Source modification for efficiency enhancement of marine controlled-source electromagnetic method

Abstract Controlled-source electromagnetics is a strongly efficient technique to explore deep-water marine hydrocarbon reservoirs. However, the shallow-water unsolved limitations of electromagnetic shooting methods still exist. In this regard, this work aims to alter the existing conventional electromagnetic source such that it can converge the down-going electromagnetic wave while simultaneously dispersing the up-going electromagnetic energy to minimise the airwave in shallow water. This work presents computed electric current distribution inside a modified transmitter, using a method of moments. Simulation and an experiment-based methodology are applied to this work. Finite element simulation of the response of the modified transmitter displayed the capability of the new transmitter in dispersing the airwave, by 15%. The experimental setup confirmed a better performance of the new transmitter, showing hydrocarbon delineation of up to 48%, compared to the existing conventional transmitter, with 25% oil delineation at the same depths in the same environment. Modification of the electromagnetic source to unbalance the up-down signals may have the potential to enhance the delineation magnitude of the target signal and, as a result, significantly improve oil detection capability.

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