Mapping deep targets based on integrated 3D MT-gravity interpretation: a case study

Mapping deep geological hydrocarbon targets is of significant importance in basin exploration. In areas lacking reliable seismic data, magnetotelluric (MT) and gravity explorations are helpful to delineate the distribution of potential deep geological hydrocarbon targets. Here we investigate the effectiveness of the integrated 3D MT and gravity explorations for mapping the potential deep hydrocarbon source rocks. The result based on the data from the W Basin (part of the Ordes Basin) of China demonstrates that the method is efficient and economical for basin exploration. The method is particularly useful in target areas which are of great interest for oil and gas exploration but lack high quality seismic data. In our method, we first use the high-precision 3D small-bin MT data acquisition to improve the data accuracy. Then we perform datum static correction method and apply 3D inversion to obtain the3D resistivity distribution. We also develop a layered resistivity model based on resistivity logging to assist the interpretation of the inverted 3D resistivity data so as to derive an initial 3D geological model. Starting from the initial model, we use 2D gravity data to update the model via 2D inversion line by line, and then pass the updated model for the next round of the 3D MT inversion. The integrated inversion is implemented iteratively so the model converges to satisfy the need of final geological analysis. The application to the W Basin shows that we could successfully delineate the geological distribution of the potential deep hydrocarbon source rocks within the basin and map the thickness of the upper Paleozoic.