Guidelines for surface geochemical surveying

This article classifies the various methods employed and provides guidelines useful in design of orientation, reconnaissance, and detail surface geochemical surveys for oil and gas exploration. It is based on a user manual for surface geochemistry in petroleum exploration the author assembled in 1989. Surface geochemistry is perhaps better termed surface prospecting because it employs both geochemical and geophysical techniques to detect petroleum, its constituents, or products subsequently caused by reactions near the earth's surface. It should not be confused with geochemistry of petroleum source rocks. The paper discusses the choice of methods, project design, orientation surveying, and reconnaissance and detail surveying.