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.
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.
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.
4) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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 at: chuck@graystonelabs.com
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