Airborne Gravity Gradient Acquisition for Oil Exploration in Uganda

Extending on work performed by Tullow and BellGeospace in 2009, an Airborne Gravity Gradient (AGG) survey was planned and executed in the northern area of exploration block EA1-1A at the intersection of the western arm of the East African Rift System (EARS) and the West Nile Valley in north-western Uganda. The principal goal of this survey was to estimate and map the basement depth in detail as these structures are the main control on trapping mechanisms in this area. The AGG technique is attractive in this setting as it offers a cheaper and faster prospecting method with lower environmental impact than 2D or 3D seismic acquisition. The resolution available with the gradient technique also allows detailed mapping of the fault system at comparable detail to the existing 2D regional seismic data with the benefit of uniform, large scale coverage. Once combined, these data give the confidence to map additional structures of interest based on the drilling success of the original Tullow work with the possibility to use these types of data in other, similar areas for rapid reconnaissance and focused 3D seismic and prospect generation in the future.