6th International Conference & Exposition on Petroleum Geophysics “Kolkata 2006” (63) Utilizing Magnetic Signatures Related to Hydrocarbons

The demand for hydrocarbons is growing exponentially and to meet this demand an integrated approach is required for hydrocarbon exploration. Magnetic techniques have long been used in this regard. However, over the past two decades, the application of aeromagnetic data to hydrocarbon exploration has moved from primarily mapping basement structures and lithologies to mapping structures within the sedimentary section. Geochemical studies have shown that magnetic mineralisation may be associated with hydrocarbon seepage and migration that could result in miniscule magnetic signatures. It is the advancement in technology, over the past two decades that have resulted in high-resolution magnetometers, better aircraft positioning using GPS, gradiometers measuring horizontal and vertical gradients in the total magnetic field, compensation software / hardware for suppressing airplane noise and this has brought about a marked improvement in the data acquisition quality and resolution. This coupled with sophisticated computers and data processing and imaging techniques has made it possible to identify and interpret these miniscule magnetic signatures associated with hydrocarbons. Airborne magnetic surveys have come a long way from the collection of aeromagnetic data at reconnaissance scale, to High Resolution Aeromagnetic (HRAM) surveys and now the collection of Super HRAM with helicopters. Global examples of such surveys and the resultant improvement in magnetic data interpretation related to hydrocarbon exploration will be presented