The application of surface geochemical methods to finding petroleum is based on the detection of hydrocarbons in the soil that have leaked from a petroleum reservoir at depth. While the seal over the deposit was once considered impermeable, surface geochemistry data now show that such leakage is a common occurrence. Despite its simplicity and low costs, surface geochemistry remains controversial because, until now, there was no objective and in-depth treatment of the various methods of surface geochemistry for oil exploration. Written by a successful oil finder, this practical guide: * surveys a broad array of surface geochemistry techniques, from soil gases to microbiology, and provides clear strategies for applying them to the high-stakes art of petroleum exploration * offers numerous case studies, both successes and failures, to show the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches * examines statistical and spatial variation, surveys and models in surface geochemistry, demonstrating how each analytical tool can be used to optimize accuracy * integrates surface geochemistry data interpretation with data from conventional methods of oil exploration, and considers the economics of surface geochemical approaches * discusses key topics that have been neglected in the literature, such as grid design and the effects of soils. Geologists, geophysicists, geological engineers and exploration managers involved in petroleum exploration will gain valuable insights from this volume. By presenting and evaluating each method of surface geochemistry in a neutral tone, this book enables the reader to select and employ these methods with greater confidence.

Practical Petroleum Geochemistry for Exploration and Production provides readers with a single reference that addresses the principle concepts and applications of petroleum geochemistry used in finding, evaluating, and producing petroleum deposits. Today, there are few reference books available on how petroleum geochemistry is applied in exploration and production written specifically for geologists, geophysicists, and petroleum engineers. This book fills that void and is based on training courses that the author has developed over his 37-year career in hydrocarbon exploration and production. Specific topical features include the origin of petroleum, deposition of source rock, hydrocarbon generation, and oil and gas migrations that lead to petroleum accumulations. Also included are descriptions on how these concepts are applied to source rock evaluation, oil-to-oil, and oil-to-source rock correlations, and ways of interpreting natural gas data in exploration work. Finally, a thorough description on the ways petroleum geochemistry can assist in development and production work, including reservoir continuity, production allocation, and EOR monitoring is presented. Authored by an expert in petroleum geochemistry, this book is the ideal reference for any geoscientist looking for exploration and production content based on extensive field-based research and expertise. - Emphasizes the practical application of geochemistry in solving exploration and production problems - Features more than 200 illustrations, tables, and diagrams to underscore key concepts - Authored by an expert geochemist that has nearly 40 years of experience in field-based research, applications, and instruction - Serves as a refresher reference for geochemistry specialists and non-specialists alike

This book is intended primarily as a textbook for geolo gists engaged in petroleum exploration. Its purpose is to introduce the reader to organic geochemistry and to show how to apply geochemistry advantageously in an explora tion program. I have made the explicit assumption that most readers will have a sound background in geology but far less knowledge of, or interest in, chemistry. Be cause there is no need for an exploration geologist to be an expert in organic chemistry, the amount of chemistry used in the book is rather modest. It is, however, often important for a geologist to understand some basic vocab ulary. The emphasis in this book is on applications of geo _chemistry to hydrocarbon exploration. Most of the analyt ical techniques are discussed only briefly, because although a geologist should know what a gas chro matograph is, he or she is unlikely to be asked to repair one. If more detailed knowledge does prove necessary, a laboratory is the proper place to learn. The strengths and weaknesses of the various analytical techniques are discussed so that a geologist will be able to anticipate pitfalls, cull bad data, and choose an appropri ate analytical program. On-the-job experience will prove invaluable in converting the basic information from this text into a practical working knowledge.

