Integrating geophysical exploration methods to minimise environmental impacts: A case study of oil and gas exploration, exploration area 2 Albertine Graben, Uganda.

dc.contributor.author Ainabyona, Christine
dc.date.accessioned 2014-06-18T09:15:21Z
dc.date.available 2014-06-18T09:15:21Z
dc.date.issued 2013
dc.description A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Masters of Science Degree in Environment and Natural Resources of Makerere University. en_US
dc.description.abstract Geophysical exploration techniques for oil and gas are vital in providing information on subsurface bedrock structures, and sometimes, lithology and hydrocarbon indications thereby pinpointing the probable location of hydrocarbons which in turn guides the drilling location. The exploration techniques impact the environment both positively and negatively. The Albertine Graben (AG) is ecologically sensitive and a potential hydrocarbon province, but the knowledge gap identified is a lack of a template to acquire good quality data with minimal environmental risks. Geophysical exploration methods are categorized into passive and active. Passive methods monitor changes in the earth’s field (such as gravitational and magnetic fields) known as potential field methods, while active methods involve the introduction of external energy into the subsurface the earth’s response is monitored in turn, such methods include seismic reflection and refraction methods. This research explored the possibility and means of acquiring the required geophysical data quality with minimal environmental impacts. Initial exploration could begin with satellite imagery for a broad scale identification of topography, geological structures, the potential field methods follow up to show basement depth and shape, basin extent and thickness, then FTG to show structural trends and then targeted seismic to pinpoint drillable prospects. Environmental risk assessments for the exploration methods were carried out using the HAZiD method based on the AS/NZS ISO 31000: 2009, and the ALARP risk management tool, data resolution attained from the different geophysical Exploration methods was compared. The environmental risks were compared too in ascertaining the possibility to acquire required resolution with minimal environmental impacts. Airborne geophysics had minimal (low) risk, a broad scale resolution that may not be conclusive enough to pinpoint drillable spots. On the other hand seismic has the best resolution to pinpoint drillable spots but the method can have adverse impacts if not properly planned en_US
dc.description.sponsorship Council for Frontiers of Knowledge (CFK) en_US
dc.identifier.citation Ainabyona, C. (2013) Integrating geophysical exploration methods to minimise environmental impacts: A case study of oil and gas exploration, exploration area 2 Albertine Graben, Uganda. (Masters dissertation). Makerere University. Kampala, Uganda. en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10570/2888
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.subject Geophysics en_US
dc.subject Environmental risk assessment en_US
dc.subject Environmental hazards en_US
dc.subject Oil and gas exploration en_US
dc.subject Albertine Graben en_US
dc.title Integrating geophysical exploration methods to minimise environmental impacts: A case study of oil and gas exploration, exploration area 2 Albertine Graben, Uganda. en_US
dc.type Thesis en_US
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