ENG1 SPEC1 Magnetic Corrections 31march2004

Magnetic Declination and Grid Convergence Notes
1. Magnetic Declination
Magnetic declination correction converts azimuth values between the Magnetic North and True North. The
magnetic declination correction, which should be applied at a particular location, is the angle between the
direction to Magnetic North at that location and the direction of True North.
The convention is that when Magnetic North lies to the West of True North, this gives a WEST
DECLINATION CORRECTION while if Magnetic North lies to the East of True North this gives an
EAST DECLINATION CORRECTION. For a West declination correction the observed magnetic azimuth
is greater than the true azimuth, therefore the declination correction is subtracted from the observed
magnetic azimuth. For an East declination correction the observed magnetic azimuth is less than the true
azimuth, therefore the declination correction is added to the observed magnetic azimuth.
Magnetic North varies widely at different locations around the world and with time.
a) West Declination b) East Declination
2. Grid Convergence
The convergence correction converts azimuth values between the Grid North and True North. The
convergence correction, which should be applied at a particular location, is the angle between the direction
to Grid North at that location and the direction of True North. The diagrams below show the relationships
between true azimuth, convergence and grid azimuth for various positions of a location with respect to the
central meridian and the equator.
This can be calculated by hand by: GC = Sin Latitude x (Longitude –CM)

Where CM = central meridian longitude
C.R.Chia 10/00 Page 1 of 4

a) Northern Hemisphere
b) Southern Hemisphere

Using Powerplan to Check Declination and Grid Convergence
3. Check Declination
PowerPlan uses the BGGM (British Geological Survey Global Geomagnetic Model) to compute the main
field reference criteria for a given location for a given date. This is licensed software, which is resident in
both PowerPlan and Ideal (known as Geomag in Ideal).
In order to check the value of magnetic declination for a given location, with the precondition that you have
set up a field/slot and well with the correct latitude and longitude, then launch either Well Design or Survey
Editor and create a new worksheet. Then, tie the worksheet onto your new location using select tie-on, or
by clicking the tie-on dongle button. Click on the Options/Compute Magnetic Declination menu item to
bring up an interface giving the coordinates entered for the location and the Magnetic Field reference data.
The Declination value is given in this case with a sign convention for negative west / positive east, so
using the diagrams in section 1 (above) where we are applying the magnitude of the correction either
positive or negative, this is already done for us. Therefore, whatever correction comes from this output
interface;
- must be ADDED to the magnetic azimuth to produce a true north azimuth.
This means that when we add a negative number (if the declination is westerly) to our azimuths then our
azimuths become smaller.
4. Check Grid Convergence

The grid convergence is given as a function of the latitude and the distance from the central meridian, of the
co-ordinate system type and zone that has been chosen. It varies with distance from the central meridian
and distance from the equator as a result of trying to produce a scaled grid map of a curved surface, so that
the relative positions of object (such as platforms, fields and wells) may be plotted in a relevant and usable
manner.
In DataBrowser, the grid convergence is displayed at the Field , Structure, Slot and Well levels, and is
calculated from the co-ordinate system, latitude and longitude entered by the user. The result is displayed in
the same convention negative west / positive east in the N.Hemisphere as given for declination, but in
this case indicates our longitudinal position relative to the central meridian.
Once again, using the diagrams in section 2 (above) where we are applying the magnitude of the correction
either positive or negative, this is already done for us. Therefore, whatever correction comes from this
output interface;
- must be SUBTRACTED from the true north azimuth to produce a grid north azimuth.
This means that when we subtract a negative number (if the grid convergence is westerly) to our azimuths
then our azimuths become greater.
In the southern hemisphere the sign convention is reversed, but the rule of subtraction from the true north
azimuth continues to apply because PowerPlan will take the southerly latitude into account.
Therefore, using PowerPlan generated outputs for declination and grid convergence we get;
Grid Azimuth = Magnetic Azimuth + Declination – Grid Convergence


ENG1 SPEC1 Magnetic Corrections 31march2004

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ENG1 SPEC1 Magnetic Corrections 31march2004

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

ENG1 SPEC1 Magnetic Corrections 31march2004

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Magnetic Declination and Grid Convergence Notes

This can be calculated by hand by: GC = Sin Latitude x (Longitude –CM)

C.R.Chia 10/00 Page 1 of 4

C.R.Chia 10/00 Page 2 of 4

4. Check Grid Convergence

C.R.Chia 10/00 Page 3 of 4

You might also like