Focusing inversion of marine full‐tensor gradiometry data in offshore geophysical exploration

Abstract

In this paper we demonstrate that marine gravity gradiometry data can be effectively used for offshore hydrocarbon exploration. We apply a three‐dimensional (3D) focusing inversion method to interpretation of the marine full‐tensor gradient (FTG) data collected in the Barents Sea. We conduct inversion of the different individual components and a joint inversion of several FTG components. The numerical results demonstrate that the joint inversion helps to produce a consistent 3D model of the anomalous density distribution in the area of the FTG survey. The results of 3D inversion of FTG data show a possibility for resolving the complex geological structures of salt diapir formations using gravity gradiometry data.