Application of trace metal anomalies for recognition of petroleum prospects in surface sediments of Kutch and Saurashtra Basins, India

Seepage of hydrocarbons, either as macroseepage or microseepage, can set up near-surface oxidation-reduction zones that favour the development of a diverse array of chemical and mineralogic changes. In this study trace metal alterations were mapped that appear to be associated with hydrocarbon microseepages in the oil/gas fields. A total of 210 soil samples were collected from near surface sediments of Kutch and Saurashtra Basins, India. The soil samples were collected from a depth of 2–2.5 m. The paper reports the chemical alterations associated with trace metals in soils that are related to hydrocarbon microseepages above the Kutch and Saurashtra Basins, India. The soil samples for trace metals; Scandium (Sc), Vanadium (V), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Barium (Ba) and Strontium (Sr) were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations of the trace elements ranged between for Sc (12.69 to 21.91 ppm), V (109.20 to 436.05 ppm), Cr (87.15 to 481.57 ppm), Co (18.25 to 64.31 ppm), Ni (57.55 to 263.15 ppm), Cu (44.88 to 143.96 ppm), Zn (137.60 to 502.31 ppm), Ba (149.27 to 921.46 ppm) and Sr (143.93 to 425.63 ppm) were obtained. It was observed that trace elements concentrations were tremendously increased when compared with normal concentration in the soils. The adsorbed soil gas analysis showed the presence of high concentrations of ΣC₂₊ (C₂H₆, C₃H₈ and n-C₄H₁₀) ranged between 1 to 121 ppb respectively. Integrated studies of trace elements over adsorbed light gaseous hydrocarbon (ΣC₂₊) anomalies showed good correlation. The carbon isotopic composition of δ¹³C₁ of the samples ranges between — 36.6 ‰ to ?22.7‰ (Pee Dee Belemnite) suggest thermogenic source for hydrocarbon gases. The increase in trace metal concentrations near oil/gas producing areas, suggests that soil chemical change to a reducing environment, presumably due to the influence of hydrocarbon microseepage, which could be applied with other geo-scientific data to identify areas of future hydrocarbon exploration in the frontier areas.     

Correlation of trace elements with hydrocarbon microseepage

Direct correlation have been observed between certain trace element and hydrocarbon anomalies in the near subsurface soils of Vindhyan basin, India. This relationship with hydrocarbon is very useful in hydrocarbon exploration. 52 soil samples from Vindhyan basin were collected from a depth of 2.5m. All the soil samples were analyzed for light hydrocarbon, isotope and trace element concentrations. The adsorbed light gaseous hydrocarbon analyses show the presence of methane (8–328 ppb), ethane (0–27 ppb) and propane (0–11 ppb) respectively and these values indicate the presence of hydrocarbon micro-seepage in the study area. The carbon isotopic values determined for methane and ethane for these soil samples are (?26.41 to ?47.70 ‰ PDB) and (?20.07 to ?35.30 ‰ PDB) respectively and they are thermogenic in nature. The trace element concentrations of nickel (33–220 ppm), vanadium (72–226 ppm), copper (20–131 ppm), chromium (94–205 ppm), zinc (66–561 ppm) and cobalt (9–39 ppm) have higher than the normal concentrations in soils. Trace element concentrations are used to plot with the data obtained from light gaseous hydrocarbon concentrations and carbon isotopic values of soil samples of the Vindhyan basin. Trace element anomalies have been observed around the hydrocarbon anomalies in the study area.     

