Showing papers in "Geophysical Prospecting in 1986"

Two-and-One-Half Dimensional In-Plane Wave Propagation.

Abstract: : The purpose of this paper is to collect certain wave propagation results in two-and-one-half dimensions -- defined as three dimensional propagation in a medium that has variations in two dimensions only. The results of interest are for sources and receivers in the plane determined by the two directions of parameter variation. The objective of this work is to reduce the analysis of the in-plane propagation to two dimensional analysis while retaining -- at least asymptotically -- the proper three dimensional geometrical spreading. We do this for the free space Green's function and for the Kirchhoff approximate upward scattered field from a single reflector. In both cases, we carry out a derivation under the assumption of a background velocity with two dimensional -- c(x,z) -- variation; we specialize the results to a constant background velocity and a depth dependent background velocity. For the convenience of the user we have included a glossary and two tables of equation numbers to help in finding specific results. Keywords include: Ray method; Geometrical optics; Wave propagation; Green's function; Jacobian; Travel time; and WKB.

The nature of the non‐gaussianity of primary reflection coefficients and its significance for deconvolution*

Abstract: One of the important properties of a series of primary reflection coefficients is its amplitude distribution. This paper examines the amplitude distribution of primary reflection coefficients generated from a number of block-averaged well logs with block thicknesses corresponding to 1 ms (two-way time). The distribution is always essentially symmetric, but has a sharper central peak and larger tails than a Gaussian distribution. Thus any attempt to estimate phase using the bi-spectrum (third-order spectrum) is unlikely to be successful, since the third-order moment is almost identically zero. Complicated tri-spectrum (fourth-order spectrum) calculations are thus required. Minimum Entropy Deconvolution (MED) schemes should be able to exploit this form of non-Gaussianity. However, both these methods assume a white reflectivity sequence; they would therefore mix up the contributions to the trace's spectral shape that are due to the wavelet and those that are due to non-white reflectivity unless corrections are introduced. A mixture of two Laplace distributions provides a good fit to the empirical amplitude distributions. Such a mixture distribution fits nicely with sedimentological observations, namely that clear distinctions can be made between sedimentary beds and lithological units that comprise one or more such beds with the same basic lithology, and that lithological units can be expected to display larger reflection coefficients at their boundaries than sedimentary beds. The geological processes that engender major lithological changes are not the same as those for truncation of bedding. Analyses of sub-sequences of the reflection series are seen to support this idea. The variation of the mixing proportion parameter allows for scale and shape changes in different segments of the series, and hence provides a more flexible description of the series than the generalized Gaussian distribution which is shown to also provide a good fit to the series. Both the mixture of two Laplace distributions and the generalized Gaussian distribution can be expressed as scale mixtures of the ordinary Gaussian distribution. This result provides a link with the ordinary Gaussian distribution which might have been expected to be the distribution of a natural series such as reflection coefficients. It is also important in the consideration of the solution of MED-type methods. It is shown that real (coloured) primary reflection series do not seem to be obtainable as the deconvolution result from MED-type deconvolution schemes.

Experimental Studies of Elastic-Wave Propagation in a Columnar-Jointed Rock MASS*

Abstract: Results are presented of a series of cross-hole acoustic measurements made between four horizontal boreholes drilled from a near-surface underground opening situated in a basaltic rock mass. The objectives of the program were to assess the extent of blast damage around the opening, and to evaluate the rock mass characteristics and their spatial variation around the opening. The acoustic velocity and attenuation data are indicative of an anisotropic, jointed rock mass, with a greater intensity of jointing along travel paths in the horizontal than the vertical direction. Low acoustic P- and S-velocities are indicative of blast damage and of zones of intense jointing or fracturing. In this case blast damage extends to approximately 1.5 m from the face. Attenuation data appear to be less sensitive in distinguishing between the blast-damaged zone and intense vertical jointing and fracturing in the virgin rock mass. Taken together with field data, laboratory measurements of P- and S-wave velocities on intact core samples suggest that the rock mass is probably water saturated.

