Petro-Find Geochem Ltd is inviting proposals from industry and governments to participate in the development of new concepts and methodologies for hydrocarbon exploration in Western Canada. The objective is to bring oil and gas exploration to a higher level of expertise and discovery, especially in risky and frontier areas. New concepts and methods are applicable to environmental assessments as well. Some of these exploration and environmental approaches are based on the application of already available Petro-Find soil gas technology, while others require development and application of different sampling and analytical technologies.

The “ mature” nature of the WCSB has lead companies to seek new production sources such as complex and deeper reservoir targets, fractured reservoirs, tight sands, so-called shale gas, coal bed methane, heavy oil extraction, enhanced oil recovery, and frontier areas like the Mackenzie Basin. The successful exploration and development of these resources depend on “pushing the envelope” with traditional technologies as well as developing new concepts, including the incorporation of new sampling and analytical methods. Soil gas surveys can be considered a new technology in this context because it has been used only minimally by the Canadian industry. The new methods being proposed simply provide another layer of information to reduce the increased risks associated with exploration of these new production sources.

New concepts can be based on either already available soil gas geochemical methods, or new sampling and analytical methods including portable and in situ equipment. Instruments ranging from high performance gas chromatographs with sophisticated detectors to spectrometers are already available from numerous manufacturers to measure hydrocarbons in soils and water. The following technologies are of particular interest (see below for their application): H2S and aromatics/PAH analysis of soils/gases/water; XRF detection of heavy metals to locate diagenetic traps; and TDLAS/Thermographic applications for assessment of pipeline integrity.

The new concepts and methods of particular interest include:

• Integration with Seismic. Petro-Find would welcome: close collaboration with seismic companies; contracts with oil and gas exploration companies for precursor soil gas surveys in frontier areas; post-seismic surveys to provide another layer of information to reduce risk of drilling programs.

  The discovery ratio can reach a higher plateau by integrating 3D and other seismic methods with soil gas surveys. This type of survey is the only feasible low-cost tool for assessing the oil and gas potential of large areas, acting as a precursor to 3D seismic surveys. It is well recognized that 3D seismic has made a major contribution to the increase in the discovery ratio in the last decade or so. However, seismic never has been a suitable tool for reconnaissance nor for the evaluation of large areas with little exploration, mainly because of costs. It also has major limitations such as imaging of thin or deeply-dipping reservoirs. A new sophisticated seismic technology - digital, full-wave technolgy - promises to overcome many of the shortcomings of 3D, but it too would benefit from precursor soil gas surveys as it is not suitable as a reconnaissance tool.

• Intermontane Basin Exploration in BC.Petro-Find is prepared to enter into joint ventures with exploration companies and others to assess the oil and gas potential of BC intermontane basins. This type of project would typically begin with Proof of Concept studies, including the development of new sampling and analytical methods technologies unique to these areas. Given positive results, full-scale soil gas surveys utilizing a mobile laboratory would be conducted.

  The Government of BC has in place a strategy to identify new energy development opportunities in its virtually unexplored regions of the Province. This would include the Bowser, Sustut and Nechako intermontane northwest-trending basins in the interior of the Province. These huge areas have been only sparsely explored in the past with seismic and drilling. Baseline studies have been commissioned, mostly relating to geological and resource potential. Currently Geoscience BC, mandated by the Government to attract investment in mineral and oil/gas resources through applied geoscience work, is requesting proposals on a matching fund basis. This group expressed particular interest in geochemical and geophysical exploration technology development to overcome the challenge of volcanic and glacial cover in central BC.

• Government-sponsored geochemical surveys. Petro-find is interested in contract surveys with governments and industry groups for large undertakings. These types of surveys would require the close coordination with government geoscience groups beginning with Proof of Concept followed by systematic surveys using a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory equipped with appropriate analytical instruments. Other sampling and analytical methods could be tested as well. The costs would be far outweighed by increased revenue accruing from resultant higher exploration activity and discovery. These costs could be shared by industry who may have a land position in those specific areas.

