3-D gravity modeling of basement reliefs an offshore case study in the Persian gulf, Iran

Abstract

In this paper we have proposed a three-dimensional approach to determine depth of basement in which the density contrast varies parabolically with depth. This program based on Newton's forward difference formula that with optimization of gravity anomalies calculate depths of basement reliefs indeed are anticlinal and synclinal structures has been buried under sediments. This structures are the causes of the positive and negative gravity anomalies. We assume the measured gravity fields have been distributed on a horizontal plane and also sedimentary basin is combined of juxtaposition 3-D cubic prisms. The measurement stations of the gravity field (grid nodes) coincide with center blocks. The initial depth is computed using gravity data and the estimated depths are adjusted with iteration. The advantage of the method is utilization of positive and negative gravity anomalies together as two inputs for written algorithm as well as application of a coded non-linear filter. The efficiency of the code is illustrated with a set of synthetic gravity anomalies. Further, the code is exemplified with the gravity anomalies of an offshore case study in the Persian Gulf, Iran. The purpose of exploratory project in this area will include the development of Hydrocarbon Fields.