Applications of MT Technology to Geothermal and Hydrocarbon Exploration

Quantec Geoscience Argentina

Miles Rideout, Dario Bertoldi

MT Theory
EM impulses generated in the atmosphere produce approx. planar horizontal radio waves that propagate downwards A ratio formulation of voltage generated in the earth and the magnetic field strength produces a calculation of apparent resistivity (Cagniard Resistivity) The attenuation of these waves depends on frequency and earth conductivity. The penetration depth is called skin depth The calculated Cagniard resistivity is the average earth resistivity from surface to the skin depth. The transform of time series MT data to spectral data allows the calculation of apparent resistivity with frequency >> true resistivty with frequency >> true resisitivity with depth >> an MT resistivity sounding. MT sounding points can be used singly (1D solution), in profiles (either stitched 1D solutions or true 2D solutions), and in surface distributions (sticthed 1D, stitched 2D or true 3D solutions).

MT sounding site configuration

MT field equipment

Spartan MT set-up and RT-130

Apparent Resistivity
4

lhb_rot_009
180

Phase

lhb_rot_009

135

3 90

LOG RHO (OHM-M)

PHASE ANGLE (DEG)

3 2 1 0 -1 -2

45

-45

0 -90

-1

-135

-180 3 2 1 0 -1 -2

RhoXY

RhoYX

LOG Frequency (Hz)

PhsXY

PhsYX

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Tipper Transfer Functions

1

lhb_rot_009

Polar Impedances

lhb_rot_009

7.0799999

5.1269999

3.723

2.9300001

2.441

TRANSFER FUNCTION

1.77

1.2819999

0.9308

0.7324

0.6104

0.4425

0.3204

0.2327

0.1526

0.1068

0.07629

0.05341

0.0267

0.01335

0.009537

-1 3 2 1 0 -1 -2
0.006676 0.004768 NULL NULL NULL

Txr

Txi

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Zxy

Zxx

Map View - North Up ( Frequency in Hz )

Spartan MT station-data display

117:30:00 W

117:28:08 W

117:26:15 W

a398-lhb
Date: 04/18/05 Projection: UTM 11 C Merid: -117:00:00.00 Northing: 0.0 Easting: 500000 Scale: N/A

35:03:45

lhb_001 lhb_002

lhb_003 lhb_004 lhb_005

lhb_006 lhb_009

lhb_007 lhb_008

lhb_010 lhb_011 lhb_012 lhb_013 lhb_014

lhb_015

lhb_016

lhb_017

35:01:53
lhb_036 lhb_020 lhb_021

lhb_018

lhb_019

lhb_022 lhb_023 lhb_024 lhb_025 lhb_026

lhb_027

lhb_028

lhb_029

lhb_030

lhb_031

lhb_032

lhb_033 lhb_034

lhb_035

35:00:00

METERS

SET: lhb-all
0 1000 2000 3000 4000

Basin Evaluation Borates in overburden

117:30:00 W

117:28:08 W

117:26:15 W

a398-lhb
Date: 04/18/05 Projection: UTM 11 C Merid: -117:00:00.00 Northing: 0.0 Easting: 500000 Scale: N/A

35:03:45

lhb_rot_001 lhb_rot_002 lhb_rot_003 lhb_rot_004 lhb_rot_005

lhb_rot 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33

lhb_rot_006 lhb_rot_009

lhb_rot_007 lhb_rot_008

lhb_rot_012 lhb_rot_010 lhb_rot_013 lhb_rot_011 lhb_rot_014

lhb_rot_015

lhb_rot_016

lhb_rot_017

35:01:53

lhb_rot_018

lhb_rot_019

lhb_rot_036 lhb_rot_020 lhb_rot_022 lhb_rot_021 lhb_rot_024 lhb_rot_025 lhb_rot_023 lhb_rot_026

lhb_rot_027

lhb_rot_028

lhb_rot_029

lhb_rot_030

lhb_rot_031

lhb_rot_034 lhb_rot_033 lhb_rot_032

lhb_rot_035

35:00:00

METERS

RhoXY AT 4.5 Hz
0 1000 2000 3000 4000

SET: lhb_rot TF RealAngRev AT 4.5 Hz SCALE: 10 KM/UNIT

Apparent resistivity and Tipper data displayed at 4.5 Hz

Apparent Resistivity Freq Section - RhoXY

036
|

lhb_rot_l1
020 | 021
|

022 |

023
|

024 |

025
|

026 | Ohm-M

LOG Frequency (Hz)

