An efficient inversion algorithm has been developed for three-dimensional (3D) interpretations for single-hole electromagnetic (EM) logging data based on a modified extended Born approximation (MEBA) scheme. The single-hole data was collected at an oil field undergoing CO2 injection in southern California using a tool, Geo-BILT, developed by Electromagnetic Instruments, Inc (EMI). The tool is equipped with a multi-component source, and an array of multi-component receivers at different separations. The inversion result provides a reasonable electrical conductivity image to a distance of 10 m from the well, and illustrates several zones with lateral conductivity variations that could not be resolved with traditional induction logging tools. The computer cost of the inversion processes can be further reduced using a trivial multi-grid methodology.

A non-invasive, wide-band electromagnetic (EM) impedance difference system for shallow subsurface electrical structure characterization in environmental and engineering problems has been developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Electrical parameters of interest are electrical conductivity and dielectric permittivity that are deduced from the impedance difference data. The prototype system includes a magnetic loop transmitter, which operates between 0.1 MHz and 100 MHz, an electrical dipole antenna for observing the electric field, and a loop antenna for measuring the magnetic field. All antennas are mounted on a cart made of non-metallic material for easy movement of the whole array for profiling. Surface EM impedance difference is obtained by taking the difference of the ratios of the electric fields to the magnetic fields at selected frequencies at two different levels. Numerical simulations will be presented to verify this new approach. A set of the impedance difference data acquired at the University of California s Richmond Field Station compares reasonably well with simulation results based on a model obtained with the resistivity method and in situ TDR (time domain reflectometry) measurements.

Equivalent dipole polarizabilities are a succinct way to summarize the inductive response of an isolated conductive body at distances greater than the scale of the body. Their estimation requires measurement of secondary magnetic fields due to currents induced in the body by time varying magnetic fields in at least three linearly independent (e.g., orthogonal) directions. Secondary fields due to an object are typically orders of magnitude smaller than the primary inducing fields near the primary field sources (transmitters). Receiver coils may be oriented orthogonal to primary fields from one or two transmitters, nulling their response to those fields, but simultaneously nulling to fields of additional transmitters is problematic. If transmitter coils are constructed symmetrically with respect to inversion in a point, their magnetic fields are symmetric with respect to that point. If receiver coils are operated in pairs symmetric with respect to inversion in the same point, then their differenced output is insensitive to the primary fields of any symmetrically constructed transmitters, allowing nulling to three (or more) transmitters. With a sufficient number of receivers pairs, object equivalent dipole polarizabilities can be estimated in situ from measurements at a single instrument sitting, eliminating effects of inaccurate instrument location on polarizability estimates. The method is illustrated with data from a multi-transmitter multi-receiver system with primary field nulling through differenced receiver pairs, interpreted in terms of principal equivalent dipole polarizabilities as a function of time.