Microfossil Analysis

JAPEX Research Center is equipped with the facilities and personnel to provide the testing and analysis required in a wide range of fields, from exploration and development to production and transportation, for providing services both in Japan and abroad.

Please refer to Technical Services page about our technical services, including providing research/analysis items and contact.

Summary of Microfossil Analysis

In petroleum exploration and development to precisely estimate the distribution of oil and natural gas reserves, it is important to accurately determine the distribution of source and reservoir rocks as well as the migration pathways and timing for oil and natural gas.

Microfossil analyses help estimate geological age, stratigraphic correlation and depositional paleoenvironment, while multi-microfossil analysis provides more detailed geological age and stratigraphic correlation data. Microfossil analysis is often used at well sites as they can be prepared and performed easily and quickly.

Survey/Analysis Items

Microfossil analyses use primarily foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils, which have calcareous tests; and diatoms, which have siliceous valves.

• Analysis of foraminifera
  • Foraminifera are fossils with calcareous tests and apertures of various shapes.
• Analysis of calcareous nannofossils
  • Calcareous nannofossils are fossils of phytoplankton covered by very small calcareous tests.
• Analysis of diatoms
  • Diatoms are microfossils of phytoplankton with siliceous valves.

Calcareous Nanofossil