Geophysical prediction of organic matter abundance in source rocks based on geochemical analysis:A case study of southwestern Bozhong Sag,Bohai Sea,China

The Bozhong Sag is the largest petroliferous sag in the Bohai Bay Basin,and the source rocks of Paleogene Dongying and Shahejie Formations were buried deeply.Most of the drillings were located at the structural high,and there were few wells that met good quality source rocks,so it is difficult to evaluate the source rocks in the study area precisely by geochemical analysis only.Based on the Rock-Eval pyrolysis,total organic carbon(TOC)testing,the organic matter(OM)abundance of Paleogene source rocks in the southwestern Bozhong Sag were evaluated,including the lower of second member of Dongying Formation(E_(3)d2L),the third member of Dongying Formation(E_(3)d_(3)),the first and second members of Shahejie Formation(E_(2)s_(1+2)),the third member of Shahejie Formation(E_(2)s_(3)).The results indicate that the E_(2)s_(1+2)and E_(2)s_(3)have better hydrocarbon generative potentials with the highest OM abundance,the E_(3)d_(3)are of the second good quality,and the E_(3)d2L have poor to fair hydrocarbon generative potential.Furthermore,the well logs were applied to predict TOC and residual hydrocarbon generation potential(S_(2))based on the sedimentary facies classification,usingΔlogR,generalizedΔlogR,logging multiple linear regression and BP neural network methods.The various methods were compared,and the BP neural network method have relatively better prediction accuracy.Based on the pre-stack simultaneous inversion(P-wave impedance,P-wave velocity and density inversion results)and the post-stack seismic attributes,the three-dimensional(3D)seismic prediction of TOC and S_(2)was carried out.The results show that the seismic near well prediction results of TOC and S_(2)based on seismic multi-attributes analysis correspond well with the results of well logging methods,and the plane prediction results are identical with the sedimentary facies map in the study area.The TOC and S_(2)values of E_(2)s_(1+2)and E_(2)s_(3)are higher than those in E_(3)d_(3)and E_(3)d_(2)L,basically consistent with the geochemical analysis results.This method makes up the deficiency of geochemical methods,establishing the connection between geophysical information and geochemical data,and it is helpful to the 3D quantitative prediction and the evaluation of high-quality source rocks in the areas where the drillings are limited.

Identification of reservoir types in deep carbonates based on mixedkernel machine learning using geophysical logging data

Identification of reservoir types in deep carbonates has always been a great challenge due to complex logging responses caused by the heterogeneous scale and distribution of storage spaces.Traditional cross-plot analysis and empirical formula methods for identifying reservoir types using geophysical logging data have high uncertainty and low efficiency,which cannot accurately reflect the nonlinear relationship between reservoir types and logging data.Recently,the kernel Fisher discriminant analysis(KFD),a kernel-based machine learning technique,attracts attention in many fields because of its strong nonlinear processing ability.However,the overall performance of KFD model may be limited as a single kernel function cannot simultaneously extrapolate and interpolate well,especially for highly complex data cases.To address this issue,in this study,a mixed kernel Fisher discriminant analysis(MKFD)model was established and applied to identify reservoir types of the deep Sinian carbonates in central Sichuan Basin,China.The MKFD model was trained and tested with 453 datasets from 7 coring wells,utilizing GR,CAL,DEN,AC,CNL and RT logs as input variables.The particle swarm optimization(PSO)was adopted for hyper-parameter optimization of MKFD model.To evaluate the model performance,prediction results of MKFD were compared with those of basic-kernel based KFD,RF and SVM models.Subsequently,the built MKFD model was applied in a blind well test,and a variable importance analysis was conducted.The comparison and blind test results demonstrated that MKFD outperformed traditional KFD,RF and SVM in the identification of reservoir types,which provided higher accuracy and stronger generalization.The MKFD can therefore be a reliable method for identifying reservoir types of deep carbonates.

Rotating tank experiments for the study of geophysical fluid dynamics

Geophysical fluid dynamics(GFD)is an interdisciplinary field that studies the large-scale motion of fluids in the natural world.With a wide range of applications such as weather forecasts and climate prediction,GFD employs various research approaches including in-situ observations,satellite measurements,numerical simulations,theoretical analysis,artificial intelligence,and physical model experiments in laboratory.Among these approaches,rotating tank experiments provide a valuable tool for simulating naturally-occurring fluid motions in laboratories.With proportional scaling and proper techniques,scientists can reproduce multi-scale physical processes of stratified fluids in the rotation system,which allows for the simulation of essential characteristics of fluid motions in the atmosphere and oceans.In this review,rotating tanks of various scales in the world are introduced,as these tanks have been actively used to explore fundamental scientific questions in ocean and atmosphere dynamics.To illustrate the GFD experiments,three representative cases are presented to demonstrate the frontier achievements in the the GFD study by using rotating tank experiments:mesoscale eddies in the ocean,convection processes,and plume dynamics.Detailed references for the experimental procedures are provided.Future studies are encouraged to further explore the utilization of rotating tanks with improvements in experimental design and integration of other research methods.This is a promising direction of GFD to help enhance our understanding of the complex nature of fluid motions in the natural world and to address the challenges posed by global environmental changes.

