The Use of Iodine Surface Geochemistry Integrated With Seismic and Subsurface Geology to Find Conventional Reservoirs in the Mid-Continent USA

Abstract

Surface geochemistry has been used for a 100 years to assist in exploration and discovery of conventional reservoirs. Iodine surface geochemistry was developed by the Russians to help minimize seismic costs. Iodine is a halogen that has a strong affinity to cracked hydrocarbons. Detecting halogenated organic compounds associated with underground hydrocarbon spills is common practice in the environmental industry. While any form of geochemical surveys cannot establish depth of pay, quality of reservoir or volume of hydrocarbons present it is a very useful as a screening tool to determine if a geologic concept or a 3D seismically defined structure or stratigraphic may contain petroleum. The general consensus within the industry is surface geochemical tools are very effective in determining the absence of petroleum in relation to a geologic concept, field extension or seismically defined target. Integrated with seismic, aeromagnetics and subsurface geology, iodine surface geochemistry adds to the explorationist ability to reduce risk and increase exploration success. Examples will be presented from the Mid-Continent USA where iodine surface geochemistry successfully predicted both production and dry holes.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90291 ©2017 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, April 2-5, 2017