Oil and gas are a constant presence in our lives, but many people do not realize everything that goes into extracting it from the ground. The process goes far beyond the physical means of extraction—there is a significant amount of planning and preparation that is involved.
The first step, of course, is figuring out where the oil and gas resources are actually located so the extraction and delivery processes can begin. This involves conducting various geophysical surveys with the assistance of a land surveyor in Texas.
Here’s an overview of the process and some important facts to know about gas and oil well surveys.
Geophysics in gas and oil surveying
Geophysics involves the analysis of the subsurface of the site, taking into account factors such as groundwater, contamination, geological structure and human artifacts underneath the surface of the earth in a given area. Geophysical analysis helps surveyors discover the presence of groundwater, metals and hydrocarbons, all of which are important resources for a variety of applications.
The geophysical surveying process is non-invasive. It allows surveyors to analyze subsurface conditions and features and to develop models or maps that show some of the most important features and characteristics of the land for better planning of potential projects (in this case, oil and gas drilling).
This surveying process actually dates back hundreds of years (though, of course, the technology has become much more sophisticated over time). In the 1600s, surveyors used magnetic compasses to find deposits of iron ore. Today, digital technologies make the discovery of oil, groundwater and other resources more reliable and efficient than ever, cutting down on wasteful digging and drilling in places where these resources actually do not exist. Some of the other uses for geophysical surveys include discovering groundwater, finding archaeological sites, assisting with renewable energy projects, providing additional information to engineers in construction projects and much more.
Our services
At D.G. Smyth & Company, we have been performing oil and gas well surveys since the late 1970s right here in Texas. Soon after we began providing the service, there popped up a lot of activity in the Austin Chalk Fields across South Texas, when the fracturing process was implemented, and then again a bit later on when horizontal drilling processes began to be used on a widespread basis.
As such, we have assisted in surveying for hundreds of vertical and horizontal oil and gas well sites, as well as pipelines, tank battery sites and disposal wells, plus many mineral leases. While the frequency of new developments is not as rapid as it was in past decades, we are still pleased to provide our high-quality services on oil and gas surveying projects for our clients across Texas.
Our experience assures you of our familiarity with the planning and drilling needs of Texas oil and gas companies, and we have created hundreds of drilling permit plats and horizontal “as built” plats for the Texas Railroad Commission.
For more information, contact D.G. Smyth & Company to speak with an experienced land surveyor in Texas.