Application of integrated geophysical techniques in geothermal exploration in Binhai County, Jiangsu Province

Integrated geophysical technology is a necessary and effective means for geothermal exploration.However,integration of geophysical technology for large‐scale surveys with those for geothermal reservoir localization is still in development.This study used the controlled source audio‐frequency magnetotelluric method technology for large‐scale exploration to obtain underground electrical structure information and micromotion detection technology to obtain underground wave velocity structure information.The combination of two detection technologies was used for local identification of geothermal reservoirs.Further,auxiliary correction and inversion constraint were implemented through the audio magnetotelluric sounding technology for maximum authenticity restoration of the near‐and transition‐field data.Through these technology improvements,a geothermal geological model was established for the Binhai County of Jiangsu Province in China and potential geothermal well locations were identified.On this basis,a geothermal well was drilled nearly 3000m deep,with a daily water volume of over 2000m3/day and a geothermal water temperature of 51°C at the well head.It is found that predictions using the above integrated geophysical exploration technology are in good agreement with the well geological formation data.This integrated geophysical technology can be effectively applied for geothermal exploration with high precision and reliability.

Determination of rock mass integrity coefficient using a non-invasive geophysical approach

Determination of rock mechanical parameters is the most important step in rock mass quality evaluation and has significant impacts on geotechnical engineering practice.Rock mass integrity coefficient(KV)is one of the most efficient parameters,which is conventionally determined from boreholes.Such approaches,however,are time-consuming and expensive,offer low data coverage of point measurements,require heavy equipment,and are hardly conducted in steep topographic sites.Hence,borehole approaches cannot assess the subsurface thoroughly for rock mass quality evaluation.Alternatively,use of geophysical methods is non-invasive,rapid and economical.The proposed geophysical approach makes useful empirical correlation between geophysical and geotechnical parameters.We evaluated the rock mass quality via integration between KV measured from the limited boreholes and inverted resistivity obtained from electrical resistivity tomography(ERT).The borehole-ERT correlation provided KV along various geophysical profiles for more detailed 2D/3D(two-/three-dimensional)mapping of rock mass quality.The subsurface was thoroughly evaluated for rock masses with different engineering qualities,including highly weathered rock,semi-weathered rock,and fresh rock.Furthermore,ERT was integrated with induced polarization(IP)to resolve the uncertainty caused by water/clay content.Our results show that the proposed method,compared with the conventional approaches,can reduce the ambiguities caused by inadequate data,and give more accurate insights into the subsurface for rock mass quality evaluation.

Research progress in geophysical exploration of the Antarctic ice sheet

The Antarctic ice sheet is an important target of Antarctic research.Thickness and structure,including intraice and subice,are closely related to the mass balance of the ice sheet,and play an important role in the study of global sea level and climate change.Subglacial topography is an important basis for studying ice sheet dynamics and ice sheet evolution.This paper briefly reviews the geophysical detection methods and research status of the Antarctic ice sheet:(1)Conventional methods such as ice radar are the main methods for studying the ice sheet today,and passive source seismic methods such as the receiver function method,H/V method and P-wave coda autocorrelation method have good development prospects;(2)the high-resolution(1 km)ice thickness and subglacial topographic database BEDMAP2 established based on various data has greatly improved the ability to detect internal isochronous layers,anisotropic layers,and temperature changes within ice and has advanced research on ice sheet evolution;and(3)ice radar,numerical simulation and core drilling are the main methods to study subglacial lakes and sediments.More than 400 subglacial lakes have been confirmed,and more than 12000 simulation results have been obtained.Research on the Antarctic ice sheet faces enormous challenges and is of great urgency.Aiming at hot issues,such as Antarctic geological evolution,glacial retreat,ice sheet melting and their relationships with global climate change,it is the frontier and trend of future Antarctic ice sheet research to carry out multidisciplinary and multicountry comprehensive geophysical exploration based on the traditional ice radar method combined with passive seismic methods,especially new technologies such as short-period dense array technology,unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence.This is expected to further promote Antarctic research.

