Geophysicists Have Conducted Three-Dimensional Seismic Surveys in the Arctic Region
A complex method of seismic signal generation was applied at challenging sites in the Irkutsk Region and in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, located within the Arctic territories of the Russian Federation.
The company Geotek Joint Stock Company carried out large-scale three-dimensional seismic surveys in Eastern Siberia and in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region). A major project in the Katangsky and Kirensky Districts of the Irkutsk Region covered an area of 1,400 square kilometers. This was reported to Devon News Agency by the company’s press service.
The blasting and seismic acquisition operations were conducted under the extreme conditions of the taiga zone, characterized by a complex geological structure and dense forest cover across the entire territory.
At the peak of activity, there were 30 drilling crews and 10 seismic crews operating on-site simultaneously. This allowed for the registration of over 1,000 physical observations per day. The total number of personnel involved in the project reached 400 individuals.
A second surveyed subsoil area was located in the Katangsky District of the Irkutsk Region. This area is characterized by hilly and ridge-like terrain, broad watersheds, shallow valleys, permafrost formations, and wetlands.
In the permafrost zone, there is a significant background of interference and distortion in wave travel time. This is caused by the heterogeneity in the elastic properties of thawed versus frozen rock formations. As a result, the site was surveyed using an impulse technology.
The high-quality data obtained by Seismic Party No. 102 will allow the client to continue studying the geological structure of the area and make informed decisions regarding the next stages of geological exploration.
Meanwhile, Seismic Party No. 132 completed studies at two sites in the Purovsky District of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. These operations took place in the harsh conditions of the northern taiga, which is characterized by complex topographic and hydrologic conditions, significant man-made noise, and the presence of protected forest zones where seismic exploration is prohibited.
To minimize the impact of these limiting factors and to obtain the most complete picture of the geological structure of the area, a comprehensive method of seismic signal generation was used.
Both explosive sources and impulse technologies were applied. This approach made it possible to significantly reduce the loss of seismic data that would have otherwise occurred due to numerous environmental and logistical obstacles.
The operational teams were equipped with modern drilling rigs, high-mobility tracked vehicles (such as the MT-LB), bulldozers, and other geophysical equipment. This equipment is essential for obtaining high-precision data under challenging environmental conditions, noted Roman Panov, President of Geotek Joint Stock Company.
