Detection and mapping of hydrocarbon reservoirs with radar waves
AssigneeExxon Production Research Company
InventorsRichard E. Duren, Roy K. Warren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Radar is used to detect and map near-surface geochemical alteration of rock and soil. The radar waves penetrate a buildup of carbonate and silica on the earth surface above micro-seepage of hydrocarbons dissolved in water. The hydrocarbon source may be an oil or gas reservoir buried many thousands of feet, or it may be from near-surface, man-made features. The thickness and sensitivity of the buildup is related to the size of the underground source or reservoir. Radar echoes from the bottom of the buildup provide a reservoir detection and mapping tool.
Claims22
A method of exploring near-surface layers of earth materials with electromagnetic wave energy to sense from areas of anomalous resistivity in the near-surface layers the presence of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs beneath the earth's surface, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting the electromagnetic wave energy into the earth 's surface to penetrate the near-surface layers of earth materials;
- reflecting the electromagnetic wave energy from interfaces below the areas of anomalous resistivity in the near-surface layers of earth materials;
- gathering data indicating the presence of electromagnetic wave energy reflections from the areas of anomalous resistivity for analysis to indicate the presence of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs.
A method of exploring near-surface earth materials with electromagnetic energy waves for subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs beneath an earthen surface, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting the electromagnetic energy waves into the near-surface earth materials;
- penetrating with the electromagnetic energy waves areas of anomalous resistivity in near-surface earth materials caused by microseepage of hydrocarbon gases from the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs towards the earth surface;
- detecting data indicating the presence of reflections of the electromagnetic energy from the penetrated areas of anomalous resistivity so that the reflection data may be analyzed for the presence of the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs.
A method of exploring near-surface layers of materials beneath earthen surfaces with electromagnetic energy waves for areas of anomalous near-surface resistivity which indicate the presence of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting the electromagnetic waves into the near-surface layers to penetrate areas of anomalous resistivity indicative of geochemical changes in near surface earth materials from microseepage of hydrocarbon gases from the subsurface reservoirs;
- and
- detecting data indicative of reflections of the electromagnetic energy from interfaces below the areas of anomalous resistivity for analysis for the presence of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.