Electromagnetic geophysical survey systems and methods employing electric potential mapping

US8922214B2 · 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: May 14, 2012
• Grant date: Dec 30, 2014
• Expiry date: Jan 23, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A90/30
• 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 modeling module is included and configured to calculate a reference potential at a selected electrode for each of the plurality of geophysical survey cables, as well as a calculation module to combine signals representative of the measurements to produce signals indicative of the electric potential of each electrode relative to the reference potential.