A Revolution in Applied Geophysics in Brazil (1930-1960)

Abstract

Imported technology and the efforts of professionals with foreign companies radically changed the use of geophysics for petroleum exploration in Brazil in the mid-Twentieth Century. From 1920 new “drilling geophysics” technologies rapidly resulted in more accurate identification of prime drilling targets and the discovery of significant oil fields. In 1930, the demand for oil in Brazil contributed to the federal government’s investment in new geophysical techniques and methods (applied geophysics) to locate oil fields with more precision. Within six years, the Mineral Production Development Survey (Serviço de Fomento da Produção Mineral – SFPM) had acquired sufficient equipment to perform geophysical exploration with magnetic, gravimetric, electrical, seismic, and radioactivity methods. However, some equipment did not meet the requirements for Brazilian field work, even though it had been designed in Rio de Janeiro by technicians of a predecessor institution. Beginning in the 1930s, the National Oil Council (Conselho Nacional do Petróleo – CNP) contracted with North American companies such as United Geophysical Co. S.A., Geophysical Services Inc., DeGolyer & MacNaughton Co., and Exploration Surveys Inc., to apply a variety of geophysical methods in Brazil. In 1955, the Petrobras Exploration Department invested in local seismic, gravimetric and geological mapping teams. Headed by North American geologist Walter Karl Link (1902-1982), they also invested in the day’s best available geophysical exploration technologies, mainly refraction seismic. The combined efforts of Brazilians and North Americans were critical to the development of new techniques and the discovery of new oil fields.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90323 ©2018 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 20-23, 2018