More than one month ago ION and BGP took another bold and pioneering step on behalf of the seismic industry for, on that day, they launched INOVA. Legally known as INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited, this new and independent company is owned 51% by BGP and 49% by ION Geophysical Corporation. Combining the acknowledged strengths of its parents, INOVA aspires to engineer and deliver innovative land seismic technologies that can stand up to the rigors of acquisition in any operating environment. INOVA’s comprehensive portfolio of offerings  includes path-breaking products such as Aries II, FireFly, VectorSeis, and the AHV-IV Commander vibroseis vehicle.

Codevintec was on the receiving end of numerous hours of training regarding 3D technology and Marine Seismology including the GeoEel (digital towed hydrophone streamers) and MicroEel (analog seismic solid streamer). Bart Hoekstra, 3D Product Manager conducted the training.

Source: http://www.geometrics.com/blog/2010/03/italy-embraces-3d-and-marine-seismic-technology

Terra Energy & Resource Technologies, Inc., a natural resource exploration technology company, has completed an exploration services project for oil and gas in Nevada under a contract with Golden Eagle Alliance, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company.

The contract entailed the application of STeP®, Terra’s proprietary remote sensing exploration technology, with the objective being to assess the hydrocarbon potential of a certain area in Nevada.

STeP®, Sub Terrain Prospecting, is a satellite-based proprietary technology which interprets and quantifies electro-magnetic radiation of the Earth to assess and determine presence of geological structures with oil and gas, diamonds, gold and, other subsurface mineral deposits on or off shore.

The basis of STeP is in the use of thematic processing of recent Remote Earth Sensing (RES) data combined with sophisticated mathematical techniques and processing of geological/geophysical data.  Proprietary algorithms and specialized software quantify related information to locate and identify subsurface minerals and geology.

“We welcomed this project because we had an opportunity to showcase the STeP® technology in one of the most challenging frontier areas,” said Dmitry Vilbaum, Chief Executive Officer of Terra Energy & Resource Technologies. “Nevada is known for risky exploration and lack of success of traditional geological and geophysical science application. Our technology was used to reduce the risk and exploratory guess work. As Terra’s technology suite continues to demonstrate success, exploration companies in the United States are recognizing its robust capabilities as an exploration tool,” Dmitry added.

In opining that the oil and gas potential for the area is fairly good, Mr. Vilbaum also stated: “The territory is within the regional ‘fairway’ of mature Mississippian source rocks capable of generating oil. Wells drilled to the west and east of the area of interest have reported numerous, encouraging oil shows. In this project, we were asked to focus on an area with known oil and gas source rocks and the potential for commercial accumulations of hydrocarbons, although the nearest oil production is located approximately 50 miles away.”

“Given our recent announcement of plans to engage in exploration for our own account, this Nevada project has been a good exercise for Terra,” said Dr. Alexandre Agaian, Terra Energy & Resource Technologies’ President. “We expect to utilize the STeP® analysis in our plans to develop a portfolio of interests in explorations in more established oil and gas states such as Texas and Oklahoma.”

The 2009 Exploration Program at the MAN, Alaska project included a new ZTEM airborne survey (Z axis Tipper Electromagnetic system), extensive geological mapping and a proprietary fluxgate time domain ground EM surveys (full waveform streaming multi sensor fluxgate array).  The 2009 geophysical programs (ground fluxgate TEM, ZTEM, and BHEM) were considered a great success.  These very compelling geophysical targets, are the best discovered to date on the MAN property and the foundation for a productive 2010 exploration program.

3D inversions of aeromagnetic data, as well as several widely spaced deep drill holes show a consistent presence of abnormally thick ultramafic bodies with localized deep feeders. Last year’s results add to the evidence that the MAN property is the main intrusive centre for Triassic magmatism that generate the extensive nickel, copper and PGE (platinum group elements) bearing ultramafic intrusions and coeval lavas within the Alaska, Yukon and BC, segments of the Wrangelia terrain.  Drill results to date come from the holes targeted using the proprietary ground time domain EM survey (TEM), in conjunction with the new ZTEM airborne survey and previous ground gravity and VTEM airborne surveys.

Interpretation of the 2009 MAN drilling results assays indicates the presence of a disseminated NI-Cu PGE (platinum group elements) concentration build up extends beyond 600 meters in DDH PNI-09-024 and over 1000 meters in DDH PNI-09-025.  Geophysical surveys show that these conductive bodies are associated with the strongest Fluxgate TEM anomalies on the property,  in addition, strong responses to the BHEM surveys indicates late channel (high conductance channels) conductivity build up beneath the drill holes.

The surveys described below were used to model the interpretation of conductive anomalies on the property. The analysis concludes that the anomalies are deep, large and very compelling.