Complex resistivity of synthetic sulphide bearing rocks

Abstract: The complex resistivity of synthetic samples has been measured over the frequency range 0.01 Hz to 1.0 MHz. The synthetic samples were made of a quartz matrix and sulphide particles. Grain sizes, volume fractions, and sulphide particles of different nature were used. The samples were saturated to different degrees, with different types of electrolyte. The results obtained were used to check the validity of the theoretical electrochemical model developed by Wong (1979). This model fits the experimental data reasonably well in the frequency range where the dispersion and the phase maxima occur. Against the model expectations, the experiment did not duplicate the Debye-form of spectra because most of the common metals are oxidized to the ionic form and an electrochemical charge transfer reaction occurs at the interface. The model prediction regarding the effect of the distribution of the grain radii on the complex resistivity could not be duplicated experimentally.

Anisotropy and transverse isotropy

Abstract: A number of authors in the exploration literature have written about anisotropy, but have restricted their discussions to wave propagation through rock having transverse isotropy with a vertical symmetry axis. This note shows that there are fundamental differences between transverse isotropy when the symmetry axis is vertical (normal to the free surface) and more general anisotropy with an azimuthal variation of properties. These differences are important now that effective azimuthal shear-wave anisotropy resulting from aligned cracks and pores is becoming recognized as a significant property of crustal rocks.

Seismic measurements for safety in mines

Abstract: The study of rock stresses and their changes is of great importance for safety in mines. To detect dangerous stress accumulations in coal mines an empirical method, Jahn's drilling test, is generally used. An experimental survey to solve the same problem by geophysical measurements was undertaken in a Hungarian coal mine. The basic idea was to determine the easily measurable seismic velocities instead of the more difficult to measure stresses in the rocks, since there is a monotonic relation between them. During the survey seismic transmission-type measurements were carried out in the fore-field of longwall faces between the top and tail roads. The seismic velocity data obtained were processed using an iterative algebraic reconstruction technique to determine the ‘velocity field’, i.e., the seismic velocity distribution, of the area covered by the ray paths. By periodically repeating the measurements in the same area, it was possible to follow the changes in the stress conditions caused by mining operations.

Migration of vsp data by ray equation extrapolation in 2‐d variable velocity media*

Abstract: The standard Kirchhoff algorithm can be generalized for migration of pre-stack finite-offset data from variable-velocity media The concentric ellipses over which the data are spread in constant velocity media become significantly distorted (even multi-valued) in the variable velocity case The specific shapes can be explicitly defined by kinematic extrapolation of the source and recorded wave fields with the ray equation The use of Kirchhoff migration with a surface source and a subsurface recorder requires that two sets of Kirchhoff loci be superimposed For each trace, the first set of loci is computed with the source and the actual recorder position as foci; the second set is computed with the source and the virtual recorder position as foci This dual procedure explicitly incorporates the primary diffracted energy and the free-surface reflections, respectively Implementation involves the construction of a virtual medium, lying above the free surface, with a velocity distribution that is the mirror image of the actual distribution below the free surface Ray-equation extrapolation is performed through the real/virtual boundary The resulting image is produced in a split form, with all the contributions of the primary reflected and diffracted energy lying in the lower ‘real’ half and all the contributions of the energy that was reflected at the free surface lying in the upper ‘virtual’ half The final image is produced by folding the split image about the free surface and adding the two halves A practical advantage is that the origin of various contributions (and artifacts) can be more readily identified (for interpretation or removal) in the split images The ray-equation pre-stack migration algorithm is very general It is applicable to all source-recorder geometries and variable velocity media and reduces exactly to the standard Kirchhoff algorithm when applied to zero or finite-offset surface survey data The algorithm is illustrated by application to VSP data For the VSP geometry, the algorithm does not require any specific trace spacing (in depth) and can be used for data from deviated as well as vertical holes

