Centre for Geophysical Forecasting (CGF)

The centre for geophysical forecasting has a vision of turning geophysical data into knowledge and understanding. Our three main applications of geophysical monitoring are connected to geohazards such as landslides and earthquakes, CO2 sequestration and natural resources. In 2023 we have started to analyse data acquired North of the Ula-field (North Sea) in 2022. Comparison between regular streamer seismic data and data measured at seabed fibre cables shows similar seismic image quality of the sediments, indicating that it is indeed feasible to use fibre cables for seismic imaging and maybe also for monitoring of pipelines and power cables at the seafloor. At our quick-clay field laboratory in Rissa we have performed several repeated seismic fibre-experiments this year to monitor if the construction of the new road could lead to any changes in the soil shar-wave properties. So far, we have not observed any significant changes in the clay shear wave velocity, indicating that the construction work has not impacted the clay so far. We have acquired fibre optic DAS-data in Grasdalen where a large snow avalanche was measured on a fibre that is trenched close to the road. The purpose of the Grasdalen experiment is two-folded: first to detect that the road is covered by snow and second to develop a warning system for on-going snow avalanches. CO2-research is a main part of CGF, and this year we have focused on how to develop a cost-effective monitoring system for subsurface storage of CO2. Another key topic has been how to detect very thin horizontal CO2-layers in the subsurface using repeated seismic data. In March 2023 we installed fibre optic cables in the Åstfjord brigde. We have established a very good cooperation with Trøndelag Fylkeskommune, and they have given us permission to perform long term DAS-measurements in the brigde. In 2024 we developed an app for realtime traffic monitoring at the bridge. This makes it possible to follow cars, speed of cars which direction they go and so on in real time. Based on a DAS-experiment performed close to the railway between Trondheim and Støren in 2021 we have initiated an innovation process where the purpose is to establish a CGF spin off company. This work will continue in 2023, and together with TTO (Technology Transfer Office at NTNU) this opportunity for direct innovation will be investigated. Based on experiments performed at the railway between Støren and Kongensvold in 2023, as well as experiments in Lofoten and Oslo city, we think it is realistic to spin off a company. In January 2024 the first spin off company from CGF was established, «SensNet Analytics», and at the same time a license agreement between SensNet and TTO was signed. In 2024 we acquired DAS data both offshore and onshore Iceland, close to Reykjavik. This is done in cooperation with the university of Iceland and the fibre owner, Farice. The objective of this campaign is to investigate the potential for seismic imaging of the mid-Atlantic ridge, and to monitor whales offshore Iceland. In May 2024 we conducted a fibre optic experiment in the Trondheimsfjord, where we demonstrated that it is possible to perform underwater communication from sea to shore via an optical fibre using DAS. We think this is the first example of this kind of underwater communication. In cooperation with BaneNOR an interrogator was installed at Nordlandsbanen in December 2024. The purpose is to develop an automatic system for rock fall warnings close to railways in Norway. This work is in good progress and performed in close cooperation with BaneNOR. A new cooperation with university of Reykjavik at Iceland was initiated in 2025 with a joint focus on various sensing methods and CO2-related research. A new field course will be established in cooperation with Reykjavik University and the first course is planned in 2026. A dedicated outreach video describing key elements in the centre was published in 2023, and has been very useful for our dissemination work. The work for a new video presenting our work on CO2-storage has started in 2025, and by end of this year we expect to have two videos that can be used for outreach and communication.

The earth is a dynamic planet. There is a fundamental need to understand the processes influencing the earth’s crust, which ultimately supports and impacts all life. The arrival of rapid (in geological timescales) climate change with its associated ecosystem disruption has created additional challenges. Geophysics is key on both counts. Our vision is to create the world-leading research and innovation Centre for Geophysical Forecasting, by applying game-changing innovative technologies and bridging multiple disciplines and domains, across physics, geology, computer science, mathematics, academia and industry. To do this, a fundamental reorientation is needed in the way we view geophysical sampling and exploitation, shifting from traditional campaign-based approaches to continuous monitoring and forecasting in 4 dimensions. This requires both novel interdisciplinary synergy and the application of emerging technologies such as Distributed Acoustic Sensing through Fibre Optics cables, to the training of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Big Data. Norway is already at the forefront of exploration geophysics; we intend to leverage that expertise to catalyse a new wave of commercially-valuable geophysical capabilities, applying disruptive technologies that will be game changers in the transition from hydrocarbon geophysics to the new blue economy, founded on sustainable geophysical applications. We have assembled an international cast of partners, both academic and industrial, with substantial backing already in place from key stakeholders. We have identified three core innovation research areas: CO2-storage management, Hydrocarbon production monitoring and Geohazard monitoring and forecasting, which, together, amount to an estimated new revenue potential of 12 Bn NOK of annual business. We will create both new geophysical products and services in the core businesses of our industrial partners, as well as innovative spin-off companies with new geophysical services.