FOCUSSED ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY ARRAYS: SOME THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EXPERIMENTS*

The “Laterolog 7′’and the “Microlaterolog’ have been studied theoretically for the case of a conducting halfspace containing a single overburden, using a technique based on the method of images. The results have shown these focussed arrays to be more sensitive to the lower medium (i.e., having greater depth of investigation) than unfocussed ones of the same dimensions, when the “correct’ geometric factor is used. The geometric factor of a focussed electrode array is somewhat involved, and is explained with reference to an ideal focussed array; such an array would pass a measuring current of constant intensity into a fixed geometrical shape of conducting material, irrespective of any layering or any other heterogenities that may be present, using auxiliary current sources of variable magnitude. This concept of a constant amount of current flowing in a beam of fixed geometry and current density, is the basis of focussed arrays, and it is shown that the geometric factor, used to calculate the apparent resistivity, is the one derived when considering the homogeneous case. The value of the constant measuring current, alone, is used to convert the measured potential difference into a resistance, the ratio between this value and the combined intensities of the auxiliary current sources, for the homogeneous case, being incorporated into the geometric factor. Surprisingly good agreement was found between the theoretical models and practical experiments using a focussing seabed resistivity probe which is a substantial modification of the “Microlaterolog”. Both show similar deviations from the ideal case which are explained in terms of refraction at the overburden interface. All experiments indicated that focussed arrays have a greater depth of investigation than similar unfocussed ones for a single overburden, whether it be resistive or conductive.     

A NOTE ON THE USE OF NOMOGRAMS FOR APPARENT RESISTIVITY COMPUTATION*

Nomograms are presented for the purpose of rapid computation of the apparent resistivity functions from the field data for symmetrical and unsymmetrical linear electrode arrays.     

EXPLORATION OF HIGH RESISTIVITY BASEMENT USING ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC FIELDS OF QUASI-STATIC POINT SOURCES*

Determination of thickness of sediments (usually of high conductivity) overlying a high-resistivity basement is one of the basic problems of electrical exploration methods. This paper proposes to determine horizontal electrical conductance on the basis of impedance calculated from electrical and magnetic fields of distant quasi-static (low-frequency) point sources. Using the proposed method, horizontal conductance of the sediments can be determined also from artificial quasi-static noise-impulses coming from sources of unknown position and intensity. The results of analogue modeling and field examples prove the potential of the proposed technique.     

NOMOGRAMS FOR SOLVING EQUATIONS IN MULTILAYER AND DIPPING LAYER CASES*

Nomograms for solving equations in multilayer and dipping layer cases are presented. The nomograms constructed are used to solve the following equations: I. Intercept-time formula. 2. Critical distance formula. 3. Critical angle formula. 4. Critical angle and dip angle formula. 5. Vertical depth formula.     

COMBINED SOUNDING-PROFILING RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS WITH THE THREE-ELECTRODE ARRAYS*

A combination of DC-resistivity sounding and profiling measurements can be used to obtain the maximum information about distribution of resistivities in the earth. Combined sounding-profiling measurements with the AMN, MNB arrays are considered. The resistivity data from such measurements can be presented as: (a) normal sounding curves, (b) combined sounding-profiling curves, (c) profiling curves, (d) pseudo-sections, or as transformations obtained by the so-called gradient processing, to emphasize the influence of the target objects. The examples chosen from numerical modeling and field tests show the efficiency of measurements with three-electrode arrays to accurately locate thin conductors and contacts of lithological units of different resistivities. An interpreted cross-section is compared with the results of other geophysical measurements (VLF-R, dipole EM, Δ, IP) showing good correlation.     

RESISTIVITY PROFILING WITH DIFFERENT ELECTRODE ARRAYS OVER A GRAPHITE DEPOSIT*

Motivated by several papers by Indian colleagues suggesting that a single-pole array is the most favorable one for locating electrically conductive targets in the underground, detailed measurements were carried out with different electrode arrays over a well-known graphite deposit near Pfaffenreuth, Germany. The following arrays were used: (1) Wenner array; (2) single-pole array; (3) half-Wenner array; (4) half-Schlumberger array. Each of the arrays established the location of the main graphite deposit. The half-Schlumberger array turned out to be the most reliable one since it showed details which were only very poorly indicated by the other arrays or not at all. Mathematical modeling of three-dimensional bodies simulating the geological situation for this deposit were carried out. These results show an unexpectedly good correlation with the measured effects.     