Geo-microbial prospecting studies of surface sediments from petroliferous region of the Mehsana Block,North Cambay Basin

Surface adsorbed gas surveys and geo-microbiological surveys are well known techniques of petroleum exploration and aim towards risk reduction in exploration by way of identifying the areas warm with hydrocarbons and to establish inter-se exploration priorities amongst the identified warm areas. The thermogenic surface adsorbed gaseous hydrocarbons distribution patterns in petroliferous areas are considered to be a credible evidence for the upward migration of hydrocarbons. The present investigation aims to explore correlation between the adsorbed gas distribution pattern and microbial oxidizers in identifying the upward migration of hydrocarbons especially in the tropical black soil terrain of known petroliferous Mehsana Block of North Cambay Basin, India. A set of 135 sub-soil samples collected, were analyzed for indicator hydrocarbon oxidizing bacteria, adsorbed light gaseous hydrocarbons and carbon isotope ratios (¹³C_methane and δ¹³C_ethane). The microbial prospecting studies showed the presence of high bacterial population for methane (5.4 × 10⁶ cfu/gm), ethane (5.5 × 10⁶ cfu/gm), propane (4.6 × 10⁶ cfu/gm) and butane oxidizing bacteria (4.6 × 10⁶ cfu/gm) in soil samples. The light gaseous hydrocarbon analysis showed that the concentration ranges of C₁, C₂, C₃, iC₄ and nC₄ are 402 ppb, 135 ppb, 70 ppb, 9 ppb and 18 ppb, respectively, and the value of carbon isotope ranges of methane ?29.5 to ?43.0‰ (V-PDB) and ethane ?19.1 to ?20.9‰ (V-PDB). The existence of un-altered petroliferous microseep (δ¹³C, ?43‰) of catagenetic origin is observed in the study area. Geo-microbial prospecting method and adsorbed soil gas and carbon isotope studies have shown good correlation with existing oil/gas fields of Mehsana. Microbial surveys can independently precede other geochemical and geophysical surveys to delineate area warm with hydrocarbons, and mapped microbiological anomalies may provide focus for locales of hydrocarbon accumulation in the Mehsana Block of Cambay Basin.     

内蒙古西部额济纳旗及邻区地表油气化探烃类异常的特征

在对额济纳旗及其邻区地表油气化探地质条件分析的基础上,系统分析了地表油气化探剖面酸解烃甲烷与重烃含量、干燥系数、甲烷C同位素等指标的分布特征,区内具有高的烃类背景值和强的烃类异常显示,并具有甲烷C同位素偏重、干燥系数大的特点。结合典型油气藏和不同地质背景的化探异常分析,认为区内存在烃源岩演化程度不同的2套含油气系统,以与高成熟—过成熟烃源岩有关的烃类化探异常显示或混源油气藏（或复合油气藏）的烃类化探异常显示为主。     

Geochemical exploration for hydrocarbons in the soils of southeast of Krishna-Godavari Basin, Andhra Pradesh

Surface adsorbed gas surveys and geo-microbiological surveys are known techniques of petroleum exploration and aim towards risk reduction in exploration by way of identifying the areas warm with hydrocarbons and to establish intense exploration priorities amongst the identified warm areas. The present investigation aims to explore correlation between the adsorbed gas distribution pattern with the distribution of the counts of methane, ethane, propane and butane microbial oxidizers in the sub soil samples to establish the role of the latter in identifying the upward migration of hydrocarbons especially in the known petroliferous Krishna-Godavari Basin, India. A total of 135 soil samples were collected near oil and gas fields of Tatipaka, Pasarlapudi areas of Krishna Godavari Basin, Andhra Pradesh. The soil samples were collected from a depth of 2?C2.5 m. The samples collected, were analyzed for indicator hydrocarbon oxidizing bacteria, adsorbed light gaseous hydrocarbons and carbon isotopes (??¹³C_methane). The microbial prospecting studies showed the presence of high bacterial population for methane (3.94 × 10⁵ cfu/gm), ethane (3.85 × 10⁵ cfu/gm), propane (4.85 × 10⁵ cfu/gm) and butane oxidizing bacteria (3.63 × 10⁵ cfu/gm) in soil samples indicating microseepage of hydrocarbons. The light gaseous hydrocarbon analysis showed 83 ppb, 92 ppb, 134 ppb, 187 ppb and 316 ppb of C₁, C₂, C₃, nC₄ and nC₅, respectively, and the carbon isotopic composition of ??¹³C₁ of the samples ranged between ? 36.6 ?? to ?22.7?? (Pee Dee Belemnite) values, which presents convincing evidence that the adsorbed soil gases collected from these sediments are of thermogenic origin. Geo-microbial prospecting method and adsorbed soil gas and carbon isotope studies have shown good correlation with existing oil/ gas fields of K.G basin. Microbial surveys indicating microseepage of hydrocarbons can, therefore, independently precede other geochemical and geophysical surveys to delineate areas warm with hydrocarbons and mapped microbiological anomalies may provide focus for locales of hydrocarbon accumulation in the K.G basin.     

