Oil and gas exploration system and method for detecting trace amounts of hydrocarbon gases in the atmosphere
US6509566B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/394
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An oil and gas exploration system and method for land and airborne operations, the system and method used for locating subsurface hydrocarbon deposits based upon a remote detection of trace amounts of gases in the atmosphere. The detection of one or more target gases in the atmosphere is used to indicate a possible subsurface oil and gas deposit. By mapping a plurality of gas targets over a selected survey area, the survey area can be analyzed for measurable concentration anomalies. The anomalies are interpreted along with other exploration data to evaluate the value of an underground deposit. The system includes a differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system with a spectroscopic grade laser light and a light detector. The laser light is continuously tunable in a mid-infrared range, 2 to 5 micrometers, for choosing appropriate wavelengths to measure different gases and avoid absorption bands of interference gases. The laser light has sufficient optical energy to measure atmospheric concentrations of a gas over a path as long as a mile and greater. The detection of the gas is based on optical absorption measurements at specific wavelengths in the open atmosphere. Light that is detect…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.