WA

Title: Contemporary crustal stress pattern of Australia

Summary:

The present-day stress field of Australia has been the subject of great interest in the three past decades because it shows a variable pattern for the orientation of maximum horizontal stress (S_Hmax) that is not parallel to absolute plate motion. Analysis of in-situ stress data across Australia (in >20 sedimentary basins) reveals four major trends for the orientation of S_Hmax including NE-SW in northern, northwestern and northeastern Australia, E-W in southern half of Western Australia and South Australia, ENE-WSW in most parts of eastern Australia and NW-SE in southeastern Australia. In addition, the results reveal significant rotation of stress within various sedimentary basins due to the presence of different geological structures, including basement structures, faults, fractures and lithological contrasts. Understanding and predicting local stress perturbations has major implications for determining the most productive fractures in petroleum and geothermal systems, and for modelling the propagation direction and vertical height growth of induced hydraulic fractures in unconventional reservoirs.

Biography of the presenter:

Dr Mojtaba Rajabi is an ARC DECRA Fellow at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland. He has over 12 years of extensive experience in crustal stress analysis, reservoir geomechanics, geomechanical-numerical modelling and petrophysics. He graduated with a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from the University of Adelaide in 2017. Dr Rajabi has worked on the geomechanical analyses of >30 sedimentary basins from across the world including Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Mozambique, Iceland and Western Mediterranean. Since 2012, Dr Rajabi has worked on the Australian and World Stress Map projects. He has received >15 international awards and prizes for his research including the ARC-DECRA Award, the Australian SEG Early Achievement Award, EAGE Louis Cagniard Award, and the International Lithosphere Program’s Flinn-Hart Award.

The ASEG welcome you to join us on ZOOM on Tuesday 7 July, 4pm (AEST) for a talk by David Annetts from CSIRO.

Ten years in the wild (Redux)

An updated and expanded version of the AEGC presentation providing background to a CSIRO project that was placed in the public domain in 2009.  The talk offers lessons and guidance for others who would walk a similar path.

The use of open-source codes has become pervasive over the past 20 years but such codes are uncommon in minerals exploration. The P223 series of programs researching forward and inverse modelling of electromagnetic data was supported by CSIRO and six AMIRA consortia over 27 years and produced, amongst others, the codes, Airbeo, LeroiAir and Marco. This project concluded in 2008 and, after a two-year embargo, the code base, consisting of computer programs modelling different approximations of the earth for ground and airborne prospecting systems, was released to the public. We discuss reasons why codes have not been more widely adopted, and examine the evolution of some of the codes in research, academia and in industry as a guide to parties who would embark on a similar route.

David Annetts has been with CSIRO since 2007. A forward-modeller by inclination, he has researched the application of frequency and time-domain electromagnetic prospecting methods to marine CSEM, CO2 sequestration, uranium and groundwater exploration, and maintains an active interest in CSIRO’s Bayesian Lithological Inversion initiative.  He is also the current ASEG President.

Register Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wRoI_iXERlmmAA-wtXjHLw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please join us on Thursday 25^th June, 12:00pm (AEST) for a talk by Sumit Verma from University of Texas of Permian Basin (UTPB).

Seismic Attribute Illumination of complex fault network North Slope, Alaska

The North Slope, Alaska has a complex fault system in the subsurface due to different episodes of tectonics. The most producing reservoirs are fault controlled. Our study area lies in the south of the well-known Prudhoe Bay and Kuparuk River oil fields. The Triassic-aged Shublik Shale, which is the most prominent source rock, has gone through three stages of extensional tectonic activities during the Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Eocene. To understand the complex fault system, we computed an ensemble of volumetric seismic attributes, including coherence, curvature and aberrancy, and studied them along the Shublik Shale surface. In this study, we have divided the structures into three types based on seismic signature, 1. significant fault throw on vertical seismic section, 2. insignificant fault throw but clearly visible flexure, 3. insignificant fault throw and very weak flexure. We observed type 1 faults on the vertical seismic section, and seismic attributes which trends in WNW direction, these faults have large lateral extent. The type 2 faults have similar orientation as type 1. The type 2 faults are clearly visible on the curvature and aberrancy attributes. Although, the type 3 structures have no visible throw on vertical seismic, but, it can be seen as two fault lineation (which are orthogonal each other) on curvature and aberrancy attributes. Based on our attribute analysis and regional geologic understanding, we believe that, the type 1 and type 2 fault sets are of Jurassic age, whereas the two faults of the type 3 were formed in Cretaceous and Eocene with an orientation of nearly east-west and north-south orientation. These type 1 faults display cross cutting, single-tip and double-tip abutting relations with the older west-north-west striking faults.

