Fluorescence exposes oil deposits

17 Jun 2002

Fluorescence techniques, developed at CSIRO Division of Petroleum Resources in Australia, determine whether rocks will yield oil before drilling starts.

The technique, called FAMM or fluorescence alteration of multiple macerals, exploits the properties of fluorescent particles, called macerals, in organic matter originating from plants. Macerals range in size from a few micrometres to hundreds of micrometres. Heating macerals over millions of years produces oil and gas.

Laser radiation at 488 nanometres shines on a maceral, which then fluoresces at a wavelength between 620 and 630 nanometres. The change in the intensity of emitted fluorescence is recorded at 2 second intervals for 400 seconds.

Oil companies, such as Exxon, Chevron, Santos and most national oil companies in South East Asia, use FAMM commercially. The technique has been successful in North America, Australia, China, North Sea Region, South America, South East Asia, Sudan and Japan.

CSIRO's researchers are now working on a multi-spectral version of the FAMM technique which should allow them to study a broader range of potential oil deposits.

SH