  Governments can play a major role in kickstarting oil and gas exploration in their jurisdictions. The four Western Provinces and the Federal Government have in the past conducted large-scale cartographic, airphoto, geologic, magnetic and other surveys to stimulate exploration activity, both mineral and hydrocarbon. This baseline data should be supplemented by soil gas surveys as well as application of new sampling/analytical technologies to enhance exploration efforts and expand the potential for discovery. Such surveys may be Province wide in nature or focused on specific areas such as:

  • Disturbed belt and deep basin in Alberta for oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas. Soil gas surveys for light hydrocarbons would be supplemented by the development and application of new sampling/analytical methods for H2S and Aromatics/PAH to provide another layer of information ;

  • Mackenzie Basin NWT, N. Alberta, NE BC for oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas. Current soil gas methods would be used where soils are dry, but the large area of muskeg and wet areas would require development and application of entirely new technolgies such as fluorescent spectrometry combined with fiber optic probes. The technology for sampling and analysis of permafrost for hydrocarbon seepage is available commercially, but is relatively expensive. Any undertaking to conduct geochemical exploration in the NWT would begin with a precursor PROOF OF CONCEPT study.

  • Heavy oil district in W. Sask. and E. Alberta for stratigraphic traps.

  • Large biogenic gas areas in SW Saskatchewan and SE Alberta for underlying oil reservoirs in incised valleys.

  • The WCSB and Williston Basin to test whether microseep signals from oil bearing horizons are masked by shallower Devonian Elk Point Group and anhydrite Formations.

  • NE Alberta and NW Saskatchewan to ascertain whether bituminous sands and their quality can be detected by soil gas surveys.

  • The WCSB and Williston Basin to ascertain whether X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology, which measures low concentrations of metals in soils, can detect diagenetic gas traps as well as kimberlites. Soil gas surveys also may find kimberlites if hydrocarbon anomalies are associated with kimberlites emplaced in sedimentary rocks.

• Environmental. Petro-Find is inviting proposals from industry and governments to participate in the development of new concepts and methodologies for environmental assessments in Western Canada. Of particular interest in this context are: (1)Use of various technologies and methods to ascertain the aerial extent, pattern and volume of upward migration of CO2 and light hydrocarbons resulting from CBM, ECBM and EOR projects; and (2)Adaptation of new technologies and development of new methods to locate leakages from pipelines transmitting oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids.

  • Environmental assessment of CBM, ECBM and EOR projects. While the CO2 Miscible Flooding project at Weyburn, Saskatchewan has shown the feasibility of sequestering CO2 in deep-seated reservoirs, it remains to be seen whether this methodology is applicable for other reservoirs in the Williston Basin and the WCSB. CO2 might become more available from CO2 capture and distribution by pipeline from bitumen processing. Important parameters to consider include: depth of reservoir, type of reservoir, cap rock integrity, existence of shallower impermeable anhydrite formations, and fractures/faults. Petro-Find is prepared to provide first assessments of any leakage patterns from vertical migration(starting with Proof of Concept), followed by assistance to governments for the establishment of protocols and Best Practices for these types of projects.

    Petro-Find already has the requisite technologies to assess the areal extent or patterns of CO2 and hydrocarbon leakages from EOR and ECBM projects. However, current instruments and methods used to measure flux, which is the volume of gas actually reaching the atmosphere from the vadose zone, could be improved and modified.

    The oil and gas industry is expected to face a stricter environmental regime for all activities, both downstream and upstream. As CO2 is the prime suspect in Global Warming, its capture from various industrial sources and sequestering of this gas in EOR and ECBM operations, is of paramount importance.

    CO2 capture from coal gasification, coal-fired power plants, and heavy oil/bituminous sand processing as well as provision of an extensive CO2 pipeline network would be a costly procedure and only partially balanced by increased revenues from higher oil production levels from ECBM and CO2 Miscible Flooding projects. To assure that CO2 is trapped and not vented to the atmosphere in ECBM and EOR projects, soil gas surveys should be conducted on an ongoing basis throughout the year and for the life of the projects.

  • Technologies for assessment of pipeline integrity. Petro-Find welcomes contracts with pipeline companies and governments to develop better technology and methods for finding leaks in natural gas and oil pipelines along right-of-ways to prevent ruptures and maximize throughput.

