GrayStone Exploration Labs, Inc
Founded in 1982 GrayStone Exploration Labs has a data base of
more than 300,000 soil samples analyzed for iodine and other
components. Most are for oil and gas geochemical exploration
surveys but also included surveys for uranium and gold. Samples
have been analyzed from Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South
America, and a number of islands. Much of the data base is from
North America and the United States. Geochemistry has come a
long way over the last 30 years and GrayStone continues to provide
high quality geochemical services.
more than 300,000 soil samples analyzed for iodine and other
components. Most are for oil and gas geochemical exploration
surveys but also included surveys for uranium and gold. Samples
have been analyzed from Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South
America, and a number of islands. Much of the data base is from
North America and the United States. Geochemistry has come a
long way over the last 30 years and GrayStone continues to provide
high quality geochemical services.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Geochemical Questions
1) What is Surface Geochemistry? The detection of hydrocarbons, at the surface, which have leaked
from underlying deposits.
from underlying deposits.
3) Do hydrocarbon deposits really leak? Yes, most of them. Although seismic dominates exploration
now, prior to the 1930's, most oil was found by tracking oil seeps, Tracking invisible micro seepage using
analytical chemistry is a natural extension of this very successful exploration method.
now, prior to the 1930's, most oil was found by tracking oil seeps, Tracking invisible micro seepage using
analytical chemistry is a natural extension of this very successful exploration method.
4) Does this only apply to shallow deposits? No,we have detected a surface signature for an oil
deposit at more than 10,000 feet, and other researches have reported successful detection of leakage
from even deeper sources.
deposit at more than 10,000 feet, and other researches have reported successful detection of leakage
from even deeper sources.
2) Can I use geochemistry everywhere? No, some environments are to extreme to use some tools.
Iodine Questions
1) What does iodine have to do with hydrocarbons? Many different elements become involved in the
oxidation processes surrounding the leaking hydrocarbons. Iodine is a very reactive element and has a
tremendous affinity for organic compounds. See Iodine.
oxidation processes surrounding the leaking hydrocarbons. Iodine is a very reactive element and has a
tremendous affinity for organic compounds. See Iodine.
2) Is iodine as good as other geochemical methods I have heard about? In some ways it may be
better, many tools have certain advantages that are unique, iodine is one of the best general tools.
better, many tools have certain advantages that are unique, iodine is one of the best general tools.
3) Does rain wash it away? No, the compounds produced by the combination of the hydrocarbons and
iodine are insoluble.
iodine are insoluble.
4) Does road salt cause a problem? No, iodine is added to table salt to prevent goiter but natural rock
salt has almost no iodine.
salt has almost no iodine.
5) Why do you sample the surface, wouldn't soil a few inches or feet down be better? No, soil is a
very complex system and the only place in the soil profile that you can be certain of is the very top of the A
horizon. Arbitrary sampling depths measure a variety of unknowable subsurface conditions. Also the
surface allows the integration of multiple sample locations for each measurement.
very complex system and the only place in the soil profile that you can be certain of is the very top of the A
horizon. Arbitrary sampling depths measure a variety of unknowable subsurface conditions. Also the
surface allows the integration of multiple sample locations for each measurement.
Exploration Philosophy
1) Why don't you offer hydrocarbon methods like everyone else? I have never been convinced that
hydrocarbon techniques are as good as iodine and other soil modification techniques. Hydrocarbons are
volatile, reactive and difficult to contain and measure. The retention, flux rate and complex chemistry of
hydrocarbons in the soil have barely been investigated much less quantified.
hydrocarbon techniques are as good as iodine and other soil modification techniques. Hydrocarbons are
volatile, reactive and difficult to contain and measure. The retention, flux rate and complex chemistry of
hydrocarbons in the soil have barely been investigated much less quantified.
2) Does geochemistry ever fail? Of course, everything fails. Geochemistry fails less often than seismic,
however it rarely is alowed a single failure. I talked to a geologist who had a prospect in Nevada with both
a seismic and a geochemical anomaly, after drilling a dry hole he said he would not use geochemistry
again. I asked him how was he going to continue to explore if he didn't use geochemistry or seismic?
Without missing a beat he simply said, "I'm still using seismic".
however it rarely is alowed a single failure. I talked to a geologist who had a prospect in Nevada with both
a seismic and a geochemical anomaly, after drilling a dry hole he said he would not use geochemistry
again. I asked him how was he going to continue to explore if he didn't use geochemistry or seismic?
Without missing a beat he simply said, "I'm still using seismic".
3) How many samples should I take? The simplest answer is, as many as you can. The more practical
answer is the minimum number sufficient to define the prospect. One of the reasons I prefer simple low
cost tools is that often more samples will be taken, increasing the chances of correctly detecting and
interpreting the actual geochemical signature.
answer is the minimum number sufficient to define the prospect. One of the reasons I prefer simple low
cost tools is that often more samples will be taken, increasing the chances of correctly detecting and
interpreting the actual geochemical signature.
