Geological and geophysical integrated interpretation and modelling techniques

Abstract

Exploration is becoming harder, at depth or under cover and decisions need to be made in model rather than data space; supported by multiple data sets. Geophysics plays an ever increasing role and integration of information from various geophysical data sets in tight collaboration with geological control is required to maximise the return from the individual data sets. In terms of integrating geological and geophysical data, the essential goal is to interpret the available geophysical data in terms of geological domains. The process requires a common sense approach to interpretation that is flexible, adaptive and objective driven. It is not an exact formula or procedure; particularly when multiple geophysical surveys are involved. Understanding the relationships between geology, geophysical responses and rock properties is the key to develop a geological basis for your integrated interpretation. Following this, rapid 3D geological modelling and geologically based forward modelling and inversion are essential for model validation and quantitative integration of data. An integrated interpretation is not necessarily the simplest approach, but does provide answers to geoscientific questions that are stronger than individual elements interpreted on their own. This paper presents a review of the mechanics involved in integrated interpretation and demonstrates the results with selected case study examples.