    The high pressure of pipelines (as much as 100-140 bars for natural gas and 10 bars for oil)) and the corrosion from hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide. oxygen and even microbes can cause spills or failures with tremendous consequences. Assessment is particulary important for older pipelines with steels that are more vulnerable to corrosion than the high-alloy steels used today. Inspection methods are not the same for oil and gas pipelines, mainly because of different pressures and the commodities carried. Numerous commercial methods exist and are being developed for both internal and external inspection of pipelines. However, Petro-Find is only interested in developing sensing methods because, in our view, these have the best chance of locating incipient leaks before major ruptures occur.

    Canada's vast network of natural gas pipelines need to be inspected on a continuous basis from year to year to prevent incidents. Current methods for locating leaks include: walking with various handheld gas “sniffers”; low flying planes and helicopters with spectrometers; and open path laser technology. Currently, the hand-held sniffers based on flame ionization technology are the most common tools for detecting leaks. But to sense Methane, a sniffer must physically probe into the gas-filled area or plume. Leak surveyors need to walk above each gas pipeline, sometimes in areas impossible to access. This process is very labor intensive, often hazardous and very impractical in view of the fact that over a half million kilometers of gas pipelines would need to be assessed each year.

    Aerial and open path techniques (including truck mounted Optical Methane Detectors) have their unique problems as well. Aerial spectrometer surveys can be inaccurate because plumes from pipeline leaks are affected spatially by cross winds and are unable to detect incipient problems where cracks are just beginning to develop. Widely used open path laser infrared technology, which can assess as much as 1000 meters at a time, has limited application because of cross winds, topography, dust and the sinuous nature of pipelines. Any positive readings from airplane and open path surveys need to be followed up with a hand-held sniffer to localize the leaks. Electrically run equipment including trucks and instruments can cause explosions in cases of major ruptures when the lower explosive limit is exceeded.

    TDLAS may be the best option to assess the integrity of gas pipelines, but infra-red thermography shows a great deal of promise. The Remote Methane Leak Detector(RMLD), a commercial instrument based on TDLAS technology, can locate external leaks in gas pipelines. A hand-held device, it can detect leaks up to 100 feet away allowing remote detection of gases in hard-to-reach areas and difficult terrain. However, it is not as effective in open fields because the laser beam needs to be reflected by back scattering to deduce the presence of anomalous methane in its path. Therefore, modifications are required for its full application.

    Current oil pipeline leak detection includes direct or indirect visual methods such as aerial patrol, third party reports and inspections by employees. However, oil pipelines are usually buried and leaks are not easily detectable until major spills occur. Leak detection devices, such as combustible gas detectors, hydrocarbon sensing cables and computerized monitoring, are employed. Dogs have been also trained for this purpose. A leak detection system now in use for oil field pipelines on the North Slope of Alaska as well as the trans-Alaska pipeline, involves the detection of minor changes in pipeline pressure and volumes. However, current systems are ineffective with very small leaks that could presage large spills. The oil pipeline industry is highly dependent on sophisticated internal methods to locate incipient cracks and corrosion.

    Crude oil pipeline leaks, even in cold climates, release hydrocarbon gases, including ethane, into the environment. Various hand-held detectors and instruments for aerial detection of ethane are commercially available, but the systems face some of the same problems as those used for gas pipeline assessments. Fast, accurate, highly sensitive and low-cost technologies for sensing of oil pipeline leaks does not appear to be available commercially at the present time. Any development of prototype detection systems will require suitable test sites, which may be unavailable because pipes are quickly fixed when leaks are found.

    Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), fluorescent spectrometry and infra-red thermography should be researched and applications developed for sensing of hydrocarbon leaks from oil pipelines.

• Mineral Exploration CO2/O2 and hydrocarbon soil gas methods can be utilized for exploration of minerals, such as uranium, underlying thick sediments and glacial till. Good results have been obtained using this technology to locate and define ore bodies and mineral zones in the USA and elsewhere. This technology may be applicable for mineral exploration in Canada, especially for uranium in the Athabaska Basin. However, Proof of Concept studies should be conducted first.