Course Topics

Potential Fields

VIDL Network experience can introduce you to Potential Fields, or more specifically, gravity and magnetics. The experience allows you to review some applications of these data or to embark on solving a specific geologic problem.

Magnetic data are a little more complicated to use since the magnetic field is dipolar. This means that a magnetized body’s signature (anomaly) character has a minimum and a maximum, and it changes shape based on its geographic relation to the earth’s magnetic field. The initial measured fields must therefore be corrected for geographic location. Once the magnetic field is corrected, the interpretation of geologic structures becomes simpler because their signatures (anomalies) relate to the size, shape, depth, and magnetic susceptibility of the various bodies.

Gravity data can contribute to the resolution of a wide range of geologic problems. The interpretation correlations are considered less complicated than magnetic or electromagnetic fields.

The gravity field relate directly to high- and low-density mass distributions (i.e., geologic bodies). However, interaction between several masses can mask individual body signatures (anomalies). Therefore one needs to be versed on residualization techniques to isolate the anomaly of geologic interest.

Gravity is just as useful a tool for investigating deep tectonic structures as part of regional syntheses as it is for finding buried streambeds or caves in urban engineering studies. Data acquisition survey parameters and meter precision will differ, of course, with the intended use of the data.

Singularly or integrated with other potential field data, one can outline sedimentary basins, delineate basement structure, rifts, faults, dykes, sills, salt features, granitic plutons, igneous intrusives, regolith drainage patterns, barite veins or kimberlite pipes.

VIDL Network allows you to select either specific modules pertaining to your objective or project options to investigate.

Environmental

VIDL Network experience can introduce you to Environmental Science which includes all aspects of the world in which we live. A short list of those aspects will include the air we breathe, the water we drink, ground we walk on, the heat and cold we feel, the radiation we absorb, the decisions we make, and the consequences we reap.

Environmental Science involves four main steps: basic research, applied research, regulation and outcome. These steps are not necessarily linear and facets of each may affect the others. For example, a worker in a manufacturing plant believes that she and some of her co-workers are suffering hearing loss more than their friends who work elsewhere. The cause and an outcome will involve the interaction of all of the four steps.

This example seems quite obvious; loud noise damages ears and makes people go deaf. Make machines quieter and wear ear protection. Unfortunately, this obviousness has only been agreed upon for only a generation or so. Outcomes are being continually recognized and their causes researched and their regulation updated.

Individual VIDLNetwork Environmental modules and related projects will cover the many aspects of the four steps. Initially, the focus here has been placed on regulatory processes. These will include topics such as Environment assessment of property, occupational safety, and monitoring and management of air, water and waste.

Gradiometry

VIDL Network experience can introduce you to Gradiometry, or more specifically, gravity and acceleration. The experience allows you to review some applications of these data or to embark on solving a specific geologic problem.

Gravity gradiometry is the study and measurement of variations in the acceleration due to gravity. The gravity gradient is the spatial rate of change of gravitational acceleration.

Gravity gradiometry is used by oil and mineral prospectors to measure the density of the subsurface, effectively the rate of change of rock properties. From this information it is possible to build a picture of subsurface anomalies which can then be used to more accurately target oil, gas and mineral deposits. It is also used to image water column density, when locating submerged objects, or determining water depth (bathymetry). Physical scientists use gravimeters to determine the exact size and shape of the earth and they contribute to the gravity compensations applied to inertial navigation systems.

G&G Applications

VIDL Network experience can introduce you to Geological & Geophysical (G&G) Applications, or more specifically, geologic and geophysical modeling. The experience allows you to review some applications of these data or to embark on solving a specific geologic problem.

Geologic modelling, Geological modelling or Geomodelling is the applied science of creating computerized representations of portions of the Earth’s crust based on geophysical and geological observations made on and below the Earth surface. A Geomodel is the numerical equivalent of a three-dimensional geological map complemented by a description of physical quantities in the domain of interest. Geomodelling is related to the concept of Shared Earth Model; which is a multidisciplinary, interoperable and updatable knowledge base about the subsurface.

