SSNTD Techniques in Radon Surveys for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Occurrence of Natural Gas Seeps

Leakages of hydrocarbon reservoirs often increase the radon concentration on the soil surface through distinct pathways; gas migration results in either prolific macro-seeps or micro-seeps. Soil gases, including radon, are recognized as potential tracers in geoscience. The surficial radiometric anomalies over hydrocarbon reservoirs provide the oil community with a complementary survey tool for oil exploration through the use of nuclear track methodology. The Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) is one of the recognized techniques to be employed advantageously in radon surveys for hydrocarbon exploration and occurrence of natural gas seeps. The nuclear track method provides information on the nature of radioactive gas sources, emanations from the soil and their transport pathways. Latent track etching conditions and their analysis are included.