Electrical Methods has been a specialty at AOA Geophysics Inc. since the founding of the company, and AOA has specialized in the application of Magnetotellurics (MT) to geophysical problems. AOA is recognized as a world leader in the interpretation of MT data, and our company offers a variety of consulting services to assist you with your exploration objectives.
The AOA electrical methods group works on projects in oil and gas exploration and in geothermal exploration, in addition to projects in mining,
environmental and engineering applications. Studies in cooperation with academic institutions include crustal studies and studies for understanding earthquake and other environmental issues. AOA offers MT consulting services for both land and marine surveys.
environmental and engineering applications. Studies in cooperation with academic institutions include crustal studies and studies for understanding earthquake and other environmental issues. AOA offers MT consulting services for both land and marine surveys.
Where is MT applicable?
- to look at overthrust geology
- in seismic no-record or poor record areas
- as reconnaissance prior to seismic acquisition
- for investigating volcanics, evaporites, carbonates
AOA offers a variety of consulting services to assist you in your projects.
What can AOA do to assist your exploration objectives?
- Pre-survey modeling
-Survey design
- Oversight of data acquisition and Quality Control
- Data processing, and data interpretation
- Integration of EM results with other geophysical data to produce geologically meaningful interpretations
Why Electrical Methods?
Exploration geophysics is the science of estimating the physical properties of the subsurface and interpreting the results to provide a geologically meaningful model of the subsurface. The electrical methods, through surface measurements of natural or man-generated electromagnetic fields or currents, estimate the electrical resistivity of the subsurface, and this allows us to attempt interpretation in terms of geological units and structure. This can be used to augment seismic, gravity and magnetic data as part of an integrated exploration program.
MT can provide critical information in non-seismic or difficult seismic areas.
CSEM can assist in characterizing reservoir fluids.
Why measure resistivity?
Resistivity is important since rock types important to hydrocarbon and mineral exploration can be differentiated on the basis of resistivity value. While electrical methods can not be used to identify minerals or hydrocarbons directly, the identification or favorable rock types and the presence of geologic structure of interest is critical to successful exploration. In engineering and environmental applications resistivity can be used for identifying and tracking contaminant plumes, locating bedrock and mapping shallow geology.