Surface geochemical methods used for oil and gas prospecting — a review

Philp, R. Paul; Crisp, P.T.

doi:10.1016/0375-6742(82)90017-6

Cited by 70 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Different investigators have noted a strong correlation between acid-soluble soil salts and "sorbed" HCS (Hoffman, 1939;Horvitz, 1950Horvitz, , 1954Horvitz, , 1972Colombo, 1959;Debnam, 1969;Poll, 1975;Devine andSears, 1975, 1977;and Philp and Crisp, 1982). Heating soil samples to liberate "sorbed" HCS, without acid treatment results in determinations of much lower HC concentrations than if the samples are treated with acid and heated (Horvitz, 1950(Horvitz, , 1954Colombo, 1959;and Debnam, 1969).…”

Section: Chimneysmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…DGD techniques are based on the (substantiated) assumption that C-^ to C^ HCS migrate to the Earth's surface from thermogenic HC deposits to form anomalously high measurable surface concentrations of C^ to C^ HCS. However, methane is not uniquely indicative of thermogenic HC deposits (Horvitz, 1939(Horvitz, , 1954(Horvitz, , p. 1206(Horvitz, -1207Kartsev and others, 1959;Sokolov andothers, 1959, 1971;Davis, 1967, p. 203;Bernard, 1981;and Philp and Crisp, 1982, p. 3) and has only limited applicability as an indicator of HC deposits. On the other hand, C2~^5 H^ are uniquely indicative of thermogenic HC deposits (Sokolov and others, 1971;Davis, 1976, p. 203;Horvitz, 1980, p. 243;Bernard, 1981;and Philp and Crisp, 1982, p. 3) and anomalous surface concentrations of C2~Cr HCS are considered excellent exploration tools.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, methane is not uniquely indicative of thermogenic HC deposits (Horvitz, 1939(Horvitz, , 1954(Horvitz, , p. 1206(Horvitz, -1207Kartsev and others, 1959;Sokolov andothers, 1959, 1971;Davis, 1967, p. 203;Bernard, 1981;and Philp and Crisp, 1982, p. 3) and has only limited applicability as an indicator of HC deposits. On the other hand, C2~^5 H^ are uniquely indicative of thermogenic HC deposits (Sokolov and others, 1971;Davis, 1976, p. 203;Horvitz, 1980, p. 243;Bernard, 1981;and Philp and Crisp, 1982, p. 3) and anomalous surface concentrations of C2~Cr HCS are considered excellent exploration tools. In this paper HC microseepage is defined as the migration of principally the C^ to Cq HCS from HC deposits to the Earth's surface to form HC (and other) anomalies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reviews have been given by Kartsev and others (1959, by far the most definitive work), Debnam (1969, p. 1-6), Boyle and Garret (1970, p. 63-65), McCrossan and others (1972, p. 4-8), Siegel (1974), Hunt (1979, p. 425-433, somewhat negatively oriented), and Philp and Crisp (1982, the most recent comprehensive review). The models of this paper have been developed on the basis of what reliable data exist in the literature, established principles from related fields, and extrapolations based on my best scientific judgement when necessary.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A critical overview of and proposed working model for hydrocarbon microseepage

Price¹

1985

Open-File Report

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Section: Chimneysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A critical overview of and proposed working model for hydrocarbon microseepage

Price¹

1985

Open-File Report

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“…Soil-gas surveying has been employed as a prospecting tool for over 100 years (Chavez, 1988;Farwell et al, 1984;Philip and Crisp, 1982;Taylor et al, 1982;Hinkle et al, 1978;Bristow and Jonasson, 1972). Recently, gas surveying techniques have been used to map plumes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that leak from underground storage tanks, surface impoundments, and landfills (Barrows, 1987;Devitt et al, 1987;Kerfoot and Barrows, 1987;Marrin, 1987Marrin, , 1987Reisenger et al, 1987;Thompson and Marrin, 1987;Balfour et al, 1986;La Breque et al, 1985;Marrin and Thompson, 1984;and Voorhees et al, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delineation of Near-Surface Preferential Pathways of Contaminant Transport within the Unsaturated Zone Using Soil-Gas: A New Method for Hydrogeological Site Characterization and Evaluation

Kirschner¹,

Williams²

1993

ASMR

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Abstract. Preferential pathways for contaminant transport between the ground surface and the underlying watertable have been identified by injecting a gaseous-phase tracer and subsequently sampling for the tracer in numerous locations. Zones of anomalously higher tracer concentrations constitute zones in which preferential gaseous transport occurs from a deeper injection well to a sampling point located directly below the surface of the ground. Sulfur hexafluoride constitutes the gaseous tracer. Injection and subsequent sampling were accomplished with Paradise Creek Industries Soil-Gas Probes. Samples were analyzed on-site with an SRI 8610 gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. The results of the test identify two preferential pathways for gaseous transport that connect the ground surface of the site to the underlying aquifer. The presence of both pathways was confirmed by drilling.

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Microseepage of methane to the atmosphere from the Dawanqi oil‐gas field, Tarim Basin, China

Tang

Wang

et al. 2017

JGR Atmospheres

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The microseepage of natural gas from subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs is a widespread process in petroleum basins. On a global scale, microseepage represents an important natural source of atmospheric methane (CH4). To date, microseepage CH4 flux data have been obtained from ~20 petroleum systems in North America, Europe, and Asia. While the seasonal variations of gas flux due to soil methanotrophic activity are known, the role of geological factors in controlling gas fluxes has been poorly investigated. Here we present new microseepage data from the Dawanqi oil‐gas field located within the Tarim Basin (China), a petroleum system characterized by intense faulting and shallow (<700 m) reservoirs. We measured CH4 fluxes from the ground at 51 sites along three transects by using a closed‐chamber connected to a portable gas sensor using off‐axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the highest CH4 fluxes occur over faults and/or shallow reservoirs, especially those that were not developed and that have higher fluid pressures. Microseeping CH4 is thermogenic, like that occurring within the Dawanqi reservoirs, as demonstrated by 13C enrichment (δ13C from −46.3‰ to −30.7‰) in the chamber. Mean and range microseepage values (17 mg m−2d−1; from −1.4 to 330 mg m−2d−1) are similar to those reported for other petroleum fields with active tectonics. Our results confirm that dry soil over petroleum fields can be a net source of atmospheric CH4 and its flux is primarily controlled by faulting, and reservoir depth and pressure. These factors shall be considered in global bottom‐up seepage emission estimates.

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Surface geochemical methods used for oil and gas prospecting — a review

Cited by 70 publications

References 63 publications

A critical overview of and proposed working model for hydrocarbon microseepage

A critical overview of and proposed working model for hydrocarbon microseepage

Delineation of Near-Surface Preferential Pathways of Contaminant Transport within the Unsaturated Zone Using Soil-Gas: A New Method for Hydrogeological Site Characterization and Evaluation

Microseepage of methane to the atmosphere from the Dawanqi oil‐gas field, Tarim Basin, China

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