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Full Year

Geophysical Investigation of Earth Resources (EASC10116)

Subject

Earth Science

College

SCE

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

4

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Approval of CO

Course Summary

This course focuses on geophysical methods that are used for investigating the subsurface of the earth for resources such as minerals, water and hydrocarbons, and for observing fluids or gases injected into the subsurface for storage such as CO2 or methane. Physical properties of the resources that contrast with the background properties determine the particular geophysical method that should be used to detect and evaluate them.

Course Description

The emphasis of the course is on high resolution extraction of physical properties from geophysical data. Syllabus: Introduction to geophysical exploration for resources. Determination of seismic velocities. Revision of linear algebra. Survey design methods. Removal of multiple reflections in seismic data processing. Geophysical time lapse methods. Anisotropy in the Earth. Seismic interferometry. Zoeppritz equations. Principles of seismic reflection interpretation and well ties. Microseismics. Controlled source electromagnetic methods (CSEM). Airborne magnetic exploration. The course includes practicals on seismic data processing using SEG-Y seismic data and seismic-industry software.5 practicals (3 hours each) and 5 tutorials (3 hours each) are held on alternate weeks.Students complete the practical work in their own time and are required to write a report on the data processing of not more than 4,000 words. Semester 1Week Lecture Topic1 No lectures. Students are doing geophysics fieldwork in Germany.2 Introduction to geophysical exploration for resources (MC).3 Determination of seismic velocities (AZ)4 Review of linear algebra (AC)5 Survey design methods (AC)6 Removal of multiple reflections in seismic data processing (MC) 7 Geophysical time-lapse methods (AC)8 Anisotropy in the earth (MC)9 Seismic interferometry (AC)10 Zoeppritz equations (MC)11 RevisionSemester 2Week Lecture Topic1 Principles of seismic reflection interpretation and well-ties (AZ)2 Microseismics (MC) 3. Controlled source electromagnetics for subsurface fluid detection (AZ)4. Airborne magnetic exploration (AZ)5. Revision

Assessment Information

Written Exam 70%, Coursework 30%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

Assessment detailsExam (70%)Coursework (30%)The coursework consists of seismic data processing. In Semester 1 students learn to use the seismic data processing on a test data set. Semester 1 work is not assessed. In Semester 2, the students process a different set of seismic data and write a report on it of not more than 4,000 words. The report is assessed and counts for 30%.For information on deadlines please refer to the Learn page.Assessment deadlineThe deadline for submission of the Seismic Data Processing Report is 12 noon, Monday 3 April 2023.

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