-1

-2

1 1.5 2.2 3.2 4.6 6.8 10 15 22 32 46 68 100 150 220 W

METERS 0 1000 2000 3000

S 89 E
lhb_rot_l1

Phase Freq Section - PhsXY

036
|

020

021
|

022

023
|

024

025
|

026

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Degrees
3

-1

-2

0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 W
METERS 0 1000 2000 3000

S 89 E

Apparent Resistivity Freq Section - RhoYX

036
|

lhb_rot_l1
020 | 021
|

022 |

023
|

024 |

025
|

026 | Ohm-M

LOG Frequency (Hz)

-1

-2

1 1.5 2.2 3.2 4.6 6.8 10 15 22 32 46 68 100 150 220 W

0 1000

METERS 2000 3000

S 89 E
lhb_rot_l1

Phase Freq Section - PhsYX

036
|

020

021
|

022

023
|

024

025
|

026

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Degrees
3

-1

-2

-180 -174 -168 -162 -156 -150 -144 -138 -132 -126 -120 -114 -108 -102 -96 W
METERS 0 1000 2000 3000

S 89 E

E-W pseudo-section through stations 36,20,21,22,23,24,25,26

Apparent Resistivity Freq Section - RhoXY

035
|

lhb_rot_l2
031 | 028
|

020 |

016
|

010 |

006
|

003 | Ohm-M

LOG Frequency (Hz)

-1

-2

1 1.5 2.2 3.2 4.6 6.8 10 15 22 32 46 68 100 150 220 S

METERS 0 1000 2000 3000

N1E
lhb_rot_l2

Phase Freq Section - PhsXY

035
|

031

028
|

020

016
|

010

006
|

003

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Degrees
3

-1

-2

0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 S
METERS 0 1000 2000 3000

N1E

Apparent Resistivity Freq Section - RhoYX

035
|

lhb_rot_l2
031 | 028
|

020 |

016
|

010 |

006
|

003 | Ohm-M

LOG Frequency (Hz)

-1

-2

1 1.5 2.2 3.2 4.6 6.8 10 15 22 32 46 68 100 150 220 S

0 1000

METERS 2000 3000

N1E
lhb_rot_l2

Phase Freq Section - PhsYX

035
|

031

028
|

020

016
|

010

006
|

003

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Degrees
3

-1

-2

-180 -174 -168 -162 -156 -150 -144 -138 -132 -126 -120 -114 -108 -102 -96 S
METERS 0 1000 2000 3000

N1E

N-S pseudo-section through stations 35,31,28,20,18,10,06,03

2-D Model
036
0
|

l1pw
020 | 021
|

022 |

023
|

024 |

025
|

026 | Ohm-M 1 1.5 2.2 3.2 4.6 6.8 10 15 22 32 46 68 100 150 220 320

Depth (METERS)

1000

2000

3000

W
METERS 0 1000 2000 3000

S 89 E l2pw

2-D Model
035
0
|

031 |

028
|

020 |

016
|

010 |

006
|

003 | Ohm-M 1 1.5 2.2 3.2 4.6 6.8 10 15 22 32 46 68 100 150 220 320

Depth (METERS)

1000

2000

3000

S
METERS 0 1000 2000 3000

N1E

2D PWD2IA inversions of lines 1 (top) and 2 (bottom)

2D inversion results for lines 1 and 2 looking NW

2D inversion results of line 1 and 2 looking SE

2D inversion result of line 1 with Titan MT data

1-D Layered Model

4 3

Apparent Resistivity

drag_024

1-D MODELING SELECT MODEL

L M R Images .inv1d.xyyx Set drag-all v ^ Curve RhoYX Site drag_024
Raw Interp Statics Off Hide Show Dead Data Curve

LOG RHO (OHM-M)

