Joint focusing inversion of marine controlled-source electromagnetic and full tensor gravity gradiometry data

Abstract

We have developed an approach for integrating the interdependent information of different geophysical methods to obtain a self-consistent geophysical model in offshore exploration. Electromagnetic (EM) and gravity data complement seismic data by providing information about the physical properties of prospective reservoir rocks. We have combined marine EM and gravity gradiometry geophysical data in joint inversion using a joint focusing stabilizer. The method enforces coupling between different physical models and simultaneously promotes focused images of the targets. We also consider the importance of using robust norms to analyze data collected by marine controlled-source EM surveys. The practical effectiveness of the developed method is illustrated by a case study of integrating and imaging marine multiphysics data collected in the Nordkapp Basin, Barents Sea, Norway.