Using Surface Geochemistry in Petroleum Exploration Too High Grade Areas for Seismic in Unexplored and Under Explored Basins

Abstract

Abstract

The use of surface geochemistry for petroleum exploration has been quite controversial at times. However, it is a low cost tool that allows exploration of under explored or unexplored areas at a lower cost than shooting seismic over a large area. Surface geochemistry works as an exploration tool to find new petroleum reservoirs based on the concept of vertical migration of hydrocarbons from the reservoir to the near surface. Petroleum migrates along micro-pores, micro-fractures and micro-unconformities. The petroleum compounds in the soil substrate create various compounds, some escape to the atmosphere and others are broken down by plant and bacterial action. The use of surface geochemistry in unexplored basins such as the Zuunbayan and Unegt basins, China will be presented as examples of using surface geochemistry to determine the presence or absence of hydrocarbons that were integrated with several 2D seismic lines. The surveys allowed the operator to make several decisions that minimized financial risk. Similar surveys will also be presented from Papua New Guinea, Belize and Ontario and Alberta, Canada that demonstrate the usefulness of surface geochemistry.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90260 © 2016 AAPG/SEG International Conference & Exhibition, Cancun, Mexico, September 6-9, 2016