Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include obtaining sample data associated with a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation, wherein the sample data includes a noble gas signature, a clumped isotope signature and/or a ecology signature. From the signatures, relationships between the noble gas signature; the clumped isotope signature and the ecology signature are identified and stored in memory.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include determining a noble gas signature of a sample and at least one or more of determining a clumped isotope signature of the sample and characterizing the ecology signature of the sample. Then, the method integrates signatures to determine information about the subsurface accumulation, such as the location, fluid type and quality, and volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons with the use of reservoir surveillance. The method includes interpreting a sample to determine noble gas signatures and clumped isotope signatures for the region of interest. Then, using the region of interest fingerprint to perform reservoir surveillance on produced fluids from the subsurface regions.

Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons is described. The method includes performing a remote sensing survey of a survey location to identify a target location. Then, an underwater vehicle (UV) is deployed into a body of water and directed to the target location. The UV collects measurement data within the body of water at the target location, which is then analyzed to determine whether hydrocarbons are present at the target location.

Abstract: Methods of identifying geological materials of interest comprising (i) providing a nanoprobe composition comprising one or more nanoprobes; wherein the nanoprobe includes (a) at least one tag; and (b) at least one signal generator; (ii) introducing the nanoprobes to a geological material; and (iii) detecting the presence of a signal generated by the signal generator on association of the tag with a target. Nanoprobe compositions identify geological materials, systems include such nanoprobe compositions, and methods use such nanoprobe compositions for the evaluation of geological materials.

Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons with an underwater vehicle equipped with one or more measurement components is described. The method includes navigating the UV within the body of water; monitoring the body of water with measurement components associated with the UV to collect measurement data. The collected data from the UV is used to determine whether hydrocarbons are present and at the location.

Abstract: A method of separating petroleum samples containing a hydrocarbon-soluble elemental species of interest to facilitate analysis of an elemental and/or isotopic signature. A petroleum sample is mixed with a demulsifier and separated, for example by centrifuging, into one or more intermediate organic fractions. The intermediate organic fraction(s) are mixed with a solvent such as water and a second demulsifier, then separated into one or more prepared organic fractions and one or more solvent-based fractions. Some or all of the resulting fractions are then stored for possible further processing. Optionally, the petroleum sample may be spiked with one or more of an organic standard and an inorganic standard, and the solvent may likewise be spiked with an inorganic internal standard, to facilitate later analysis.

Abstract: A method of determining a presence and location of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample of naturally occurring substance. An expected concentration of isotopologues of a hydrocarbon species is determined. An expected temperature dependence of isotopologues present in the sample is modeled using high-level ab initio calculations. A clumped isotopic signature of the isotopologues present in the sample is measured. The clumped isotopic signature is compared with the expected concentration of isotopologues. Using the comparison, it is determined whether hydrocarbons present in the sample originate directly from a source rock or whether the hydrocarbons present in the sample have escaped from a subsurface accumulation. The current equilibrium storage temperature of the hydrocarbon species in the subsurface accumulation prior to escape to the surface is determined. A location of the subsurface accumulation is determined.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include determining a noble gas signature of a sample and at least one or more of determining a clumped isotope signature of the sample and characterizing the ecology signature of the sample. Then, the method integrates signatures to determine information about the subsurface accumulation, such as the location, fluid type and quality, and volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include obtaining sample data associated with a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation, wherein the sample data includes a noble gas signature, a clumped isotope signature and/or a ecology signature. From the signatures, relationships between the noble gas signature; the clumped isotope signature and the ecology signature are identified and stored in memory.

Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons with an underwater vehicle equipped with one or more measurement components is described. The method includes navigating the UV within the body of water; monitoring the body of water with measurement components associated with the UV to collect measurement data. The collected data from the UV is used to determine whether hydrocarbons are present and at the location.

Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons is described. The method includes performing a remote sensing survey of a survey location to identify a target location. Then, an underwater vehicle (UV) is deployed into a body of water and directed to the target location. The UV collects measurement data within the body of water at the target location, which is then analyzed to determine whether hydrocarbons are present at the target location.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons with the use of reservoir surveillance. The method includes interpreting a sample to determine noble gas signatures and clumped isotope signatures for the region of interest. Then, using the region of interest fingerprint to perform reservoir surveillance on produced fluids from the subsurface regions.

Abstract: Methods of identifying geological materials of interest comprising (i) providing a nanoprobe composition comprising one or more nanoprobes; wherein the nanoprobe includes (a) at least one tag; and (b) at least one signal generator; (ii) introducing the nanoprobes to a geological material; and (iii) detecting the presence of a signal generated by the signal generator on association of the tag with a target. Nanoprobe compositions identify geological materials, systems include such nanoprobe compositions, and methods use such nanoprobe compositions for the evaluation of geological materials.

Abstract: A method of separating petroleum samples containing a hydrocarbon-soluble elemental species of interest to facilitate analysis of an elemental and/or isotopic signature. A petroleum sample is mixed with a demulsifier and separated, for example by centrifuging, into one or more intermediate organic fractions. The intermediate organic fraction(s) are mixed with a solvent such as water and a second demulsifier, then separated into one or more prepared organic fractions and one or more solvent-based fractions. Some or all of the resulting fractions are then stored for possible further processing. Optionally, the petroleum sample may be spiked with one or more of an organic standard and an inorganic standard, and the solvent may likewise be spiked with an inorganic internal standard, to facilitate later analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining geologic age are provided. A method includes separating a sample into species of interest; supplying the species of interest to a mass spectrometer; generating an intensity-versus-time data set for two or more elemental masses, identifying a set of intensity peaks having members from each of at least two of the intensity-versus-time data sets; and determining the geologic age of the sample using ratios of the members of the set of intensity peaks. A system includes a species generator for receiving a sample and generating species of interest; a mass spectrometer for receiving the species of interest and generating an intensity-versus-time data set for each of two or more elemental masses; and a processor configured to identify a set of intensity peaks, and to determine the geologic age of the sample using ratios of the members of the set of intensity peaks.