O

OTC 2305
55
R
Results of
o Freque
ency Base
ed Interprretations
s of Deep Water Pa
assive EM
M
S
Survey Data
M
Marius J. Mes
s, Dr.-ing, and
d David R. Bru
uns, Norwegian EM Techn
nology AS, an
nd Ed A. John
nson, eField
E
Exploration, LLC.
L

C
Copyright 2012, Offshore Technology Confere
ence
T
This paper was prepare
ed for presentation at the Offshore Technolog
gy Conference held in Houston, Texas, USA , 30 April3 May 2012 .
T
This paper was selected for presentation by an
a OTC program comm
mittee following review
w of information containned in an abstract subm
mitted by the author(s)). Contents of the pape
er have not been
re
eviewed by the Offshore Technology Confere
ence and are subject to
o correction by the autthor(s). The material dooes not necessarily re
eflect any position of the Offshore Technologyy Conference, its
officers, or members. Electronic
E
reproduction
n, distribution, or stora
age of any part of this paper without the wriitten consent of the O
Offshore Technology C
Conference is prohibite
ed. Permission to
re
eproduce in print is res
stricted to an abstract of
o not more than 300 words;
w
illustrations mayy not be copied. The abbstract must contain co
onspicuous acknowled
dgment of OTC copyrig
ght.

A
Abstract
A
Airborne 3D high
h
resolution
n EM survey data
d
were colllected by eFiield in the norrthern Norweg
gian Sea. Survey
a
areas included
d a producing
g field, a dry structure
s
and other deep w
water areas. W
We confirmed with newly developed
ffrequency-bas
sed algorithm
ms that:
1
1)
2
2)
3
3)
4
4)

The 3D pa
assive airborn
ne system rec
cognized area
as with and w
without large h
hydrocarbon d
deposits,
Relative depth
d
informa
ation was obta
ained from a parallel
p
interp
pretation with geophysical d
data,
Multiple hydrocarbon bearing
b
strata were identifie
ed,
Consisten
nt survey resu
ults were foun
nd in 1200 me
eters of waterr.

D
Data interprettations supporting these cla
aims are inclu
uded.
W
We used the results
r
for bas
sin evaluation
ns in support of a license a
application be
ecause the su
urvey method allows us
to
o optimize ex
xisting data (s
such as geological and seis
smic data) intterpretations w
with independ
dent EM data
a
in
nterpretations
s. Such comb
bined interprettations can re
educe the exp
ploration risk.
Introduction
T
The purpose of a high resolution electrric and magne
etic (EM) airb
borne survey offshore is to
o provide an economic
b
basin evaluattion for the presence
p
of la
arge deposits
s of hydrocarrbons. The re
esolution of tthis evaluatio
on can go
d
down to the development
d
field
f
level. We
e developed a novel surve
ey system and a data interrpretation pro
ocedure to
cconduct such surveys and
d obtain interpretations tha
at can be ma
apped. This p
paper describ
bes the surve
ey system
a
and the valida
ation results.
C
Commercial capabilities exist
e
to conduct aerial EM surveys.. However, the comme
ercially availa
able data
in
nterpretation capabilities are
a very limite
ed. We comp
pleted a three
e-year R&D p
project to devvelop a new frequencyb
based interpre
etation for the
e non-stationary 3D EM signals.
s
We a
also defined the tuned E a
and M sensorr, receiver
a
and compatible interpretation systems specially
s
adap
pted to the so
oftware develo
opment.
T
The EM interp
pretations can
n be used for independent
basin evaluations,
pect evaluations and
prosp
drilling
g site selectio
ons.
In the ideal case indepen
ndent EM su
urvey results should be integrated w
with other inte
erpretations based on
g
geological, ge
eophysical and other data sources,
s
such
h as Fig. 1 de
epicts.
V
Validating NE
EMTs EM sy
ystem using the
t Norne su
urvey line da
ata
P
Part of the surrvey area cov
vered the Norrne oil produc
cing area and the area of a dry well drille
ed east of the
ere. Three
E
E-W lines sep
parated by 250 meters werre flown over dry
d hole 6608
8/11-1, with cco-ordinates 0
066deg 01' 04
4.02" N
a
and 008deg 23'
2 38.67" E and oil and gas well 6608/10-2 on Norne
e field with co
o-ordinates 06
66deg 00' 49.35" N
a
and 008deg 04'
0 26.48" E. The
T lines exte
ended 5 km east and west of these loca
ations, giving 10 km long E
East-West

