Electromagnetic geophysical survey systems and methods employing electric potential mapping

US8736269B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PGS Geophysical AS · NO

Inventors

• Mattias Südow · Solna, SE
• Frederick J. Barr · Pearland, US
• Peter Lindqvist · Stuvsta-Snättringe, SE
• Robert Juhasz · Stockholm, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 27, 2011
• Grant date: May 27, 2014
• Expiry date: Jan 24, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V2003/086
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present disclosure describes various geophysical survey systems and methods for mapping an electric potential field. At least one illustrative embodiment includes an electromagnetic (EM) source and geophysical survey cables that each includes multiple electrodes spaced apart along each geophysical survey cable's length, and multiple data acquisition units that each obtains measurements indicative of an electric potential between two the electrodes. A calculation module is included and configured to combine signals representative of the measurements to produce signals indicative of the electric potential of each electrode relative to a reference potential assumed to be present at a selected electrode for each of the plurality of geophysical survey cables. Each reference potential is assumed to be of a magnitude that is within a tolerance range of a common reference potential.