MODEL ENTRY
1

Precision 2

Echo Off INVERSION

Snap Off

Fill Clear

2
-1

LOG DEPTH (METERS)

Max Itr Limit

3 2 1 0 -1 -2

10 0.01

Rho Off

Phs Off

Log Off

RhoXY

RhoYX

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Inv Mqt
Enter Mod Edit Mod Aid Bost Vary Res Stat Rho

Inv Occ

Inv Fix Fsch Res

ACTIONS

Fix Loc Thk Dead

Hmarine Off

Phase
180

drag_024

Clear Text Mod Bost Mod Vary Thk Stat Model

135

Zoom & Pan

90

HR NS P + - > < ^ v

PHASE ANGLE (DEG)

45

Save View Scratch Mod Capture Site

Load View Auxiliary Capture Fit

-45

-90

-135

-180 3 2 1 0 -1 -2

Mod1dXY Res

Mod1dYX Res
PhsXY

PhsYX

LOG Frequency (Hz)

1-D Layered Model

4 3

Apparent Resistivity

drag_024

1-D MODELING SELECT MODEL

L M R Images .inv1d.xyyx Set drag-all v ^ Curve RhoYX Site drag_024
Raw Interp Statics Off Hide Show Dead Data Curve

LOG RHO (OHM-M)

MODEL ENTRY
1

Precision 2

Echo Off INVERSION

Snap Off

Fill Clear

2
-1

LOG DEPTH (METERS)

Max Itr Limit

3 2 1 0 -1 -2

10 0.01

Rho Off

Phs Off

Log Off

RhoXY

RhoYX

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Inv Mqt
Enter Mod Edit Mod Aid Bost Vary Res Stat Rho

Inv Occ

Inv Fix Fsch Res

ACTIONS

Fix Loc Thk Dead

Hmarine Off

Phase
180

drag_024

Clear Text Mod Bost Mod Vary Thk Stat Model

135

Zoom & Pan

90

HR NS P + - > < ^ v

PHASE ANGLE (DEG)

45

Save View Scratch Mod Capture Site

Load View Auxiliary Capture Fit

-45

-90

-135

-180 3 2 1 0 -1 -2

Mod1dXY Res

Mod1dYX Res
PhsXY

PhsYX

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Occam and Marquardt inversion results (1D)

MT Survey strengths
high portability flexibility of layout, distribution relatively low cost non-damaging and unobtrusive (no noise, no chemicals, minor manual excavation for buried antennae) great depth of investigation (25+ km) very favorable results in case of resistor overlying conductor very close relationship to electrical logs derived from drill hole investigation

Weaknesses
Due to diffusion of energy, much lower resolution of interfaces than seismic

Applications
Resistivity logs Lithological determinations Maturity determination graphitization Cover thickness determination Transect data

Geo-electric sounding

Courtesy: Martyn Unsworth, CSEG Recorder, Apr 2005

Determination of maturity
Graphitized shale horizon

Courtesy: PE Wannamaker, WM Doerner, Ore Geology Reviews 21 (2002)

Geo-electric section data

Courtesy: PE Wannamaker, WM Doerner, Ore Geology Reviews 21 (2002)

MT 2D INVERSION

Valmy- Siliceous Units l Valmy - Carbonaceous, pyritic Shales Tuffaceous Mudstone

Pillow Basalt Black Massive Limestone , Interbedded Chert

,

Chert Beds In Limestone

Bottom of MT Section 2000m depth

Section Courtesy Placer Dome, Peter Kowalczyk presentation, PDAC 2001

Deep crustal studies

Deep transect over 300km traverse, basin and range setting, northwest Nevada Soundings distributed at 3-4km intervals Data inverse modelled to 25km depth Basin and range geologic setting

240km

Station location map for the NW-NV Dixie Valley transect

Apparent Resistivity Freq Section - RhoYX

002 004 001 | 003 |
| |

l11d
005
|

006

007
|

008

009
|

010

011
|

012 014 016 018 020 022 024 026 028 030 032 034 036 038 040 042 044 046 049 | 013 | 015 | 017 | 019 | 021 | 023 | 025 | 027 | 029 | 031 | 033 | 035 | 037 | 039 | 041 | 043 | 045 | 048 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

