INTEGRATED RADIOMETRIC PROSPECTING FOR PETROLEUM IN THE KAILU BASIN, INNER-MONGOLIA, CHINA

The Kailu Basin of Inner Mongolia contains anticlinal petroleum traps in the Jurassic Jiufutang Formation. Characteristic radiometric anomal y patterns were established over a known hydrocarbon pool and were use d as a model to predict the potential of two unexplored traps. Some en vironmental variables, including the occurrence of sand dunes, interfe re with the signal associated with the petroleum reservoirs making it difficult to pinpoint their location. Thermoluminescence dosimetry (TL D), which measures an accumulated radiation Aux signal rather than sho rt-term radiation obtained by gamma ray spectrometry, is less affected by these factors and is better able to predict the location of oil re servoirs. The predictions made in the present study have been tested b y drilling 7 wells. The results of these tests show that our interpret ation was essentially accurate.