Frequently Asked Questions
General Geochemical Questions
1) What is Surface Geochemistry? The detection of hydrocarbons, at the surface, which
have leaked from underlying deposits.
have leaked from underlying deposits.
2) 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.
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.
3) Does this only apply to shallow deposits? No, I 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.
oil deposit at more than 10,000 feet, and other researches have reported successful detection of
leakage from even deeper sources.
4) Can I use geochemistry everywhere? No, some environments are to extreme to use some
tools.
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.
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.
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.
may be 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.
hydrocarbons and 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.
natural rock 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 verity of unknowable
subsurface conditions. Also the surface allows the integration of multiple sample locations for
each measurement.
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 verity 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.
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.
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".
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".
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.
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.
I'm always adding to this section. Send me your questions.
GrayStone Exploration Labs, Inc.
| General Info |