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survey lines. In addition well 6608/10-11S was a discovery well. This well is 0.5 nautical mile to the west of the
10-2 well. The water depth in this area is approximately 400 meters.
No cross lines were flown that would have allowed tying the lines together. Magnetic and electric data were
recorded in three directions each at a digitization rate of 10 Hz. Flying speeds were ~50 meters/second. This
speed limits the geographical resolution of the results to ~ 600 meters for data sequences in the range of 100-150
measurements. We found that the variations in the observed signal strength were interpretable and gradual
changes can easily be detected.
Sensors used
A fluxgate magnetometer was used to collect magnetic data in three dimensions. These survey instruments are
available off the shelf from a number of suppliers. An electric field measurement device was built by Terraquest to
collect electrical measurements in three dimensions. The 3D dipole antennas of this particular system measured
approximately 4*6 inches. They were glued to a cylinder that was placed in the tail stinger of the airplane.
Data interpretation
The fundamental idea behind the survey system is that hydrocarbons are insulators that reduce the impedance of
the area where the hydrocarbons are located. Also, large mineral deposits (such as coal) are conductors that
cause changes that could similarly be identified. Naturally occurring electro-magnetic variations are used to power
the system. NEMT developed an experimental dedicated automatic data interpretation procedure, for details of
this procedure we refer to Reference 1. A frequency based analysis was performed on all data histories.
Hydrocarbon determination is based on relative differences in impedance properties of a matrix filled with oil/gas.
Certain functions of the electric and the magnetic data were used to obtain mapping information as a function of
location. We tested many functions to obtain optimal analysis parameters based on the Norne area data. These
tests are the basis for the magnetic and electric functions used in our interpretation procedures.
Results
In our experimental development we found that a color based map depicting the amplitudes of certain frequencies
of the functions provides the easiest way to evaluate the presence or absence of hydrocarbons. Red colors depict
high function values; dark colors depict low function values.
The interpreted six Norne survey lines are depicted in two bands of three lines each, each line showing the color
coded function values of two frequencies marked f1 and f2 with f1 < f2.
It is suggested that the high function values (the red colors) are associated with the larger electrical EM return
signals associated with lower impedances in the formation, such as those caused by the presence of
hydrocarbons. Inspection of the two bands in each line shows that different frequencies produce different
interpretations. According to Maxwells law, lower frequencies carry information from deeper layers than higher
frequencies do. Interpretations based on different frequencies may not be the same because deeper layers may
have different characteristics than shallower layers. Part of the Norne interpretation results are depicted in Fig. 2.
The top three colored lines depict the 10 kilometer survey lines over the Norne field. The reds indicate the highest
function values found along the survey line. It is obvious that Norne is located right in the area where the reds
occur with another area of interest approximately 2.5 km East of Norne. There is also a minor difference visible
between the top part and the bottom half of each line, confirming there is a different response for different
frequencies.
The lower three colored lines depict the 10 kilometer survey lines east of the Norne field where a dry well was
found. Assuming the reds indicate the possible presence of hydrocarbons, it seems that a more successful well
could have been drilled approximately 2.5 km west of the dry well. Again there is a minor difference visible
between the top part and the bottom half of each line, reinforcing that there is a different response for different
frequencies.
Multiple hydrocarbon horizons
Different functions of E and M also provide different solution resolutions. The interpretation for line 7030 depicted
in Fig. 3 shows the amplitude of frequency components for two types of solution procedures for a number of
frequencies f with the frequency increasing downwards. Higher frequencies show large amplitudes at different
locations. From this we concluded that multiple hydrocarbon horizons are present at Norne. This was confirmed
by official information from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate as contained on their web site.
Data consistency and water depth
The survey as conducted included survey lines in the Norwegian Sea Norne area and two prospects that we
designate A and B. These latter two areas have water depths of ~400 meters and ~1200 meters, respectively. No
pipe lines or other metallic objects disturb these seabed areas that are virgin territory as far as the oil industry is