EXPLORATION OF BURUNDI NICKELIFEROUS LATERITES BY ELECTRICAL METHODS*

The laterites in Burundi, which are formed by weathering of ultrabasic rocks, show a complete profile with the following horizons: canga, the ferruginous crust capping, ferralite, consisting essentially of iron hydroxides, and saprolite, which contains a large quantity of hydrosilicate minerals. Nickel bearing minerals occur in the saprolite and the lower portion of ferralite. Resistivity well-logging and resistivity sounding indicated that the electrical properties of rocks depend upon their composition: Canga and ferralite showed high resistivities of 6,500 Ωm and 800 Ωm, respectively. The resistivity of saprolite was found to be much lower, between 10 Ωm and 20 Ωm. The laterite is underlain by resistive peridotite. The chargeability of saprolite was found to be lower than that of the upper horizons and the bedrock. Electrolytic conductivity of laterite, which depends on the geometry of the deposit, was found to be low, because the laterite contains moisture and ground water, which are highly resistive. The relatively high conductivity of saprolite is caused by nickeliferous hydrosilicates, which exhibit the electrical properties of clay minerals, with an apparent maximum conductivity of 0.25 S/m. The conductivity of saprolite corresponds to a concentration between 30% and 50% of conductive silicate minerals distributed in the pore space of deposit. A nickel enrichment of up to 6% was estimated from the resistivity of the saprolite. Prospecting for laterites by electrical sounding showed that the development of laterite horizons in a nickel deposit correlates with the surface morphology of weathered ultrabasic massif. Thus the method can be used in preliminary exploration of such deposits.     

AN ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY PROFILE IN HAWAII WITH NOVEL ELEVATION CORRECTION*

In order to locate relatively optimum sites for drilling exploratory holes for fresh water, an electrical resistivity survey was conducted along the new Mahukona-Kawaihae Road on the west flank of the Kohala Mountain. Two resistivity soundings made at the same stations, using the Schlumberger electrode configuration, determined an a spacing of 275 feet for horizontal profiling with the Wenner array. The correlation coefficient of the elevation to profile data was 0.41. A procedure for removing elevation effect from observed apparent resistivity was developed. Based on the reduced resistivity profile, four relatively optimum sites for additional exploration, such as by drilling, are specified. There is no specific interpretation of the data that can definitely indicate the occurrence of large underground reservoirs of fresh water anywhere along the profile. This is because the interpretation of horizontal profiling data is essentially relative and not absolute.     

DETECTION OF SOLUTION CHANNELS IN LIMESTONE BY ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHOD*

The results of geophysical surveys carried out in the Kopili Hydel Project site in the United North Cachar and Mikir Hills district, Assam, to locate and trace underground caverns in limestone are presented. Electrical resistivity observations over known limestone caverns showed significant anomalies (high resistivity). In the course of the systematic electrical resistivity survey conducted at the eastern fringe of the Umrong basin to study the competency of the proposed reservoir, a number of indications of possible caverns in limestone were obtained and a few of them have been verified by drilling. An analysis of the electrical resistivity data also suggests that the deep seated caverns are aligned along an axis trending NNW-SSE, which may represent a zone of weakness– presumably a fault–that has influenced the formation of the caverns in preferred direction. Drilling over a few of the geophysical indications have corroborated the presence of a fault along the eastern fringe of the Umrong basin.     

利用电成像结果推断隐伏断裂的方法及其典型形式

经过几年的试验,探测城市浅层隐伏断裂的电成像技术已取得进展。根据在北京奥运村、山东、甘肃和山西等地的试验探测结果,总结了利用电成像结果推断反映城市浅层隐伏断裂的电性结构间断面的方法、步骤及其典型表现形式。一般情况下,在分析时,首先分析电性结构的层状特征,以此初步判定探测区域中是否存在电性结构间断面;其次,要由深入浅分析电阻率等值线,如果它们能够从探测剖面的深部向上延伸到浅部,且存在等值线的整体性错断、强烈(集中)弯曲或梯度带,则表明存在表征隐伏断裂的电性结构间断面;最后需进行水平追踪分析,以确定表征隐伏断裂的电性结构间断面的空间展布。通过总结,可将电性结构间断面分为AB、ABA和AC3种类型。在文中,以淄博段张店-仁河断裂系为例,详细说明了如何使用所总结的方法来推断目标隐伏断裂的位置及空间展布。根据研究结果布设了工程钻孔,其结果证实文中的推断是正确的。不过,文中介绍的方法不是惟一的、死板的,切不可生搬硬套,仅期望为今后利用电成像结果推测城市浅层隐伏断裂的工作提一些供参考和帮助。     

THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR CAVITY RESEARCH WITH GEOELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY METHODS*

The exact localization of subterranean cavities and the determination of their dimensions is very important for the planning of geotechnical and mining activities. It is a complicated geophysical task often at the limit of detection. Nevertheless geophysical investigation is the only alternative to a dense and expensive grid of boreholes. This report tests the usefulness of geoelectrical resistivity methods for cavity detection under some new aspects. The basis for evaluation was a theoretical analysis of different conventional and focussing measuring arrays and of special arrays for a geoelectrical research between two boreholes. The limit of detectability of a cylindrical cavity of defined cross-section and depth was calculated for the different measuring arrays on the basis of computation of the apparent resistivity ρa. Furthermore, the influence of possible errors (current supply of the electrodes and the distance between the electrodes) is discussed for focussed systems. The second part of the article is directed at the behaviour of the apparent resistivity ρa, the disturbing potential δV_d caused by the cavity and the normal potential δV₀ of the measuring array all in relation to a homogeneous earth. Some new results are presented. In the last part of the article theoretical results are compared with some field measurements.     

油气电法勘探综述

在直接找油气的物探方法中，电法作为一类重要的非地震地球物理方法，越来越受到人们的重视与关注。本文对其中几种主要的方法，如激发极化法、电场差分法和自然电场法等，从原理、发展概况和应用效果方面进行了简要论述。另外，对用来解决地质构造问题的非直接找油气的建场测探法、大地电磁法和可控源音频大地电磁法等，本文也作了扼要介绍。     

视电阻率法的地形改正

文本提出用理论计算来消除复杂地形对视电阻率影响的方法。借助数学公式解析单元地形的线源畸变电场和点源畸变电场,计算并编制出量板,再将单元地形的视电阻率畸变曲线组合迭加,就能近似地取得复杂地形的改正曲线。文中举出实例,阐明了这种地形改正方法的应用和效果。     

ATTENUATION OF COHERENT NOISE IN MARINE SEISMIC EXPLORATION USING VERY LONG ARRAYS *

The use of arrays to separate primary reflections from unwanted coherent seismic events is common practice in land seismic surveys. Very long source and receiver arrays have been used recently to reduce the effects of waterbottom multiples on marine seismic data. The source array consists of five uniformly spaced identical subarrays, each with five different airguns, where the distance between the subarrays may vary from 20 m56 m. The volume of each subarray is 10.3 1 (630 cu.in.) which gives a total volume of the array of 51.5 1 (3150 cu.in.) operated at a pressure of 14 MPa (2000 psi). In order to have a flexible receiver system it was decided to implement the extended receiver array in data processing by computing a weighted sum of two to five traces. The hydrophone cable consists of fifty-four channels with a group length of 50 m. Data shot with the superlong airgun array are processed by a combination of standard techniques and special procedures. In particular, the quality of the stack section is improved by using a weighted stack. The stack weights are computed by a program which takes into account the primary-to-multiple ratio. Comparisons with conventional data show significant improvements in data quality obtained by using the superlong airgun array. Examples show that the waterbottom multiples have been strongly attenuated and the deep seismic events have been enhanced. The combined array response function for dipping events is given in an appendix.     

SIGNATURE AND AMPLITUDE OF LINEAR AIRGUN ARRAYS *

During the last few years many airgun arrays have been designed with the objective of generating a short signature of high amplitude. For linear arrays of non-interacting airguns two rules have been derived that may help in the design or evaluation of airgun arrays. To achieve a short pressure pulse, the total available air volume has to be distributed over the individual guns in such a way that the tail of the signal, owing to the added bubble signals, becomes as flat as possible. When we think of ordering airguns according to volume, this flat signal tail can be achieved by designing the volumes such that the difference in bubble times of two adjacent guns is proportional to their volume to the power 2/3. The amplitude expected from a linear array of non-interacting airguns is limited by the physical length of the array. A graph of measured values tends to confirm this relation. No relation has been found between the total volume of an array and its amplitude. The graph also detects inefficient use of available array length of existing arrays.     

视电阻率法的地形改正

文本提出用理论计算来消除复杂地形对视电阻率影响的方法。借助数学公式解析单元地形的线源畸变电场和点源畸变电场,计算并编制出量板,再将单元地形的视电阻率畸变曲线组合迭加,就能近似地取得复杂地形的改正曲线。文中举出实例,阐明了这种地形改正方法的应用和效果。     

THE USE OF TWO-ELECTRODE AND SCHLUMBERGER FILTERS FOR COMPUTING RESISTIVITY AND EM SOUNDING CURVES*

Different sets of filter coefficients for the linear filter technique for the computations of resistivity and EM sounding curves are evaluated for several electrode and coil configurations. Instead of this procedure, the two-electrode filter can be used for computations of Wenner, Schlumberger, and dipole—dipole apparent resistivity model curves by defining convolutional expressions which contain the new input functions in terms of the resistivity transform function. Similarly, the Schlumberger filter performs the computations of dipole—dipole apparent resistivity model curves. The Wenner, Schlumberger, and dipole—dipole filter functions are defined in terms of the two-electrode filter using the new convolutional expressions. A relationship between the Schlumberger and dipole—dipole filter functions is given. The above arguments are adopted for the computations of EM sounding curves. It is shown that the EM filter for the horizontal coplanar loop system (which is identical to the two-electrode filter) performs the computations of the mutual coupling ratios for perpendicular, vertical coplanar, and vertical coaxial loop systems. In the same way, the Schlumberger filter can be used to compute vertical coaxial sounding curves. The corresponding input functions are defined in terms of the EM kernel for all convolutional expressions presented. After these considerations, integral expressions of the mutual coupling ratios involving zero-order Bessel function are derived. The mutual coupling ratio for the vertical coaxial loop system is given in the same form as the mutual coupling ratio for the vertical coplanar loop system.     

RESISTIVITY MODELLING FOR ARBITRARILY SHAPED TWO-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES*

A numerical technique is developed to solve the three-dimensional potential distribution about a point source of current located in or on the surface of a half-space containing arbitrary two-dimensional conductivity distribution. Finite difference equations are obtained for Poisson's equations by using point- as well as area-discretization of the subsurface. Potential distributions at all points in the set defining the half-space are simultaneously obtained for multiple point sources of current injection. The solution is obtained with direct explicit matrix inversion techniques. An empirical mixed boundary condition is used at the “infinitely distant” edges of the lower half-space. Accurate solutions using area-discretization method are obtained with significantly less attendant computational costs than with the relaxation, finite-element, or network solution techniques for models of comparable dimensions.     

NAVIGATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION *

Marine geophysical work requires accurate navigation on a continuous basis. A repeatability of 150 m CEP (circular error probable) with sequential positioning of 15 m CEP is usually acceptable. Quoted figures for many presently available navigation systems yield nearly the required accuracy. In actual operations, however, such accuracies may not be achieved, and usually the performance actually realized cannot be determined for want of independent measurements for comparison. If more redundancy in navigation measurements were available on an integrated basis, the limitations of individual systems would no longer be so critical and the accuracy of measurements could be assessed in real time. Failures in navigation continue to occur. Such failures usually result from ignorance of the capabilities of the navigation system and limitations and consequent choice of a system which is not appropriate to the demands of a particular survey. The points to be covered in work standards are listed.     

THE OFFSET SYSTEM OF ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY SOUNDING AND ITS USE WITH A MULTICORE CABLE*†

One of the most troublesome problems in resistivity sounding is caused by the spurious effects of near-surface lateral resistivity variations. It has been found that the effects can be strongly reduced by measuring earth resistances at two electrode array positions such that in one position the lateral effect is a positive contribution to the total measured signal and in the other the contribution is negative. The subsequent combination of the two measurements virtually eliminates the lateral effect. The same technique can also result in a significant reduction in the total number of necessary electrode positions. Consequently the method can be used with a multicore cable system. In this way, in addition to improving the accuracy of the measured results, time and manpower are considerably reduced. Details of the method, examples and comparisons with traditional sounding techniques are given.