Presents basic concepts of petroleum geology and proven petroleum exploration techniques for locating oil and gas accumulations with viable prospects, for professionals with two or more years' experience who have a basic knowledge of most aspects of exploration methods. For the most part, chapters f

Elements of Petroleum Geology, Fourth Edition is a useful primer for geophysicists, geologists and petroleum engineers in the oil industry who wish to expand their knowledge beyond their specialized area. It is also an excellent introductory text for a university course in petroleum geoscience. This updated edition includes new case studies on non-conventional exploration, including tight oil and shale gas exploration, as well as coverage of the impacts on petroleum geology on the environment. Sections on shale reservoirs, flow units and containers, IOR and EOR, giant petroleum provinces, halo reservoirs, and resource estimation methods are also expanded. - Written by a preeminent petroleum geologist and sedimentologist with decades of petroleum exploration in remote corners of the world - Covers information pertinent to everyone working in the oil and gas industry, especially geophysicists, geologists and petroleum reservoir engineers - Fully revised with updated references and expanded coverage of topics and new case studies

"With the increased resolution power of many geophysical methods, we are seeing direct evidence of seeps on a wide variety of data, including conventional seismic. New methods and technology have also evolved to better measure and detect seeps and their artifacts and reservoir charge and to map migration and remigration routes. In addition, detection of seepage is important for minimizing the risks associated with shallow gas drilling hazards, ensuring platform stability, and preventing well blow-outs. This volume is organized into three sections, each with a different focus. The first section, "Descriptions and Observations of Seeps", includes field studies, observations of seep environments, migration systems, and use of modern sampling techniques. The second section, "Science of Seepage -- Methodology", discusses new techniques including DNA sampling, use of biomarkers, Neural Network analysis, and remote multispectral analysis. The final section, "Implications of Seeps", shows how seeps may be used to reduce prospect risk and assess risk elements such as trap seal and fault leakage. This volume is intended to be a reference for understanding seep occurrences and demonstrating the development and use of new technologies to image them with a focus on exploration and field development applications. It will be a valuable reference to geologists, geophysicists, and petroleum engineers everywhere"--Provided by publisher.

This book reviews the present status of organic geochemistry and its application to Petroleum Exploration. It is intended to be as practical as possible with all aspects of geochemistry illustrated by a great number of examples taken from case histories from all over the world which show that geochemistry must be used in the framework of a good geological/geophysical background. This book is written for: petroleum geologists and geophysicists; managers who should integrate the impact of geochemistry in exploration decision-making; specialized geochemists who need an accurate panorama of other aspects of geochemistry; university professors and students in petroleum geology.

In the first edition of this book, we observed that it had been created to fill a need for a usable "self-contained volume on hydrodynamics" (and hydrogeology) that was written specifically for the petroleum industry, but could also serve the earth science community in general. When the first edition was published (1982), M. K. Hubbert, the father of petroleum hydrodynamics, was approaching the final stages of his very productive career. For this reason, the book served as a vehicle to amplify his concepts and spread and stimulate applications of some of his theories and methods throughout the exploration sectors of the petroleum industry. This was accomplished by blending discussions of Hubbert's concepts with some of the procedures used by industry specialists to answer practical oil and gas questions. The simple aim of the book was to bring this material to the fingertips of working geologists and geophysicists, who were "evaluating the hydrocarbon possibilities in larger exploration regions or assessing the potential of small, local subsurface oil and gas prospects. " It was also hoped that by treating areas of conceptual overlap between petroleum geology and ground water hydrology, workers in both disciplines would be brought into closer contact, resulting in mutual benefits gained through healthy scientific and technical interaction. This remains our objective in the second edition, although it has become apparent that additional material is needed to satisfactorily achieve it. The size of this volume reflects the new subject matter.

The book offers a modern, comprehensive, and holistic view of natural gas seepage, defined as the visible or invisible flow of gaseous hydrocarbons from subsurface sources to Earth’s surface. Beginning with definitions, classifications for onshore and offshore seepage, and fundamentals on gas migration mechanisms, the book reports the latest findings for the global distribution of gas seepage and describes detection methods. Seepage implications are discussed in relation to petroleum exploration, environmental impacts (hazards, pollution, atmospheric emissions, and past climate change), emerging scientific issues (abiotic gas and methane on Mars), and the role of seeps in ancient cultures. With an updated bibliography and an integrated analysis of available data, the book offers a new fundamental awareness - gas seepage is more widespread than previously thought and influences all of Earth’s external “spheres”, including the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and anthroposphere.