ALBERT

Notes: Master curves are presented for three-layer earth-sections, the electrical resistivity in the intermediate layer of which has a linear variation with depth. A new approach is proposed to interpret the sounding data with the help of RMS difference in apparent resistivity values.

Notes: Basic Laterolog devices employ a measure-current focusing technique to provide well logs of formation resistivity that feature sharp vertical definition combined with a depth of investigation much improved over those of normals of comparable spacings.To develop the concept of measure-current focusing, a disk-electrode arrangement analogous to a guard-ring capacitor is considered first, leading finally to consideration of a real sonde in a cylindrical borehole. In the latter, auxiliary currents are adjusted to maintain substantially at zero the vertical potential gradients above and below the central measure-current electrode; this has the effect of focusing the measure-current beam.However, prediction of sonde responses on the basis of current patterns can in some cases be misleading. Indeed, for a given Laterolog array, one may use a (reciprocalmode) current pattern radically different from the one defined by the basic (direct-mode) measure-current focusing scheme and still obtain the same resistivity measurement. This feature is illustrated for Laterolog 3 by use of transfer impedances, and demonstrated for certain more general cases using the reciprocity theorem.Comparisons of Laterolog responses across typical thin beds, both non-invaded and invaded, with those of normal devices of a comparable range of spacings illustrate the improved vertical resolution obtained with Laterolog devices. The examples also show the different magnitudes of the auxiliary currents (thenceforth designated “bucking”- or “focusing” currents) used in the direct and reciprocal modes and illustrate how these currents must continuously vary in order to maintain the focused condition as the sonde moves through the bed.Finally, briefly considering possible applications of Laterolog-type arrays in surface prospecting, it is shown that a one-dimensional array laid out on the surface does not provide the same degree of measure-current focusing as is obtained in a borehole. Some improvement is obtained with a combination of two crossed linear arrays. Much more is obtained using a circular array.

Notes: Inferior reflection quality in the Gulf of Suez at the target depth interval is attributable in part to surficial multiple reflections. An excellent example of the latter is observed on a typical seismic line in the northern portion of the Gulf. An increase in prominence of the multiple reflections appears associated with decreasing depth to a dipping highvelocity layer.Inversion of a second-order polynomial time-distance function, fitted to the observed refraction onset time-distance values, gives the velocity-depth function for sediments between the water bottom and a high-velocity layer. Velocities thus determined increase non-linearly with depth from a value near water velocity at the water bottom. Depths to the high-velocity layer are obtained from the associated head-wave linear time-distance function and by ray tracing in the overlying sediments.As the high-velocity layer approaches the water bottom from sub-water depths exceeding 0.6 km to a depth of 56 m, intensity of the multiple reflections increases to the extent of completely dominating individual records to a time of at least 3 s. The estimated plane-wave normal-incident reflection coefficient at the top of the high-velocity layer increases with decreasing depth to this layer, approaching 0.5 at the shallowest depth. This strong reflection coefficient further substantiates the existence of multiple reflections between the high-velocity layer and water layer. However, existence of water-layer multiples cannot be ruled out. The estimated water-bottom reflection coefficient is approximately 0.3, a substantial value. Multiple reflections of considerably less intensity are apparent where the high-velocity layer is deepest, and it is likely that such are waterlayer multiple reflections. Unfortunately, water-layer multiple reflections and multiple reflections between the water surface and high-velocity layer cannot be separated by their coincidence with time-distance (normal moveout) curves, the configuration of each visibly matching the curves equally well.

Notes: Seismic exploration techniques which have been developed for oil prospecting contribute a valuable means for surveying coal measures. Since the object is to detect minor faults within the first 1500 m, rather than structural features at great depth, the new technique requires much higher resolution in the early part of the traditional seismic cross-section.Higher resolution means broader bandwidth, which must be obtained by extending the high frequency end of the spectrum. This is achieved (a) by scaling down the explosive charge size and using single geophones instead of groups, and (b) by reducing the sampling interval in space and time. Noise which does not scale down includes static anomalies and ground-roll. The consideration of statics, ground-roll, and the high-cut filtering effect of the near surface layers forces the use of deep shot holes and, where possible, deep detectors. This approach is confirmed by experiments and has been implemented on a regular basis in production.It is demonstrated that the present technique will clearly resolve faults with a vertical throw of about 5 m at 800 m depth.