Reconnaissance Geophysical Study on the Southeastern Part of Al-Qashah Aera, KSA

The investigated study area locates about 72 km from Jeddah City, Makkah District, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study mainly aimed to define the most significant zones of possible mineralization and outline their subsurface parameters (location and strike) in the southeast of Jabal Al-Qashah. Several geophysical methods have been conducted to carry out the goal, including ground magnetic, self-potential (SP), and induced polarization (IP) methods. Integrating these methods aims to help delineate the possible mineralization in the study area. The magnetic survey was conducted along 17 profiles where these profiles were chosen to be perpendicular to the strike of the quartz shear zone. Self-potential was applied along with five profiles covering the study area. At the same time, induced polarization was used along with one profile located at the western side of the study area corresponding to some magnetic and SP profiles. The most interesting zones of mineralization were successfully determined by comparing the results of residual magnetic profile (3), SP profile (1), and IP profile, where geological structures control some mineralization.

Recent advances in petrophysical and geophysical characterization of unconventional resources:Introduction

As a bridge between the reservoir performance and the geophysical well logging data,petrophysical measurements and its characterization are very important for the exploration and development of the unconventional resources in tight sandstone,carbonate and shale reservoirs.In this special issue of Energy Geoscience,“Recent advances in petrophysical and geophysical characterization of unconventional resources”,we organized and invited authors to present recent advances in various subjects addressing new petrophysical characterizations and geophysical models in unconventional reservoirs.

Geophysical data sparse reconstruction based on L0-norm minimization

Missing data are a problem in geophysical surveys, and interpolation and reconstruction of missing data is part of the data processing and interpretation. Based on the sparseness of the geophysical data or the transform domain, we can improve the accuracy and stability of the reconstruction by transforming it to a sparse optimization problem. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model for the sparse reconstruction of data based on the LO-norm minimization. Furthermore, we discuss two types of the approximation algorithm for the LO- norm minimization according to the size and characteristics of the geophysical data： namely, the iteratively reweighted least-squares algorithm and the fast iterative hard thresholding algorithm. Theoretical and numerical analysis showed that applying the iteratively reweighted least-squares algorithm to the reconstruction of potential field data exploits its fast convergence rate, short calculation time, and high precision, whereas the fast iterative hard thresholding algorithm is more suitable for processing seismic data, moreover, its computational efficiency is better than that of the traditional iterative hard thresholding algorithm.

Normalized edge detection, and the horizontal extent and depth of geophysical anomalies

Edge detection is an image processing technique for finding the boundaries of objects within images. It is typically used to interpret gravity and magnetic data, and find the horizontal boundaries of geological bodies. Large deviations between model and true edges are common because of the interference of depth and errors in computing the derivatives; thus, edge detection methods cannot provide information about the depth of the source. To simultaneously obtain the horizontal extent and depth of geophysical anomalies, we use normalized edge detection filters, which normalize the edge detection function at different depths, and the maxima that correspond to the location of the source. The errors between model and actual edges are minimized as the depth of the source decreases and the normalized edge detection method recognizes the extent of the source based on the maxima, allowing for reliable model results. We demonstrate the applicability of the normalized edge detection filters in defining the horizontal extent and depth using synthetic and actual aeromagnetic data.

Geophysical monitoring technology for CO_2 sequestration

Geophysical techniques play key roles in the measuring, monitoring, and verifying the safety of CO2 sequestration and in identifying the efficiency of CO2-enhanced oil recovery. Although geophysical monitoring techniques for CO2 sequestration have grown out of conventional oil and gas geophysical exploration techniques, it takes a long time to conduct geophysical monitoring, and there are many barriers and challenges. In this paper, with the initial objective of performing CO2 sequestration, we studied the geophysical tasks associated with evaluating geological storage sites and monitoring CO2 sequestration. Based on our review of the scope of geophysical monitoring techniques and our experience in domestic and international carbon capture and sequestration projects, we analyzed the inherent difficulties and our experiences in geophysical monitoring techniques, especially, with respect to 4D seismic acquisition, processing, and interpretation.