050
|

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Ohm-M
2

-1

-2

-3

1 1.6 2.5 4 6.3 10 16 25 40 63 100 160 250 400 630 W

METERS 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000

S 71 E
l11d

Phase Freq Section - PhsYX

002 003 004 001 | |
| |

005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025 026 027 028029 030 031 032033 034 035 036 037 038039 040 041 042 043 044 045 046 048 049 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

050
|

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Degrees
2

-1

-2

-3

-180 -174 -168 -162 -156 -150 -144 -138 -132 -126 -120 -114 -108 -102 -96 W
0 20000 40000

METERS 60000 80000 100000

S 71 E

Phase Freq Section - PhsXY

002 003 004 001 | |
| |

l11d
005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025 026 027 028029 030 031 032033 034 035 036 037 038039 040 041 042 043 044045 046 048 049 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

050
|

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Degrees
2

-1

-2

-3

0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 W
0 20000 40000

METERS 60000 80000 100000

S 71 E
l11d

Transfer Function Frequency Section - Tyr

002 003 004 001 | |
| |

005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025 026 027 028029 030 031 032033 034 035 036 037 038039 040 041 042 043 044 045 046 048 049 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

050
|

LOG Frequency (Hz)

Trans. Fun.
2

-1

-2

-3

-0.9 -0.79 -0.68 -0.58 -0.47 -0.36 -0.26 -0.15 -0.04 0.06 0.16 0.27 0.38 0.48 0.59 W
METERS 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000

S 71 E

Raw data plots from eastern section of NW-NV transect

2-D Model
-30000 -20000

l1rlm
002 004 006 008 010 012 015 017 019 021 023 025 027 029 031 033 035 037 039 041 043 045 048 001 003 | 005 | 007 | 009 | 011 | 014 016 018 020 022 024 026 028030 032 034 036 038 040 042 044046 049 050 013 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Ohm-M 1 1.84 3.41 6.31 11.6 21.5 39.8 73.5 135. 251. 464. 857. 1584. 2928. 5411. 10000 W
METERS 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000

-10000

Depth (METERS)

0 10000

20000 30000

40000 50000

S 71 E l1rlm

2-D Model
034 | 035
|

036 037 |
|

038 039 |
|

040 |

041 042 |
|

043
|

044 045 046 | |

|

048
|

049 |

050
|

Ohm-M 1 1.84 3.41 6.31 11.6 21.5 39.8 73.5 135. 251. 464. 857. 1584. 2928. 5411. 10000 W
0 5000 10000 METERS 15000 20000 25000 30000

Depth (METERS)

10000

20000

S 71 E

Inversion results from eastern section of NW-NV transect

Summary of MT applications
Shallow crustal examinations (to 2000m): determination of thickness of overlying cover units (in particular basalts, and cap structures for geothermal projects) provide cover depth control for seismic and gravity applications depth determination of conductive marker horizons depth determination of coarse lithologic units and basement permit resistivity analysis of target reservoirs as a means to determine pore-space content and maturity(graphitization) very expediently can produce isolated resistivity logs at proposed drill sites reconnaissance surveys, transects, fill-in measurements to increase resolution precisely where required. Deep crustal examinations (to 25+km): determination resistivity/depth information in single points, transects or volumes.

Typical Station Set-up

2 Channel AM

Battery

Titan-24 Distributed Acquisition System

2400m

current electrode (mobile)

50m

cross-line potential electrode (fixed) crossin-line potential electrode (fixed) in100m

By

Bx

100m

infinity current electrode (fixed) 2 channel AM 1 channel AM

>10 km

Base magnetometer Site

LAN Link to Logging Truck

Line Length - 2400 m 24 Ex 100m dipoles 12 Ey 100m dipoles 25 current stations 2 Bx/By magnetometer sites
>20 km
By Bx

Remote Magnetometer site

resistive

conductive

Constrained Titan 2D MT Resistivity at Jwaneng Mine Inversion represented in whole earth model
Images of pipe to 800 metres / varying resistivities within pipe correlating to different facies Side walls mapped to +/-25 metres