Slant stacking and its significance for anisotropy

Abstract: Slant stacking transforms seismic data, recorded as a function of source-receiver offset and traveltime, into the domain of intercept time τ and ray parameter p. The shape of the τ-p-curves thus obtained is closely related to the slowness surfaces of the layers. A layer-stripping operation in the τ-p-domain removes all effects of the layers above the target layer. The resulting curve is equal to the slowness surface of the layer except for a scaling factor containing the thickness and dip of the layer. The slowness surface is a characteristic surface for anisotropic media. This makes the τ-p-domain very suitable for detecting and describing anisotropic layers. The relationship between the shape of τ-p-curves, the slowness surfaces, and the geometry of the layers is derived. Synthetic τ-p-curves calculated with the reflectivity method show some difficulties that can arise in determining the shape of the curves and in applying the stripping operation. It is shown that the effects of vertical inhomogeneity on the interpretation of τ-p-curves in terms of anisotropy are small.

Geophysical investigation of a fault zone–case history from ile‐ife, southwest nigeria*

Abstract: A fault zone, inferred as a major linear structure from aerial photographs of the University of Ife Campus, has been investigated. Results of a multi-method geophysical survey indicate that the zone is characterized by relatively low resistivity and high magnetic effect. They are characteristic of a sheared and perhaps saturated fault zone with magnetic mineral infillings along its plane. The near symmetry of the magnetic anomalies over the fault zone may not be indicative of a step faulting. The geoelectric sections show no indication of any significant displacement. The above supports results of a previous study that the fault is a strike-slip fault.

Tutorial; The progressive attenuation of high-frequency energy in seismic reflection data

Abstract: Seismic reflection data always exhibit a progressive loss of high-frequency energy with time. This effect is partly attributable to irreversible processes such as the conversion of elastic energy into heat (commonly known as absorption), and partly to reversible processes associated with interference between reflected waves arriving at different times. This paper looks only at reversible linear elastic effects at normal incidence and asks the following question: if there were no such absorption, would there still be a progressive loss of high-frequency energy? Using normal incidence and a layered elastic earth model we prove the following results. 1. The normal incidence response of a sequence of plane parallel elastic layers is non-white. 2. The pressure wave reflected by a layer that is thin compared with a wavelength is differentiated with respect to the incident wave. 3. The transmission response of a thin layer is consequently low-pass and the transmission response of a sequence containing many thin layers is very low-pass. 4. The well-known effect of the transport of acoustic energy by peg-leg multiples within thin layers is identical with this low-pass transmission response. 5. It follows that the high frequency energy is reflected back early in the seismogram. 6. By comparison, very low-frequencies are transmitted through the layered sequence easily and are reflected with difficulty. There is probably a lack of low-frequency energy in the reflection seismogram, by comparison with the spectrum of the incident plane wave. It follows that any meaningful evaluation of frequency-dependent absorption in seismic data cannot take place unless the frequency-dependent linear elastic effects are taken into account first.

Solution of the vsp one‐dimensional inverse problem*

Abstract: The acoustical impedance distribution of the substratum, or equivalently, the reflection coefficient sequence, is determined from VSP data. This nonlinear inverse problem is solved by a least-squares method. As the wavelet is unknown, the impedance distribution and the Neumann boundary condition (which characterizes the excitation of the medium) are simultaneously identified. The inversion method is applied to synthetic and field VSP's; the result is satisfactory, even when strong noise corrupts the data, provided that a suitable constraint on the impedance distribution is introduced in order to ensure the stability of the inverse problem. The reliability of the inversion result in the case of field VSP, is confirmed. Some ways in which this result may be used are illustrated (calibration of the seismic surface data, multiple identification, prediction ahead of the bit).

