Page 239 - Geochemical Remote Sensing of The Sub-Surface

212 V.T. Jones, M.D. Matthews and D. Richers

signal detected is directly correlated to gross subsurface hydrocarbon composition. Thus
surface soil gas prospecting techniques utilising hydrocarbons can be a reliable test for
indicating the presence of subsurface hydrocarbon source and/or accumulation.
Present day exploration for oil and gas requires a coordinated effort based on all
useful techniques of geophysics, geology, and geochemistry. The above discussion on
geochemical-prospecting techniques is useful for exploration geologists and
geophysicists who wish to enhance their exploration activities through the use of surface
geochemistry. We must avoid hailing each new technological advance as a panacea,
because there is no direct method for finding oil and gas. Each exploration tool has its
positive and negative points, and it is up to the explorationist to use these tools properly.
The basic programme is one of economics in an era of rising exploration, developing and
marketing costs. The function of an exploration geologist is to increase the odds of
drilling a producing well by every economic means at his command. Given appropriate
limitations, established geochemical prospecting techniques can be applied to aid a
rational exploration program in any basin in the world.