Surface Geochemistry for Onshore Oil & Gas
We reduce uncertainty and widen the technical picture behind better-informed exploration, appraisal, development and field-revitalization decisions.
Discuss the application in your projectAn independent layer of hydrocarbon response
Passive surface geochemistry registers gas-phase hydrocarbon molecules associated with the natural molecular migration of the subsurface petroleum system toward the surface.
At points defined by the survey design, passive adsorption modules are deployed to register that molecular signal, without the need for conventional soil sampling. After recovery, the modules move under chain of custody to laboratory analysis, specialized processing and interpretation.
The compositional patterns identified are turned into an independent layer of geochemical information, which can be integrated with geology, seismic and well data to broaden the technical basis for exploration, appraisal, development and field-revitalization decisions.
How a project is executed
Project information review and analysis
Available data, operator objectives and area context define the survey strategy.
Technical survey design
Survey area, sampling grid, calibration points and field requirements, aligned to the project objective.
Surface geochemical acquisition
Passive-module deployment, GPS positioning, documentation, field QC, recovery and chain of custody.
Laboratory analysis and processing
Specialized laboratory analysis and processing of the compositional response recovered from the passive modules.
Integrated interpretation and decision support
Results interpreted against the operator's objectives, generating prospectivity and spatial information for the decision.
Where geochemistry can support the operator's decision
Every operator faces a different technical problem. The applications below are independent — a project does not need to move through all of them for the method to be useful.
Screening and prioritization of blocks, leads and prospects
Ranking opportunities based on hydrocarbon response, before committing significant technical budget.
Uncertainty reduction ahead of drilling
An independent layer of information ahead of high-cost drilling decisions and dry-well exposure.
Seismic optimization and integration
Directing 2D lines, focusing 3D acquisition, and integrating with existing seismic interpretation.
Appraisal and field development
Supporting delineation, field extensions and prioritization of the next drilling stage.
Mature fields and production optimization
Identifying sweet spots, infill targets, workovers and revitalization in producing fields.
Complex geology and difficult-access areas
Thrust belts, channel sands, multiple petroleum systems, jungle, wetlands and rugged terrain — with low-impact, minimal-disturbance field deployment.
Economic risk reduction and CAPEX optimization
One more technical argument before committing significant budget — to prioritize drilling and direct seismic investment.
Documented results across different E&P challenges
Three international AGI projects, across distinct technical contexts.
Complex geology and drilling risk
BoliviaAndean jungle thrust belt: 2D seismic was ambiguous, and 3D seismic was cost-prohibitive.
Surface geochemistry correctly classified 5 of 5 wells drilled after the survey.
Context: approximately US$60M had been spent on dry wells.
AGI Case Study — Thrust Belts in Bolivia Technical NoteSweet spots in a mature field
LithuaniaProducing field with highly variable well performance and a need to prioritize the next drilling campaign.
Three wells were drilled after the survey, inside the highest-probability geochemical areas.
Frontier exploration and seismic optimization
KenyaFrontier Block L19, ~12,000 km², with only one historical well and limited prior information.
The geochemical interpretation identified two distinct petroleum systems and guided the repositioning of a seismic line.
Structural feature confirmed by seismic beneath all 7 anomalies.
AGI Case Study — RIFT Energy Kenya Exploration Technical NoteAdditional international applications include Colombia, the Anadarko Basin, Algeria, Arctic environments and swamp/jungle surveys. Each project's results reflect the geology, survey design and data integration specific to that context.
International technical competence, applied to onshore Brazil
The technical and field experience behind SGEBrazil dates back to 2007, in passive-sampling surface-geochemistry projects. Since 2022, this experience has been developed in Brazil for application to onshore oil & gas projects. SGEBrazil works in technical partnership with Amplified Geochemical Imaging (AGI), an international company specialized in passive-sampling surface geochemistry, geochemical interpretation and technical project execution.
More technical clarity before the decisions that matter.
Tell us about the application of surface geochemistry to your onshore project.