OTC 23055

concerned. We believe that oil accumulations likely may occur in both areas in certain well defined locations that
are represented by large elongated narrow geographical areas. We used the EM survey results to see if
neighboring survey lines in such areas correlated with one another because if oil/gas is present in such large
areas the EM survey line interpretations should correlate. The interpreted results are shown in Fig. 4 for four
neighboring lines for the Prospect A area. The function amplitudes for three low frequencies f1, f2 and f3 are shown
for each survey line (f1 <f2 < f3). The graphics show a strong correlation between the survey line interpretations.
Consistent high function values (shown in red) along the same band of geographical locations are found, which
happen to be in areas where oil companies anticipate hydrocarbon accumulations. The function values found in
the red areas are similar as for the Norne area, although they are found at higher frequency values. This
indicates (Maxwells law) that any hydrocarbon accumulation may be expected at shallower depth than at Norne
for areas where the water depth is the same.
We also compared five neighboring lines for consistency in the Prospect B area over a region where oil
companies anticipate the presence of hydrocarbons. The function amplitudes for two low frequencies f1 and f2 are
shown for each survey line (f1 <f2). Again, consistent results were found for low frequencies. This must be
expected according to Maxwells law because of the greater water depth that attenuates the higher frequencies
much more. High function values were seen (red areas as shown in Fig. 5) in the same areas where oil
companies geophysical interpretations point at a likely accumulation of hydrocarbons. We concluded that
consistent and interpretable EM measurements over water 1200 meters deep can be obtained.
Depth determination of geophysical features and oil/gas determination
Absolute depth information can only be derived from passive measurement of naturally occurring electric (E) and
magnetic (B) field strength measurements when correlated with other geophysical information because:
only statistical estimates can be prepared because the field strength from both the E and B types vary
unpredictably,
the signal strength at different frequencies vary unpredictably over time. This makes calculations based
on Maxwells Law which rely on frequency ratios over time difficult to interpret accurately,
No long duration stationary measurements are available from airplane measurements resulting that no
long term averaging procedures to calculate accurate estimates are possible.
A sensible combination of EM interpretations and other independent geophysical information is necessary for a
realistic depth determination of different features. As the Norne example proves, EM interpretations can indicate
multiple hydrocarbon horizons. That includes shallow gas.
Conclusions
Passive EM technology for locating hydrocarbons offshore was validated based on Norne field survey
measurements.
NEMTs EM survey interpretations give consistent results in water depths from 400 meters to over 1200
meters.
Multiple hydrocarbon bearing strata were identified.
References
1 Mes Marius J: US patent application 2011066379 (A1) Survey system for locating geophysical
anomalies
Figures

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NEMTs View for Application of EM

Pre- Exploration Phase
Geological
Interpretations
Seismic Surveys
and Interpretations

Independent
EM survey and
Interpretations

Prospects
Defined
Prospect Selection Optimized

Basin Evaluation
License Application,
Farm-in prospects
Drill site optimization
Combined interpretations increase the prospecting success rate.

Fig. 1: Combining independent EM data interpretations with other interpretations for optimal exploration results.

Producing vs Dry Well Survey Data

(Norne Area, Norwegian Sea)
(2)

Line:

West

f1
f2

7010

f1
f2

7020

(1)

West Norne, Oil

East

f1
f2

7030
Oil and gas well 6608/10-2 on Norne field with co-ordinates 066deg 00' 49.35" N and 008deg 04' 26.48" E. (1)
Oil and gas well 6608/10-11 S Norne field with co-ordinates 066deg 00' 48.68" N and 008deg 03' 14.54" E. (2)

f1
f2

8010

f1
f2

8020

f1
f2

8030

East of Norne, Dry

Well

Dry hole 6608/11-1, with co-ordinates 066deg 01' 04.02" N and 008deg 23'38.67" E. (1)

Survey Line separation: 250 meters

14
GPS Coordinates Corrected

Fig. 2: Part of the Norne EM interpretation results.

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Multiple Hydrocarbon Horizons

(Norne Field Area, Norwegian Sea)
7030

East

West
f
Procedure 1
7030

f
Procedure 2

Individual line coloring and scaling used,

No Network adjustments.

From NPD public sources:

* gas-filled reservoir from 2578 to 2605,
* an oil-filled reservoir from 2605 to 2713.
* There were shows in the interval 2160 & 2271 m.
18

Figure 3: Frequency based interpretation of Norne area EM data.

Data Consistency
f1 f2 f3

f1 f2 f3

f1 f2 f3

f1 f2 f3

f1 f2 f3

Prospect A
Water depth ~400 m

Data are consistent, high correlation between lines.

Strong hydrocarbon indicators in some areas,
similar to Norne, but shallower.

Fig. 4: Data consistency in the Prospect A area.

F
Fig. 5: Data cons
sistency in the Prospect B area
a.

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