Abstract
The normalized full gradient (NFG) represents the full gradient of the gravity anomaly at a point divided by the average of the full gradient at the same point. The NFG minimum between two maxima in an NFG section or a closed minimum surrounded by closed maxima on an NFG map may indicate density-deficient anomalies closely related to possible oil–gas reservoirs. On a cross-section, closed minima can be used to estimate the depth to centers of possible hydrocarbon reservoirs. The NFG map can also be used to locate oil–gas exploratory wells for estimation of the depth of possible reservoirs. The objective of this paper is to use two and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) NFG on gravity data of the Tabas basin in Yazd province, eastern Iran. A hypothetical model is first considered to explore the NFG characteristics and their relationship with the geometry of the model. The physical properties of the model are then studied to simplify the interpretation of real data. Finally 2D and 3D NFG models are developed for real gravity data to predict the location of any possible high potential oil–gas reservoirs. The results obtained indicate two zones in the northern and central parts of the Tabas basin suitable for hydrocarbon prospecting. However, the favorable zone located in the middle of the basin in which anticline E is detected at a depth of 5–7 km is more important for the purpose of hydrocarbon exploration.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aghajani, H., Moradzadeh, A., and Zeng, H. (2009a), Normalized full gradient of gravity anomaly method and its application to the mobrun sulfide body, Canada, World Appl Sci J 6, 392–400
Aghajani, H., Moradzadeh, A., and Zeng, H. (2009b), Estimation of horizontal location and depth of gravity anomalies using normalized full gradient (NFG), J Geosci (in press) (in Persian)
Aghajani, H., Moradzadeh, A., and Zeng, H. (2009c), Determining of optimum the length of profile in normalized full gradient method, First Int Petrol Conf Exhib, Shiraz, Iran, pp. 4
Aghajani, H., Moradzadeh, A., Aydin, A., and Tabatabei, S.H. (2009d), Using normalized full gradient method to interpret gravity anomalies on synthetic and field data, The 9th Int Multidiscip Geo-Conf EXPO SGEM, Bulgaria, pp. 725–733
Aghajani, H., Moradzadeh, A., and Zeng, H. (2009e), Estimation of depth to anomalous body from normalized full gradient of gravity anomaly, J Earth Sci 20, 1012–1016
Aydin A. (2005), Evaluation of gravity anomalies by direct interpretation techniques: an application from Hasankale-Horasan region, Pamukkale University, Engineering College, J Eng Sci 11, 95–102
Aydin, A. (2007), Interpretation of gravity anomalies with the normalized full gradient (NFG) method and an example, Pure Appl Geophys 64, 2329–2344
Berezkin, V. M. (1967), Application of the total vertical gradient of gravity for determination of the depths to the sources of gravity anomalies, Explor Geophys 18, 69–79 (in Russian)
Berezkin, V. M. and Buketov, A. P. (1965), Application of the harmonical analysis for the interpretation of gravity data, Appl Geophys 46, 161–166
Berezkin, V. M., Application of geophysical exploration to direct reconnaissance of reservoirs, (Nerdra Publishing House, Moscow 1978)
Berezkin, V. M., Application of gravity exploration to reconnaissance of oil and gas reservoirs, (Nerdra Publishing House, Moscow 1973)
Berezkin, V. M., The full gradient method in geophysical prospecting (Nedra Publishing House, Moscow 1988)
Blakely, J. R., Potential theory in gravity and magnetic applications (Cambridge University Press, New York, 1995)
Bracewell, R., The Fourier transform and its applications (McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1984)
Ciancara, B. and Marcak. H. (1979), Geophysical anomaly interpretation of potential fields by means of singular points method and filtering, Geophys Prospect 27, 251–260
Davis, P. J. and Rabinowitz, P., Methods of numerical integration (Academic Press, New York, 1989)
Dondurur D. (2005), Depth estimates for slingram electromagnetic anomalies from dipping sheet-like bodies by the normalized full gradient method, Pure Appl Geophys 162, 2179–2195
Filon, L. N. G. (1928), On a quadrate method for trigonometric integrals, In: Proc R Soc Edinburgh 49, 38–47
Hassanzadeh Sharif, B. (1985), Source rock evaluation and sedimentary basin study of Tabas region, In: Int conf Petrol Geochem explor Afro-Asian reg, India
McCulloh, T. H. (1980), Mass properties of sedimentary rocks and gravimetric effects of petroleum and natural-gas reservoirs, In: Gravity magnetic exploration applications: society exploration of geophysics (eds. Guion, D, and Prieto, C), 1980
Moradzadeh, A., Dolati Ardejani, F., Agah. A., and Tabatabei Raesi, S. H. (2005), Exploration of hydrocarbonic traps of Tabas basin by means of a new 3D-inversion method of gravity data, J earth space 31, 23–34 (in Persian)
Pasteka R. (2000), 2D Semi-automated interpretation methods in gravimetry and magnetometry, ACTA Geologica Universitis Comenianae 55, 5–50 (Bratislava)
Rikitake, T., Sato, R., and Hagiwara, Y., Applied mathematics for earth scientists (Terra Scientific Publishing Co., Tokyo, 1976)
Tabatabei Raesi, S. H., and Nosrat Maquei, T. (1993), Interpretation of gravity and magnetic anomalies in Tabas basin, geophysics office, Exploration Management, National oil company of Iran, Internal report No. 7 (In Persian)
Talwani, M., and Ewing, M. (1960), Rapid computation of gravitational attraction of three dimensional bodies of arbitrary shape, Geophysics 25, 203–225
Talwani, M., Worzel, J. I., and Landisman, M. (1959), Rapid gravity computation for two dimensional bodies with application to the Mendicino submarine fracture zone, J Geophys Res 64, 49–59
Tran Tuan Dung, (2004), Two and three dimensional normalized total gradient of gravity anomalies and its application for detecting the oil-gas potential areas in the southeast sedimentary basins of the East Vietnam Sea. In: 7th SEGJ Int Symp Imag Technol, Sendai, Japan
Zeng, H., Meng, X., Yao, C., Li, X., Lou, H., Guang, Z., and Li, Z. (2002), Detection of reservoirs from normalized full gradient of gravity anomalies and its application to Shengli oil field, East China, Geophysics 67, 1138–1147
Acknowledgments
We are most grateful for the support of the National Oil Company of Iran (NIOC), Special thanks to Mr. Khorasani and Dr. Tabatabei from the geophysics department of NIOC for providing the Tabas gravity data. We would also like to thank Dr. Dondurur for his helpful comments and suggestions.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aghajani, H., Moradzadeh, A. & Zeng, H. Detection of High-Potential Oil and Gas Fields Using Normalized Full Gradient of Gravity Anomalies: A Case Study in the Tabas Basin, Eastern Iran. Pure Appl. Geophys. 168, 1851–1863 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-010-0169-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-010-0169-y