Gravity and magnetic surveys are the most inexpensive in the production from light geophysical methods. These methods are used in the early stages of prospecting operations to obtain the information on structural and tectonic structure of the territory and its peculiarities to identify the most promising sections within the studied area for performance of heavier and more expensive ground surveys. Gravity and magnetic surveys are conducted in both airborne and terrestrial, as well as offshore options.

Insofar, the gravimetric and magnetic acquisition in 1: 200 000 scale has been performed for significant part of Russia. Today, such and larger-scale gravimetric and magnetic surveys are conducted with application of airborne geophysics, and, as a rule, additionally involve gamma spectrometry and electroprospecting. These surveys are used for studies of the spectrum and energy of gamma radiation and electric resistance, which provide important geological information.

The gravimetric methods are successfully applied in engineering geology and geodynamic measurements for integrated regional exploration, prospecting for oil and gas, as well as geological surveys in complicatedly structured tectonic zones and areas of trappe magmatism.

The magnetic methods are used in combination with gravimetric and other geophysical techniques to achieve the objectives as follows:

• Identification of density and magnetic inhomogeneities;
• Modeling of geological and geophysical cross-sections;
• Detection of deep faults;
• Identification of decompression zones, promising in terms of hydrocarbon potential;
• Tectonic zoning.

The most significant portion in growth the surveyed data on the deposits of nickel, copper, zinc, lead in North America has been received for many years already from the fields projected with application of the modern airborne geophysics

Airborne geophysics is one of the most effective tools for assessment of natural resources in the vast hard-to-reach areas to meet the challenges of regional and survey exploration stages.

Integrated airborne geophysical surveys that include the state-of-art electrical prospecting, magnetic, gravity, gamma spectrometry, temperature measurements and other methods constitute a solid foundation for advanced studies and prospecting of important commercial minerals.

Geochemical methods are inexpensive and effective, environmentally friendly methods in prospecting for hydrocarbon deposits. Along with drilling operations they reveal the direct attributes of oil and gas accumulations.

• Identification of geochemical hydrocarbon anomalies;
• Identification of anomalous zones of modern and ancient migration;
• Determination of migratory nature in hydrocarbon accumulations;
• Determination of saturation phase in productive horizons;
• Differentiation of faults permeability degree for hydrocarbons.