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The goal of Petroleum Exploration is to gather enough information
to decide which areas are most likely to contain oil and gas
GEOLOGICAL MAPPING AND PROSPECTING
reserves, and then manage the drilling and testing processes to
extract those resources. Geological Mapping – provides a detailed picture of the subsurface
geology and identifying potential traps that may contain
IMPORTANCE OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
hydrocarbons. Geological maps are essential tools for prioritizing
 By finding new reservoirs, exploration ensures continues areas for further exploration and guiding drilling activities. They
supply of these essential resources for our energy needs. provide guidance for selecting drilling locations, predicting reservoir
 It provides valuable information about the subsurface depths, and understanding the potential production characteristics
geology, allowing the oil and gas companies to make of a reservoir.
informed decisions about drilling locations. This helps to
Geological Prospecting – apply techniques to locate and evaluate
reduce the risk of drilling dry wells, saving time, money and
potential oil and gas reservoirs.
environmental impact.
STAGES OF A TYPICAL EXPLORATION PROGRAM
Seismic survey – most common method of geophysical survey
1. Initial Evaluation – usually takes 2 years. During this stage,
which uses sound waves to image the subsurface, revealing
geologists and geophysicists gather and analyze data from
potential traps and geological anomalies.
various sources, such as historical records, geological
maps, satellite imagery, and geophysical surveys. Based on
this data, they evaluate the geological characteristics of the
area, looking for indicators that may suggest the presence of EXPLORATION TECHNIQUES
oil and gas reservoirs.  Remote Sensing
2. Geological Survey – 1 to 1 and a half year. The goal of this  Magnetic Method
stage is to refine the understanding of the geology of the  Gravity Method
area and to further assess the potential for oil and gas  Seismic Method
accumulation. This information is used to identify  Biomarker Analysis – involves identifying and analyzing
prospective drilling targets and to plan exploration drilling specific organic compounds, known as biomarkers, that
programs. are derived from the alteration of plant and animal
3. Geophysical Survey- 1 year. Provide valuable insights into remains.
the subsurface structure, rock properties, and potential traps  Isotope ratio Analysis
that may contain hydrocarbons.
4. Drilling – conducted to obtain core samples.
GRAVITY SURVEYING SEISMIC SURVEYING
- Measures the change in rock density by looking at changes - Involves sending strong pressure/sound waves through the
in gravity. Earth’s surface and then receiving the reflected waves of the
- The strength of the gravitational field is directly proportional various surfaces of the subsurface rock layers.
to density of the subsurface materials. - Sound waves can be generated or created using huse land
In simpler terms, the stronger the Earth’s gravity pull in a vibrators or explosives.
particular area, the more likely it is that denser rocks, which - Seismograph: records the arrival of seismic waves with
may contain hydrocarbons, are present beneath the surface. respect to time.
- Gravimeter is used to measure the variations in the Earth’s Geophone: small receivers that detect and convert the
gravitational field. (Common types of gravimeters used in mechanical energy (wave) to electrical voltages.
the industry: Worden and Scintrex)
TYPES OF SEISMIC SURVEYING

GRAVIMETRIC PROSPECTING
1. Seismic refraction – occurs when the sound wave travels
Scientists use special instruments called gravimeters to through an upper medium and along an interface and then
measure tiny changes in the Earth’s gravity. They measure the back to the surface. It provides information about the
gravity over a large area and create a map showing the strength thickness and depth of rock layers.
of the gravity in different places. 2. Seismic reflection – occurs when the sound wave travels
down to geological interface and then reflects back to the
surface. It provides information about the subsurface
MAGNETOMETRIC PROSPECTING structure and the presence of potential oil and gas
reservoirs.
- Geophysical method that utilizes variations in the Earth’s
magnetic field to identify subsurface features and resources.
In petroleum exploration, Magnetometers are used to
DRILLING WELL
identify subsurface structures that can act s traps for oil and
gas. These structures, such as anticlines, faults, and salt - Aimed to confirm the presence of the petroleum
domes, can cause local disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic accumulation.
field, which can be detected by magnetometers.
WELL LOGGING
The process of measuring and recording physical properties of rock
formations penetrated by a borehole.

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The goal of Petroleum Exploration is to gather enough information

TYPES OF SEISMIC SURVEYING

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