Abstract: A purgable soil gas probe for removing small quantities of gases from the earth's soil to determine the presence of hydrocarbon deposits nearby. A removable evacuated container is attached to the upper end of the probe to withdraw soil gas through the probe into the container. A device such as a stop cock regulates the flow of external gases into the probe. The probe is purged by attaching a first evacuated container to withdraw any contaminating gases within the probe, and then replacing it with a second evacuated container to withdraw the soil gases to be analyzed.