Geomodelling is commonly used for managing natural resources, identifying natural hazards, and quantifying geological processes with main applications to oil and gas fields, groundwater aquifers and ore deposits. For example, in the oil and gas industry, realistic geologic models are required as input to reservoir simulator model programs, which predict the behavior of the rocks under various hydrocarbon recovery scenarios. A reservoir can only be developed and produced once; therefore, making a mistake by selecting a site with poor conditions for development is tragic and wasteful. Using geological models and reservoir simulation allows reservoir engineers to identify which recovery options offer the safest and most economic, efficient, and effective development plan for a particular reservoir.

The planned courses for this category are:

• Seismic-Well Tie
• Seismic Modeling
• Vertical Seismic Profiling Applications
• Geosciences for the Non-Geoscientist Series
  • Structural Styles
  • Traps & Sequence Stratigraphy
  • Geophysical Data
  • Geophysical Interpretation
• Latin America ThrustBelt Atlas
  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Chile
  • Ecuador
  • Peru
  • Venezuela
  • Caribbean

Airborne Gravity

VIDL Network introduces to the application of airborne gravity. It starts with the advances in instrumentation and navigation technology that have brought airborne gravity to a cost effective data acquisition method. The measurement of the Earth’s gravitational field strength using instruments aboard an aircraft today have reached an unprecedented 1-2 milligal level of accuracy. This means a scientist can use an aircraft to acquire viable data to map small gravity field changes that are 1 million times smaller than the 1 g° (standard gravity value). This capability allows them to make detail maps of buried resources and enabling high-precision geodetic applications.

Airborne Gravity was developed primarily for petroleum exploration, where it is an economical alternative to ground and shipborne surveys.  It also has exciting application in regional geophysics, mineral exploration and geodesy.

VIDL Network course modules are comprised of videos and text. The learning objective is taking you through an introduction of the science starting with types of instrumentation to survey design, data processing and data quality control.

Radiometrics

VIDL Network experience can introduce you to radiometrics. The energies of gamma-rays produced by radioactive decay are characteristic of the decaying nuclide. Gamma-ray spectrometers are designed to measure the intensity and energies of gamma-rays and hence measure the distribution of particular radioactive nuclides.

Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry commenced in the late 1960´s and its primary use was in uranium exploration.  Since the mid-1970´s, the method has been applied extensively in support of geological mapping and mineral exploration.  Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry is also used for environmental monitoring and mapping. The natural and anthropogenic radiation data are acquired using gamma-ray spectrometers mounted on fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, as well as ground surveys using suitable vehicles.

Recently, airborne gamma-ray spectrometry has been used to identify and quantify the distribution of natural and man-made gamma emitting isotopes in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in order to assess the plant´s dose impact on members of the public.  In addition, the data provide an environmental baseline of the nuclear operating site and the surrounding community. In the event of an accidental release of radiation from the facility, a subsequent survey could then be used to determine any increase in dose to the public.

VIDL Network course modules are comprised of videos and text. The learning objective is taking you through an introduction of the science (terms and definitions) to a discussion on the application of the science (how and when is it used). There is a Case Study on Understanding the Processing of Radiometrics Data.

Organic Chemistry Tools

The Organic Chemistry Tools Series focus is on learning techniques required for successful completion of university undergraduate laboratory class. The series comprises of short videos covering various topics. The student is to gain an understanding commonly used lab techniques through; acquiring background information, following demonstrations using appropriate equipment and glassware, determining common errors or problems, and establish procedures on how to resolve the problem. Also addressed are learning various calculations required to analysis data.

Support Topics

VIDL Network experience can introduce you to support topics, or more specifically, planning, surveys, contouring, maps titles and legends. The experience allows you to review some applications of these data or to embark on solving a specific geologic problem.

The planned courses for this category are:

• Seismic Acquisition Planning
• Gravity/Magnetic/Gradiometry Surveys Overview
• Planning and Acquisition of FTG Survey
• Optimum Grid Spacing
• What does Contouring Tell Us
• Hand vs. Computer Contouring
• Map Titles & Legends
• Introduction to Contouring Series
  • Isopachs
    • Sedimentary Bodies
    •  Intervals
    • Reservoir Properties
  • Structural Mapping
    • Depth Maps (M, TBD, TBD subsea)
    • Unconventional
    • Normal Fault/Folding
    • Thrust Faults