Airborne electromagnetic surveys for geological mapping
Consistency and clarity of purpose acquires the desired data
Using SpectremPLUS system to conduct airborne electromagnetic surveys for geological mapping projects, Spectrem Air’s crew have excelled in getting the much-desired outcomes. Consistently, the crew work on critical elements to ensure data integrity, improved safety and environmental compliance, and cost-effectiveness in project delivery. Continuously, the company keeps abreast of new developments in technology that can enable its crew to meet the evolving needs of its geoscience clients
It is easy to be caught up in the hype of a service provider talking about being adequately resourced with the premier state-of-the-art technology deployed for geological mapping. Nevertheless, the fact that whether or not it meets the needs of clientele in terms of accurate results where it matters can easily be overlooked.
“Having state-of-the-art technology is not an end in itself which guarantees accurate results in geological mapping. On the contrary, it is only a means to an end. At the end of the day, technology should be in the capable hands of a well-versed team. Have you heard about a bad carpenter blaming his tools?” explains Louis Polome, General Manager of Spectrem Air Ltd, referencing the approach that has made Spectrem Air excel as the reference point for airborne electromagnetic geophysical surveys since 1989. Currently, the company utilises its flagship SpectremPLUS system to conduct airborne electromagnetic surveys (AEM) for geological mapping projects for clients.
Scrupulous Planning and Execution
Spectrem Air recognises that the ultimate objective in geological mapping is collecting reliable information below the surface, which can then inform the client’s sound decision-making. Thus, the approach entails scrupulous planning and execution to ensure that results meet or exceed clientele expectations.
Combination of Selected Elements
Spectrem Air’s experienced team employs a customised approach which combines a number of selected elements to successfully deploy its system to meet the clients’ geological mapping needs through increased depth, resolution and accuracy. “We have excelled through commitment to consistently ensuring data integrity, improved safety and cost-effectiveness in the delivery of results,” Polome explains, as he details what each of these constitutes.
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Enhancing Survey Data Integrity
It is only natural that there are always questions or concerns about the integrity of data gathered in geological surveys. This should not be surprising as crucial decisions on whether or not to carry on the project are based on the reliability of the information. Wrong information could result into millions of dollars in capital being wasted in a project.
Bearing this in mind, the Spectrem Air Team endeavours to give clientele assurance in the integrity of results from airborne electromagnetic survey through rigorous attention to detail in various phases of data acquisition, processing and interpretation. As standard practice, Spectrem Air identifies the following aspects as central to enhancing the credibility of the data gathered:
- High Standards in Technical Design & Electronic Specification and Maintenance
Consistently, Spectrem Air sticks to highest standards possible in the technical design and electronic specification of the electromagnetic system, as well as strict maintenance of the systems that are in place.
- Self-calibrating System
In any airborne EM surveys, regular calibration is routine when work is done on the platform. This requires proper documentation of any modifications, with comparison to previous results and expected norms. Specifically, the opening of a test site is extremely valuable in routine calibration of the platform to ensure repeatability of the system over a period of time. As part of routine checks on the system, Spectrem conducts thorough high-level reference before any data acquisition is undertaken.
Noteworthy, the SpectremPLUS system and the processing of data is designed in such a way that the system is “self-calibrating”. “Minimum filtering is applied to the data to ensure that clients receive as pure data as possible. All processing parameters are clearly defined and provided to the clients. It is also becoming standard routine to provide raw data to the client for any further verification or in-house processing,” Polome shows.
- Qualified Experts in Data Acquisition
Strictly, suitably qualified experts are involved in the design and maintenance of the Spectrem airborne electromagnetic system. Regularly, the company’s well-trained staff undergoes strict in-house training to keep abreast of best practices in data acquisition. A team of experienced technical and geophysical staff conduct thorough quality control and quality assurance on the data.
- Collaboration with Recognised Expert Consultants
The company utilises and collaborates with recognised expert consultants in airborne electromagnetic technology to assist in reviewing data and developing new processing routines. Thus, there is confidence that the best data is delivered to clients.
Also, in order to constantly improve the level of technical assistance rendered to clients, Spectrem collaborates with leaders in relevant technologies to enhance techniques of data processing and interpretation.
- ISO 9001 Quality Standard
Spectrem Air’s inhouse quality control systems are a combination of own developed well-controlled processes and ISO 9001 based standards. This ensures that data acquisition, quality control and processing are done in accordance with world industry standards. Over and above, there is a complete documentation of the processing chain, and any deviations from it, which detail reasons, parameters and results. This is then validated through regular internal audits to ensure that processes are strictly observed.
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Safety and Environmentally Compliance Practices
Adherence to strict safety and environmental compliance practices is an essential requirement in geological mapping. On its part, Spectrem goes beyond the tick-box exercise, recognising that compliance is vital to a successful survey. Accordingly, a number of annual external audits on the operation are conducted.
As a standard routine, detailed SHE risk assessments are done at the start of each job. This is in accordance with the International Airborne Geophysics Safety Association (IAGSA) recommendations of which Spectrem is a member. In addition, safety cases are generated by external auditors for sensitive areas or areas where Spectrem Air has not operated in the past.
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Cost Effectiveness
The wealth of experience gathered from being in airborne EM surveys since 1989, combined with the flexibility to adopt relevant novel technologies and constant innovation guarantee cost-effective delivery of vital data to clientele.
Technology the Driver of Delivery
As aforementioned, technology is the driver of each of Spectrem Air’s facets that are central to operations. For this reason, Spectrem always strives to stay current with advances in technology, exploring their potential to adding value to the quality of results in surveys.
In the meantime, Spectrem Air is keenly observing developments in an area relevant to its niche. Fascinatingly, there is a growing interest in opportunities for the application of evolving software algorithms and new processing routines in airborne electromagnetic data for better 3-dimension interpretation and provision of additional products. Another field of interest is gathering shallow data to assist in geo-hydrological and geo-engineering requirements.
In addition to software, Spectrem Air foresees continuous improvement in hardware technology and better control on geometrical information of the platforms will result in significantly better data interpretation.
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The Crew’s Involvement in Ensuring Data Integrity
With highly experienced pilots and an experienced operator on board, as well as an experienced aircraft engineer on the ground, every care is taken to ensure good quality data is collected safely and as and when required timeously. The data is partially processed in real time and the results sent daily back to the office where a strict quality control process is followed.
All aspects of the survey – from data collection, processing and interpretation – are governed by an in-house Quality system which conforms to ISO standards. This, together with the crew’s experience and knowledge, ensures that data of the highest quality is collected, and that interpretation undertaken addresses client’s need.
The data undergoing initial real-time processing in the field, together the reliability and performance of the system, ensures that minimal time is required for QC (Quality Control). This enables the geophysicist in the office is able to undertake preliminary interpretation on a daily basis, and provide feedback to the client as soon as possible. Upon completion of the survey, or at regular intervals during larger surveys, the data can be fully interpreted and reported on.
