METHODS OF SUBSEA OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION

Istraživanje ležišta ugljikovodika osnova je razvoja naftne industrije pa time i nacionalnih gospodarstava mnogih zemalja. Kopnena ležišta do danas su temeljito istražena, dok podmorje, koje zauzima dvije trećine Zemljine površine, i dalje pruža velike mogućnosti otkrivanja. Pri istraživanju ležišta ugljikovodika koriste se invazivne i neinvazivne metode. Neinvazivne metode su pasivne – gravimetrija i magnetometrija, te aktivne – seizmička mjerenja. Invazivne metode obuhvaćaju istraživačka bušenja koja se provode s pomoću raznih oblika platofrmi ili bušaćih brodova. Sve istraživačke aktivnosti imaju i određen utjecaj na morski okoliš, što posebno dolazi do izražaja na malim zatvorenim morima poput Jadranskog mora.Hydrocarbon exploration is the base of the oil industry development and thus the national economies of many countries. The continental deposits have so far been thoroughly examined, while seabed, which occupies two thirds of the Earth's surface, still provides great opportunities for discovery. There are two distinguishable groups of exploration methods ‒ invasive and non-invasive. Non-invasive are passive ‒ gravimetry and magnetometry, and active which include seismic surveys. Invasive methods comprise mainly of exploratory drilling carried out on board various floating drilling rigs and drill-ships. All of the exploratory activities do have an impact on the marine environment, which is especially accentuated in small seas like the Adriatic Sea