Example and Explanation of Our Ground Water Exploration and Study for Bores

Our technology for mapping underground water or aquifer systems is unique to the point where we have an international patent. The system is known as MPS (Multi Phase Saturation) and is used in a similar fashion to that of Seismic Technology that is being used to locate oil and gas reserves throughout the world.

MPS Surveying Procedure

1. Surveying is normally conducted across geological or hydrogeological structures using our specialised equipment to initially determine if the targeted system is suitably saturated to meet the requirements of the customer.

2. Initial surveying on a property is usually conducted perpendicular to the observed trend lines of the geological or hydrogeological structures. This allows Water Prospecting to assess the water-bearing potential of these zones by taking cross sectional scans.

3. The most suitable water bearing structure or zone is targeted with further surveying in the form of parallel scans with spacings of 10 - 50m.

4. Three parallel scans is required as minimum for siting a relatively small bore for stock and domestic purposes.

5. A water bore for larger irrigation supplies will a require a minimum of 5 parallel scans and a further two remote area scans to verify the extend of the targeted aquifer systems.

MPS ( Multi Phase Saturation) Technology

1. Our surveying technology involves the analysis of multiple phases of electrical data which record changes in saturation. This is achieved by running a 450m long multi-core cable array across the structure as shown below.

2. We install probes with 15m spacings along the cable array. The probes are a 'T' shaped item and roughly twice the size of a pen, there are 31 connected to the cable array. This array is then connected to our computerised survey equipment mounted in the rear of a Toyota Landcruiser.

3. The computer runs the survey by selecting pairs of probes and transmitting an electronic pulse between them. The pulse travels in a parabolic path between the probes. The system determines the most saturated point along the path of the pulse.

4. Approximately 3000 pulses are transmitted into the ground to build a map of where major ground water systems are located.

5. The survey analyses the comparative saturation of the rocks or unconsolidated sediments underlying the survey. The data is presented as a 2-Dimensional cross-sectional map.

6. The contour map depicts an approximation of the 2D spatial variation in relative saturation levels (in cross-sectional form). The top horizontal line depicts the ground surface along the cables, and the vertical line indicates the depth. The aquifers are usually represented by the blue horizontal horizons (in this example).

7. When we have found what appears to be a suitable water bearing system we conduct parallel surveys to establish that we have found an extensive system and not a perched or localised water body.

8. The parallel scans also allow us to locate the test hole within the widest and evenly saturated zone of the water bearing structure.

9. If a large change in the physical size of the structure is identified we sometimes conduct a perpendicular survey along the water bearing structure to further assess the degree of pinching and swelling within the structure.

10. The more surveys completed at this mapping stage will optimise the result and in some cases has resulted in a 50 - 60% improvement.

11. We compile and assess this data to mark test hole locations.

12. We can also identify the depth at which the major water zones will be encountered (±3m) and the maximum depth to drill to.

13. Mapping the water bearing structure in this manner along with an understanding of the local geology builds a clearer picture on how the system would be recharged and maintained through out its service life.

Considerations when using Water Prospecting MPS technology

1. The Water Prospecting survey is designed to give an understanding of the ground water systems within the framework of the surveys.

2. It is a geophysical technique that we use to construct an understanding which is sufficient to locate test hole position(s).

3. We do this by exploring and mapping zones of highest saturation within the major aquifer systems.

4. It is not possible to determine particle size of sands, gravels or fractured rock and permeability with the aquifer systems. For these reasons we base our test hole locations on identifying the largest water bearing system that show consistently on repeated surveys.

5. Anything else is usually a perched water body or zone of saturated clays.

6. With such complexities it is possible to indicate a reasonable flow range but not to guarantee a flowrate.

7. This is an exploratory survey, which shows the best position to drill within the framework of the surveys conducted, with a nominal reliability of 90%. Therefore, Water Prospecting cannot accept any liability for low water volumes associated with boreholes drilled on locations marked by us.