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Subtle Trap Exploration through Geomicrobiological Method: Rationale,
Application and Experiences
D.Elizabeth Nathaniel
Chief Chemist
Krishna Godavari Basin, ONGC, CMDA Towers, Egmore, Chennai
E-mail: Nathaniel_de@sify.com

Introduction:
Geo-microbiological technique is based on the interactions of sub-surface microbes
with gaseous emanations which seep through the soil from underlying petroleum
reservoirs. This prospecting method is being applied to augment the present exploratory
initiations so as to increase productivity of exploratory drilling programme.

The near

surface soil samples were collected from Charali and adjoining areas then analysed for
hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria, general aerobic bacteria and physico-chemical parameters
of the samples. The experimental results are tabulated, ranged and contoured. Contour
map brought out excellent "blooms" pertaining to petroleum trap in Charali area. A tie up
with seismics of the area indicated that the bloom corresponds to sand body of channel /
point bar origin which is still yielding sustained production Bloom II & Bloom III corresponds
to virgin prospects in the area needing immediate exploration attention. The other lower
microbial count area needs a review in terms of hydrocarbon strikes. In the same way,
Disanghmukh area exhibited microbial blooms, their comparison with seismic data brought
out interesting conclusion such as the nature of faults in terms of their scaling integrity and
validation of stratigraphic features observed in the area which warrants an exploratory relook. Application of Microbial Technique at Charali area:
Geo-microbial prospecting team was associated with geophysical field party No.90
during the field season 1995-96. A closed grid pattern was favoured on 3D seismic lines of
seismic investigation No.210 covering 40 sq.km. On the grid. (Fig.1).

Application Area

Charali (Assam Foreland Basin)

Sampling Density

0.250*0.250 m on Seismic lines

Grid Pattern

3D Seismic grid

Sampling Depth

1.0 m & 1.5 m

Objective

To ear mark the area of interest

Fig -1 Sampling Grid at charali area on -3d-seismic profile

Survey design :

About 249 near surface soil samples 1 to 1.5 meter depth with sample

density of 0.250 x 0.250 km on a closed grid by following 3D seismic lines were collected
(Fig.1) by dry pit method and, without lubrications to avoid external contaminations. The
samples were packed in contamination free containers, sealed and kept at low
temperatures till they were brought to the laboratory.
Sample Processing :
249 numbers of near surface soil samples collected at 1 meter depth were analysed at the
laboratory as this depth was considered optimum (Davis 1967).

Thus it involved

preparation of soil suspension and evaluated for various parameters as detailed below.
Case Study I :
S. No.

Parameters

Minimum value/( line code no).

Maximum Value

pH

5.14(83/155)

7.85(93/100)

Conductivity

0.02(73/190)

0.75(83/10)

ORP

131(78/85,78/110)

387(83/185)

TOC

0.02%(78/135)

1.05%(83/55,83/95)

Moisture Content

13.2%(83/90)

31.0%(73/20)

It is observed that there is no apparent correlation existed between pH, moisture content ,
conductivity,ORP,TOC AND hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (hub) counts.
Microbial blooms and their geological significance :
The quantum of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria corresponding to each sample and
general aerobic bacteria (gab) were analysed. The microbial anomaly range is classified in
to 5 groups, A,B,C,D,\ & E where A denotes (Table-1) minimum and E to maximum
microbialvalues.

Fig-2 Microbial Blooms (hub counts)at Charali Area

Charali area, Assam Foreland Basin:
Table-1 exhibits the microbial ranges/values. It is observed that the lower middle part of the
area under study indicating higher microbial values and south western part, with fair range
blooms. The picket No. 83/90, 87/130, 88/15, 98/10, 87/45, 88/50, 88/30 (Table-1) of the
area are indicative of hydrocarbon seeps in measurable quantities.

The area for

prioritization is earmarked on the GP line nos. 87/95, 87/30, 88/15, 88/50 as it exhibited
higher microbial counts. This may be either due to the seepages along with the fault plane
of the prospect or shallow depth reservoirs or a cumulative effect of the both .The map
(Fig.3) exhibit microbial values in the form of contours .The technique had brought out
excellent geo-microbial blooms pertaining to petroleum traps in Charali area. A tie up with
seismics of the area indicated that the bloom-I corresponds to sand body of channel/point
bar origin which is still yielding sustained production. Bloom II & III corresponds to virgin
prospects in the area needing immediate exploration attention.
Disanghmukh area Assam fore land basin:

Case Study : II
Application Area

Disanghmukh, Assam

Sampling Density

250 m on 2D Seismic lines

Grid Pattern

2D-7 Lines Seismic- grid

Sampling Depth

1.0 m & 1.5m

Objective

To delineate the prospective area &

To identify the most prospective locations Among the available
exploratory locations

Table-2

Disangmukh #

Well -1

Year of drilling

1859

Target depth

4000 mts.

Drilled depth

3800 mts.Oil and gas shows

Oil and gas shows (log depth)

720-740m

Alluvium-oil show in sandy clay

1840-1870m

U.SST- oil show

2047-2059m

U.SST-Bituminous oil show.

