ERHC Energy Inc (ERHE)

[ERHClongtimer]

As has been noted by a number of other posters, no doubt ERHC will hire a capable, experienced contractor to do the seismic for them.

In fact some seismic work has already been done for the Lotikipi Plain, and has enabled some geophysical modeling to be done: http://www.geosoft.com/resources/goto/AndrewL-online-seminar-2011-09-27

The technical analyst (Andrew Long) who prepared the presentation above made these further comments:

Further surveys would certainly add to the dream situation for Long, too. “I do not know NOCK’s intentions, but there are several geophysical methods that could be employed with the money available,” he says. “There have been tremendous developments in seismic survey methods over the last 30 years, we are sure better resolution is possible. A seismic resurvey, shot with lower frequency sources to penetrate the basalt and yield the low frequency structural information of underlying strata would help further constrain the gravity data available.”

In tandem, he would add a dedicated airborne survey, flown for the purpose of basin definition to assist the seismic interpretation. “Airborne gravity gradiometry may also yield better structural definition as exemplified in its use in other onshore East African basins that have proven very successful in defining graben structures, for example in Uganda,” he says. “A detailed airborne gravity survey would enable 3D modeling and hence the gravity contribution of the basalt sequences could be better defined and removed to yield residual gravity response.” Furthermore, he doesn’t entirely discount the magnetic method. “Although the susceptibility variation of the basalts are poorly understood, and believed to be difficult to map, the interpretation would only increase confidence.”

And finally, rounding out the dream would be a ground MT survey that may help define the basalt thicknesses. A strong bonus of course would be some exploratory wells, which would provide invaluable constraints to the seismic and potential fields modeling.

http://earthexplorer.com/2011-08/Exploring_the_East_African_Rift_System.asp
http://earthexplorer.com/2011-08/EarthExplorer-Issue1-2011.pdf (print version)

Note that Mr. Long indicates that NOCK has funds available for further "geophysical methods." Also, aside from shooting seismic, airborne gravity gradiometry could be done without even touching the ground.

So ERHC isn't starting from scratch. No doubt NOCK has given this Geosoft modeling data to ERHC, since the whole point of having it done was to encourage petroleum exploration in the Lotikipi Plain. - Longtimer