Hydrocarbon gases in the soil gas and their possibilities of using for oil and gas prospection

Since 2017, Nafta a.s. uses the method analysis of hydrocarbon gases in the soil gas for surface geochemical oil and gas exploration, which can be applied by capturing very low concentrations of methane to pentane in soil gas with an accuracy in ppb units. Surface geochemical survey of soil gas by analyzes of very low concentrations of hydrocarbon gases, Nafta a.s. began to implement with Vermilion Energy, which recommended the methodology based on its own experience. The laboratory results were processed by GeoFrontiers corporation, also the sampling methodology is taken from this company. The conclusions and experiences published in this paper are processed on the basis of specific results of soil gas sampling on more than 500 samples in the Blatnanska and Risnovska depressions of the Danube basin. The article is focused on research the regularity of occurrence of gaseous hydrocarbons in soil gas with the possibility of application for oil prospecting. This surface geochemical method is suitable for use in areas with a low degree of exploration, where it is possible to get a basic idea of the hydrocarbon system of the basin. This method can also be used in the geologically surveyed area as additional information for oil field geological exploration. (authors)