Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating hydrocarbon deposits includes temperature 16 sensor for measuring earth surface temperature at each of a plurality of locations, and a solar absorption sensor 14 for measuring the absorption coefficient of the earth's surface at each of those plurality of locations. A sky temperature sensor 18 may also be provided. A computer 30 records measurements as a function of location, and outputs a plot of corrected surface temperatures as a function of the geographic location of the measurements. By comparing corrected surface temperature measurements at the plurality of locations, a hydrocarbon deposit may be located and its boundaries determined.

Abstract: A method for compensating measured earth surface temperatures for the effects which skyward temperatures have upon such measured temperatures. Also, methods for employing compensated earth surface temperatures to determine the likelihood of subsurface features existing beneath locations within a selected geographical area.

Abstract: A method for compensating measured earth surface temperatures for the effects which skyward temperatures have upon such measured temperatures. Also, methods for employing compensated earth surface temperatures to determine the likelihood of subsurface features existing beneath locations within a selected geographical area.

Abstract: A method for predicting the likelihood of encountering oil or gas deposits below a location and determining the areal extent and magnitude (economic value) of such deposit. The earth's surface temperature at selected points within a location is compared to the earth's surface temperature at a plurality of points in the surrounding geographic area to determine locations having anomalously low surface temperatures which are indicative of the presence of oil or gas deposits. Representative earth surface temperatures for all locations under consideration and reference temperatures in the geographic area are obtained, under similar ambient conditions, at points having similar topography, vegetative cover and surface features for minimizing extraneous factors which affect earth surface temperature, such that the earth surface temperatures may all be compared with each other to determine locations which have low earth surface temperatures, and therefore are more likely to have oil or gas deposits beneath them.

Abstract: A method for locating surface deposits of porous, permeable soils having high percolation rates at locations having both permeable and impermeable soils present. During warmer periods of the year, when ambient atmospheric temperatures and soil temperatures are higher than the annual mean temperatures for the location, earth surface temperatures are measured at a plurality of points within a location. Points having relatively higher temperatures are identified as likely to have surface soils more porous and permeable than soils at points having relatively lower temperatures. The porosity and permeability of the soils at selected points may be quantified by testing the soil's percolation rates.

Abstract: A method for predicting the likelihood of encountering oil or gas deposits below a location. A temperature at a known depth at the location is compared to a temperature representative of the average temperature for that depth within the geographical area in which the location is situated. If the temperature at the location is less than the average temperature, it is likely that an oil or gas deposit is present at the location at a depth below the known depth. If the temperature at the location is greater than the average temperature, then it is likely that no oil or gas deposit is present at the location at a depth below the known depth. Alternatively, geothermal gradients are employed in a similar method for predicting the likelihood of encountering oil or gas deposits below a location.