Our Heliometric data is the most reliable Direct Indicator in the Helium Exploration Industry
HELIUM EXPLORATION
As a by-product of petroleum exploration, the first commercial helium-rich gas system was discovered in the United States in 1903. Since then many other helium-rich deposit discoveries have been made around the world. In some of them helium gas contained up to 10% helium by volume.
The first commercial helium-rich gas systems have been discovered in USA as a by-product of petroleum exploration and since that numerous other discoveries were made across the world containing up to 10% helium by volume.
Producing helium-rich fields can be classified according to their primary gas component:
1) Methane-rich as the most common gas which is trapped in producing fields
2) Nitrogen-rich fields with some amounts of helium accumulated in natural gas fields
3) Carbon dioxide-rich fields where CO2 is the primary constituent of the gas volume
Despite the many and varied uses of helium there has been no impetus to develop an exploration methodology targeting helium-rich gas reservoirs in order to provide and ensure an adequate supply of helium in a similar manner to petroleum products.
Both helium and petroleum deposits are characterised by trap integrity but there are some differences in the origin of helium compared to petroleum, which can be found in each stage of development from source to reservoir accumulation and make it possible to identify helium deposits in areas where petroleum exploration is not possible.
Taking into account that exploration of helium deposits is nearly identical to the process of exploration of natural gas, Actual Geology has been able to develop a technological framework for a helium exploration to such a level that the Heliometric data we receive from the field can be effectively used in identification of viable traps with a helium-rich gas accumulation.
Our Heliometric data-based service characterises helium-rich systems, de-risks drilling and generates Heliometric Image for the Integration into the standard petroleum exploration approach. Heliometric Image is applied in the same way as hydrocarbon exploration within entire region and shows discrete pools of trapped helium and supports faster identification of helium plays associated with a mature helium source.
Onshore Prospecting and Frontier Exploration
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In Prospecting and Frontier Exploration of Helium-rich fields Helium survey field work is carried out before seismic data acquisition in order to detect promising zones and plan 2D or 3D seismic operations.
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To improve the quality of seismic data, Heliometric surveys are carried out along seismic profiles during or after seismic surveys. Such Data Integration is performed by our sister company www.nordicgeophysical.com.
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To assess the helium-rich prospects, Helium survey is carried out over selected prospects prior to drilling. Based on such work, the prospects are ranked and the most risk-free well locations are identified.
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After the first discovery well, the Heliometric Image for selected geological conditions over the next helium-rich prospects will be generated and well locations selected.
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Collect a sufficient amount of Heliometric data from the studied area
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Identify Heliometric Anomalies
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Integrate Heliometric Anomalies into available G&G data and well drilling results (if available)
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Identify and rank prospects, cut off high-risk zones
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Drill the discovery first well in the most promising zone
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Correlate drilling results with Heliometric data
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Generate Heliometric Image of good well for the entire acreage
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Plan a well placement pattern for the studied area according to Heliometric Image
Drilling: Helium Gas Mud Logging
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Our specialization in Heliometric measurements has allowed us to create an automated and highly-sensitive system for Helium Gas mud logging called Heologic Mud Logging (HML).
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Our highly sensitive HML system is used as an addition to the standard method of gas mud logging.
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The data we receive while drilling provides reliable information about the approach to and passage of productive helium-rich formations.
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HML allows to monitor the Helium background level and determine the penetration to the targeted helium-rich reservoir that provides the highest Helium flux flow.
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Moreover, our HML system allows to assign the correct helium-rich interval and more confidently isolate the interval of interest in the well prior to flowing the well.