浅谈吸附烃找油气方法中的干扰因素

吸附烃是油气化探的主要指标之一，它直接反映从油气藏运移出来的烃类气体。应用吸附烃法找地下油气藏应排除地层、地形、地貌景观的干扰异常。不同地层上方土壤中吸附烃含量变化可能与地层沉积时间、沉积环境有关；不同地形、地貌景观下土壤中吸附烃含量异则是由于地化环境（ｐＨ值等）所致。消除这些干扰因素的最简单方法是分区统计背景值，或者用不同异常下限或用衬度值圈定异常。经校正后的异常能更真实可靠地反映油气藏，已在四     

Distribution of trace Hg and its mode of occurrence over Fankou Pb---Zn deposit, Guangdong, China

Blind ore bodies more than 200 m below the surface and ore-bearing faults are clearly indicated by soil-air Hg anomalies through an overburden 20–40 m thick over the Fankou Pb---Zn deposit. The background of soil-air mercury in this area is 50 ng m⁻³ and the highest value encountered is 2000 ng m⁻³. The maximum anomaly to background contrast is 40. The width of anomalies higher than 500 ng m⁻³ can be greater than 600 m. The background Hg in soils of the area is 0.06 ppm and increases to 0.15 ppm where there are soil-air anomalies. The contrast of Hg in soils is only 2.5. Mercury in the unconsolidated overburden is in the form of free gas and is absorbed onto soil colloids such as clay minerals and Fe-Mn oxides. The primary sulphides contain 14–320 ppm Hg where Hg is incorporated isomorphically in sulphide minerals, which is confirmed by microprobe analysis.Based on a systematic analysis of the materials from surface and underground workings for the mode of occurrence of Hg, the authors suggest that the Hg-vapour anomalies in soil-air are the oxidation products of the ore.     

壤中游离气方法及其在油气化探中的应用

油气藏中的轻烃气体能够以微弱但可检出的量近似垂直地渗漏到地表土壤中,其中一部分烃类以游离态赋存在土壤或岩石颗粒空隙中.壤中游离气中的烃类能反映深部油气藏烃类的现代补偿性活跃微渗漏,被认为是油气地球化学勘探的最可靠方法之一.壤中游离气采集是获得第四系沉积层中微渗漏烃类地球化学异常的关键技术.自行研制了便携式游离气采集新装置,具有操作简便、携带方便、密封性好等特点.通过长期实践,总结了土壤游离气保真采集的方法.游离气方法在济阳坳陷惠民凹陷南坡临南—钱官屯地区、塔里木盆地阿克亚苏地区X井区的油气化探应用,获得的游离烃异常较好地反映了油气垂向微渗漏近地表信息,以及下伏油气的分布特征,油气微渗漏异常区与背景区分离明显,表明壤中游离气方法应用效果显著,在油气勘探中值得广泛推广.     

胜利油区某探区土壤吸附烃组份异常成因属性浅析

通过胜利油区某探区烃类组份的相关性特征、三维荧光特征、甲烷碳同位素特征及烃类组份的某些比值特征等 4项参数的对比分析 ,认为该区土壤吸附烃组份异常的成因主要属热解成因的油田伴生气或凝析气 ,基本可排除地表生物降解成因气、人工污染气、煤成气形成异常的可能性。土壤吸附烃组份异常推断为深部油气藏在地表的响应     

新场气田地表微量元素异常分布特征及其成因探讨

油气田上方地表微量元素的分布与油气田的分布有一定的关系,即在气田上方形成环状和顶端异常。通过微量元素与渗漏烃分析,发现新场气田的Cd不仅与烃类相关,而且与Mn聚为一类。利用中子活化分析和原子力显微镜观察不仅发现了天然气中含有微量元素,而且还证明其以钠米微粒的形式被上升气流运载迁移到地表,在气田地表形成微量元素分布异常。     

