US3722271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Geochemical prospecting in submerged areas
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-20
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A method of geochemical prospecting in submerged areas comprising the taking of samples of the water at or close to the bottom at spaced locations in such an area, which samples are then analyzed to determine the concentration therein of leakage products indicative of the presence of subterranean petroliferous deposits and the results of such analyses are correlated with sample location to provide information concerning such deposits. The method also includes the taking of samples of the earth formation beneath the bottom at such sample locations from which the character of the formation and the concentration therein of products indicative of the presence of subterranean petroliferous deposits may be obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 L Horvitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V9/00; G01V9/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of geochemical prospecting in an area of the earth formation submerged by water, said submerged area having a water bottom and an earth formation beneath said bottom which comprises the steps of: taking discrete samples of the water at the bottom within inches of said earth formation but no greater than a foot at a plurality of spaced locations with said submerged area, and analyzing each sample to obtain a quantitative measure of the concentration of hydrocarbon leakage products which had migrated from subterranean petroliferous deposits within said earth formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of geochemical prospecting in an area of the earth formation submerged by water, said submerged area having a water bottom and an earth formation beneath said bottom which comprises the steps of: taking discrete samples of the water at the bottom within inches of said earth formation but no greater than a foot at a plurality of spaced locations with said submerged area, and analyzing each sample to obtain a quantitative measure of the concentration of hydrocarbon leakage products which had migrated from subterranean petroliferous deposits within said earth formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 including the further step of taking a sample of soil from the bottom of the submerged area at the same location where the samples of water are taken.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 2 including the further step of thereafter analyzing to obtain a quantatative measure from the soil samples taken from the bottom to determine the concentration of significant leakage products having migrated from a subterranean petroliferous deposit, and thereafter correlating the quantatative measure obtained from the analysis of the soil samples to obtain separate information concerning such petroliferous deposits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the steps of obtaining samples from the water and from the bottom are substantially simultaneously performed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the samples of water and of the soil obtained by the steps recited thEreat are each stored separately in leak-proof containers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the samples of soil are further analyzed to determine the physical characteristics of the Earth''s formation at the location of each sample taken from beneath the body of water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said quantitative measure of hydrocarbon concentration is in terms of cc X 10 4 per liter per sample.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the water samples obtained in the first step are each placed separately in fluid-tight receptacles but only partly filled and leaving a partially empty volume therein and wherein the analysis of said water samples uses the gas confined in the fluid-tight receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein thereafter correlating the quantitative measures from each sample with the location in the submerged area of said sample to obtain information concerning said subterranean petroliferous deposit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the water samples are taken by completely filling a sample receiving receptacle and wherein the analysis of the sample includes the step of removing all of the dissolved gases within the water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |