Abstract: Publisher SummaryThis chapter provides an overview of geophysics. The three principal geophysical methods used in petroleum exploration are seismic, magnetic, and gravity. The magnetic method is the oldest geophysical method and is based on the measurement of variations in the magnetic field due to changes of structure or magnetic susceptibility of the rocks. Sedimentary rocks generally have a smaller susceptibility than igneous or metamorphic rocks, so an interpretation of the recorded anomalies can yield the maximum depth values for a sedimentary basin. Magnetic surveys for hydrocarbon exploration are usually carried out from the air (aeromagnetics) or from a ship. The gravity method is based on the measurements of the variations in the pull of gravity from rocks in the upper layers of the earth's surface. Denser rocks have greater gravitational attraction than less dense rocks. Gravity surveys for hydrocarbons are carried out on land, in the air on helicopters, and at sea on ships. The most widely used geophysical method is the seismic method. Exploration seismology is divided into the branches of reflection seismology and refraction seismology. Most petroleum exploration is done by the reflection seismic method.
Publication Year: 1979
Publication Date: 1979-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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