Magnetic, Geochemical and Mineralogical Charac teristics of Soils in Qiangtang Basin, Tibet, China: Implications for Prospective Oil and Gas Land

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Surface geochemical and biogeochemical expression of base‐metal mineralization at Woodlawn,New South Wales,Australia

The presence of base‐metal mineralization at Woodlawn was first recognised early in 1968 when a roadside reconnaissance geochemical sampling survey, conducted over felsic volcanic rocks in the Goulburn‐Tarago area, encountered anomalous B horizon soils containing up to 200 ppm Cu, 800 ppm Pb and 300 ppm Zn. Regional soil thresholds have been determined at 50 ppm Cu, 90 ppm Pb and 50 ppm Zn. Chip samples from the subsequently located gossan revealed up to 2000 ppm Cu, 8000 ppm Pb and 2000 ppm Zn, 500 ppm Sn, 25 ppm Ag and 3000 ppm As.

The first grid B horizon soil geochemical survey was conducted in 1968 over the gossan and surrounding area, and repeated with closer spaced sampling in the first half of 1970. The first survey delineated strong Cu (to 1000 ppm) and Pb (to 2500 ppm) anomalies coincident with the gossan zone, and intense hydromorphic zinc anomalies (to 3000 ppm) located down slope from the gossan in residual clay‐soils derived from dolerite bedrock. Threshold values have been determined at 140 ppm Cu, 700 ppm Pb and 580 ppm Zn. Ag and Sn in B horizon soils show pronounced anomalies coincident with the gossan and are suitable metals for geochemical target definition. Of fourteen trace elements determined in 1974 from B and C horizon soils on two lines across the ore zone Cu, Pb, Zn, Se, Ba, Sn and Ag show direct correlation with the mineralization, whereas Cd and Mn show moderate hydromorphic dispersion, having accumulated principally in clay soils derived from dolerite weathering. As, Sb and Bi, whilst responding over the ore zone, show elevated values in soils over hanging‐wall units; Ni and Co show maximum levels in soils over dolerite bedrock.

Bark and leaves of Acacia mearnsii, collected from a line across the gossan, contain anomalous levels of Cu, Pb, Zn, Sn and Ti near the ore zone, and weaker, but clearly anomalous Mn and Ni levels over dolerite bedrock. Both bark and leaves of Acacia mearnsii reflect the presence of concealed mineralization. The shrub Solanum linearifolium grows preferentially over and close to the Woodlawn ore zone, where it contains up to 840 ppm Cu, 250 ppm Pb, 7300 ppm Zn, 6 ppm Sn and 250 ppm Ti in leaf ash compared with levels of 200 ppm Cu, 2 ppm Pb, 400 ppm Zn, 0.8 ppm Sn and 60 ppm Ti in plants growing 1.5 km from the ore zone. This shrub has potential as an indicator of base‐metal mineralization.     

Natural radioelement concentration in the Troodos Ophiolite Complex of Cyprus

High-resolution γ-ray spectrometry was exploited to determine naturally occurring thorium (Th), uranium (U) and potassium (K) elemental concentrations in the whole area covered by the Troodos Ophiolite Complex of Cyprus. For that purpose, a total of 59 samples from surface soils and 10 from the main rock formations of the region of interest were analysed. Elemental concentrations were determined for Th (range from 2.5×10⁻³ to 2.0 ppm), U (from 8.1×10⁻⁴ to 0.6 ppm), and K (from 1.3×10⁻⁴% to 1.0%). The average values (A.M±S.D.) derived are (0.24±0.34) ppm, (0.10±0.10) ppm and (0.21±0.24)%, for Th, U, and K, respectively, in the soils, and (0.52±0.17) ppm, (0.17±0.11) ppm and (0.49±0.87)% in the rocks. From these values, a radioactivity (radioelement) loss of nearly 50% is estimated in the underlying surface soils due to leaching and eluviation during weathering of the rocks. The measured Th/U ratio exhibits values between 2 and 4, whereas the K/Th ratio is highly variable ranging between 1.5×10³ and 3.0×10⁴.     

