Geological exploration works

Vega LLC has extensive experience in performing geological and geophysical works by various methods: electrical exploration by magnetotelluric sounding (MT-AMT) and sounding by the formation of the TEM field, gravimetric works by its own fleet of modern gravimeters, as well as geochemical research by the passive adsorption method. The main types of tasks that we can solve: 

  1. Solving structural problems in the search for hydrocarbons (oil and gas)
  2. Exploration of solid mineral deposits (gold, platinum, sulfides, kimberlite pipes, etc.)
  3. Exploration and delineation of hydrothermal vents
  4. Search for aquifers
  5. Monitoring of the state of the environment of national economic facilities

Method of magnetotelluric sounding (MT) 

It is based on the use of variations in the Earth’s natural electromagnetic field as a probing agent. The Earth’s natural EM field is a source of electromagnetic variations in a wide frequency range, which makes it possible to study the geoelectric properties of the medium from the first tens of meters to the first hundreds of kilometers. MT and AMT methods are used for regional research, oil and gas exploration, and the search for solid mineral deposits and hydrothermal vents. In addition, the equipment used for MT-AMT operations is increasingly being used to solve the problems of EM monitoring of the environment.

Advantages of the MT method over other electrical exploration methods:

  1. One of the few exploration methods that does not have a negative impact on the environment
  2. Compact portable equipment set
  3. No cumbersome external signal source compared to methods with a controlled EM radiation source
  4. The greatest depth among all electrical exploration methods

Transient electromagnetic sounding (TEM) 

TEM is a recognized and widely developed technology of inductive pulsed electrical exploration (both in Russia and abroad). TEM method belongs to the field of structural electrical exploration and is particularly effective for studying the geological structure of sedimentary basins, predicting reservoirs and fault zones, solving structural mapping and facies mapping problems, studying the foundation, identifying decompression zones, and is also an excellent addition to the MT method for eliminating uncertainty associated with the problem of static shift of sounding results.

Main advantages of TEM technology:

  1. The size of the sounding unit may be several times less than the depth of exploration of the geological section.
  2. The measurement results are highly sensitive to changes in the parameters of the geological section.

Equipment used by the company to perform electrical exploration work:

  1. VMTU-10 magnetotelluric station (developed and manufactured by VEGA LLC)
  2. NORD+ with sets of IMS series induction sensors (developed and manufactured by VEGA LLC and Nord-West LLC)
  3. Set of equipment TSIKL-8 (developed and manufactured by Tsikl-Geo LLC) for TEM sounding
  4. Non-polarizing electrodes (developed and manufactured by VEGA LLC)

Methods of performing electrical exploration works: 

All electrical exploration works are performed in accordance with the instructions for electrical exploration: “Instructions for Electrical Exploration”: Approved by the Government of the Russian Federation. Ministry of Geology of the USSR 24.12.81. – Leningrad: Nedra: Leningr. otd., 1984. – 352 p.

In addition, area or profile works are performed, depending on the terms of reference agreed with the Customer. The measurement frequency range (MT, AMT, and TEM) is selected depending on the type of problem being solved. For the MT method, a 5-component cross-shaped setup is usually used to register two components of the electric field and three components of the magnetic field. If necessary, the technology of synchronous measurement can be used at several points with a remote reference measuring point (remote reference). This allows you to collect more information about the section under study, improve data quality by additionally filtering out uncorrelated noise, and increase productivity. If necessary, the high-frequency part of the MT and AMT curves is linked to the TEM curve to eliminate the so-called “static shift”.

Gravimetric method

Gravimetry is a method of exploration geophysics based on the study of the gravity field and its gradients. The difference in the gravity field occurs due to different densities of geological features. 

Advantages of the gravity exploration method:

  1. Relatively high performance
  2. High precision
  3. Possibility of studying the horizontal (lateral) heterogeneity of the Earth
  4. Depth of research from the first meters to several hundred kilometers

Equipment for gravity exploration:

The company has a fleet of modern high-performance automatic gravimeters SCINTEREX AutoGrav CG-5. All equipment undergoes regular metrological checks at the reference site with obtaining all necessary certificates, thereby confirming the reliability and accuracy of measurements. 

Method of work execution: 

Gravity field measurements at gravimetric observation points are made at a conditional (relative) level in pedestrian routes. To take into account the offset of the zero point of the gravimeter, a reference network is divided, including the central reference point and several intermediate reference points located in the immediate vicinity of the points of ordinary survey. To determine the planned altitude position of gravimetric observation points, topographic and geodetic works are performed with the accuracy of reference specified in the technical task by the GNSS complex of geodetic class equipment. 

Ground-based magnetic exploration

Ground-based magnetic profiling is carried out by measuring the absolute value of the Earth’s magnetic field using a proton-type magnetometer. The principle of operation of the equipment is the use of free nuclear precession: after a certain electromagnetic effect on the proton–containing sensor, the magnetic moments of the protons precess around the direction of the vector of the Earth’s magnetic field with an angular velocity proportional to the total strength of the Earth’s magnetic field.

Advantages of the ground-based magnetic profiling method:

  • High productivity
  • High accuracy in the search for magnetically active rock formations
  • Compact and convenient measuring equipment

The method of magnetometric work:

Magnetometry is carried out by area methods according to the planned profiles. Operators take measurements on foot at the points marked in the GPS. An additional station is placed on the site every day of measurement, recording the daily variations of the Earth’s field. These variations are taken into account when processing the received data.

