ABSTRACT

Paper summarizes results of statistical and geostatistical analysis of polymetallic nodules abundance variability in Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) claim area (Kotlinski et al., 2008; Kotlinski et al., 2011; Mucha et al., 2011). Nodule abundance is characterized by high variability and very significant contribution of random component variability, being part of the total parameter variability.

On the current stage of geological recognition, with sampling points distance about 11 – 15 km, satisfactory nodule resources estimation was obtained only for the largest seafloor areas (> 400 km2). For the proper ore fields border delimitation and improving accuracy of resources estimation, authors suggest broader and more systematic use of underwater TV surveying and multibeam acoustics systems and implementation of advanced geostatistical methods.

Keywords:
accuracy, upstream oil & gas, iom exploration area, artificial intelligence, resource estimation, variability, kotlinski, semivariogram, abundance estimation, geologic modeling
Subjects:
Reservoir Characterization, Geologic modeling
This content is only available via PDF.
2013. The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers
You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.