School of Engineering and Technology, (SET)
 
CE71.65 : Exploration Geophysics  3(2-3)
 
Course objectives:

To provide a comprehensive and advanced knowledge on geophysical exploration techniques, their applications and limitations in solving various geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical, and environmental problems, with an emphasis on mineral and hydrocarbon exploration.
 
Learning Outcomes:

Overview on geophysical exploration, applications and limitations. Seismic: basic theory, seismic data processing and interpretation. Refraction and reflection seismic. 3D seismic. Electric: Natural and artificial electric methods. Electric imaging technique. Geoelectric forward and inverse analysis. Magnetic and gravity: fundamental relationship, field procedures, data reduction, processing and interpretation. Well logging: basic well logging types and interpretation. Other geophysical exploration methods. Exploration project planning and management. Advanced geophysical topics.
 
Pre-requisite(s):

None.
 
Course Outline:
I.            Overview
1.      Fundamental considerations, planning and implementation, depth of investigation, applicability and limitation.
2.      Development trends of modern geophysics.

II.         Seismic Exploration
1.      General: Basic theory; energy sources and seismic equipment; comparison between seismic refraction and reflection; seismic data processing.
2.      Seismic Refraction: Refracted waves propagation in different geological models; the delay-time and other methods; field procedures; practical applications.
3.      Seismic Reflection: Reflected wave propagation in different geological models; common field procedures; reflection data processing; practical applications. 3D seismic.

III.       Electric Methods
1.      Electric flow in homogeneous and layered mediums.
2.      VES, EP and Electric Imaging techniques
3.      Other natural and artificial electric methods (self potential, induced polarization, electromagnetic, telluric and magnetotelluric).

IV.      Magnetic
1.      Magnetic parameters; earth’s magnetic field; field procedures.
2.      Magnetic response of geological models & magnetic data interpretation.
3.      Applications of magnetic method
V.         Gravity Method
1.      Gravitational accelerations; measuring gravity and data reduction; field procedures.
2.      Gravity responses of geological objects & gravity anomaly interpretation.
3.      Applications of gravity method
 
VI.      Well Logging:
           Overview of well logging and its applications: resistivity and SP, induction, gamma, neutron, acoustic.

VII.    Other Geophysical Exploration Techniques and Data Analysis:  
          Radiometric; Ground penetration radar (GPR); Electromagentic (EM), Geothermal etc.

VIII.     Planning and Implementation of a Geophysical Exploration Project.
           
IX.          Selected Customized Topics:
              Geophysical inversion, Advanced Seismic Processing and Interpretation, 3D Onshore Seismic Survey, Passive Seismic, Controlled Source Electromagnetic Sounding (CSEM), Underwater Electric Imaging, and other new advances on exploration geophysics etc.
 
Laboratory Sessions:
  • Seismic refraction and reflection. Data processing and interpretation
  • Electric equipment and basic field procedure
  • VES/EP/EI field testing, forward and inverse analyses
  • Gravity and magnetic data analysis and interpretation
  • Well logging interpretation
  • Geophysical Inversion: programming and applications etc.
 
Learning Resources:

Textbook:
Lecture notes
Burger  H. R.,  F. Sheehan . F and C. H. Jones (2004),  Applied Geophysics, Exploring the shallow subsurface, W. W. Norton & Company, 554 p
Gerkens, J. C. D’Arnoud (1989), Foundation of Exploration Geophysics,  Elsevier, 667 p,
 
Reference Books:
Burger, H.R.(1992), Exploration Geophysics of the Shallow Subsurface, Prentice Hall, 489 p.
Ellis D. V. (1987), Well Logging for Earth Scientists, New York, Elsevier, 532 p.
Eskola, L. (1992), Geophysical Interpretation Using Integral Equations, London, 191p.
Heiland C. A. (1963),   Geophysical Exploration, Hafner Publishing Company, 1013 p.
Jahn F., M. Cook and Graham M. (2003), Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production, Elsevier
Liner C. L. (2004), Elements of 3D Seismology, 2nd Edition, PennWell, 608 p.
Telford, W. M., Geldart, L.P., Sheriff, R.E., and Keys, D. A. (1976), Applied Geophysics, Cambridge University Press, 860 p.
Young R. A. (2006), A Lab Manual of Seismic Refection Processing, EAGE Publications.
 
Journals and Magazines:
Applied Geophysics; Geophysical Prospecting; Geophysics; Geophysical Surveys; Near-Surface Geophysics; Groundwater; Engineering Geology.

Software: Seismic Unix (SU); OpenTect of dGB Earth Sciences; Petrel (Schlumberger)
 
 
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Lectures, computer laboratory sessions, field surveys, homework and project works, invited lectures by the experts in exploration geophysics.
 
Evaluation Scheme:
Mid-Semester Exam (30%)
Final Exam (40%)
Homework (20%)
Project and presentation (10%).

Closed-book exam.
 
Instructor(s):
SECTION NAME
A Dr. Avirut Puttiwongrak , Dr. Pham Huy Giao