Fig-4 Sampling grid at Disangmukh area

Case Study : II

Application Area

Disanghmukh, Assam

Sampling Density

250 m on 2D Seismic lines

Grid Pattern

2D-7 Lines Seismic- grid

Sampling Depth

1.0 m & 1.5m

Objective

To delineate the prospective area &

To identify the most prospective locations Among the available
exploratory locations

This prospect was drilled in the year 1959 by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (Table-3)
and declared as dry well in the absence of major hydrocarbon accumulations. However,
the hydrocarbon shows had been reported from all the stratigraphic intervals including

alluviums. It is interesting to note that the iso-microbial quantums are also following the
strike of the E-W trending Disanghmukh boundary fault. Seismic profiles A 193-2, a 193-6
(Fig.5) & A-193-3 are situated above the excellent microbial expressions.

Fig-5

Isochron map near top of BMS

A look at the time structure map concludes that the blooms (fig-4) near the fault zones are
due to possible micro seeps along their respective fault planes. The other blooms (blue,
green to yellow) are from the prospects situated in between Disangmukh block and Rudra
Sagar block. This block being stable, i.e. less tectonised , the blooms may represent

subsurface hydrocarbon pools brought out as exploration targets corresponding to incised

valley system in the area, by Veeresalingam et.al (1998).
Conclusion :
The economically viable less time consuming geo-microbial subsurface prospecting
technique for hydrocarbon is a valid tool to improve exploration efficiency when used in
conjunction with regional geology and seismics. This technique can substantially reduce
the exploration risks associated with trap integrity and hydrocarbon charge. especially in
the hunt for much allusive subtle traps.

Acknowledgement :
Author is grateful to the Director (Exploration), ONGC, New Delhi for kind permission to
publish this work and also thankful to shri Y.M.S.Reddy GGM-Basin Manager KGPG, for
his support and encouragement.
References:
1.

Nathaniel, D.E., et.al. 1989, A report on Microbial Discrimination & hydrocarbon

potential of Narsapur-Saripalle area, Krishna Godavari, classified report IPE,
ONGC, Dehradun.

2.

Nathaniel et.al. (1995), Evaluation of seismic prospects by geo-microbial

prospecting method increases productivity of exploration drilling for hydrocarbon,
proceedings Petrotech-95 , New Delhi, Technology trends in petroleum industry.

3.

Nathaniel D.E., et.al (1997), Geo-microbial prospecting for hydrocarbons at

Disangmukh Area, Upper Assam. A classified report INBIGS, ONGC, Jorhat.

4.

Nathaniel, D.E. et.al., 1999, Geomicrobial prospecting for hydrocarbons in

Panidhing Area of Upper Assam, classified report, INBIGS, ONGC, Jorhat,
Assam.

5.

Nathaniel D.E. et.al. 1999, Geomicrobial evidences for hydrocarbons in

Disangmukh area, Proceedings of Petrotech-99, New Delhi.

6.

Veeresalingam et.al. 1997, incised valley system in Kopilli Formation

Disanghmukh area, Upper Assam, Classified report, GSD, ONGC, Jorhat..

ANOMALY RANKING OF HUB COUNTS (CHARALI AREA)

Sl.No.
1.

Gradation
Range
A
1 100

101-200

3.
4.
5.

C
D
E

201-300
301-400
401 -<

Table-1

Sample Line / Code No.

63/1, 63/5, 63/15, 63/20, 63/35, 63/40, 63/45,
63/50, 63/55, 63/65, 63/70, 63/75, 63/80, 63/85, 63/90, 63/95, 63/100,
63/105, 63/110, 63/115, 63/125, 63/130, 63/135, 63/140, 63/145, 63/150,
63/155, 63/160, 63/165, 63/170, 63/180, 63/185, 63/190
68/1, 68/5, 68/10, 68/15, 68/20, 68/25, 68/45, 68/50, 68/60, 68/65, 68/70,
68/75, 68/80, 68/85, 68/90, 68/95, 68/100, 68/105, 68/110, 68/115, 68/120,
68/120, 68/125, 68/130, 68/135, 68/140, 68/145, 68/150, 68/155, 68/160,
68/165, 68/170, 68/175, 68/180, 68/185, 68/190
73/1, 73/5, 73/10, 73/15, 73/20, 73/25, 73/30, 73/35, 73/40, 73/45, 73/50,
73/55, 73/60, 73/65, 73/85, 73/90, 73/95, 73/100, 73/105, 73/110, 73/115,
73/120, 73/125, 73/130, 73/140, 73/145, 73/150, 73/155, 73/160, 73/165,
73/170, 73/175, 73/180, 73/185, 73/190
78/1, 78/5, 78/10, 78/15, 78/20, 78/25, 78/30, 78/35, 78/40, 78/45, 78/50,
78/55/, 78/60, 78/65, 78/70, 78/75, 78/80, 78/85, 78/90, 78/100, 78/105,
78/110, 78/115, 78/120, 78/125, 78/130, 78/135, 78/140, 78/145, 78/150,
78/155, 78/160, 78/160, 78/165, 78/170. 78/175
93/15, 93/70, 93/80, 93/90, 93/95, 93/100, 93/105, 93/115, 93/120, 93/135.
93/140
98/35, 98/45, 98/70, 98/80, 98/100, 98/105, 98/115, 98/120, 98/125, 98/130,
98/140, 98/145
63/10, 63/25, 63/30, 63/50, 63/60, 63/100, 63/120,
68/35, 68/55, 68/115, 68/120
73/70, 73/75, 73/80 ,78/35
83/35, 83/85, 83/125, 83/130, 83/175, 87/45, 87/95
88/50, 88/120, 88/130
93/20, 93/50, 93/55, 93/85, 93/110, 93/125 , 98/10
88/15
87/130
83/90 (669 X 105)