Detailed geochemical studies of a He-U lake anomaly in permafrost, Baker Lake Area, N.W.T.

A strong He-U anomaly, discovered in the Thelon basin of the N.W.T. during a regional U exploration program in 1981, was studied in detail in 1982. The anomaly is confined to a 3-km² lake situated 160 km northwest of Baker Lake. Lake bottom water and sediment samples taken in June through the ice on a 50 m × 50 m grid, were analyzed for a number of trace and minor elements.In the lake sediments He and U were highly anomalous and parallel the strong anomaly patterns of He observed in the water. Median and maximum values in the sediments were 57 ppm and 396 ppm U, and 296 nL/L and 13870 nL/L He. Regional medians were 4.3 ppm U and 50 nL/L He. Se and V in sediments gave weak but similar anomaly patterns to those observed for U and He.The anomaly is somewhat of an enigma. The unusually high U content indicates an oxidizing, hence, near surface, water regime, and the highly anomalous He flux into the lake and a thick cover of permafrost in the region indicate a very deep source where conditions are normally reducing, rendering U immobile.Coincident anomaly patterns and increasing concentrations with depth of minor and trace elements and gases in the lake water prove that groundwater is the source of the anomalies. Contoured element maps indicate that this groundwater enters the lake in at least four places.The fact that up to 35 ppb U, 6 ppm dissolved O₂ and virtually no Fe and Mn, were detected in lake waters above groundwater entry points indicates that the groundwaters were oxidizing with respect to these elements. This is indeed surprising because permafrost is believed to be about 300 m thick in the region; at such depths groundwaters are usually rich in Fe and void of U.The highly anomalous He in this lake indicates deep fractures which serve as conduits for mineralized water entering the lake from depth and creating a frost-free window in the permafrost. The fractures probably penetrate well into the basement for only major deep fractures are known to produce such strong He anomalies. The additional presence of anomalous U suggests U mineralization at depth.     

油气化探技术在川西坳陷油气勘探中的应用

自“七五”以来,为配合四川盆地的油气勘探,在川西坳陷开展了一系列油气化探工作,对该区油气的发现起到了重要作用。川西坳陷的地质条件有利于微渗漏烃类以较高浓度赋存于土壤中,从而有利于油气地球化学探测方法的使用。选择有代表性的大型气田——新场气田进行近地表地球化学场特征与石油地质关系解剖,结果表明气田上方近地表地球化学异常是客观存在的,与本区独特的地质环境相对应,并优选出勘探天然气的有效指标组合。这些有效的油气化探方法在川西天然气富集区的预测中同样效果显著,以川西新都-金堂地区油气化探详查为例,许多化探异常经钻探后证实具有工业油气流。上述研究表明,油气化探技术在川西坳陷具有良好的应用前景。     

硫化氢、相态烃和自然电位法综合测量勘查油气田方法

经近几年试验,我们提出用土壤吸附硫化氢气体作指标,勘查油气田新方法.并将它和相态烃法、自然电位法相配合,在已知油气田开展了试验,取得令人十分满意的效果.油气藏中含有大量硫化氢气体及含硫有机化合物.油气垂直微渗漏到近地表时,硫化物气体也随伴而至.运移过程中,硫化氢气体及含硫化合物在细菌及氧气作用下会发生一系列复杂的化学变化,如生成硫酸盐等,但经已知油气田试验结果表明,在油气藏上方近地表土壤中仍保留有明显的硫化氢气体异常,而且异常形态有一定的模式,有环状、半环状、片部和带状等不同形态.异常均和下伏油气藏或断裂构造相吻合,表明硫化氢气体测量法是勘查油气田的有效方法.更引人注目的是,它和相态烃、自然电位异常吻合的很好,异常均出现在油藏上方,表明综合使用这三种方法将会取得更好的找油气效果.     