Biography:

Dr. Sumit Verma is an Assistant Professor of Geophysics at UTPB. Dr. Verma received his M.S. (2007) in Applied Geophysics from the Indian School of Mines - Dhanbad, and his Ph.D. (2015) in Geophysics from the University of Oklahoma. After earning his PhD, he worked for one year as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Verma also worked with Reliance Industries Ltd. E&P for four years (2007-2011) as a development geoscientist. Dr. Verma’s research areas are Seismic Interpretation, Quantitative Interpretation and Reservoir Characterization. Dr. Verma is a deputy editor for the peer-reviewed scientific journal: Interpretation.

Register Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Myhly7WKS6uTu0wS9bldQw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Contact secretary@aseg.org.au if you have any questions.  

Please bring your own drinks and nibbles.

Please join us on Thursday 11^th June, 2:00pm (AEST) for a talk by Anandaroop Ray

Probabilistic Seismic Full Waveform Inversion (FWI)

Register Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MBfv_1tRSeuLMq-7PvKI_Q

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Contact secretary@aseg.org.au if you have any questions.  

Please bring your own drinks and nibbles.

Probabilistic Seismic Full Waveform Inversion (FWI)

Limited illumination, insufficient offset, noisy data and poor starting models can pose challenges for seismic full waveform inversion (FWI). Appropriately formulated Bayesian approaches can mitigate these problems by appealing to parsimony, i.e., low model dimension, and through rigorous quantification of prior knowledge. Given the flexibility of the Bayesian framework, the theory can include the inference of nuisance parameters such as the source wavelet and data noise. Given the tandem developments in statistical inference and HPC, sampling based approaches to FWI are able to provide a surprising amount of subsurface information. While the non-linearity of wave physics is indeed a significant obstacle for inversion algorithms, it is also the reason why inferences, should we reach the appropriate local minima (or posterior probability maxima), are so much more informative than for diffusive or potential field geophysics. Through a combination of synthetic and real data examples, this talk will attempt to encourage further research in this arena.

Biography:

Anandaroop Ray (“Anand”) started his career as a non-seismic geophysicist with Shell Exploration and Production in 2007. In 2010 he joined the PhD programme in marine electromagnetics at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California. In 2014 he completed his thesis focusing on uncertainty estimation in electromagnetic inversion for marine hydrocarbon exploration. From 2012-19, he worked for Chevron R&D on various problems – controlled source electromagnetics (CSEM), seismic full waveform inversion (FWI), reservoir properties from seismic (RPFS), airborne electromagnetics (AEM), statistical hydrocarbon exploration lookback analyses, and the role of machine learning in geophysics. The question most asked through his work is “how credibly can we interpret our inversion model(s),” the answering of which often requires the use of high performance computing (HPC) techniques. He currently co-advises a PhD student at Columbia University on Bayesian geophysical inversion, and has been active in convening and organizing the Uncertainty in Geophysical Inversion session at the American Geophysical Union’s Fall Meeting. In March 2019 he joined the Minerals, Energy and Groundwater Division at Geoscience Australia, where he continues to work on inverse uncertainty, model representation and geostatistics.

Please rsvp before 11th March 2020 to attend Joint Tech Nights organised by ASEG WA branch. The link for registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/march-2020-joint-tech-night-tickets-97449440901

Direction to the venue: Celtic club

First Technical Talk: Case Studies from Loupe – New Technology in Portable TEM for Near-Surface Measurements

Presenter: Andrew Duncan, Loupe Geophysics

Abstract:

A portable, broadband TEM system, Loupe, has been developed for the purpose of measuring near-surface electrical conductivity. The system records continuously while walking using a three-component coil receiver mounted on an ergonomic backpack from signals generated by a small (660mm) diameter, multi-turn transmitter loop mounted on a similar backpack.

The Loupe system is designed primarily to measure electrical conductivity in the top 25 metres, previously the charter of frequency-domain EM systems.  Using modern electronics and software, combined with full time-series measurement, we have been able to overcome the interference and calibration issues around measuring near surface conductivity with a broad bandwidth time-domain system.  Sampling at around a half million samples per second and processed to produce a measurement of secondary TEM field every second, the Loupe system provides very high spatial resolution.  Data can be viewed as the operators walk, allowing survey redesign as necessary.

During 2019, trial surveys were conducted with Loupe in a number of near-surface applications including mineral exploration on surface and underground, geological / regolith mapping, study of groundwater around tailings storage facilities and the mapping of structural features in open-cut mines.  We see a wide application for Loupe in mapping seepage both from mine tailings and acid mine drainage.