Metallogenic model of the Shuangjianzishan Ag-Pb-Zn district,Northeast China:Revealed from integrated geophysical investigation

The Shuangjianzishan deposit in Inner Mongolia is a typical Ag-Pb-Zn deposit of the southern Great Xing’an Range.Proven reserves of Ag,Pb,and Zn in this deposit have reached the scale of super-large deposits,with favorable metallogenic conditions,strong prospecting signs,and high metallogenic potential.This paper reports a study involving integrated geophysical methods,including controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric,gravity,magnetic,and shallow-seismic-reflection methods,to determine the spatial distribution of ore-controlling structures and subsurface intrusive rock for a depth range of<2000 m in the Shuangjianzishan ore district.The objective of this study is to construct a metallogenic model of the ore district and provide a scientific basis for the exploration of similar deposits in the deep and surrounding regions.We used three-dimensional inversion for controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric data based on the limited memory quasi-Newton algorithm,and three-dimensional physical-property inversion for the gravity and magnetic data to obtain information about the subsurface distribution of ore-controlling structures and intrusive rocks.Under seismic reflection results,regional geology,petrophysical properties,and borehole information,the geophysical investigation shows that the Dashizhai group,which contains the main ore-bearing strata in the ore district,is distributed within a depth range of<1239 m,and is thick in the Xinglongshan ore block and the eastern part of the Shuangjianzishan ore block.The mineralization is spatially associated with a fault system characterized by NE-,NW-,and N-trending faults.The magnetic and electrical models identify large,deep bodies of intrusive rock that are inferred to have been involved in mineralization,with local shallow emplacement of some intrusions.Combining the subsurface spatial distributions of ore-bearing strata,ore-controlling faults,and intrusive rock,we propose two different metallogenic models for the Shuangjianzishan ore district,which provide a scientific basis for further prospecting in the deep regions of the ore district and surrounding areas.

Swarm intelligence optimization and its application in geophysical data inversion

The inversions of complex geophysical data always solve multi-parameter, nonlinear, and multimodal optimization problems. Searching for the optimal inversion solutions is similar to the social behavior observed in swarms such as birds and ants when searching for food. In this article, first the particle swarm optimization algorithm was described in detail, and ant colony algorithm improved. Then the methods were applied to three different kinds of geophysical inversion problems： （1） a linear problem which is sensitive to noise, （2） a synchronous inversion of linear and nonlinear problems, and （3） a nonlinear problem. The results validate their feasibility and efficiency. Compared with the conventional genetic algorithm and simulated annealing, they have the advantages of higher convergence speed and accuracy. Compared with the quasi-Newton method and Levenberg-Marquardt method, they work better with the ability to overcome the locally optimal solutions.

Time-lapse geophysical technology-based study on overburden strata changes induced by modern coal mining

To study the impact of modern coal mining on overlying strata and its water bearing conditions,integrated time-lapse geophysical prospecting integrating 3D seismic,electrical and ground penetrating radar method were used.Through observing and analyzing the geophysical data variations of all stages of pre-mining,mining and post-mining as well as post-mining deposition stable period,impacts of coal mining on stratigraphic structure and its water bearing were studied and modern coal mining induced stratigraphic change pattern was summarized.The research result shows that the stratigraphic structure and the water bearing of surface layer during modern coal mining have self-healing pattern with mining time;the self-healing capability of near-surface strata is relatively strong while the roof weak;water bearing selfhealing of near-surface strata is relatively high while the roof strata adjacent to mined coal beds low.Due to integrated time-lapse geophysical prospecting technology has extra time dimension which makes up the deficiency of static analysis of conventional geophysical methods,it can better highlight the dynamic changes of modern coal mining induced overburden strata and its water bearing conditions.

Geophysical-Geological Interpretation and Deep-Seated Gold Deposit Prospecting in Sanshandong-Jiaojia Area, Eastern Shandong Province, China

Integrated gravitational, electrical-magnetic surveys and data processing carried out in the Sanshandao-Jiaojia area, Eastern Shandong Province, northeast China, aim to illuminate the geological characteristics of this shallow-covered area and delineate deep-seated gold prospecting targets. In this region, altogether 12 faults exert critical control on distribution of three types of Early Precambrian metamorphic rock series, i.e. those in the metamorphic rock area, in the granitic rock area underlying the metamorphic rock, and in the remnant metamorphic rock area in granites, respectively. Additionally, the faults have major effects on distribution of four Mesozoic Linglong rock bodies of granite, i.e. the Cangshang, Liangguo, Zhuqiao-Miaojia and Jincheng granites. The Sanshandao and Jiaojia Faults are two well-known regional ore-controlling faults; they have opposite dip direction, and intersect at a depth of 4500 m. Fracture alteration zones have striking geophysical differences relative to the surrounding county rocks. The two faults extend down along dip direction in a gentle wave form, and appear at some steps with different dips. These steps comprise favorable gold prospecting areas, consistent with a step metallogenic model. Six deep-seated gold-prospecting targets are delineated, i.e. Jincheng-Qianchenjia, Xiaoxizhuang-Zhaoxian, Xiyou-Wujiazhuangzi, Xiangyangling-Xinlicun, Panjiawuzi and Miaojia-Pinglidian.