1. ZTEM Survey – has for the first time identified at depth the shape structure, and conductive zones of the mafic and ultramafic intrusions.
2. Ground TEM – proprietary long time constant, time domain electromagnetic surveys allowed for deep search (> 800 meters) for high conductance bodies commonly associated with Ni-Cu sulphides that have been missed by previous surveys methodologies.
3. Ground and Airborne Magnetic Survey’s - these survey’s help to define the magnetic bodies below surface that often correlate to the ultramafics and mafic rocks on the property.  In addition, UBC 3D inversions and Euler 3D inversions are employed to help determine the location of the form, internal structure, and deep kneels or feeder dykes associated with the intrusive bodies.
4. BHEM Survey – a borehole electromagnetic survey is performed down the drill hole to detect conductive anomalies within, beside and below the drill hole to aid in the correlation with the new high priority, long time constant, surface TEM survey results constraining more accurate location of the conductor.

One of the most exciting targets from the 2009 geophysical program was the identification of the location for drill-hole PNI-09-025 based on the initial results from the TEM surveys.  The hole was drilled to a depth of 1066 metres and terminated due to the limitations of the drill.  The BHEM (down hole geophysical survey) showed an increasingly large response towards an anomaly below the hole’s final depth.

Low-frequency borehole electromagnetic surveys (BHEM) were carried out in five of the 2009 drill holes, as well as seven older drill holes. A number of moderate to strong off-hole conductors were detected and are being evaluated as follow-up drill targets for the 2010 program. Three holes (07-001, 09-023 and 09-025) show anomalous increases in late time channels indicative of deep conductors below the base of the holes. These deep conductive zones correlate with high-priority long time-constant surface TEM anomalies.

Extensive geophysical work was conducted concurrent to the drilling program.  In particular, a new ground time domain EM system (full waveform streaming multisensor fluxgate array), was deployed extensively through the latter half of the exploration season.  This was the first instance of this technology being used in North American nickel exploration.  This ground based EM technology developed by Dr. Mark Shore (Magma Geosciences Inc.) provided Pure Nickel exploration team with the ability to collect low-noise late time data under challenging conditions and identify electromagnetic anomalies at greater than  800 metres depth.

Dr. Mark Shore is going to represent example of using of lower frequencies induction coil, SQUID and fluxgate sensors on the nearest PDAC in Toronto: http://www.pdac.ca/pdac/conv/2010/pdf/presentations/ts-mark-shore.pdf.

Anatoly Legchenko (LTHE, IRD, France) and Ugur Yaramanci (LIAG, Germany) report on the 4th International Workshop on the magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) method applied to non-invasive groundwater investigations, held in October at the University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France.

Magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) is a recently developed method for hydrogeophysical exploration. The very first soundings were carried out between 1979 and 1981. Since 1996, when a new generation of MRS equipment became commercially available, the number of MRS users has been increasing. Arrival of this geophysical method initiated intensive scientific discussions and exchange of experience. Apart from traditional geophysical meetings, these exchanges were channelled through specialized workshops: Berlin, 1999; Orléans, 2003; and Madrid, 2006.

While the efficiency of the MRS applied to groundwater-related studies is already proven, many technical details are still under development. A new generation of hardware and continuing progress with software are expected to improve accuracy and robustness of the technique. Thus, MRS workshops continue contributing to development of the method and establishing new scientific collaborations.

The 4th International Workshop was organized by the Laboratoire d’étude des Transferts en Hydrologie et Environnement (LTHE), Grenoble, France in co-operation with the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG), Hannover, Germany. The organizer got scientific support from different research organizations and national geological surveys; Near Surface Geoscience Division (NSGD) of European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers (EAGE); Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), France; Berlin University of Technology (TUB), Germany; Université Joseph Fourier (UJF), France; Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Germany; Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM), France; and Instituto Geologico y Minero de España (IGME), Spain.

Organization of this event was made possible thanks to financial support of BRGM, IRIS-Instruments, and LTHE, and the administraton of Grenoble city. The MRS2009 workshop was attended by 81 participants from 19 countries. In total, there were 46 contributions to the workshop given by scientists from different countries.

Communications and discussions during MRS2009 Workshop took place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere and covered a large spectrum of subjects related to instrumentation, data processing, modelling, inversion, and field results. The technical programme consisted of different topics addressing all aspects of MRS.

It has already become a tradition to publish the most significant contributions on MRS in special issues of European geophysical journals. For MRS2009 it was decided that a special issue of Near Surface Geophysics will be prepared. This will also be open to authors who did not attend the workshop but want to submit original article related to MRS method. The deadline for submission is set to 31 December, 2009.

Looking ahead, the 5th International Workshop on MRS will be organized in Hannover in fall 2012.

Some details from IRIS Instruments: http://www.iris-instruments.com/Pdf%20file/7-Magnetic_Resonance/presentation_%26_papers.pdf

Inventors: Morrison, Edward B.,  Lo, Bob Bak. AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY USING AIRSHIP.

A method and system for geophysical surveying. A non-rigid airship having a self-supporting gas envelope and propulsion units coupled to the gas envelope, the propulsion units being configured to control the steering and altitude of the airship without the aid of a rudder or elevators, is provided with geophysical survey equipment, and geophysical data is collected while flying the airship. Also a method for geophysical surveying that includes providing a first airship with a first set of geophysical survey equipment, providing a second airship with a second set of geophysical survey equipment that is complimentary to the first set, and conducting an airborne geophysical survey by flying the first airship and the second airship along a designated flight path within a predetermined range of each other.