Origin of the anomalies of gravity and its vertical gradient over cavities in brittle rock

Abstract: Investigations show that the depth range of the gravity method for detecting cavities is considerably greater than expected on the basis of theoretical calculations that consider only the depth and shape of the cavity. The cavity generates its own gravity field that is the sum of the activity of the cavity itself and the density changes caused in the surrounding rocks by the process of their destruction as a result of the cavity's expansion. The latter factor is decisive for the cavity's detection by the gravity method in several cases. The extent of the zones of change density in the surrounding rocks and their actual shape depend on many parameters. Thus, the determination of the depth of the cavity cannot be made by comparing measured and theoretical curves of gravity anomalies. The location of the center of gravity of the area disturbed by the cavity or upper boundary of its development towards the ground surface can be determined by denoting the singular point of gravity as a result of the downward analytical continuation of Ag. The Strakhov-Grigorieva-Lapina (1977) method fulfils the necessary conditions in the field.

Computer techniques for the zoning and correlation of well‐logs*

Abstract: This paper reviews computer techniques used in the automatic zoning and correlation of well-logs. Prior to correlating, well-logs are to be segmented–or ‘zoned’–so as to delineate sections that have similar properties. Techniques discussed include statistical methods such as variance tests and Student's t-test, linguistic analysis, the use of Walsh functions and spectral analysis. Well-log correlation, which may be between traces from different wells or between traces from the same hole (as in dip logs), is used in basin studies and the determination of structural dip. A variety of methods are reviewed including conventional time and frequency correlation, sequence slotting, pattern recognition and frequency analysis. Future directions for investigation are proposed.

Shear-wave reflection profiling for near-surface lignite exploration

Abstract: We present the results of a shear-wave reflection experiment and in situ measurements in opencast lignite exploration. Near-surface coal seams have lower shear-wave velocities (∼ 200 m/s) and lower densities than sand and clay layers. Due to strong reflection coefficients, a shear-wave reflection survey provides a powerful tool in lignite prospecting. Due to shorter seismic wavelengths shear waves will yield a higher resolution of shallow subsurface structure than compressional waves. Low shear-wave velocities and strong lateral velocity variations, however, require a dense data acquisition in the field. The variation of stacking velocities can exceed ± 15% within a profile length of 300 m. The different steps in processing and interpretation of results are described with actual records. The final CMP-stack shows steep-angle fault zones with maximum dislocations of 20 m within a coal seam.

Potential field of a stationary electric current using fredholm's integral equations of the second kind*

Abstract: An integral equation method is described for solving the potential problem of a stationary electric current in a medium that is linear, isotropic and piecewise homogeneous in terms of electrical conductivity. The integral equations are Fredholm's equations of the ‘second kind’ developed for the potential of the electric field. In this method the discontinuity-surfaces of electrical conductivity are divided into ‘sub-areas’ that are so small that the value of their potential can be regarded as constant. The equations are applied to 3-D galvanic modeling. In the numerical examples the convergence is examined. The results are also compared with solutions derived with other integral equations. Examples are given of anomalies of apparent resistivity and mise-a-la-masse methods, assuming finite conductivity contrast. We show that the numerical solutions converge more rapidly than compared to solutions published earlier for the electric field. This results from the fact that the potential (as a function of the location coordinate) behaves more regularly than the electric field. The equations are applicable to all cases where conductivity contrast is finite.

A cross-hole and face-to-borehole in-seam seismic experiment at invincible colliery, australia*

Abstract: An experimental cross-hole and face-to-borehole in-seam seismic survey was carried out at Invincible Colliery in the Western Coalfield of New South Wales. Objectives were to determine propagation characteristics of the Lithgow seam and to establish the infrastructure for seismic mapping hole-to-hole in Australia. The seam supports leaky P-, S- and P-SV-modes. These modes propagate with group velocities (at 60 Hz) of 3.1, 1.5 and 1.2 km/s respectively. Particle motion polarization is well developed, as is dispersion of the SH-mode. Attenuation rates are high. The seam is lossy (Q of approximately 20). Two prominent structures were mapped by mode conversion. One is believed to be a fracture zone, the other a zone of intense roof thrusting. The old workings and a minor strike-slip fault, which intersected raypaths, were found to be relatively transparent to P- and S-waves at 60 Hz. Telemetry delay and shot-break timing errors of the exploder box are significant. The resulting traveltime scatter is reduced by means of a least-squares “statics” procedure. The group velocity estimation algorithm (based on Fourier transform) yields dispersion characteristics which can be matched with theoretical results for a simple model of a coal seam waveguide. The experiment demonstrates the capability to retrieve in-seam seismic data of diagnostic quality over an appreciable distance (2 km). The experience gained in both survey layout and data processing will be beneficial to future seam wave surveying of Australian coal mines.

