Mineral prospecting by organic diagenesis

摘要

This is a method of prospecting for accumulations of hydrocarbons or other minerals. At least two (and preferably more) samples of subsurface rock units are taken at different vertical depths in a plurality of locations. Each such sample is processed to recover organic material present in the rocks. From this organic residue, a number of specimens of the same palynomorph taxon are selected, and a characteristic of light absorbed or transmitted by the specific organic particles is determined. The difference in the values obtained in the same location for two sets of palynomorphs at different vertical distances (preferably same well) is called the translucency differential. This differential or the gradient (differential divided by the corresponding vertical distance between sampling points) is then plotted on a map at the location of the various points of sample collection, and a contour map or cross section is drawn. We have found that this contouring tends to produce anomalies comparable to those obtained in seismic prospecting or in magnetic or gravimetric prospecting in that they tend to form "ovals" above the location of a more deep-seated mineral deposit. Accordingly, one employs the anomalies found from the contouring of the data to aid in the location of hydrocarbons or other mineral deposits.