the Fraser half-space estimates.     

基于非结构网格的电阻率三维带地形反演

地表起伏地形在野外矿产资源勘察中不可避免,其对直流电阻率法勘探影响巨大.近年来,电阻率三维正演取得诸多进展,特别是应用非结构网格我们能够进行任意复杂地形和几何模型的电阻率三维数值模拟,但面向实际应用的起伏地形下电阻率三维反演依然困难.本文基于非结构化四面体网格,并考虑到应用GPS/GNSS时,区域地球物理调查中可非规则布设测网的实际特点,实现了任意地形(平坦或起伏)条件下、任意布设的偶极-偶极视电阻率数据的不完全Gauss-Newton三维反演.合成数据的反演结果表明了方法的有效性,可应用于复杂野外环境下的三维电法勘探.     

基于牛顿迭代法和遗传算法的CSAMT近场校正

由于可控源音频大地电磁法（CSAMT）采用人工场源在大大增加信号强度的同时也带来了在近区产生非平面波效应的问题,其表现特征为在双对数坐标中卡尼亚电阻率曲线呈45°上升,即所谓的近场效应.本文首先提出了基于牛顿迭代法求解视电阻率方程的近场效应校正方法,通过对二层、三层理论模型试算验证了该方法的有效性;为进一步增强对噪声的压制能力,本文进一步引入了遗传反演的思想,将全频段误差最小作为目标函数,采用自适应正则化方法引入模型参数梯度最小作为稳定因子,由遗传算法求解得到校正后视电阻率,通过对理论模拟数据加随机噪声的校正结果,表明该方法在实现近场校正的同时能剔除噪声干扰,得到的结果与理论模拟曲线吻合度较高.通过对内蒙古曹四夭钼矿区实测CSAMT数据处理结果表明,牛顿法和遗传算法均能明显校正CSAMT因近场效应引起的假高阻异常,能更好地反映地电结构特征.     

A NUMERICAL METHOD TO COMPUTE THE RESISTIVITY TRANSFORM FROM WENNER SOUNDING DATA*

A numerical technique to compute the resistivity transform directly from the observed Wenner sounding data has been developed. In principle, the procedure is based on a decomposition method and consists of two steps: the first step determines a function that approximates the apparent resistivity data and the second step transforms this function into the corresponding kernel by an analytical operation. The proposed method is tested on some theoretical master curves. A high degree of precision is achieved with very little computer time. The applicability is shown on two field examples.     

Resistivity inversion of cross-hole and borehole-to-surface EM data using axially symmetric models1

We describe a least-squares inversion approach to estimating the subsurface resistivity structure from cross-hole or borehole-to-surface electromagnetic data. It is assumed that the resistivity distribution is symmetric about the axis of a borehole and that vertical magnetic dipoles are located on the borehole axis. The receivers are placed either in another borehole or on the earth's surface. The inversion scheme uses the finite-element and smoothness-constrained least-squares methods. The computational effort required to obtain partial derivatives is reduced considerably by using the reciprocity principle. Numerical simulations show that the reconstructions are generally in good agreement with the true structures when the assumption of an axisymmetric earth structure holds. An example involving the breakdown of this assumption, which can be obtained by interchanging the source and receiver boreholes, suggests that the inversion result may also be useful for locating a general 3D anomaly although artifacts are present.     

THE AUTOMATIC FITTING OF A RESISTIVITY SOUNDING BY A GEOMETRICAL PROGRESSION OF DEPTHS *

The problem of interpretation of geoelectrical resistivity soundings has been studied and a compromise method of interpretation developed. A simple depth sequence of increasing bed thickness is taken and resistivities assigned to the various layers so that a good fit is obtained to the observed apparent resistivity curve. An initial estimate of the resistivities is made by a direct method but the model is then altered to give an improved fit by the indirect method of curve matching. The whole method is computerized and input data to the computer program consists of spacings and apparent resistivities. The method is extremely rapid, about one third of the computation time is devoted to obtaining the resistivity transform by the method of convolution. A normal type of solution, incorporating additional information if necessary, can also be obtained.     

An efficient non-linear least-squares 1D inversion scheme for resistivity and IP sounding data

Non-linear least-squares inversion operates iteratively by updating the model parameters in each step by a correction vector which is the solution of a set of normal equations. Inversion of geoelectrical data is an ill-posed problem. This and the ensuing suboptimality restrict the initial model to being in the near vicinity of the true model. The problem may be reduced by introducing damping into the system of equations. It is shown that an appropriate choice of the damping parameter obtained adaptively and the use of a conjugate-gradient algorithm to solve the normal equations make the 1D inversion scheme efficient and robust. The scheme uses an optimal damping parameter that is dependent on the noise in the data, in each iterative step. The changes in the damping and relative residual error with iteration number are illustrated. A comparison of its efficacy over the conventional Marquardt and simulated annealing methods, tested on Inman's model, is made. Inversion of induced polarization (IP) sounding is obtained by inverting twice (true and modified) DC apparent resistivity data. The inversion of IP data presented here is generic and can be applied to any of the IP observables, such as chargeability, frequency effect, phase, etc., as long as these observables are explicitly related to the DC apparent resistivity. The scheme is used successfully in inverting noise-free and noisy synthetic data and field data taken from the published literature.