16 October 2023 | 9:00 a.m. (Central Time)
The Controlled-Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) method is a valuable tool for understanding reservoir fluids and their distribution. It is applicable in CO2 storage, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), geothermal exploration, and lithium exploration. CSEM can be customized for specific reservoir goals by selecting the right components of a multi-component system.
To use CSEM effectively, it’s crucial to determine if the primary reservoir is resistive or conductive. This is straightforward for CO2 monitoring with a resistive fluid. However, for brine-saturated (water-wet) or oil-wet (carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS)) reservoirs, consideration of conductive components is necessary. Optimization involves analyzing target parameters, multi-component CSEM sensitivity, noise measurements, and 3D anisotropic modeling.
Experience shows that subsequent surveys are successful when integrating real-time quality assurance into data acquisition and 3D modeling. This integration fine-tunes acquisition parameters like time and repeats, allowing real-time assessment of subsurface information. This results in high-quality datasets for processing and initial interpretation with minimal user intervention.
Sensitivity analysis during inversion ensures that acquired data align with the expected depth of target reservoirs. We present an example from a North Dakota CO2 storage site, illustrating the steps involved and showing log-scale sensitivity achieved with surface measurements.
We also discuss CSEM sensitivity in other case histories, such as EOR, geothermal, and lithium exploration, where target reservoirs exhibit conductive properties.
Speaker Bio
Kurt Strack
Dr. K.M. Strack is the President of Energy Transition International Inc., and KMS Technologies- KJT Enterprises Inc., a pioneering company specializing in integrated seismic and electromagnetic technologies for the energy transition. His expertise spans various aspects of the energy industry, including CO2 monitoring, geothermal exploration, enhanced oil recovery (EOR+), and the integration of electromagnetic solutions to reduce carbon footprints.
Beyond his successful industry career, Kurt Strack boasts a distinguished academic background. He has made significant contributions to academia in Europe (Germany), Asia (China, Thailand, Indonesia, and India), and the USA. Kurt has mentored numerous M.Sc. and Ph.D. students and post-doctoral researchers throughout his academic journey.
Under Kurt’s leadership, KMS Technologies has been at the forefront of developing borehole, borehole-to-surface, and land and marine electromagnetics, serving as a crucial link with 3D seismic data and Earth models for over two decades. KMS instruments are now employed in more than 30 countries, demonstrating their global impact.
Prior to his role at KMS Technologies, Kurt served as Chief Scientist for Baker Atlas, where he spearheaded the development of innovative logging tools. Before that, he was a trailblazer in the development of LOTEM (Transient Electromagnetics for Hydrocarbon Exploration) and advanced borehole geophysics technologies, working in Germany, Australia, and the USA. Additionally, Kurt holds Adjunct Professor positions at esteemed institutions such as the University of Houston, Mahidol University in Bangkok, Sumatera Institute of Technology, Indonesia, and Yangtze University in Wuhan, China, where he imparts knowledge on borehole geophysics, geothermal geophysical applications, and electrical methods for petroleum applications.
Kurt Strack holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cologne, an M.Sc. from the Colorado School of Mines, and has pursued graduate studies at Macquarie University in Australia. He has also completed an MBA course in the USA. With over 40 years of experience as a consultant, university researcher, and R&D manager in the geothermal and oil industries, Kurt has amassed a wealth of expertise.
Kurt’s extensive contributions to his field are evident in his impressive track record of over 200 publications, including a textbook, and more than 40 patents. He has been recognized with two Fulbright scholarships, numerous international grants and awards, and is known for his passion for integrating geophysics with other disciplines, facilitating technology transfer, and fostering project development.
Strack is an active member of various professional organizations, including SPWLA, AAPG, ASEG, BDG, DGG, EAGE, EEGS, GRC, SPE, SEG, and TSEG. He has held leadership positions, including Co-Chair of the Technical Program for the IPTC in Bangkok in 2012 and has actively participated in numerous professional committees. Kurt also served as the Industry representative on the IAGA EM division.
Throughout his illustrious career, Kurt has received several prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Technical Achievement Award from SPWLA in 2003 for his contributions to new logging technologies. SEG recognized his groundbreaking work with the Reginald Fessenden Award for the development of through-casing resistivity and 3D induction logging. The Russian Academy of Science elected him a Foreign Member and honored him with the Kapitsa Gold Medal of Honor for his innovations in borehole geophysics and pioneering work in surface geophysics (Lotem).
Strack has also been a Distinguished Lecturer for the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) from 1998 to 1999 and for the Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts (SPWLA) from 2004 to 2005. In 2007-2008, he received the SEG’s Presidents Special Services Award, and in 2012, Kurt was a co-recipient of the Cecil H. Green Enterprise Award from the SEG for his contributions to KMS Technologies. He has also been recognized as an Honorary Alumnus of the University of Cologne.