Numerical analysis and geophysical monitoring for stability assessment of the Northwest tailings dam at Westwood Mine

The Westwood Mine aims to reuse the tailings storage facility #1(TSF #1) for solid waste storage, but,downstream of the Northwest dike is considered critical in terms of stability. This paper uses numerical modeling along with geophysical monitoring for assessing the Northwest dike stability during the restoration phase. The impact of waste rock deposition in the upstream TSF #1 is considered. The geophysical monitoring is based on electrical resistivity methods and was used to investigate the internal structure of the dike embankment in different deposition stages. The numerical simulations were performed with SLOPE/W code. The results show a factor of safety well above the minimum recommended value of 1.5. Geophysical monitoring revealed a vertical variation in the electrical resistivity across the dike, which indicates a multilayer structure of the embankment. Without any current in situ data, the geophysical monitoring helped estimating the nature of the materials used and the internal structure of the embankment. These interpretations were validated by geological observation of geotechnical log of the embankment. Based on this study, it is recommended that the water polishing pond be partly filled before waste rock is deposited in TSF #1. In addition, to ensure the stability of the dike, the piezometric head monitoring prior to and during waste rock deposition is recommended.

Review:Progress in SQUID⁃Based Geophysical Precision Measurement Technology

Superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID),with the advantages of ultra⁃high sensitivity,low noise,broad frequency bandwidth,and excellent low⁃frequency response,is widely used in several geophysical methods,such as vector magnetic survey,electromagnetic method,gravity and gravity gradient measurement.In this paper,the latest technological progress of SQUID and SQUID⁃based geophysical precision measurement technology are described.In addition,the advantages,characteristics,and existing problems of each measurement technology are analyzed.Combined with the requirements of current geophysical technology,the future application prospect is discussed and development suggestions are given.

Integrated geophysical evidence for a new style of continent-continent collision beneath the western Kunlun in the northwestern China

Along the western Kunlun-Tarim-Tianshan geoscience transect in the northwestern China, an integrated geophysical investigation was carried out. Owing to the abominable natural conditions there, the sounding profile could not cross the whole transect, consequentially, a variety of velocity structures in the transverse and vertical orientations beneath the whole transect were not obtained, such as the case within the western Kunlun orogenic belt. To supply a gap of deep seismic soundings within the western Kunlun orogenic belt, we used the Bouguer gravity anomaly data and the relationship between the compressive wave and the density to obtain the density structure of the crust beneath the western Kunlun and the southern Tarim basin by a forward fitting of gravity anomalies within the two-dimensional polygonal model of uniform medium. The crust of the Tarim basin with a rigid basement was like an asymmetrical arc, whose surface feature was the Bachu uplift in the middle of the Tarim basin. Beneath the conjoint area between the Tarim basin and the western Kunlun belt, there was a V-shape structure located just up to the top of the uplifted Moho. The multi-seismological structures jointly revealed that the face-to-face continent-continent collision beneath the western Kunlun is a new structural style within the continent-continent collision zone, which is a real model proved by the numerical modeling.

Geochemical and Geophysical Data Processing Aided by“Multifractal-Spectrum”Filters for GIS-Based Mineral Exploration

A recently developed method, on the bases of “multifractal spectrum” filters for mineral exploration, is introduced in this paper. The “multifractal spectrum” filters, a group of irregularly shaped filters that are constructed on each processed datum, can be used to separate various types of geochemical and geophysical anomalies. The basic model, with an emphasis on the GIS based implementation and the application to the geochemical and geophysical data processing for mineral exploration in southern Nova Scotia, Canada, indicates its advantage in the separation of multiple anomalies from the background.

Surface Geophysical Methods used to Verify the Karst Geological Structure in the Built-up Area:A Case Study of Specific Engineering-Geological Conditions

This article presents a research study of complex limestone karst engineering-geological conditions in the municipality Valaskanear Banska Bystrica in Slovakia.The aim of the study is to demonstrate the impossibility of spatial identification of cave spaces using surface geophysical methods due to the specific engineering-geological conditions of a thick surface layer of anthropogenic fill containing highly heterogeneous anthropogenic material.Its maximum thickness is 3 m.Another specificific condition of the study area is its location in the built-up area,due to which the applicability of geophysical methods was limited.The article contains methodological recommendations to be used in analogous geological conditions with karst structures topped with anthropogenic fill,which complicates the identification of cave spaces.The recommended solution herein is the identification of the cave system using underground mapping of the karst and its projection onto the surface for which surface geophysical methods have been combined.