What’s new in exploration

	Vol. 232 No. 1
NINA M. RACH, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Using new technologies to explore continental China

Chinese government planners have launched an ambitious new multidisciplinary research program that aims to better define resources, improve hydrocarbon and mineral exploration, and accelerate geosciences research and education in China.

Dong Shuwen, deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS) and principal investigator of the SinoProbe program, said the rapid growth of the Chinese economy demands a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of the country’s natural resources and the impacts of geohazards on its societal development.

In 2008, Chinese scientists began the five-year experimental program using state-of-the-art geophysical, geological and engineering methods to study the composition, structure and evolution of the crust and upper mantle beneath continental China. Upon completion of the current exploratory phase, the full-scale SinoProbe project will launch in 2012.

The Chinese government is promoting the ambitious project to survey large-scale mineralization and energy resources and to improve the understanding of earth structures to mitigate geohazards. Results of the project should also enhance earthquake prediction and help mitigate environmental hazards.

Partnerships. International researchers are contributing modern approaches, new analytical tools, and advanced exploration technology to facilitate the successful operation of the program.

Representing the upstream industry, ConocoPhillips, the third-largest US oil company, and China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) are sharing data and providing student training. University consortia and the US Geological Survey are providing education and outreach in study abroad programs, teachers’ workshops, student recruiting and development of course materials.

First phase. The initial phase of SinoProbe is a five-year (2008–2012) experimental program aimed at studying exploration techniques, data acquisition and storage, and developing an appropriate computing environment. Project funding is more than $125 million for the initial five years.

This phase has eight technical components: 1) a magnetotellurics observational network; 2) reflection seismic profiling and a refraction seismic observations network, along selected profiles across China; 3) targeted studies of mineral resources; 4) a geochemical observatory; 5) continental scientific drilling to directly sample the crust to the deepest levels possible with present technology; 6) stress and strain measurements that will help scientists understand how forces applied to rocks on the continental scale are distributed and released; 7) geodynamic modeling; and 8) data integration and data infrastructure development, combining data from many sources to better understand geological processes.

Seismic profiling. One of the eight scientific objectives of the SinoProbe program is to acquire about 3,000 km of seismic profiles across orogenic belts, sedimentary basins, active fault zones and larger mineral deposits in China.

Geophysicists are experimenting with different techniques along four major cross-sections: the Himalaya-Karakoram-Tibet (HKT) profile, South China Profile (SCP), North China Profile (NCP) and Northeast China Profile (NECP). By the end of 2010, the team acquired about 1,900 km of seismic—300 km of HKT, 500 km of SCP, 500 km of NCP, and 600 km of NECP.

Availability of the new seismic data dovetails nicely with the establishment of China’s new shale gas research center in August 2010. According to Reuters, the Strategic Research Center for Oil and Gas set goals to identify 50–80 shale gas prospects and 20–30 exploration and development blocks by 2020. Newfield Exploration, ConocoPhillips and Shell are among the companies involved with shale gas exploration in China.

SinoProbe researchers are using additional technologies from exploration geophysics to study continental structures and to aid tectonophysics research. In addition to passive-source earthquake tomography, teams are using joint reflection-refraction tomography to significantly increase the accuracy and resolution of 3D quantitative velocity imaging.

Scientific drilling. Another SinoProbe objective is to select continental scientific drilling sites and experiment with drilling technologies. The drilling will verify the results of geophysical exploration and establish deep exploration interpretation markers. Direct core sampling through deep drilling is expected to enhance the understanding of geological structures, rock composition and mineral potential, as well as correct geophysical exploration parameters.

Data will help scientists studying the Earth’s fluid systems, geothermal energy potential distribution and earthquake mechanisms. It will also assist research on global climate and environmental changes, microbial distribution and incubation conditions in the deep Earth, groundwater pollution prevention, the disposal of nuclear waste and long-term earth monitoring.

SinoProbe in the US. Chinese scientists presented an overview of the program at the fall 2009 meeting of the American Geophysical Union. A year later, at the December 2010 AGU meeting, SinoProbe researchers presented some preliminary results.

Participating universities are enhancing their curricula with focused seminars such as “East Asia tectonics and geophysics” at the University of Oklahoma, and Asian tectonics at the University of Missouri. In this and other ways, the SinoProbe collaboration provides opportunities for US-based researchers and students to do field work in China, work with Chinese scientists, and become familiar with the language and culture.