Inventors: Kuzmin Petr; Morrison, Edward Beverly. DOUBLE-SUSPENSION RECEIVER COIL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

The present invention is a double-suspension receiver coil apparatus and system for conducting electromagnetic surveys including, both ground-based and airborne measurements. The present invention includes at least one receiver coil suspended by way of first suspension members within an inner frame and said inner frame being suspended by second suspension members within an inner ring which is further enclosed within an outer frame. The double-suspension receiver coil apparatus functions so as to maintain the receiver coil position while minimizing vibrations in order to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio and enable accurate measurements. The receiver coil may be in an airborne system in a near-horizontal position or in a ground system in a vertical position.

Inventors Morrison, Edward B., Lo, Bob Bak. Detection of Porphyry Copper Deposit Using Natural Electromagnetic Fields.

A method for identifying a possible porphyry copper deposit which includes flying an airborne sensor over a survey area measuring natural electromagnetic fields in the survey area, and then determining, in dependence on the measured natural electromagnetic fields, if one or more sub-areas in the survey area have a resistivity pattern that corresponds to a predetermined resistivity signature for a porphyry copper deposit. The predetermined resistivity signature includes a higher resistivity inner region at least partially surrounded by a lower resistivity outer region.

Inventors: Kuzmin, Petr; Morrison, Edward Beverly. LARGE AIRBORNE TIME-DOMAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC TRANSMITTER COIL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

An airborne time domain electromagnetic survey system is provided. The system and apparatus of the present invention are able to address the interest in exploring base metals and uranium deposits at depths approaching 1 kilometer. It encompasses a transmitter coil having a large magnetic dipole moment, flight stability, which is light weight, compatible with small helicopters, and can be transported, setup and repaired in the field. It is of a semi-rigid modular structure that can decrease the incidence of damage or breakage during take-off or landing in rough terrain.

Source: www.patentstorm.us

The Ontario Prospectors Association presents: Ontario Exploration and Geoscience Symposium 2009 ”A Decade of Risks and Rewards” December 15^th & 16^th, 2009, Radisson Hotel, Sudbury, Ontario.

Geophysical presentations include:

Blaine Webster, Goldeye Exploration Ltd. / JVX Ltd.,  Application of 3D Spectral Borehole IP to Guide Drilling on the Big Dome Project, Tyrrell Township, Ontario

Joe Mihelcic, ClearView Geophysics Inc., The Ghosts of Geophysics Past, Present and Future

Pierre Gaucher, Instrumentation GDD Inc. Enhance Your Gold Exploration with the latest GDD 3D IP Receiver and the new GDD Portable Sample Core IP Tester

(RTT News) Uravan is developing new innovative exploration technologies for the discovery of the next generation of high-grade uranium deposits in under-explored basin environments. By developing these innovative technologies, Uravan’s goal is to discover economic deposits quicker and more cost effectively. The objective is the discovery of an economic uranium mineralized intersection on at least one-in-three exploration projects explored and to reduce by two-thirds the number of drill holes to discovery.

Through ‘holistic basin analysis’, Uravan is selecting favourable under-explored corridors for acquisition. Over the last year Uravan has completed several studies to facilitate land selection:

- A regional Athabasca basin-wide geophysical and historical database compilation;

- A basin-wide archived core study;

-The Cigar West uranium deposit orientation survey and;

-Competitor assessment.

With this information and database, corridors of interest have been identified and areas of specific acquisition chosen.

Nicholas Williams (Geoscience Australia), Douglas Oldenburg and Peter Leliévre (University of British Columbia–Geophysical Inversion Facility) have developed a new method for rapidly building 3D geological models using only limited exploration observations. These models are key inputs for generating predictive 3D images of the subsurface from geophysical observations. Geophysical data provide a cost effective means of visualising aspects of the Earth’s subsurface over a large area. Geophysical datasets are often presented as a 2D image of the observations made at the surface or from the air, but with some additional steps a 3D representation of the subsurface can be produced. These extra steps involve inversion of the geophysical data.

The sparse constraint model builder provides a quick and efficient means of automatically producing data-based constraining models for geophysical inversions. Although specifically developed for use with the UBC-GIF inversion programs, the treatment of the different types of geological information could be applied for use in any inversion or modelling algorithm. The procedure itself is primarily a data management routine to provide a systematic and repeatable way of combining geological observations and physical property measurements into a single, self-consistent model. When used in inversions, the constraints provide a means to effectively combine geological observations with geophysical data, to produce holistic predictive models of the subsurface. Geoscience Australia’s Onshore Energy and Minerals Division has been using these techniques in its North Queensland and Gawler-Curnamona regional programs to recover more reliable 3D subsurface models as part of its ongoing Onshore Energy Security Program.

This study was conducted as part of a PhD research program undertaken at the University of British Columbia – Geophysical Research Facility in Vancouver, Canada. In March 2009 Nick Williams won the best student paper award at the 2009 Australian SEG.