Tuning effects, lithological effects and depositional effects in the seismic response of gas reservoirs*

Abstract: Synergism of 3-D seismic data, wavelet processing, colour display and interactive interpretation has been exploited in the study of a Gulf of Mexico gas reservoir. Seismic amplitude has been used as a measure of the proportion of a sand/shale reservoir capable of producing gas. This has led to the mapping of net producible thickness of gas sand. The tuning phenomena resulting from geometric effects alone were studied in detail, and tuning curves of various levels of sophistication were used as the basis for amplitude editing. Statistical tuning curves were derived by interactive cross-plotting and deterministic curves by wavelet extraction. Multiple wavelet side lobes cause multiple maxima in the tuning curve. Depositional effects and intrareservoir communication have also been studied by interactive cross-plotting.

Geoelectric determination of quality changes and tectonic disturbances in coal deposits

Abstract: A new underground geoelectric method is presented for the determination of small tectonic disturbances and barrenings in coal seams. The distribution of the apparent resistivity can be mapped from the measured apparent resistance data by using a recently developed geoelectric imaging method. The applicability of the methods are proved by in situ measurements and by a model experiment.

On the time‐varying wiener filter*

Abstract: For a new approach to designing the time-varying Wiener filter, the input is first divided into sections and then the time-varying filter is determined from the entire input and the desired output. The technique differs from the existing one in which the time-invariant filter is determined from each section. Hence, the main difference, between the proposed and the existing technique lies in the arrangement of input data. The proposed technique requires fewer computational operations and performs better than the time-invariant Wiener filter, as illustrated by numerical examples.

The scattering of sh-channel waves by a fault in a coal seam*

Abstract: The imaging of faults in coal seams by the in-seam seismic method has now become standard practice. In the UK over 300 surveys have been undertaken and the technique is now part of the exploration arsenal of colliery planners. From these users comes the pressure for two major improvements, namely an increase in range and target identification. This paper is directed towards the latter problem. It has long been recognized that the reflected channel waves must contain information on the fault structure that caused the reflection, and model experiments have been undertaken to investigate the reflection process. Only recently, however, have attempts been made to quantify the reflection process. Calculations using both the finite-difference and finite-element techniques have been carried out, and estimates of the reflection coefficient as a function of frequency have been obtained. The object of this paper is to extend these considerations by calculating analytically the scattering matrix of an SH-channel wave after interaction at a fault plane. The scattering matrix is calculated as a function of frequency, hade angle, and fault throw. The method employed is based on the decomposition of the incident SH-channel wave into Fourier components, the calculation of plane wave reflection and transmission coefficients within the constraints of geometrical acoustics, and finally the synthesis of the scattering matrix by application of the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral. The calculation throughout is restricted to normal modes.

An optimized digital filter for the fourier transform

Abstract: Short filters for calculating Hankel-transformations, with special attention to the d.c.-sounding problem, have been published in recent years. These filters, with a typical length of less than 25 coefficients, have made it possible to implement, e.g., VES-interpretation programs on microcomputers and 3-D electric and electromagnetic modeling programs on minicomputers. Initially the performance of the short filters was rather poor, but with the introduction of short optimized filters there has been a considerable improvement in the accuracy. An optimization procedure is applied to design a 20-point filter for the Fourier sine-transformation. This filter may be useful in electromagnetic prospecting theory, e.g., in the calculation of the electric and magnetic field from a line source.