Loupe has proved to be quite versatile, working in difficult terrain and areas with high electromagnetic interference such as mine sites and urban sites. Special challenges are presented when working on these sites due to power reticulation, vehicle movement and infrastructure.  We will give examples showing data collected in these environments.

During this presentation, we will summarise the Loupe system and show results from several recent surveys.

Bio:

Andrew Duncan is the Managing Director of ElectroMagnetic Imaging Technology Pty Ltd (EMIT), based in Perth, WA. EMIT, which recently celebrated 25 years in business, has developed technology including the SMARTem electrical methods receiver system, Maxwell EM software and the DigiAtlantis borehole magnetometer system for EM. Andrew has a background in the development of technology for electrical geophysics including the development of airborne EM systems and distributed systems for geophysical measurements. Recently, he founded Loupe Geophysics with Greg Street, in order to develop and commercialise a novel, portable TEM system called Loupe. Andrew has interests in signal processing, EM techniques for highly conductive targets and modelling of EM data.

Second Technical Talk: Helitem2: New Technology in Airborne TEM for Deep and Covered Targets with Western Australia Examples

Presenter: Adam Smiarowski, CGG

Abstract:

Exploration for targets at depth or targets obscured by conductive overburden have historically been a challenge with airborne EM methods. Although modern systems have been improved with greater primary transmitter moments, noise levels from receiver coil motion in the Earth’s ambient field has limited the detection of secondary target signals, especially at late times, and has limited the use of lower base frequencies. The new Helitem² system uses a patented low-noise receiver, a 50% duty cycle square pulse transmitter waveform, and low Tx base frequency, to achieve increased signal detectability for deep and covered targets.

Modeling and a series of demonstration surveys compared several helicopter-borne time-domain system configurations, including high-moment halfsine waveforms and low base frequency (15 Hz and 7.5 Hz) 50% duty cycle square waveforms. Using a thin-plate, modelling showed that a low base frequency square pulse will have a significantly larger response than a half sine pulse at standard 30 Hz base frequency for a wide range of target conductances. At early times, the sharper (quicker) turn off of the square wave results in much more high-frequency energy, and therefore better signal, for weakly conductive targets, and better near-surface resolution. At the other extreme, the response from very conductive targets is determined by the area under the transmitter curve, so the low frequency square waves with 16 and 33 ms widths produces more than twice the signal as the half sine.

Demonstration survey line profiles and decay curves over the target and background locations confirmed this modelling for a 400 m deep target and variable overburden. The combination of pulse width, power, and low noise enabled the Helitem2 system to be effective at low base frequencies, where very late time data is beneficial for detecting strong and deep targets. The survey demonstrated that the redesigned Rx suspension system was able to reduce coil motion noise, enabling acquisition of high quality low base frequency data useful for detection of deep targets to very late times. The wide-pulse waveform was effective at energizing a moderately-conductive target, increasing signal level by a factor of 2 above a 6 ms pulse. This will be even more beneficial when exploring for strong conductive targets at depth. Prior to this Rx re-design, noise levels at low base frequencies was too high, and the data was not useful for target detection.

Examples from Western Australian are provided, illustrating data improvements of Helitem2 operating at 12.5Hz, over a previous survey at 25Hz.

Bio:

Adam has been involved with electrical methods for environmental and exploration applications for 15 years. Adam completed an MSc in Geophysics at RMIT University and PhD in Physics and Geology at the University of Toronto.  He has been involved with airborne EM research, both in frequency and time-domain, with CGG MultiPhysics for the past 9 years.

Please rsvp before 11^th February 2020 to attend 2020 1^st Tech Nights organised by the ASEG WA branch. The link for registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aseg-wa-february-tech-night-2020-tickets-90110126815

Direction to the venue: Celtic club

The handout for the event is available here.

CSIRO’s Deep Earth Imaging Future Science Platform is organising an interdisciplinary subsurface conference around the themes of imaging, conceptualisation and prediction of water, energy and mineral resources. Over two days, we will focus on the science required, developed and deployed by academia, industry and government to prospect today for the resources that will underpin our low energy future. The conference will include a combination of keynotes, panel discussions, presentations and networking opportunities. Particular emphasis will be placed on the next generation of techniques to acquire knowledge about the subsurface; by for example combining machine learning, forward modelling, inverse theory and predictive applications.

Registration now open.

Wednesday 12 - Thursday 13 Feb 2020

Optus Stadium, Perth

333 Victoria Park Dr, Burswood WA

The Deep Earth Imaging Future Science Platform is holding its inaugural conference that will focus on the scientific advancements required to progress the understanding of the systems behind the formation of water, mineral and energy resources. To unlock challenging-to-recover resources situated at depth requires improving the predictive power of geoscience tools to enable the capture and integration of subsurface, deep earth information for resource modelling. Key to this is to develop knowledge through inference from often incomplete, sparse, indirect and irregularly distributed measurements of the subsurface. The conference will serve as a platform to showcase current developments and to identify challenges and opportunities.

