Mapping a 3-D conductivity anomaly using a vertical electric source: Field results

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5090442

Bartel, L C; Newman, G A

A method for monitoring an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process is the mapping of electrical conductivity changes due to injection of steam or other fluids. Since the conductivity change will be three-dimensional (3-D) in character, it is necessary to develop techniques to map 3-D conductivity distributions. At the Richmond test site, near Berkeley California, we conducted a field experiment to map a 3-D salt water plume using a vertical electric source (VES) emplaced in the earth. We selected this source because when emplaced in a horizontally layered host it produces no vertical magnetic field nor horizontal magnetic field at or above the earth's surface. Because there is no layered host response in these instances, the detectability of 3-D electrical structures is greatly increased since only secondary magnetic fields are measured for this case. Data consisting of the horizontal magnetic field were collected at the surface before and after injection of the salt water to create a plume. These data were spatially filtered to eliminate near surface geologic variations. The post-injection data were then normalized with respect to the pre-injection data and interpreted. Our preliminary interpretation of the data is based on 3-D forward modeling. We interpret a 3-D conducting, elongated target centered approximately 10 m away from the injection well. At the present time our analysis has not provided depth information; however, we expect the target to be contained within the aquifer at a depth of 30 m. The results of this field test illustrate the utility of this technique. 10 refs., 6 figs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5090442
• Report Number(s): SAND-91-1266C; CONF-911156-2; ON: DE92000790
• Resource Relation: Conference: Society of Exploration Geophysicists annual meeting, Tulsa, OK (United States), Nov 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
MAPPING
PETROLEUM
ENHANCED RECOVERY
AQUIFERS
BRINES
FIELD TESTS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
STEAM INJECTION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RECOVERY
TESTING
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
020300 - Petroleum- Drilling & Production