Software and hardware complex based on aerial drones proposed for geological prospecting
The work is undertaken by the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies.
“We are the first in Russia to offer a set of drones, sensors and software to enhance seismic surveillance,” shares Vice-Rector for Earth Sciences Danis Nurgaliev.
The geophysical sensors in this case are magnetometer and mass spectrometer. The second block comprises a lidar, a photo camera, and a multispectral camera.
“Our objective was to distribute the load and mount it on an aerial drone, as well as create a system to collect data and then transfer it in real time to a base station to process it,” explains Senior Lecturer of the Department of Geophysics and Geo-Information Technologies Viktor Kosarev.
Danis Nurgaliev says that prospecting is often conducted in areas with difficult terrain, “Our system has a lidar. It’s necessary to understand where we should, for instance, fell a glade to transport cargo and devices. The complex can be used to collect information directly from seismic detectors if a wireless communication system is added. Additional information can also be obtained, such as magnetic field or radioactivity. All this significantly increases the reliability of oil prospecting on a given territory.”
Dr. Kosarev continues, “The optical equipment is used to create a digital model of terrain. The model is necessary to outline an optimal layout of seismic detectors and sources of elastic vibration. Digital photos are used to draw an orthophotomap of a territory. A multispectral camera helps create other types of maps, such as a vegetation map. Magnetometers are needed to forecast sedimentary cover faults and migration of hydrocarbons. Gamma spectrometry registers natural gamma activity, helps discover faults and map out surface rocks.”
KFU’s partner in this project is TNG Group, an oilfield services company; the funding is provided by a provincial grant from the Republic of Tatarstan.
A trial complex is ready for testing, and the team waits for the snow to melt to begin lidar imaging.
Source text: Larisa Busil
Translation: Yury Nurmeev