The Three Pillars

Imaging – An ever-increasing volume of geo-data drives the development of novel techniques that are able to produce snapshots of resource systems. Future breakthroughs will be based on advances in sensor networks and computational techniques to extract the maximum amount of information from our observations.

Conceptualisation – Our understanding of mineral, energy and ground water systems only increases when we combine images of the subsurface with geological knowledge. Confidence in predictions will increase if they are underpinned by formal interpretations of images and transparent conceptualisations of geological processes.

Prediction – Robust predictions are the key to de-risking exploration in geological complex settings and managing water and hydrocarbon resources. Improving prediction will require advancing inference capabilities so we can turn images and conceptualisations into insight and understanding.

Program highlights

Sessions dedicated to imaging, conceptualisation and prediction with keynote presentations that identify the challenges and opportunities in these spaces and knowledge development through inference.

Panel discussions by experts in industry, government and academy focused on the roles of imaging, conceptualisation and prediction, and the synergies between these activities.

A stream focused on the relevance and value of imaging, conceptualisation and prediction in the social license to operate context.

An introduction to the current and planned research initiatives by government and academia to aid prospecting for the resources that will underpin a low energy future.

Prizes for:

Best presentation by an early career researcher (less than 3 years relevant experience post PhD)

Demonstrated excellence achieved through interdisciplinary research (presentation)

Best poster

Why should you attend?

Gain an understanding of the challenges and opportunities shared between imaging, conceptualisation and prediction for energy, mineral and water resources.

Learn about new developments in inversion of geophysical data by academia, industry and government agencies.

Familiarise yourself with CSIRO’s role in the Deep Earth Imaging innovation space.

Abstracts

100 to 500 words abstract with a maximum of one figure.

No abstract submission fee.

Please submit your abstract to sub20@csiro.au

The deadline for abstract submission is Tuesday 24th December 2019.

Authors will be contacted and invited to present either a talk or a poster by Friday 10th January 2020.

Download the abstract template (Word, 205KB)

Registration

Opens November 2019.

The first 25 registrations will be covered by CSIRO’s Deep Earth Imaging Future Science Platform.

December 5th in Perth: Blockchain in Oil & Gas Australia

Australia is set to become the world’s largest gas exporter by 2020, yet the industry faces the ever-increasing threat of consistently low crude oil prices, ageing infrastructure, machinery and equipment, and rising bottom-line pressures.  The need to rapidly drive down costs and increase operational efficiencies has never been more crucial.

This one day event brings together industry leaders from leading oil and gas companies in Australia, to discuss and strategise how to develop and implement cutting-edge blockchain technologies. 

Hear from 25+ leading local and global thought leaders on how blockchain technology such as smart contracts, distributed data, and public ledgers can be leveraged to transform your operational efficiency.

Attending this event will ensure that you:

Understand how to smartly develop blockchain scalable solutions for your company

Uncover exactly why blockchain is an ideal technology for oil and gas

Save time and money by being ahead of the blockchain adoption curve

Accelerate your blockchain learning journey by investigating the newest and latest technologies

Network with peers and exchange ideas in a space, which is new, uncertain and rich in opportunity

Meet the entire Australian Oil & Gas value chain from producers, operators, oil services companies and technology providers

More details can be found here: https://www.blockchain-oilandgas-australia.com/

December 3rd - 4th, 2019

This event brings together senior executives representing the entire Oil & Gas value chain in Australia, to discuss, strategise and debate the new digital disrupters in the Oil & Gas sector:  IoT & Machine Learning.  

Australia is set to become the world’s largest gas exporter by 2020, yet the industry faces the ever-increasing threat of consistently low crude oil prices, ageing infrastructure, machinery and equipment, and rising bottom-line pressures.  The need to rapidly drive down costs and increase operational efficiencies has never been more crucial.

IoT & Machine Learning in Oil & Gas Australia 2019, is the strategic meeting place to learn about how this digital transformation will revolutionise the oil and gas industry, and enable greater efficiencies and insights in reporting, analytics and large-scale business decisions.

Hear from 25+ leading local and global thought leaders on how to harness the power of intelligent technologies to respond to and navigate volatile oil prices, constantly rising bottom-line pressures and seamlessly digitise your operational capability.

More details can be found here: https://www.iotinoilandgas-australia.com/home

SEISMIX 2020
19th International Symposium on Deep Seismic Profiling of the Continents and their Margins
www.seismix2020.org.au
15 - 19 March 2020
Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia

Find a flyer for the event here.