JeoTim - Fingerprints of Oil

FINGERPRINTS OF OIL

In recent years, the geochemical method known as "hydrocarbon fingerprinting" has been become one of the most applied oversurface exploration tool for oil and natural gas. Hydrocarbon fingerprinting can be basically generalized as the detection and interpretation of hydrocarbon originated gaseous phase seepages, and beyond its high precision prospecting feature, it guarantees time and cost gain too. Including gaseous phase nearsurface sampling, chromatographic analyses and geological modelling of results, this method comprises a series of interdependent processes. It is based on the principle of "all hydrocarbons which are formed under ground seep to surface or near surface in macro or micro(ppb) scales". With respect to this, research teams can obtain information about undiscovered oil and gas reservoirs by examination the chemistry of hydrocarbons or their alteration products seepage on or near surface. This surface geochemical method includes these and other basic principles as listed below;

Hydrocarbons seep to the surface in macro or micro scale from all oil reservoirs

The seepage of the hydrocarbons can be active or passive
The seepage of hydrocarbons generally migrates vertically from thousands of the meter depth

The relationship between the surface seepage anomallies of hydrocarbons and the accumulated hydrocarbons underground may be simple or complex
The surface hydrocarbon seepage is the end of the migration path. Therefore the geological structures as fault, fracture etc. along the migration path must be considered for the correct comments of the anomalies of hydrocarbons(Schumacher, 2000)

Near surface geochemical methods for the studies of oil exploration evalutes the low concentration microcseepage. As a result of recent past inventions in chromatography equipments, constituents of soil vapor samples can be determined in "ppb(particle per billionen)" scale. This capability of todays analytical measurement instruments, further increased the importance of micro-scale leakage. In our term, "microseepage" is defined as the occurence of hydrocarbons in soil, sediment or water at the measurement concentration value. "Many researchers believe that the gas found in the layer below the soil or not so many depths from the surface is formed due to seepage of the petroleum reservoir. However the other source as the soil with rich organic matter, the shale near the surface etc. can be considered "(Steven, 1995). Therefore, the geological structure of the survey area, choosing of the sample points, the evaluation of gas chromotographic analysis results of the samples must be done under the light of the parameters which may influence the study results. If all parameters are taken into consideration, the success of the geochemical studies are inevitable.

The new methodology developed by JeoTim includes all the procedures from choosing the sample point coordinates to construction of 3D anomally maps step by step. Our methodology is developed as a result of many research and development studies. We are aware of the success of surface geochemical studies is dependent on firstly the usage of one trustable soil vapor sampling kit. Hence we use our own special sampling kits developed and produced by our staff. As superior than its competitors, our sampling kit guarantees elimination of external effects such as atmospheric pressure changes, bacterial activities etc. and includes many efficient properties like working at hard conditions, precise standardization, fast operations etc.

Applications of hydrocarbon fingerprinting method are not only limited to oil and gas exploration studies, with this method man made deposition facilities, like artificial underground reservoirs can be planned and controlled. This is a very recent environmental technical approach and becoming widespread day to day and has been used firstly in Europe. Under control of this method, industrial waste gases can be pumped into suitable underground geological structures for getting rid of them. The controlling of seepage resulted from these depositions is necessary, because even in formations with adequate nominal capacity some of the injected CO2 is expected to leak as a result of the buoyancy of the separate phase carbon dioxide, the induced pressure gradients from the injection and the variable nature of strata acting as barriers to upward migration(Bruant and others,2002). Additionaly, extensive properties of hydrocarbon fingerprinting method to detect and interpretate the gaseous phase chemicals, provides the most suitable tool for determining the enviromental pollution caused by hydrocarbon seepage(Rosso and others,1997). Due to capabilities of our new methodology and soil vapor sampling kit, JeoTim has a wider perspective in the usage of surface geochemical methods, in addition to oil&natural gas exploration studies, also embracing environmental researchs and underground deposition facilities.

REFERENCES

Schumacher, D. (2000). Surface geochemical exploration for petroleum. American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Steven, A. T. (1995). Surface geochemistry in petroleum exploration. New York: International Thompson Publishing Inc.

Rosso, M., Labayen, L., Hernaez, S., & Laqui, Srl. (1997). Gas losses detection using surface geochemical prospection methods. Society of Petroleum Engineer, Inc.

Bruant, R.G., Guswa, A.J. Celia, M.A., & Peters, C.A. (2002). Safe storage of CO2 in deep saline aquifers. Environmental Science and Technology. 36: 240A-245A