--> Abstract: Industry Applications of Ground Penetrating Radar, by R. Brodine and B. Sexton; #90987 (1993).

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BRODINE, ROBERT, and BOYD SEXTON, Microseeps, Pittsburgh, PA

ABSTRACT: Industry Applications of Ground Penetrating Radar

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a technology that was developed over 20 years ago for near surface investigations. The principles of operation are analogous to seismic surveying, but with electromagnetic rather than acoustic waves. Penetration depths range from a few inches to several tens of feet, depending on the type of soil, its water saturation and the radar frequencies utilized. To date this technology has seen most used by the construction industry to help determine soil integrity for building highways, buildings, etc; as well as locate underground cavities, pipes, tanks and other installations.

The extent to which this technology has been used by the oil industry is unknown. Obviously, it has potential applications in locating drilling site hazards, underground installations in oil and gas fields, storage and distribution facilities. Examples illustrating this capability are presented.

A potentially new application is in petroleum exploration. Historically, good seismic results have been difficult to achieve in areas with hard, near surface rocks. In this environment GPR should work best, with depth being the limiting factor. Therefore, one would map the near surface structure from GPR data, and infer the configuration at reservoir depths from a knowledge of the regional geology.

In areas where fractures are critical to good reservoir development, their near surface expression could be detectable on GPR data. Results obtained at several fractured, high IP wells in Kentucky will be discussed.

Most of the seismic processing software available today is applicable to GPR data. Preliminary results from a 3D-GPR survey will be presented.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.