Geochemical Exploration in Deserts of North Africa and Middle East: Strategies, Methods, and Exploration Case Histories

Abstract

Surface geochemical exploration for petroleum is the search for surface or near-surface occurrences of hydrocarbons and their alteration products. It has been well documented that most oil and gas accumulations leak, that this leakage is predominantly vertical (with some obvious geologic exceptions), that it is dynamic, and that this leakage can be detected and mapped using any of a number of direct and indirect methods. Hydrocarbon microseepage surveys in deserts require careful planning and implementation. Microseepage data are inherently noisy and require adequate sample density to distinguish between anomalous and background areas. To optimize the recognition of a seepage anomaly, the sampling pattern and sample density must reflect survey objectives, expected size and shape of the target, expected variation in surface measurements. Defining background values adequately is an essential part of anomaly recognition and delineation. Under-sampling and/or the use of improper analytical techniques is a major cause of ambiguity and interpretation failures. Desert environments are well suited for hydrocarbon microseepage surveys. Results of microbial and soil gas surveys in the deserts of Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and Oman are presented here. These results illustrate the value of hydrocarbon microseepage data for high-grading basins, plays, and prospects. Surveys in Algeria and Tunisia document hydrocarbon microseepage to the surface in spite of the presence of 200–400 meters of halite above Triassic reservoirs, and the composition of the migrating hydrocarbons correctly predicted the composition of the reservoired hydrocarbons. In Oman, samples were collected from along more than 2900 line kilometers of seismic lines to high-grade seismic leads and prospects, and identify areas that warrant further evaluation. The Yemen survey illustrates the use of geochemical ground-truthing of possible seep-induced remote sensing anomalies. Results from surveys in Egypt, Yemen, Oman, and Algeria successfully discriminated prospects on basis of likely hydrocarbon charge. Geochemical exploration surveys such as these require close sample spacing and are most effective when results are integrated with subsurface data.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90194 © 2014 International Conference & Exhibition, Istanbul, Turkey, September 14-17, 2014