A review of some experience with the induced‐polarization/resistivity method for hydrocarbon surveys: Successes and limitations

Geophysics ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1522-1532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben K. Sternberg
Keyword(s):  
Close Correlation ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Porous Iron ◽  
Hydrocarbon Production ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Geochemical Model ◽  
Resistivity Method ◽  
Drill Holes ◽  
Host Rocks

Our experience with the induced polarization (IP) and resistivity method for hydrocarbon exploration has shown both successful surveys and limitations of the method. Four examples demonstrate a close correlation between shallow IP and resistivity anomalies and deeper hydrocarbon production. In each of these examples, anomalies occurred over the producing fields which have significantly greater amplitudes than the variations in the surrounding background response. Another important result of our research is the development of a geological/geochemical model for the formation of IP and resistivity anomalies over hydrocarbon reservoirs. The two main requirements for formation of IP and resistivity anomalies, according to this model, are: (1) absence of any thick impermeable seals, such as evaporites, above the reservoir and (2) presence of porous, iron‐rich, near‐surface host rocks, such as clastic rock sequences. The IP and resistivity method can be more successfully applied by selecting those areas for surveys in which these two requirements hold. We have also found that the IP/resistivity method for hydrocarbon exploration has significant limitations. Many areas do not appear to have the required geological and geochemical conditions for the formation of IP or resistivity anomalies. IP and resistivity anomalies may also need to be tested with shallow drill holes to separate anomalies caused by hydrocarbon seepage from false anomalies due to other causes.

Electrical Resistivity and Induced Polarization signatures to delineate the near-surface aquifers contaminated with seawater invasion in Digha, West-Bengal, India

CATENA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 207 ◽  
pp. 105596
Author(s):  
Prashant Kumar ◽  
Prarabdh Tiwari ◽  
Anand Singh ◽  
Arkoprovo Biswas ◽  
Tapas Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Near Surface

Benefits of the induced polarization geoelectric method to hydrocarbon exploration

Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. B47-B59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. Veeken ◽  
Peter J. Legeydo ◽  
Yuri A. Davidenko ◽  
Elena O. Kudryavceva ◽  
Sergei A. Ivanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Alteration Zone ◽  
Impermeable Barrier ◽  
Reasonable Cost ◽  
Impermeable Layer ◽  
Local Enrichment ◽  
Target Depth

Delineation of hydrocarbon prospective areas is an important issue in petroleum exploration. The geoelectric method helps to identify attractive areas and reduces the overall drilling risk. For this purpose, induced polarization (IP) effects are mapped caused by the presence of epigenetic pyrite microcrystals in sedimentary rocks. These crystals occur in a shallow halo-shaped mineralogical alteration zone, often overlying a deeper-seated hydrocarbon accumulation. Local enrichment in pyrite results from reducing geochemical conditions below an impermeable layer. The imperfect top seal of the accumulation permits minor amounts of hydrocarbons to escape and migrate through the overlying rocks to shallower levels. During migration, hydro-carbons encounter an impermeable barrier, forming an altera-tion zone. Induced polarization logging and coring in wells confirm this working model. Geoelectric surveying visual-izes anomalies in electric potential difference measured be-tween receiver electrodes. The differentially normalized method (DNME) inverts the registered decay in potential differences, establishing a depth model constrained by seismic and petro-physical data. Diagnostic geoelectric attributes are proposed, giving a better grip on chargeability and resistivity distribution. Acquisition and processing parameters are adjusted to the target depth. Encouraging results are obtained in deeper [Formula: see text] as well as in very shallow water. Onshore, a grounded current transmitter is used. Geoelectric surveys cover different geologic settings with varying target depths. The success ratio for predicting hydrocarbon occurrences is high. So far, 40 successful wells have been drilled in Russia on mapped geoelectric anomalies. Out of 126 wells, the method produced satisfactory results in all but two cases. The technique reduces the risk attached to new hydrocarbon prospects and allows better ranking at a reasonable cost.

scholarly journals An overview of the spectral induced polarization method for near-surface applications

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 453-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Kemna ◽  
Andrew Binley ◽  
Giorgio Cassiani ◽  
Ernst Niederleithinger ◽  
André Revil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Induced Polarization ◽  
Polarization Method ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Spectral Induced Polarization

scholarly journals CONTRIBUTION OF DEEP ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY TOMOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE TO HYDROGEOLOGICAL STUDIES: CASES FROM AREAS IN KAVALA (NORTH GREECE)

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 1962
Author(s):  
G. Vargemezis ◽  
P. Tsourlos ◽  
I. Mertzanides
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Electrical Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Resistivity Tomography ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Resistivity Method ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Vertical Electric Sounding ◽  
Hydrogeological Studies ◽  
2D And 3D

