Surface geochemistry applications in oil and gas exploration

Journal Article · Mon Jun 06 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:7260270

Sundberg, K R ^[1]

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1. Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, OK (United States)

Geochemical exploration presumes that oil or gas reservoirs leak petroleum to the surface, and that these seeping hydrocarbons can be related to possible reservoirs in the subsurface. As an exploration technique, surface geochemistry assumes neither that every reservoir actively leaks and will be expressed geochemically nor that every geochemical anomaly is associated with a commercial reservoir. In fact, these use of seeps in hydrocarbon exploration is widely accepted and practiced throughout the industry. Independents and majors all use a variety of techniques aimed at seep detection and characterization. Particular methods vary, but the general objectives of the various surveyors are about the same: locate hydrocarbon seeps, map the seeps to relate them to subsurface prospects, characterize the petroleum type seen in a play's seeps, refine economic evaluations before entering new plays, and aid explorationists in making lease relinquishments. The author illustrates geochemical applications to these problems.

• OSTI ID: 7260270
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 92:23; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
DETECTION
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
MICROORGANISMS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PROSPECTING
RESOURCES
SEEPS
SURVEYS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT