Surface geochemistry for onshore oil and gas
We reduce uncertainty and broaden the technical picture for better-informed decisions across exploration, appraisal, development and field revitalization.
Evaluate application in your projectAn independent hydrocarbon-response layer
Passive surface geochemistry records gas-phase hydrocarbon molecules associated with the natural molecular migration of a petroleum system from depth to surface.
At points defined by the survey design, passive adsorption modules are installed to capture this molecular signal — without conventional soil sampling. After retrieval, the modules are handled under chain of custody for laboratory analysis, specialized processing and interpretation.
The resulting compositional patterns become an independent layer of geochemical information that can be integrated with geology, seismic and well data, broadening the technical basis for decisions on exploration, reserves assessment, development and field revitalization.
How a project is delivered
Project data collection and review
Available data, operator objectives and site context define the survey strategy.
Technical survey design
Survey area, sampling grid, calibration points and field requirements — matched to the project objective.
Field geochemical sampling
Passive module installation, GPS, documentation, quality control, module retrieval and chain of custody.
Laboratory analysis and processing
Specialized laboratory analysis and processing of the compositional response captured by the passive modules.
Integrated interpretation and decision support
Results interpreted in the context of operator objectives: a prospectivity map and spatial information for the decision.
Where geochemistry can support an operator’s decision
Every operator has a different technical question. The applications below are independent: a project does not need to go through all of them for the method to be useful.
Screening and prioritization of licence blocks, leads and prospects
Ranking opportunities on the basis of hydrocarbon response before committing a significant technical budget.
Reducing uncertainty ahead of drilling
An independent information layer ahead of costly drilling decisions, taking dry-hole risk into account.
Seismic optimization and integration
Placing 2D lines, focusing 3D acquisition and integrating with existing seismic interpretation.
Reserves assessment and field development
Support for delineation, field extension and prioritization of the next drilling phase.
Mature fields and production optimization
Identifying sweet spots, infill drilling, workovers and revitalization in producing fields.
Complex geology and difficult terrain
Thrust belts, channel sands, multiple petroleum systems, jungle, swamp and rugged terrain — with low impact and minimal surface disturbance.
Reducing economic risk and optimizing CAPEX
An additional technical argument before committing a significant budget — to prioritize drilling and allocate seismic investment.
Documented results across different exploration and production challenges
Three international AGI projects in different technical settings.
Complex geology and drilling risk
BoliviaAndean thrust belt under jungle cover: 2D seismic gave an ambiguous picture, and 3D seismic was not economically justified.
Surface geochemistry correctly classified 5 of 5 wells drilled after the survey.
Sweet spots in a mature field
LithuaniaA producing field with widely varying well productivity and a need to prioritize the next drilling programme.
Three wells were drilled after the survey — in the zones with the highest geochemical probability.
Frontier exploration and seismic optimization
KenyaFrontier Block L19, ~12,000 km², with a single historical well and limited prior information.
Geochemical interpretation identified two distinct petroleum systems and defined the new position of a seismic line.
- 7 geochemical anomalies
- seismic line re-oriented
- 7 of 7 confirmed by the subsequent seismic
Structural features were identified beneath all 7 of 7 anomalies crossed by the new seismic line.
AGI Case Study — RIFT Energy Kenya Exploration Technical NoteOther international AGI projects include Colombia, the Anadarko Basin, Algeria, Arctic settings and jungle/swamp surveys. The results of each project reflect the geology, survey design and data integration specific to that context.
International technical competence for onshore projects in Central Asia and the Caspian region
The technical and field experience behind SGEEurasia dates back to 2007, to passive-sampling surface geochemistry projects. SGEEurasia works in technical partnership with Amplified Geochemical Imaging (AGI) — an international company specializing in passive-sampling surface geochemistry, geochemical interpretation and the technical delivery of such projects.
An independent geochemical layer — ahead of the next capital-intensive decision
Surface geochemistry helps select targets for seismic, drilling and further field development on a firmer basis.