Resistivity imaging in a fold and thrust belt using ZTEM and sparse MT data

Abstract

As part of a CO2 reservoir exploration programme, NEOS acquired and analysed a variety of geophysical data within a ~2900 km2 region of the northern Raton Basin of southern Colorado (Figure 1a). The purpose of the survey was to better define the basin architecture and identify structures that may serve as traps for the CO2 gas. In addition to the Z-axis Tipper Electromagnetic (ZTEM) and magnetotelluric (MT) data discussed here, magnetic data were collected and publicly available ground gravity and satellite remote sensing data were analysed. We also had limited access to proprietary two-dimensional (2D) seismic and well data. Note that the acquisition area contains significant topography with elevations ranging from 1500 m above sea level in the basin to mountain peaks with elevations exceeding 4000 m.