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- Volume 12, Issue 2, 2006
Petroleum Geoscience - Volume 12, Issue 2, 2006
Volume 12, Issue 2, 2006
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Depositional environment and source potential of Jurassic coal-bearing sediments (Gresten Formation, Höflein gas/condensate field, Austria)
Authors R. F. Sachsenhofer, A. Bechtel, T. Kuffner, T. Rainer, R. Gratzer, R. Sauer and H. SperlCoal-bearing Jurassic sediments (Gresten Formation; Lower Quartzarenite Member) are discussed as source rocks for gas and minor oil in the basement of the Alpine–Carpathian frontal zone (e.g. Höflein gas/condensate field). Core material has therefore been analysed to characterize depositional environment and source potential of the Lower Quartzarenite Member (LQM). Geochemical data from the Höflein condensate are used to establish a source–condensate correlation.
The LQM was deposited in a flood basin with transitions to a delta-plain environment. Coal originated in frequently flooded mires and evolved within an oxygenated and acidic environment. It is inferred from geochemical data that organic matter from aquatic macrophytes and gymnosperms contributed to coal formation. Wildfires were abundant and oxidation of plant remains occurred frequently. This resulted in the formation of dull coal with very high inertinite contents. Bituminous shales were formed in deeper waters under dysoxic conditions. Apart from abundant algae and micro-organisms, it is concluded that there was an increased contribution of higher land plants relative to macrophytes to the biomass of the shales.
Despite high inertinite contents, coal within the LQM has a significant oil potential. Bituminous shales contain a Type III–II kerogen. According to pyrolysis–gas chromatography data, coal and shale generate a high wax paraffinic oil. The organic matter is immature to marginal mature (0.55% Rr). Bituminous shales are considered a potential source for the Höflein condensate. Coal may be the source for gas and minor oil in the Klement Field, but is not the source for the condensate. The equivalent vitrinite reflectance of the condensate is 0.8%, suggesting condensate generation at 4–4.5 km depth. The Gresten Formation reaches this depth near its depocentres, implying southward-directed migration of the Höflein condensate.
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Sequence stratigraphically controlled diagenesis governs reservoir quality in the carbonate Dehluran Field, southwest Iran
Authors Ali Asghar Taghavi, Atle Mørk and Mohammad Ali EmadiThe Sarvak Formation (late Albian–early Turonian) is one of the major oil and gas reservoir units in southwestern Iran and was deposited in a wide carbonate ramp marine setting. Three major transgressive–regressive sequences are interpreted in the upper part of the Sarvak Formation in the Dehluran Field. Sequence boundaries are recognized from facies shifts and diagenetic effects related to sea-level fall, whereas maximum flooding episodes are indicated by deep-water facies characterized by abundant bioturbation and high gamma-ray log responses.
Diagenesis is the main controlling factor on reservoir quality and plays both a constructive and a destructive role. Permeability is decreased by cementation, which fills primary porosity and disconnects pore throats, while compaction decreases porosity by establishing tighter intergrain contacts. Conversely, the dissolution of unstable minerals (mainly aragonite) is the major process that improves porosity and then permeability by enlarging pores and pore throats. Dolomitization, when associated with dissolution, creates the best reservoir intervals in the Sarvak Formation, although this is not a widespread phenomenon.
These diagenetic processes are controlled by sea-level fluctuations, and thus the sequence stratigraphic development. Dissolution, early cementation and exposure-related dolomitization took place during falling sea-levels, mainly in the uppermost, regressive parts of the major sequences. Dolomitization is recognized in the transgressive and in the regressive systems tracts. Stylolitization and fracturing are independent of sea-level fluctuations and are most likely to have formed through a combination of compaction and tectonic events.
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Sequence stratigraphic-based analysis of reservoir connectivity: influence of sealing faults – a case study from a marginal marine depositional setting
More LessThis case study of the Sunrise and Troubadour fields (offshore northwest Australia) deals with the impact of sealing faults on reservoir connectivity via a sequence stratigraphic-based, 3D reservoir modelling approach. The marginal marine, wave- and fluvial-dominated reservoir succession was subdivided into sequence stratigraphic units. The connectivity of sandbodies in each parasequence was calculated, following a palinspastic restoration of the 3D models to a depositional datum (depositional connectivity). Once the top structure and fault architecture interpreted from seismic data were incorporated into the 3D models, sandbody connectivity was again calculated on the same stratigraphic basis, with the faults being considered sealing (structural connectivity). The impact on sandbody connectivity of additional, probabilistic, sub-seismic sealing faults was also analysed.