Phase and group time sections and possibilities for their use in seismic interpretation of complex media

Abstract: Interpretation problems are discussed for a new class of models for complex seismic media, called heterogeneous models formed by inclusions (HMI). Examples of such models in geology are destructive deformation zones, tectonic raptures, complex folds, magmatogene formations, fronts of metamorphism and of phase transition, etc., which are of importance in interpretation of seismic data. The wavefields in such media have a complicated interferential character and should be considered as complex wave groups characterized by their phase and group properties. To study the phase and group characteristics of such wavefields, a method of construction and comparative analysis of so-called phase and group sections is introduced. This method is based on a transformation of the wavefield (seismogram) into a normalized seismogram (cos of the phase) and a perigram (a low cut version of the trace envelope). The group sections obtained on the perigrams represent zones of energy concentration and give stable estimates of the average characteristics of model structure. The phase sections are obtained on the normalized seismograms and represent primarily, the inner structure of the model. The method was applied to both synthetic and field data. The results of the combined analysis of the phase and group sections show that in many cases there are significant differences between them. On the basis of this analysis, several types of seismic objects may be distinguished which can serve as a basis for seismic interpretation.

Wave field extrapolation techniques for inhomogeneous media which include critical angle events.

Abstract: In one-way wave field extrapolation downgoing and upgoing waves are treated independently, which is allowed if propagation at small angles against the vertical in (weakly) inhomogeneous media is considered In practical implementation the slow convergence of the square-root operator causes numerical deficiencies On the other hand, in two-way wave field extrapolation no assumptions need to be made on the separability of downgoing and upgoing waves Furthermore, in practical implementation the use of the square-root operator is avoided To put the two-way techniques into perspective, it is shown that two-way wave field extrapolation could be described in terms of one-way processes, namely: (1) decomposition of the total wave field into downgoing and upgoing waves; (2) one-way wave field extrapolation; (3) composition of the total wave field from its downgoing and upgoing constituents This alternative description of two-way wave field extrapolation is valid for media which are homogeneous along the z-coordinate as well as for small dip angles in arbitrarily inhomogeneous media In addition, it is shown that this description is also valid for large dip angles in 1-D (vertically) inhomogeneous media, including critical-angle events, when the WKBJ one-way wave functions discussed in part I of this paper are considered For large dip angles in arbitrarily inhomogeneous media the two-way wave equation is solved by means of Taylor series expansion For practical implementation a truncated operator is designed, assuming gentle horizontal variations of the medium properties This operator is stable and converges already in the first order approximation, also for critical-angle events

Love‐type seam‐waves in washout models of coal seams*

Abstract: The propagation of Love seam-waves across washouts of coal seams was studied by calculating synthetic seismograms with a finite-difference method. Seam interruption, seam end and seam thinning models ere investigated. The horizontal offset, the dip of the discontinuities and the degree of erosion served as variable parameters. Maximum displacement amplitudes, relative spectral amplitudes and phase and group slowness curves were extracted from the synthetic seismograms. Both seam interruption and seam thinning reduce the maximum displacement amplitudes of the transmitted Love seam-waves. The degree of amplitude reduction depends on the horizontal offset and the degree of erosion. It is four times greater for a total seam interruption than for an equivalent seam thinning with a horizontal offset of four times the seam thickness. In a seam cut vertically, the impedance contrast between the coal and the washout filling determines the maximum displacement amplitudes of the reflected Love seam-waves. They diminish by a maximum factor of four in oblique interruption zone discontinuities with a dip of maximum 27/sup 0/, and by a maximum factor of ten in a seam thinning with a degree of erosion of at least 22%.

Some new magnetic transformations

Abstract: All magnetic transformations are governed by one simple differential relation between the observed and the transformed quantities. A magnetic map for any component, at any location, and for any given direction of magnetization can be converted into one for which any one, two, or all three parameters differ. Three new magnetic transformations are introduced: (i) reduction to equator, (ii) orthogonal reduction, and (iii) elimination of remanence. The first eliminates (or minimizes) the asymmetry and the lateral shift of the measured total field anomalies, exactly as in Baranov's reduction to pole. The second produces perfect asymmetry so that a symmetrical target lies vertically below the zero anomaly point, midway between the maximum and minimum. When remanence is a contributing factor, the direction of resultant magnetization must be known a priori in all cases, except for transformation of one component into another in the same area. Explicit working formulae are presented for reduction to equator and pole, and orthogonal reduction.

