Three-dimensional land FD-CSEM forward modeling using edge finite-element method

Abstract

A modeling tool for simulating three-dimensional land frequency-domain controlled-source electromagnetic surveys, based on a finite-element discretization of the Helmholtz equation for the electric fields, has been developed. The main difference between our modeling method and those previous works is edge finite-element approach applied to solving the three-dimensional land frequency-domain electromagnetic responses generated by horizontal electric dipole source. Firstly, the edge finite-element equation is formulated through the Galerkin method based on Helmholtz equation of the electric fields. Secondly, in order to check the validity of the modeling code, the numerical results are compared with the analytical solutions for a homogeneous half-space model. Finally, other three models are simulated with three-dimensional electromagnetic responses. The results indicate that the method can be applied for solving three-dimensional electromagnetic responses. The algorithm has been demonstrated, which can be effective to modeling the complex geo-electrical structures. This efficient algorithm will help to study the distribution laws of 3-D land frequency-domain controlled-source electromagnetic responses and to setup basis for research of three-dimensional inversion.