Minimal Footprint

The most ground disturbing activity of the MaxEx Direct process is near-surface microseepage studies that drill a small 3 centimeter (1 inch) hole ~ 1 meter (3 feet) deep to bury a microseepage absorbent that is later recovered and the hole refilled.

Significantly, near-surface microseepage studies are normally only undertaken after the prospectivity of a lead has likely been well established with a radiometric gamma anomaly and 3D GravMag mapping plus possibly EMAI logging.

In addition to significant savings of time and capex relative to 3D seismic, the minimal footprint of MaxEx Direct offers a compelling benefit compared to 3D seismic that the Ecological Society of America describes as the “largest single source of annual terrain impacts generated by oil and gas activities” on the North Slope of Alaska, and likely the same in most onshore basins.

Moreover, as reviewed in the MaxEx Direct exploration process, 3D EMAI reservoir model prospects are expected to enjoy a high rate of exploration success. With fewer dry holes, the MaxEx Direct process further reduces the environmental footprint of oil and gas exploration.

The minimal footprint of the MaxEx Direct process is also in keeping with our acknowledgment that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the Traditional Custodians of the land and their enduring connection to the lands, waterways and communities.

Reducing Carbon Intensity

Oil and gas is a major energy source powering today’s world. Sharply lowering the carbon intensity of oil and gas production ensures it can remain a valuable and significant energy source in the future.

We envision reducing carbon intensity to follow two paths. One path, minimization of carbon emissions from the exploration and production of oil and gas. The MaxEx Direct process plays a role with reduced carbon emissions, e.g., data collection with fixed-wing aircraft versus Vibroseis trucks that weigh up to 40 tons. In addition, as the development of SPA-89 discoveries will be de novo, infrastructure can be designed and built to cost-effectively incorporate reduction of carbon emissions from production of oil and gas.

The second path is a promising direct air capture (DAC) method that pulls CO2 from the air for sequestration. If the DAC method matures to commercial scale, Raphael could capture and sequester SPA-89 carbon emissions, for sequestration in the SPA-89 structures. Using solar power, SPA-89 DAC could possibly lower the carbon intensity of SPA-89 production to near zero.

Significantly, Dr. Ronald Klusman, a Raphael Technical Advisor, developed a protocol to detect and measure reservoir leakage of CO2 from enhanced oil recovery projects, a project funded by the US Department of Energy. Dr. Klusman has also published papers on CO2 sequestration and critiqued other studies of CO2-EOR and sequestration.