Interferometric SAR modelling of near surface data to improve geological model in the Surat Basin, Australia

Abstract

This paper presents a study on geophysical inverse modelling for sub-surface structural properties of an unconventional hydrocarbon site that was monitored previously by Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology for surface deformation. A static three-dimensional geomodel along with extracted property maps replicates the depth of each underlying stratigraphic unit and structural feature with the density of each geological layer. We examine the hypothesis that integration of elastic properties of each formation layer with InSAR observations in a stratified elastic medium will lead to a viscoelastic geophysical inverse problem that can be solved to estimate fractional volume change at the reservoir level. Moreover, we examine synthetic scenarios in which the elastic properties of the formations are perturbed before determining the resulting impact on the rate of surface deformation.The results show that although the slope of underlying formations, their density and depth can define the extent and pattern of a deformation signal, their properties have a marginal impact on volumetric change compared to the dense network of shallow depth Coal Seam Gas(CSG) mining wells. Besides, it is also demonstrated that the inversion of InSAR deformation maps can resolve the uncertainties associated with low-resolution seismic interpretation as well as filling the data gaps within seismic acquisitions. A significant contribution of this investigation to the geological basin modelling involves a) introducing a remote and non-invasive technology such as InSAR to improve geophysical mapping of subsurface structures such as faults in areas with sparse or no reflective seismic information, and b) applying a multi-layer viscoelastic geophysical source model for an unconventional hydrocarbon reservoir such as CSG.

Assessing the Vertical Displacement of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam during its Filling using DInSAR technology and its Potential Acute Consequences on the Downstream Countries

“…The DInSAR technique enables accurate satellite monitoring under all-weather conditions and even in absence of any ground equipment [18]. There ae multiple studies [19][20][21][22][23] that used the DInSAR methodology to monitor and analyse displacements across land and structures. Moghadam et al [23], in their study performed the DInSAR stacking method at a prominent Coal Seam Gas (CSG) site, and found that the inversion of INSAR deformation maps can help in solving the uncertainties arising out of low-resolution seismic acquisitions.…”

“…There ae multiple studies [19][20][21][22][23] that used the DInSAR methodology to monitor and analyse displacements across land and structures. Moghadam et al [23], in their study performed the DInSAR stacking method at a prominent Coal Seam Gas (CSG) site, and found that the inversion of INSAR deformation maps can help in solving the uncertainties arising out of low-resolution seismic acquisitions. Jiang et al [21], in their study compared the feasibility of using PS-InSAR, stacking and 2-pass DInSAR methodologies in identifying land subsidence at the Wuda coalfield in Northern China.…”

Assessing the Vertical Displacement of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam during Its Filling Using DInSAR Technology and Its Potential Acute Consequences on the Downstream Countries

“…The DInSAR technique enables accurate satellite monitoring under all-weather conditions and even in absence of any ground equipment [18]. There are multiple studies [19][20][21][22][23] that used the DInSAR methodology to monitor and analyze displacements across land and structures. Moghadam et al [23], in their study performed the DInSAR stacking method at a prominent Coal Seam Gas (CSG) site, found that the inversion of INSAR deformation maps can help in solving the uncertainties arising out of low-resolution seismic acquisitions.…”

“…There are multiple studies [19][20][21][22][23] that used the DInSAR methodology to monitor and analyze displacements across land and structures. Moghadam et al [23], in their study performed the DInSAR stacking method at a prominent Coal Seam Gas (CSG) site, found that the inversion of INSAR deformation maps can help in solving the uncertainties arising out of low-resolution seismic acquisitions. Jiang et al [21], in their study, compared the feasibility of using PS-InSAR, stacking and 2-pass DInSAR methodologies in identifying land subsidence at the Wuda coalfield in Northern China.…”