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2.6 Applications of Gravity Exploration 2.6.1 Hydrocarbon Exploration

Gravity data can be used for hydrocarbon exploration by mapping sedimentary basins and structures within them, as sediments have lower density. It can also map salt structures that appear as negative gravity anomalies. Gravity is used for mineral exploration as ore bodies have higher density and appear as positive anomalies. It also has applications for engineering studies by mapping features like bedrock depth through detecting density contrasts. Finally, gravity data provides information for tectonic studies by mapping structures related to plate tectonics and earthquake or impact effects.

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Sachin Shera
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35 views2 pages

2.6 Applications of Gravity Exploration 2.6.1 Hydrocarbon Exploration

Gravity data can be used for hydrocarbon exploration by mapping sedimentary basins and structures within them, as sediments have lower density. It can also map salt structures that appear as negative gravity anomalies. Gravity is used for mineral exploration as ore bodies have higher density and appear as positive anomalies. It also has applications for engineering studies by mapping features like bedrock depth through detecting density contrasts. Finally, gravity data provides information for tectonic studies by mapping structures related to plate tectonics and earthquake or impact effects.

Uploaded by

Sachin Shera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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2.6 Applications of gravity exploration

2.6.1 Hydrocarbon exploration


Gravity data can be used to map the thickness and extent of sedimentary basins. Due to
their low density, sedimentary basins generally appear as gravity lows. Gravity data can
also provide information on the detailed structure of the sedimentary basins – e.g.,
basement faults, reefs and other structures. Satellite gravity data has become an
important tool for offshore exploration.

Gravity surveying is also used for mapping the distribution and geometry of salt
structures in sediments. As salt has a lower density than sediments, salt structures will
appear as a negative gravity anomaly. The upward movement of buoyant salt through
sedimentary layers is important for the formation of petroleum reservoirs. Seismic data
can be used to identify the top of salt layers and domes, but the deeper structure is not as
clear. Gravity data can be used to better determine the geometry of salt structures.
For an application to northern Germany, see:
R. Oezsen, Velocity modeling and prestack depth imaging below complex salt structures:
a case history from on-shore Germany, Geophysical Prospecting, 52, 693-705, 2004.

2.6.2 Mineral exploration


Ore bodies often have a higher density than the surrounding rock and therefore can
produce a positive gravity anomaly. The excess mass of the ore body can be calculated
using Gauss’s theorem (see Kearey 6.10.3), but the geometry can not be uniquely
determined. Gravity data has also been used to identify kimberlites, which can appear as
gravity lows with a nearly circular shape.
Information about the Voisey’s Bay “Ovoid” ore body can found here:
http://www.eos.ubc.ca/research/ubcgif/iag/casehist/voisey/intro.html

2.6.3 Geotechnical and engineering studies


Geotechnical applications of gravity exploration include:
• bedrock depth studies
• geometry of landfills
• aquifer geometry (Kearey et al., Figs 6.28 and 6.29)
• detection of subsurface cavities (natural caves and man-made structures)
In these studies, the material of interest has a lower density than the surrounding material,
and thus can be identified by a negative gravity anomaly.

2.6.4 Tectonic studies


Regional scale gravity surveys are used to study the internal structure of the Earth and
tectonic processes. Gravity data of mid-ocean ridges provide information on the
formation of oceanic plates and gravity data over mountain belts provides information on
their deep structure and the mechanisms that support the high topography. Gravity data
can also be used for detection and study of meteorite impact craters, including the
Chicxulub impact structure in Mexico.
See: http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/communication/Hanks/eff.html
35

Temporal variations in the gravity field reflect dynamical processes within the Earth:

(1) Absolute gravity measurements along a


north-south line in central North America
show that sites in northern Canada are
experiencing a decrease in gravity (~0.002
mgal/yr), while the southernmost sites show
a slight increase. This is a result of post-
glacial rebound associated with the last
glaciation. Canadian sites are uplifting, as
the ice load has been removed. The
southern sites are subsiding, due to collapse
of the peripheral bulge.

For more information see:


http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/geodyn/midtilt_e.php

Figures from Tony Lambert and Nicholas


Courtier, GSC

(2) Large earthquakes can cause vertical motion of the Earth’s surface, which is
observable through changes in gravity. The magnitude ~9.2 Sumatra earthquake in 2004
produce a ~15 mgal change in surface gravity in the region of the earthquake.
See: http://www.csr.utexas.edu/GRACE/publications/press/08062006_sciencedaily.pdf

2.6.5 Other applications


• Satellite data from GRACE have been used to identify small changes in the
gravity field related to changes in the Greenland ice sheet. Between 2003 and
2005, the ice sheet lost ~200 gigatons of ice.
See: http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/greenland_slide.html

• The gravity field of Mars has been determined through accurate measurements of
the orbit of the Mars Global Surveyor.
Figure: http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02817
Mars Global Surveyor website: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mgs/mission/

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