Monitoring and Analysis of Frozen Debris Lobes, Phase I

INE/AUTC 12.2

Geo-neutrinos and Earth Models

We present the current status of geo-neutrino measurements and their implications for radiogenic heating in the mantle. Earth models predict different levels of radiogenic heating and, therefore, different geo-neutrino fluxes from the mantle. Seismic tomography reveals features in the deep mantle possibly correlated with radiogenic heating and causing spatial variations in the mantle geo-neutrino flux at the Earth surface. An ocean-based observatory offers the greatest sensitivity to the mantle flux and potential for resolving Earth models and mantle features. Refinements to estimates of the geo-neutrino flux from continental crust reduce uncertainty in measurements of the mantle flux, especially measurements from land-based observatories. These refinements enable the resolution of Earth models using the combined measurements from multiple continental observatories.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures; Contributed paper TAUP 201

Independent Expert Scientific Panel – Report on Unconventional Oil and Gas

No abstract available

Applications of aerospace technology to petroleum extraction and reservoir engineering

Through contacts with the petroleum industry, the petroleum service industry, universities and government agencies, important petroleum extraction problems were identified. For each problem, areas of aerospace technology that might aid in its solution were also identified, where possible. Some of the problems were selected for further consideration. Work on these problems led to the formulation of specific concepts as candidate for development. Each concept is addressed to the solution of specific extraction problems and makes use of specific areas of aerospace technology

Oceanus.

v. 26, no. 3 (1983

A compilation of information and data on the Manson impact structure

A problem for the impact hypothesis for the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) mass extinction is the apparent absence of an identifiable impact site. The Manson Impact Structure is a candidate because it is the largest recognized in the U.S.; it is relatively close to the largest and most abundant shocked quartz grains found at the K-T boundary; and its age is indistinguishable from that of the K-T boundary based on paleontological evidence, fission track dates, and preliminary Ar-40/Ar-39 measurements. The region of northwest central Iowa containing the Manson Impact Structure is covered by Quaternary glacial deposits underlain by Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks (mostly flat-lying carbonates) and Proterozoic red clastic, metamorphic, volcanic, and plutonic rocks. In a circular area about 22 miles (35 km) in diameter around Manson, Iowa, this normal sequence is absent or disturbed and near the center of the disturbed area granitic basement rocks have been uplifted some 20,000 ft (6000m). Attention was drawn to Manson initially by the unusual quality of the groundwater there. Within the structure three roughly concentric zones of rock associations have been identified: (1) displaced strata; (2) completely disrupted strata, and igneous and metamorphic rocks. Manson was established as an impact structure based on its circular shape, its central uplift, and the presence of shocked quartz within the granitic central uplift. A gravity survey identified locations of low-density brecciated rocks and high-density uplifted crystalline rocks, but the outer boundary of the structure could not be established. Aeromagnetic and ground magnetic surveys showed locations and depths of shallowly buried crystalline rock and the locations of faults. A refraction seismic survey identified the crystalline central uplift, determined that the average elevation of bedrock is 70 ft (20 m) higher outside the structure than within, and was used to map the bedrock topography within the structure. A connection between the Manson impact and the K-T boundary may be established or refuted through study of the impact energy, the impact time, and composition of host rock, possible impactors, and impact melts

Look ahead of the bit while drilling: potential impacts and challenges in the McMurray Formation

International audienceThe oil and gas industry, operating and service companies, and academia are actively looking for ways to see ahead of the drillbit while drilling to reduce the risks and costs of the operation and improve the well-placement process. Optimal drilling in the challenging and highly heterogeneous reservoirs, where geological interpretations overlook the high-frequency variations in the rock properties, requires reliable subsurface information from around and ahead of the drillbit. To provide this, we have developed a seismic-while-drilling imaging algorithm based on signal processing, drillstring modeling, and pre-stack wave-equation migration. To extend the visibility ahead-of-the-bit, we use the drillbit as a seismic source and image the changes in acoustic properties of rocks both around and ahead of the drillbit. The common practice is to build a reverse vertical seismic profile (R-VSP) gathers. Here, we use a blind deconvolution algorithm to estimate the drillbit source signature from the data directly. Alternatively, we can estimate such a signature through drillstring modeling and top-drive measurements (i.e., force and velocity). The drillstring dynamics is modeled by using Riemann's invariants and a backstepping approach. Next, we input the estimated source signature to the pre-stack wave-equation depth imaging workflow. Our simulations show that providing drillbit source signature to the pre-stack wave equation depth migration consistently delivers reliable subsurface images around and ahead of the drillbit. The output of our workflow is a high-resolution subsurface image that provides vital information in oil sands reservoirs for placement of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) well pairs. Compared to conventional practices, the proposed methodology images around and ahead of the drillbit enabling interactive decision making and optimal well-placement. The key feature of the presented methodology is that instead of cross-correlating the seismic-while-drilling data with the pilot trace and building R-VSP gathers, we use the estimated drillbit source signature and deliver high-resolution pre-stack depth migrated images. Through numerical modeling, we tested the potential impacts, validity, and challenges of the proposed methodology in drilling horizontal wells in SAGD settings with an emphasis on the McMurray Formation. We further compared the results with the conventional drilling practice. In contrast to existing tools that have limited depth of penetration, interpreting seismic-while-drilling data in real-tim

Gryphon Injection Wing Modeling

Imperial Users onl

The scientific case for renewed human activities on the Moon

It is over 30 years since the last human being stood on the lunar surface and this long hiatus in human exploration has been to the detriment of lunar and planetary science. The primary scientific importance of the Moon lies in the record it preserves of the early evolution of a terrestrial planet, and of the near-Earth cosmic environment in the first billion years or so of Solar System history. This record may not be preserved anywhere else; gaining proper access to it will require a human presence. Moreover, while this will primarily be a task for the geosciences, the astronomical and biological sciences would also benefit from a renewed human presence on the Moon, and especially from the establishment of a permanently occupied scientific outpost