Geological expediency for inclusion of the “easy” methods complex into the geological exploration for oil and gas

• Main Authors: D.M. Trofimov, M.K. Shuvaeva, K.V. Chistyakova, K.K. Naumov, S.A. Feofilov, N.Ya. Shabalin, A.S. Yakimov, V.E. Tavrizov, B.V. Uspenskii
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Georesursy Ltd. 2017-06-01
• Series: Georesursy
• Subjects: oil; gas; Earth’s remote sensing; helium survey; microseismic method; geochemical survey
• Online Access: https://geors.ru/archive/article/858/

The article presents a triad of “easy” field methods for geological exploration of subsoil areas in the exploration and prospecting-evaluation stages of geological exploration for oil and gas. The triad of field surveys includes the following sequentially performed works: 1) remote sensing and interpretation of space images of the Earth, 2) areal helium survey (He-survey), and 3) areal microseismic survey (MC-survey) as a single triad of field surveys. Based on the results of these surveys, areal and quantitative parameters of the anomalies of registered useful signals are estimated, which are predictably associated with potentially oil and gas promising zones on the licensed area where the types and volumes of field seismic operations, and then deep exploratory drilling can be located. Expert and automated methods based on the data of triad of field surveys can be used to assess the prospects of oil and gas potential and localized resources of each subsoil area. Their economic attractiveness is assessed taking into account geological and economic risks. The economic assessment of the licensed area uses the generally accepted indicators in the oil and gas industry for the stages of geological exploration. In addition, the conduct of the described work by the triad of field surveys at the pre-licensing stage can be carried out in the winter, and they are appropriate to be carried out on the initiative of the state authorities on subsoil use: a complete cycle of analysis of geological and economic attractiveness will help attract new subsoil users to participate in auctions and increase the cost of initial payments at the auction.