Aero MicroMagnetics, Is a cost effective way to explore for hydrocarbons. The technology is used to identify hydrocarbons using high frequency/high resolution aeromagnetic surveys. These surveys detect large blooms of magnetotactile bacteria that consume hydrocarbons which seep from hydrocarbon traps.
By using this technology as a geophysical focusing tool, it enables the survey team to identify significant hydrocarbon accumulations avoiding unnecessary exploration costs such as excessive seismic costs and potential dry hole costs in areas that do not have significant hydrocarbon shows.

Aerogravity/Magnetics
A gravity meter and a high-sensitivity magnetometer installed on a fixed-wing aircraft are excellent tools for locating sedimentary basins, inferring the location of the thickest sedimentary section, and delineating basin boundaries. The aeromagnetic survey conducted in association with the aero gravity survey provides a very reliable and precise (typically 5 percent or less of the depth below the flight level) method of determining the depth to the sedimentary basin.
A major objective of aero gravity/Magnetic surveying is to gain a greater understanding of regional geology in order to economically limit more expensive seismic surveys to the most prospective areas of an oil concession.
Aero gravity/Magnetic surveys will never replace the need for seismic information, but rather aid in cost effectively placing seismic surveys - a critical issue in any broad-scale exploration plan.

ISMAP (Intrasedimentary Mapping)
A high-sensitivity, high-resolution magnetometer system is flown at a close line spacing and low altitude to detect subtle intrasedimentary "micro-mag" anomalies, typically of 1-5 nT in amplitude.
ISMAP resolves low level anomalies originating from structures within the essentially non-magnetic sedimentary column, as well as high amplitude features from the crystalline basement.
ISMAP surveying is a considerable advancement over traditional aeromagnetic methods. Surveys are flown at line spacing of 100m to 500m at altitudes of 200m to 500m above the ground rather than the traditional line spacing of 2km to 5km and altitudes of 200m to 1000m or more above sea level.
Aircraft manoeuvre noise, of necessity, is very small. Using the (FOM) technique to measure manoeuvre noise, it is better than 2 nT. In addition, the use of differential GPS for positioning, allows micro-magnetic anomalies to be determined to a positional accuracy of better than +/- 5 meters.
The benefits of ISMAP are gained by state-of-the-art proprietary acquisition and processing techniques which recognise the broad spatial frequency content of the data set.
ISMAP surveys are particularly useful in identifying linear or curvilinear features originating from sources within the sedimentary section. In addition, detailed comparisons of ISMAP data have been made to seismic data acquired over the same area and structures mapped within the sedimentary section from the magnetics could be correlated with those mapped by the seismic.
It has also been found that the magnetic expression of the structure varies from basin-to-basin and within basins. In some cases it is consistent with juxtaposition by faulting of differently magnetised beds. In others the structure apparently corresponds to a zone where magnetic minerals have been deposited in parts of deltaic sediments or have been chemically destroyed or created, presumably by circulating fluids. ISMAP surveys have demonstrated that structures can be mapped within the sediments enabling direct integration of seismic and magnetic interpretations. Without a doubt, the two techniques complement each other.

 

Gamma Sense
The objective of surveying with a multi-channel, gamma-ray spectrometer system and a large volume gamma-ray sensor is to detect subtle characteristic radiation patterns (as indicators of subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations) over petroliferous terrain. ISMAP and Gamma Sense techniques may be applied independently of each other; however, it is practical and cost-effective to combine them in one multi-sensor, multi-method survey.
Hydrocarbon anomalies can be qualitatively and directly identified from radiometric measurements. It has been repeatedly observed that the subtle anomalous patterns of radiation flux detected over petroleum basins exist over subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations.

How does Gamma Sense work.
The earth's crust contains uranium, thorium, and potassium. These primordial radionuclides were randomly laid down during the planet's formation. They and their progeny emit highly energetic gamma rays in the course of radioactive decay. As their half-lives approximate the age of the earth, it is to be expected that all three elements contribute measurably to our natural radiation background. Hundreds of millions of years after the laying down of the radionuclides, hydrocarbon deposits formed.
Uranium is the most mobile of the three radionuclides. Subsurface hydrocarbons, however, through recognised geochemical processes, alter uranium's mobility above hydrocarbon deposits. (In its fully oxidised state, the uranium ion is water-soluble, highly mobile, and easily transported by ground water. However, on entering an environment containing organic matter, the ion is reduced becoming insoluble and immobile.) Potassium also shows similar characteristic mobility changes. As a consequence, the gamma radiation flux detected over hydrocarbon deposits is noticeably altered by the contributions from uranium and potassium. In addition, the random radiation pattern normally observed has now changed into a characteristic radiation pattern, thereby creating a readily identifiable pathfinder in potentially productive basins.