High resistivity indicates hydrocarbon presence

Hydrocarbon saturated sediments display higher resistivity than water-filled sediments. This observation has been used since the 1920's by the borehole logging community to confirm oil in place. Resistivity (489 x 348)

What EMGS has achieved, where many others have previously failed, is to apply this principle to the remote indication of hydrocarbons - that is, to measure subsurface resistivity from the seabed. 

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