Up until 2014, the seismic survey technology was the only one which allowed for the identification of hydrocarbon target reserves.
However this technology didn’t allow us to know prior to the drilling if there were reasonable chances for hydrocarbon existence within the reserve, except of course as per the analogue geology, but in this case there should’ve been a precedent reserve there.
Therefore, it was the drilling which finally constituted the only means of such confirmation.
Today however, new technologies of direct detection within the target reserve’s nature of fluids, internal pressures, as well as the petrophysic oil characteristics, constitute a bare fact.
These technologies can detect hydrocarbons at depths which vary between 100m and up to 7.000m below the seabed, and that prior to drilling.
Companies such as the American ExxonMobil, the Norwegian Electromagnetic Geoservices, the Ukrainian Geoprom etc, obtain a leading role in this event.
The ΕxxonMobil company uses the method of full inversion of the seismic recording soundwaves, in order to accurately detect petrophysic characteristics, but the content of the hydrocarbon target reserve as well.
Both the Norwegian E.M.G.S. and the Ukrainian Geoprom are using electromagnetic tracking technology through the natural electromagnetic frequency of hydrocarbons.
The natural electromagnetic hydrocarbon frequency sounds constitute a hydrocarbon spectral identity.
In actual fact, when the electromagnetic waves enter into a target reserve they are completely absorbed in the case of salty water (electrically conductive), whereas, in the case of oil or natural gas they are completely reflected (electrically non conductive).
Taking into account now, that ExxonMobil is discussing a potential partnership with Greek Petroleum in Greece, both re: the Ionian Sea and South of Crete, we believe that the above mentioned technologies will prove extremely useful in the future in regards to minimizing the research risk regarding the discovery of reserves through underwater drillings.
Summing up we should note that ExxonMobil as well as the other prior mentioned companies, obtain extensive experience in these technologies, in particularly unexplored areas, or in complex regions which geologically are situated in areas of tectonic plate collision, such as the South of Crete.