The most common geophysical method widely used in hydrogeological surveys concerning deep investigations (150-300m of depth) is the resistivity method and particularly the Vertical Electric Sounding (VES) using the Schlumberger array. VES interpretations assume 1D geoelectrical structure yet it is obvious that such an interpretation assumption is not valid in many cases where 2D and 3D geological features exist. In such cases the application of geoelectrical techniques which can provide both vertical and lateral information concerning the resistivity variations is required. Techniques such as the electrical resistivity tomography, mostly used for the 2D and 3D geoelectrical mapping of near surface applications can be adapted to be used for larger investigation depths provided that modified equipment (viz. cables) is used. In the present paper, the application of deep electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) techniques is applied. ERT array of 21 electrodes, at a distance of 50 meters between them (total length 1000 meters) has been used in several studied areas located in the prefecture of Kavala (North Greece). In several cases near surface structure has been compared with VLF data. The aim of the survey was to study in detail the geological-hydrogeological structure the area of interest in order to suggest the best location for the construction of hydrowells with the most promising results. The 2D images of the geological structure down to the depth of at least 200 meters allowed the better understanding of the behaviour of layered geological formations, since in several cases resistivity values have been calibrated with data from pre-existing boreholes.

scholarly journals Muting the noise cone in near‐surface reflection data: An example from southeastern Kansas

Geophysics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1332-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory S. Baker ◽  
Don W. Steeples ◽  
Matt Drake
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Seismic Reflection Profile ◽  
Seismic Data Processing ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Reflection ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Data Volume ◽  
Total Data

A 300-m near‐surface seismic reflection profile was collected in southeastern Kansas to locate a fault(s) associated with a recognized stratigraphic offset on either side of a region of unexposed bedrock. A substantial increase in the S/N ratio of the final stacked section was achieved by muting all data arriving in time after the airwave. Methods of applying traditional seismic data processing techniques to near‐surface data (200 ms of data or less) often differ notably from hydrocarbon exploration‐scale processing (3–4 s of data or more). The example of noise cone muting used is contrary to normal exploration‐scale seismic data processing philosophy, which is to include all data containing signal. The noise cone mute applied to the data removed more than one‐third of the total data volume, some of which contains signal. In this case, however, the severe muting resulted in a higher S/N ratio in the final stacked section, even though some signal could be identified within the muted data. This example supports the suggestion that nontraditional techniques sometimes need to be considered when processing near‐surface seismic data.

Near-surface modeling challenges highlighted in recent workshop

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 354-356
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Saad ◽  
Moosa Al-Jahdhami
Keyword(s):  
Guided Waves ◽  
Joint Inversion ◽  
Waveform Inversion ◽  
Surface Modeling ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Velocity Inversion ◽  
Geophysical Imaging ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics

Despite technological and computational advances in geophysical imaging, near-surface geophysics continues to pose significant challenges in modeling and imaging the subsurface. Geoscientists from around the world attended the first and second editions of the SEG/DGS Near-surface Modeling and Imaging Workshop in 2014 and 2016 to address these challenges. A range of near-surface disciplines were represented from academia and industry, covering aspects of engineering and hydrocarbon exploration. The previous workshops explored emerging and underdeveloped techniques, including deep learning (machine learning), nonseismic methods, full-waveform inversion (FWI), and joint inversion. The necessity to further understand guided waves, anisotropy, velocity inversion, and the creation of an inclusive near-surface model was identified. The previous editions led to a greater understanding of the importance of knowledge sharing among various disciplines in modeling and imaging of the near surface.

scholarly journals A Geochemical Model of Fluids and Mineral Interactions for Deep Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

Geofluids ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Jun Li ◽  
Raheel Ahmed ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Yongfan Guo ◽  
Xiaochun Li
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Mutual Solubility ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Sulfate Ions ◽  
Geochemical Model ◽  
Exploration And Production ◽  
Fundamental Research ◽  
Solubility Model ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration And Production

A mutual solubility model for CO2-CH4-brine systems is constructed in this work as a fundamental research for applications of deep hydrocarbon exploration and production. The model is validated to be accurate for wide ranges of temperature (0–250°C), pressure (1–1500 bar), and salinity (NaCl molality from 0 to more than 6 mole/KgW). Combining this model with PHREEQC functionalities, CO2-CH4-brine-carbonate-sulfate equilibrium is calculated. From the calculations, we conclude that, for CO2-CH4-brine-carbonate systems, at deeper positions, magnesium is more likely to be dissolved in aqueous phase and calcite can be more stable than dolomite and, for CO2-CH4-brine-sulfate systems, with a presence of CH4, sulfate ions are likely to be reduced to S2− and H2S in gas phase could be released after S2− saturated in the solution. The hydrocarbon “souring” process could be reproduced from geochemical calculations in this work.

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