subject: Technology Improves Natural Gas Exploration [print this page] The demand for energy from fossil fuels has increased substantially over the last 5 or 6 decades as a result of increased population growth and the explosion of modern devices like cars and planes. There are many technologies that geophysicists and geologists use to locate deposits, and sometimes two or three must be combined to get the most accurate result possible.
Seismic Examination
Seismology is the study of the movement of seismic waves through the Earth's crust and the resulting interactions with different types of underground formations. A geophysicist using technologically advanced machines is able to artificially create seismic waves and point them toward the Earth. Since the Earth's crust is made up of different layers, formations and deposits the resulting seismic waves being reflected could be interpreted to deduce the type of formations that are beneath the surface. Using this technique deposits can be found both onshore and offshore.
Gravimeters
The different underground formations and deposits in the earth's crust all have different effects on its gravitational field. Measuring these differences in the gravitational field researches are able to determine based on historical data what types of formations lay beneath the surface.
Geological Surveys and Investigative Wells
Geologists are able to extrapolate which areas have a high possibility of containing a natural gas reservoir by mapping and surveying the surface characteristics of that location using geological surveys. The survey itself is a mash-up of several techniques all designed to identify clues as to the identity of the formations beneath the surface. By taking samples of rock, studying the outcroppings of the location, testing water samples and digging irrigation ditches geologists are able to piece together an accurate probability of an instance of natural gas beneath the surface.
Drilling an exploratory well into the earth's crust is the best way to positively identify the potential of a natural gas find. This technique is used when there is already evidence of one, including positive results from other explorative techniques and surface seepage of gas.