Participation in the work performed

High-precision gravimetric extraction was performed for the purpose of copper ore prospecting

2023
Sverdlovsk region. The scope of work is 1350 physical points.
Contractor – LLC “NORD-WEST” company.

High-precision gravimetric extraction was performed for the purpose of prospecting for gold-bearing ores

2023
Trans-Baikal Territory. The scope of work is 3000 physical points.
Contractor – Geophysical company ASTRA, Customer “Vostok-service” (Chita)

Performing installation of a magnetically shielded room and research work on studying its shielding properties

2023
Moscow. Client – Center for Neuroeconomics and Cognitive Research, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, National Research University Higher School of Economics.

Experimental and methodical works for the purpose of developing electrical exploration methods (including the MT-AMT method) in the search and delineation of gas hydrates

2022-2023
Lake Baikal, Irkutsk region. Joint work with Helios LLC.

Performing electrical exploration using the MT method

2020-2021
Republic of Sakha. The scope of work is 2500 linear kilometers.

Participation in the international project FENICS

2018-2019
Republic of Karelia. Investigation of the interaction of electromagnetic waves of the ELF-LF range (0.1-200 Hz) with the Earth’s crust and ionosphere in the field of industrial power lines. Deep frequency sensing using a powerful EM-field source.
Other participants of the experiment: Geological Institute of the KSC RAS (Apatity), Center for Physical and Technical Problems of Northern Power Engineering of the KSC RAS (Apatity), St. Petersburg branch of IZMIRAN (St. Petersburg), National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute “(Moscow), Polar Geophysical Institute of the KSC RAS (Murmansk), University of Oulu (Oulu, Finland), Radio Astronomy Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kharkiv, Ukraine), NIRFI (Nizhny Novgorod), Institute for Cosmophysical Research and Radio Wave Propagation of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Paratunka village, Kamchatka Region), Geophysical Observatory of the National Academy of Sciences (Bielsk, Poland).

Performing MT-AMT soundings to determine the applicability of electrical exploration in oil exploration operations.

2017
United Arab Emirates.

Performing mapping of a kimberlite pipe using MT-AMT soundings.

2017
Scope of work 65 physical points, Leningrad region.

Field geochemical work, data processing and interpretation.

2014
Customer – Messoyakha branchof GPN-Razvitie LLC, scope of work – 450 km2, Tazovsky district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Vostochno-Messoyakhskoye field.

Carrying out a complex of geochemical works.

2013
Customer – Messoyakha branchof GPN-Razvitie LLC, scope of work – 200 km2, Tazovsky district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Vostochno-Messoyakhskoye field. A forecast is given for the prospects of 2 wells.

Performing MT-AMT profiling and high-precision gravimetric surveys

2013
Customer – Iranian company, the scope of work is 320 km22, 2,500 physical points, the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Support of high-precision gravimetric operations.

2012-2013
Customer – JSC Yakutskgeofizika, scope of work-900 linear km, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Aldan-Amginsky object.

Carrying out a complex of geophysical (non-seismic) and geochemical works

2012
Customer – Messoyakha branchof GPN-Razvitie LLC, scope of work – 300 km2, Tazovsky district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Vostochno-Messoyakhskoye field. 9 promising areas were identified, and a forecast of prospects for 5 project wells was given.

Performing electrical exploration using the MT-AMT method

2010-2011
Customer – “Dewhurst Group LLC”, scope of work – 500 km2, USA, Nevada, Montana.

Geochemical studies using radielo-sorber technology

2010
Customer – Gazprom Dobycha Nadym LLC, Nyakkhobskaya ploshchad, Nadymsky district.

Performing electrical exploration using the MT-AMT method

2008 — 2009
Determination of the order of commissioning of structures prepared according to seismic survey data.
Customer – Lukoil-Kaliningradmorneft LLC, scope of work – 200 km2, Kaliningrad region, Baltic syneclise.

Conducting experimental-methodical and exploratory electrical exploration and gravimagnetic studies

2006 — 2007
Customer – Iranian National Oil Company (NIOC), scope of work – 120 linear km, South-western Iran, Zagros basin.

Reprocessing and reinterpretation of gravimagnetic surveys

2006 — 2007
Forecast of oil and gas potential. Customer – Iranian National Oil Company (NIOC), scope of work – 8,000 km2, Northwestern Iran, Kuri basin.

Magnetic exploration, gravityexploration, geochemistry and electrical exploration

2005
Customer – Lukoil-Komi LLC, scope of work – 200 km2, Timano-Pechersk Oil and Gas Field, Denisovskaya depression.

1:50,000 scale gravity exploration, electrical exploration, geochemistry

2005
Determination of oil prospects of structures identified from seismic data.
Customer – Lukoil-NizhnevolzhskneftLLC, scope of work – 300 km2, Volgograd region, north side of the Caspian basin.

Creating a geological and geophysical framework

2004
Based on magnetometric, gravimetric, and seismic data, clarifying the prospects for license areas, linking them into a single structural position, and evaluating adjacent areas for the prospects of hydrocarbon exploration.
Customer – Lukoil-Komi LLC, scope of work – 350000 km2, Timano-Pechersk Oil and Gas Field, Denisovskaya depression.

Carrying out a complex of ground-based geophysical works

2004 — 2005
Determining the priority of their input into drilling: gravity exploration on a scale of 1:50000, magnetic exploration on a scale of 1:50 000, MT electrical exploration in the correlation version and geochemistry.
Customer – is Lukoil-Kaliningradmorneft LLC, scope of work – 450 km2, Kaliningrad region, Baltic Syneclise.

Generalization of materials from gravimetric and magnetic surveys

2004 
Comparison of the analysis results with seismic data and identification of areas promising for hydrocarbon exploration.
Customer – is LUKOIL JSC, scope of work – 90,000 km2, North-West of Russia.