Development of imaging technology for remote characterization of geotechnical structures and formations

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One of the major difficulties with characterizing geotechnical and geological structures is the uncertainty of knowing the size, shape and material characteristics of the structure. This uncertainty results from the limited subsurface sampling of the structures using boreholes, shallow excavations, etc... which for economic and practical reasons cannot intersect every region of the structure. This uncertainty also impacts on engineering designs for these structures such as foundations, mine openings, tunnels, hydrocarbon drill planning and reservoir design. The research described in this proposal is the core component of a broad research program investigating geophysical imaging technology to assist with remotely imaging and evaluating geological structures in between subsurface sampling locations or in rock masses before any sampling drilling has been done. Ongoing research tasks are targeted at i) imaging near surface geological structures for geotechnical subsurface investigations (SSIs) for onshore and seafloor investigations, ii) imaging reservoir pore fluid pressure and composition, and iii) real-time reservoir monitoring to evaluate production or stimulation operations. The objective of the proposed research is the development of new technology or the improvement of existing technology for the geophysical imaging of geotechnical and geological structures for characterizing the size, shape and material properties of these structures and assisting with subsequent engineering design. This research will improve subsurface characterization by providing additional and potentially more accurate information from geophysical data, resulting in cost and safety improvements due to reduced inaccuracies and errors in design and planning.