- Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale - OGS, Geophysics, Trieste, Italy (atravan@ogs.it)
The OGS PITOP geophysical testing site, located in northeastern Italy, serves as a cutting-edge facility for developing and testing geophysical methods, technologies, and tools under realistic conditions. Covering an area of 22,000 m², PITOP is equipped with instrumented wells, permanent and mobile data acquisition systems, and active seismic and geoelectric sources. This infrastructure provides a unique environment for advancing subsurface characterization techniques.
The PITOP facility includes five wells (PITOP1-PITOP5) with depths ranging from 150 to 423 m. PITOP2 is equipped with 30 permanently installed three-axial geophones, while PITOP4 houses a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) fiber optic system. In March 2024, the addition of PITOP5 enabled a series of innovative experiments using the drill bit as a seismic source. These experiments had three primary objectives: (1) enhancing subsurface knowledge of the area, (2) testing new seismic instrumentation, and (3) performing integrated analyses using multidisciplinary methodologies.
During the PITOP5 drilling process, receivers were deployed both at the surface and in wells enabling cross-well tests acquired while drilling. The Seismic While Drilling (SWD) technique utilizes the drill bit as the seismic source. Surface receivers included standard geophones and triaxial nodes, arranged symmetrically around PITOP5.
In addition to SWD, Vibroseis was employed as an active seismic source, complementing the drill bit experiments. This enabled a comparison of results from different seismic energization methods, further enhancing the robustness of the dataset.
Preliminary seismic data analysis revealed the presence of shallow/medium depth reflectors.
Complementary to the seismic investigations, the PITOP5 upgrade included geoelectrical instrumentation. An array of electrodes was installed and cemented within the PITOP5 well to a depth of 260 m, allowing for advanced geoelectrical analyses and interdisciplinary investigations of the subsurface including the seismic methods.
Overall, a key feature of the PITOP upgrade is its capability for integrated geophysical experiments. During the drilling of PITOP5, surface seismic, SWD, and cross-hole experiments were conducted using diverse sources and acquisition systems. Data processing and integration are ongoing, with the aim of combining seismic and electrical information to provide a comprehensive understanding of subsurface structures.
The PITOP testing site represents a significant advancement for the scientific and technical community, offering a versatile platform for multidisciplinary studies. Its capabilities are particularly relevant for projects related to CO2 and energy storage, both of which are critical for climate change mitigation and the transition to sustainable energy systems.
With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and recent upgrades, PITOP is positioned as a leading facility for applied geophysics. The site not only facilitates the development of innovative geophysical techniques but also fosters collaboration among researchers, paving the way for future advancements in geosciences.
References:
Geophysical exploration case histories at the geophysical test site PITOP - a key facility in the ECCSEL-ERIC consortium: an overview. Bellezza et al., Bulletin of Geophysics and Oceanography, 2025
How to cite: Travan, A., Bellezza, C., Barison, E., Corubolo, P., Meneghini, F., and Schleifer, A.: Integrated geophysical studies at the OGS PITOP testing site: an interdisciplinary approach for subsurface characterization, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-17269, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17269, 2025.
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