On the upward continuation of potential field data between irregular surfaces

Abstract: The potential field and its derivatives at points above an irregular surface can be approximately obtained from the sampled potential field data acquired on that surface. A method of minimizing the truncation effect, which appears when gravity and magnetic maps are processed with the aid of surface integrals, is derived. The results are compared with those of the most relevant similar methods by using a theoretical, but realistic, model.

Low‐pass filtering of noisy schlumberger sounding curves part 1: theory*

Abstract: A contribution is given to the solution of the problem of filtering noise-degraded Schlumberger sounding curves. It is shown that the transformation to the pole-pole system is actually a smoothing operation that filters high-frequency noise. In the case of residual noise contamination in the transformed pole-pole curve, it is demonstrated that a subsequent application of a conventional rectangular low-pass filter, with cut-off frequency not less than the right-hand frequency limit of the main message pass-band, may satisfactorily solve the problem by leaving a pole-pole curve available for interpretation. An attempt is also made to understand the essential peculiarities of the pole-pole system as far as penetration depth, resolving power and selectivity power are concerned.

Detection of gas bubble boundary movement

Abstract: High-resolution seismic surveys were performed on an underground gas storage of Gaz de France at Gournay-sur-Aronde (Oise) in order to obtain information about gas bubble boundaries within the reservoir. For that purpose, a light seismic source Soursile and spreads with small spacing between geophone groups (10 m) and small geophone group extension (10 m or 20 m) were used. In December 1982, a line recorded on the top of the anticline structure of the gas reservoir provided an estimation of the lateral extension of the bubble based on an amplitude anomaly (dim spot) associated with reservoir seismic horizons. In order to estimate the displacement of the gas bubble within the reservoir, three lines were recorded on the southeastern part of the anticline at different time periods (April 1981 and January 1982) with different volumes of gas in the reservoir. It is assumed that a variation of gas volume introduces a seismic velocity variation and as a result a travel-time variation for the seismic waves that pass through the reservoir. A method based on the residual time shifts observed on reflectors below the reservoir from one survey to the other was developed and implemented. This method permitted a detection of a movement gas bubble boundary between April 1981 and January 1982 which agrees with drill hole data (water level measurements).

Improved phase-ellipse method for in-situ geophone calibration.

Abstract: For amplitude and phase response calibration of moving‐coil electromagnetic geophones two parameters are needed, namely, the geophone natural frequency, f0, and the geophone upper resonance frequency fu. The phase‐ellipse method is commonly used for the in situ determination of these parameters. For a given signal‐to‐noise ratio, the precision of the measurement off0 andfu depends on the phase sensitivity, f(δφ/δf) For some commercial geophones f(δφ/δf) atfu can be an order of magnitude less than the sensitivity atf0. In this paper we present an improved phase‐ellipse method with increased precision. Compared to measurements made with the existing phase‐ellipse methods, our method shows a 6‐ and 3‐fold improvement in the precision, respectively, on measurements of f0 andfu on a commercial geophone.

A versatile electromagnetic modeling program for 2-D structures

Abstract: A new integral-equation program for calculation of the E-polarization response allows modeling of VLF for plane wave or line source input, e.g., magnetotellurics and Turam responses. The anomalous conducting body is modeled by a number of square cells, each of individual size and resistivity, and with arbitrary position in the host medium. This provides a high degree of flexibility and allows for simulation of rather complex conductivity structures. The computation time has been drastically reduced by using techniques such as digital filtering and fast Fourier transformation. The interpretation of a measured Turam profile and the influence of galvanically channelled currents in the conducting body is discussed.