Aerospace Geophysical Surveys & Studies

Integrated Aerospace Geophysical Surveys

Demand for aerospace geophysical survey services is high. Our principal clients include mining companies, oil-and-gas-sector enterprises, and construction firms.

Aerospace geophysical surveys differ from other exploration technologies in their speed, cost-efficiency, environmental safety, near-universal accessibility, ease of method integration, and exceptionally high data uniformity and statistical representativeness.

Types of aerospace geophysical surveys:

  • Aerospace gravimetry.
  • Aerospace magnetometry.
  • Passive Electromagnetic (EM) Sensing.
  • Satellite-based FSSAT analysis.
  • Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry.
  • Multi-frequency electromagnetic surveying.
  • Time-domain (pulsed) electromagnetic surveying.
  • Thermal infrared imaging.
  • Airborne LiDAR scanning.

Depending on the method set, work volume, terrain, transit distance, and other factors, the optimal aircraft—including unmanned aerial vehicles—is selected for each survey. Acquisition is carried out with specialized instrumentation and equipment.

Why Aerospace Geophysical Studies Are Conducted

Aerospace geophysical surveys are an effective tool for exploration work during the Regional Stage and the Prospect Generation Stage. The results support the definition of subsequent appraisal-stage objectives on the ground, including 3D seismic acquisition programs and successful drilling operations. With KINPRO®, you can commission aerospace geophysical studies that draw on satellite sensing data from the United States, China, Japan, and the European Union, combined with both crewed aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Over recent decades, the world has seen a systematic decline in the effectiveness of mineral exploration. Today, exploration is guided not only by anomalies but also by the prediction of favorable exploration settings. This draws on both newly acquired geological information and retrospective data.

Notably, the former head of Exploration Technology of TotalEnergies Jean Laherrère stated in one of his interviews: "the complex to use aerospace geophysical data with 3D seismic materials is the most accurate" surgical tool "for drilling operations".

Core Goals and Objectives

  • Exploration and appraisal of ore deposits.
  • Exploration and appraisal of hydrocarbon accumulations.
  • Exploration and appraisal of groundwater ("fresh-water lens") resources.
  • Investigation of regional geological structure.
  • Construction of geological-structural plans and models.
  • Environmental monitoring.
  • Detection of Subsurface Man-Made Objects.

Aerospace geophysical studies cost less than equivalent ground-based work, yet can achieve resolution sufficient for regional and prospect-scale targeting—while substantially outperforming ground measurements in productivity and placing no significant burden on the area under study.

How the Work Is Performed

For airborne geophysical surveys, KINPRO operates a fleet of airborne platforms, including UAVs. Recent KINPRO instrumentation and engineering developments include:

  • The Unimaster-MD universal multichannel magnetometer.
  • The GT-3 airborne gravimeter.
  • A gamma-ray spectrometer with variable detector volume.
  • Various electromagnetic-survey instruments.
  • The AGP-GRAV-M strapdown airborne gravimeter, resistant to acceleration disturbances.
  • Equipment for airborne LiDAR scanning.
  • Equipment for FSSAT analysis of satellite surveys.