Alexander A. Kaufman

Alexander Arkadyevich Kaufman (1 August 1931 – 7 June 2023) was a geophysicist and professor whose work in surface, borehole, and deep electromagnetic sounding was recognized in exploration geophysics. He graduated from the Geophysical Faculty of the Russian State Geological Prospecting University (MGRI) in 1954 and began working in the research division of MGRI. He earned his Candidate of Sciences degree in 1959 and his Doctor of Technical Sciences degree in 1965. He was awarded the title of professor in 1969.

In 1975 Kaufman left the USSR and later worked in Toronto, Canada, at Scintrex Ltd. and later as a consultant for Geonics Ltd.

In 1977 he moved to the United States and began teaching geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.

Kaufman initiated the GEOFIZIK Charity Fund to support Russian scientists in need of medical assistance. compared frequency-domain and transient approaches and led to the development of practical EM techniques. and in searches for deep ore deposits in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Yakutia, and the Altai region.

Kaufman extended the concept of using the second derivative of the electric field potential to determine formation conductivity through casing. He introduced a calibration procedure to account for variations in casing conductivity. His patented solution has been used for fluid tracking and reservoir management.

He also contributed to the development of transient and induction logging.

In the monograph Principles of Dielectric Logging Theory (2021), Kaufman presented a theoretical foundation for dielectric logging from first principles to instrument design.

Kaufman also authored the multi-volume series Geophysical Field Theory and Method (1992–1994), which provides a unified theoretical treatment of gravitational, magnetic, electric, and electromagnetic fields in geophysical applications. The work received independent evaluation in Geophysical Journal International, where Prof. Mark N. Berdichevsky described Kaufman as "a renowned expert in geophysics," stating that he knew of "no other book in geophysical literature where the philosophy of modern geophysics is presented with such clarity, comprehensiveness and pedagogical skill" and that the monograph "makes a valuable contribution to the geophysical literature" and serves effectively as both a textbook and a reference work.

Scientific school and teaching Between 1965 and 1974, Kaufman led the Laboratory of Electromagnetic Fields at the Institute of Petroleum-Gas Geology and Geophysics (IGG) and headed the Department of Geophysics at Novosibirsk State University. According to an obituary in SPWLA Today, the laboratory trained several generations of researchers in electromagnetic well logging and geophysics. SEG Honorable Mention for best paper in Geophysics (1990). Honorary Member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (2004).

Selected publications Monographs

According to SPWLA, 14 of his books were written during his years in the United States. Kaufman, A. A.; Keller, G. V. The Magnetotelluric Sounding Method. Elsevier, 1981. ISBN 978-0-44-441863-0. Kaufman, A. A.; Hansen, R. O. Principles of the Gravitational Method. Elsevier, 2007. ISBN 978-0-444-52993-0. Kaufman, A. A.; Hansen, R. O.; Kleinberg, R. L. Principles of the Magnetic Methods in Geophysics. Elsevier, 2007. ISBN 978-0-444-52995-4. Kaufman, A. A.; Levshin, A. L.; Larner, K. L. Acoustic and Elastic Wave Fields in Geophysics. Elsevier, 2000. ISBN 978-0-44-450336-7. Kaufman, A. A.; Anderson, B. I. Principles of Electric Methods in Surface and Borehole Geophysics. Elsevier, 2016. ISBN 978-0-444-52994-7. Kaufman, A. A.; Donadille, J.-M. Principles of Dielectric Logging Theory. Elsevier, 2021. ISBN 978-0-12-822284-3. Kaufman, A. A. Geophysical Field Theory and Method. Academic Press, 1992. ISBN 978-0-12-402041-2.

Articles