Notes: Correlations between longitudinal velocities and rock mechanic parameters such as fracture frequencies and “Rock Quality Designation” (RQD) values have been studied, based upon velocity data from various rock types and different geographical locations.The dispersion of values at different sites studied is on average ± 0.8 cracks per meter and for the RQD values ± 3.5%. Within sites the dispersion of individual values relative to the average for the site is ± 1.0 – 2.0 cracks per meter and ± 2 – 6% for the RQD values.The deviations are rather moderate, especially when considering the variation of rock type involved in the studies: amphibolite, granite, gneiss, meta-anorthosite, pegmatite, porphyry, quartzite, and mylonite. The studies thus confirmed earlier assumptions that there is a strong correlation between longitudinal velocity and fracturing and that the velocities can be used to give rather accurate predictions of the quality of rock masses for construction purposes. The accuracy of the predictions increases if the velocity level of the more competent rock is taken into account.The correlation between velocity and fracturing is related to jointed but unweathered igneous and metamorphic rock and cannot be applied without introducing serious errors to a site where the rocks present a higher degree of alteration and weathering.Comparisons between rock permeability and longitudinal velocity proved that a more reliable general correlation is not likely to be found.By comparing the elastic moduli Edyn, μ, and k with ø, Vp/V8, and k/μ, indications have been obtained where the optimum rock conditions for a certain site are to be encountered. This has been verified by a similar comparison where the elastic moduli have been replaced by fracturing values.The value of the longitudinal velocity as a means to evaluate rock quality increases if the position of the velocity in the range of the Poisson's ratio has been established.The average relationships between longitudinal velocities and the corresponding elastic moduli proved to be:The values from each site differ from the average values with about ± 2 GPa for Edyn and about ± 1 GPa for μ and k.It was confirmed that in igneous and metamorphic rocks longitudinal velocities ≤ 4000 m/s generally indicate rock masses where heavier tunnel support will be needed. This velocity limit corresponds to an average fracture frequency of about 10 cracks per meter and a RQD value of about 65 %. The prediction of the tunnel reinforcements needed at a particular site will, however, be improved if the general velocity level of the more competent rock is considered.

Notes: The Minimum Entropy Deconvolution (MED) technique of Wiggins (1977) represents a breakthrough in deconvolution and will undoubtedly find wide application in many fields. MED does not require any phase assumptions about the disturbing function and seeks a deconvolved output which consists of the smallest number of large spikes consistent with the input data.The efficiency of MED is much improved when an exponential transformation is incorporated into the algorithm. This is particularly true when the input traces contain additive noise. In this case the noise suppression characteristics of MED are considerably enhanced by the transformation and the identification of smaller spikes is improved. This paper also presents a kurtosis criterion of simplicity rather than the varimax norm introduced by Wiggins. It appears that for a multiple trace input the kurtosis measure leads to improved results.

Notes: Long leg multiples can be suppressed by a method which provides an alternative to weighted common-depth-point stacking and multichannel stacking filtering. The suppression is achieved by coherency weighting whereby the time-dependent weighting factor decreases as the semblance of the multiple reflections increases.The algorithm of the method is described. Its efficiency is discussed in relation to the input data and results of its application to marine seismic data are presented.For practical application, the stacking velocity of the multiples has to be known. As the process is based on stacking velocities, different types of multiples can be handled, for instance water-bottom multiples or internal multiples. The parameter analysis shows that the degree of multiple suppression can easily be controlled by adapting the parameters of the procedure to the field conditions.During the suppression of multiples, the primaries are saved according to the moveout differences between the two. The non-linear behaviour of the process causes signal suppression and distortion effects, which have to be corrected by AGC normalization and low-pass filtering.Among the various applications available, only the suppression of long leg water-bottom multiples is treated here. The results show that their suppression on the basis of moveout differences is efficient even when standard length streamers are used in regions with water depth of up to 1500 m and more, if the stacking velocity of the primaries is about 10 to 20% higher than that of the multiples. Even if those parts of the primaries which are masked by the multiples are suppressed in the individual common-depth-point gathers by the procedure, the remaining primaries in the AGV stacked section are largely uncovered by the multiple suppression.

Notes: Investigation of fluctuating earth-currents has led to a simple method of eliminating the noise superimposed on the signal in geoelectrical resistivity surveys. The similarity of the potential fluctuations, simultaneously measured at different locations, is used to calculate the direction and magnitude of the potential gradient. Contour maps of equipotential lines were made, both from disjointed gradient measurements using a numerical approximation method and from a network of measured potential differences. These contour maps were compared with potential fields calculated for simple homogeneous models. A good fit was obtained with the field of a conducting plate. When this is subtracted from the measured field, the result is a map that shows anomalies that can be correlated with geological structures.

Notes: The calculation of potential field anomalies on different levels below the measuring level permits to localize the singular points related to the sources of anomalies.It is possible to achieve considerable improvement of the resolution of this method〈list xml:id="l1" style="custom"〉1) filtering of analytical downward continuation,2) the use of the magnitude of the gravitational vector,3) calculation of physe changes.The numerical examples confirm these assumptions.