FIELD: prospecting for oil and gas. SUBSTANCE: samples are taken from under layer of arable land in examined areas, from known areas located above oil and gas deposits (oil-and-gas-carrying deposits) and from areas where no oil and gas deposits exist. Percentage of all present chemical elements in samples is determined or data on content of chemical element over known areas are used. Method of multivariate discriminant analysis is employed to find value of canonical discriminant function and linear combinations of content of chemical elements demonstrating maximum possible difference between areas carrying oil and gas deposits and carrying no oil and gas deposits are exposed. Assemblage of significant chemical elements is chosen, level of values of canonical discriminant function ensuring presence of oil and gas deposit is found. Values of canonical discriminant function in sampling points over examined area are determined by chosen assemblage of significant chemical elements. Electron geochemical profiles are constructed, points in which canonical discriminant function exceeds found level and assuring specified probability of presence of oil and gas deposit are highlighted. EFFECT: increased informativity and authenticity of method with reduction of material expenditure. 2 dwg