埕宁隆起北斜坡的地表油气地球化学特征

根据甲烷碳同位素法和烃类比值法分析判断该区地表烃类异常主要由深部油气活动所产生。各地球化学指标特征均具有北强南弱的特点 ,表明油气运移方向是由北向南 ,油气来源于北部的黄骅坳陷     

第四纪沉积物磁性勘查油气法的原理及应用

本文介绍了利用第四纪沉积物磁性调查油气的原理,地下油气藏会在近地表第四纪沉积物中产生磁性矿物并形成多种磁性参量异常。检验了形成磁性异常的磁性矿物的种类;发现了油田地区土壤中存在着趋磁细菌。在5个油田地区近450km²范围应用该方法调查油气分布的研究结果表明,各种磁性异常(κ、Mn、Mr、Ir、Iκ)呈综合异常的形式,它们的形成及分布特征受油气活动、通道及环境条件的控制。实际资料证实,磁性综合异常能反映油田地区油气活动的分布状态。该方法作为综合勘查方法之一,应进一步推广。     

Geochemical and Sr-isotopic characteristics of stream and spring waters from small-forested catchments at Seto,central Japan

Hydrogeochemical processes controlling surface water chemistry were examined in five small (<1.5 km ²) forested catchments that have contrasting bedrock lithologies of granite, and conglomerate, and are distributed in the southeast of Seto district, central Japan. Watersheds developed on these two bedrocks differ in their ability to neutralize atmospheric acid (pH ~4.5) deposition. The study was conducted to (1) characterize the hydrogeochemical processes controlling surface water chemistry, and (2) to elucidate acidification of spring and stream waters using data from three sampling campaigns conducted from August to October 2000. Stream and spring water solutes fall into two general groups according to concentration: alkaline, relatively high pH (5.2–7.7) and high cation concentrations (HCO ₃ ^-, Cl ^-, base cations), and dilute, low pH (4.2–5.5) waters. Concentrations of trace metals (Al, Ba, Sr) showed a strong negative correlation with pH, suggesting the mobility of these metals in the dissolved load of catchments underlain by Tokai conglomerate. The strontium isotope ratio ( ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr) of rock and soil, plant, precipitation, and surface water samples was used to identify different reservoirs within the ecosystem. Low Si concentrations in stream and spring waters from the conglomerate area, with a relatively high pool of SiO ₂, >90 (wt%), suggest slow chemical weathering. The dissolved solute concentrations are generally of similar magnitude in stream waters within the catchments of similar bedrock lithology. The high inverse correlation ( r ²=0.72) between pH and SO ₄ ^– concentrations and the high positive correlation ( r ² =0.90) between Ba and SO ₄ ^– concentrations in waters draining Tokai conglomerate suggest that barite (BaSO ₄) is being dissolved in an acidic environment. The three catchments were identified as being sensitive to acidic deposition because the bedrock conglomerate provided little capacity to buffer acidic inputs. The soils from the granite area have a high cation-exchange capacity (CEC an average of 868 µmol/kg), and are nearly ten times greater than the soils from the conglomerate area. Because ion exchange, besides weathering, is the main source that counteracts soil acidification, the sensitivity to further acidification may increase.     

利用土壤游离烃技术判别油气藏性质及保存条件

摘要：土壤游离烃技术通过直接检测受地表景观介质变化影响小的游离态轻烃异常来获取地下油气信息。塔里木盆地试验区已知油气藏上方具有良好的游离烃化探异常显示,干燥系数在840~1989之间,显示游离烃异常与深部油气的热演化相关。土壤游离烃组分平衡系数、湿度系数、特征系数等指标预测与判断地下油气藏性质的结果与实际地质结果相吻合。近地表游离烃的甲烷/丙烷指标均值高达25~116,由北向南依次增大,说明油气藏埋藏深度依次增大。丁烷异构比和戊烷异构比特征显示雅克拉油气区有机质成熟度最高。结果表明：游离烃的轻烃组分和含量变化特征能够预测与判断地下油气藏的位置、性质、有机质成熟度和保存条件。