The results indicate that the depositional architecture is the controlling factor on reservoir connectivity for low sealing fault densities. However, at a critical sealing fault density, the major control becomes the structural architecture. Using the approach detailed in this paper, relationships between sealing fault density and reservoir connectivity for different development well layout scenarios can be predicted as a basis for optimizing development well patterns.
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Modelling the effects of stratigraphical uncertainty on fault seal and trap-fill in faulted structures
Authors S. M. Clarke, M. Littler, S. D. Burley, G. D. Williams, D. Hughes and S. CooganA three-dimensional approach to migration modelling through faulted structures is described that allows the effects of stratigraphical uncertainty on potential hydrocarbon accumulations to be assessed. Deterministic, three-dimensional fault seal analysis typically produces results that are extremely sensitive to input parameters such as structural architecture and stratigraphical variation. These parameters can be amongst the most poorly defined of modelling inputs because subsurface structural detail and stratigraphical variation are often below the limit of seismic resolution and are not sampled by well data.
The new technique is fully integrated with three-dimensional fault seal analysis and hydrocarbon flow pathway modelling to give a workflow that predicts the likelihood of fault-controlled hydrocarbon accumulations, given these uncertainties. Multiple deterministic realizations of the model are used to highlight specific uncertainties in stratigraphy to which predicted hydrocarbon accumulations are sensitive. The results of these realizations are incorporated into, and used to condition, a stochastic model to risk predicted accumulations based on their likelihood of occurrence and volume.
This technique has many advantages over either purely deterministic or purely stochastic approaches. A single deterministic realization places over-optimistic faith in the accuracy of the geological model because of the high sensitivity of fault seal analysis to input parameters. Multiple realizations allow specific input parameter uncertainties to be investigated, and the resulting common traps can be considered low risk, but accumulations exclusive to individual realizations cannot be risked. Moreover, a purely stochastic simulation based on all uncertainties will, at best, reduce efficiency by modelling uncertainties to which the result is insensitive or, at worst, may bias results with geologically implausible, stochastically-generated trials.
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An atypical early mature oil in Block 35/1, Norwegian North Sea – hypersaline, carbonate Jurassic environment?
Authors S. E. Ohm, H. Beeley, D. A. Karlsen, P. B. Hall and A. FossBlock 35/1 with the dry Sturlason structure, is located on the northernmost part of the Marflo Ridge in the Norwegian part of the Northern North Sea. It is separated by deep faults from the Sogn Graben to the east and the Marulk Basin to the west. The 35/1-1 well proved only minor shows of gas and oil in the well.
The Sturlason structure comprises a series of upthrown fault blocks in a structurally complex area. The well-established Brent Formation carrier and reservoir sandstone has shaled out this far north and the stratigraphically deeper Lower Jurassic Statfjord Formation and Triassic Lunde Formation sandstones were, in the exploration model, suggested as both carrier beds and reservoirs. The prolific Upper Jurassic Draupne (Type II organic matter, OM) and Heather (Type II/III OM) Formation source rocks were, based on seismic data, interpreted to be absent or thin over the prospect, thus implying lateral migration for filling the structure with petroleum. Structural back-stripping suggests that part of Block 35/1 was sub-aerially exposed as an island during deposition of the Upper Jurassic source rocks. This may have impacted the quality and nature of the fringing organic material due to a more oxic environment and a greater influx of Type III organic matter.
The geochemical analyses were hampered by contamination from the use of oil-based mud (C13–23 range hydrocarbons) while drilling. Despite this, traces of true indigenous C4–10 and C25+ range hydrocarbon are demonstrated. These results suggest presence of an evaporative condensate and heavy oil fraction originating from a source rock related to a hypersaline carbonate depositional environment.
A buoyancy-driven fluid flow study, without taking faults into account, shows the difficulty in charging the prospect and clearly suggests the presence of sealing faults. The latter are also substantiated by a separate fault-seal analysis. Traps in flanking areas could, however, receive petroleum. Gas is also interpreted to be present in shallower sediments over the eastern flank of the Sturlason structure.
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Contribution of research borehole data to modelling fine-grained turbidite reservoir analogues, Permian Tanqua–Karoo basin-floor fans (South Africa)
Outcrop analogue studies can be augmented and constrained by drilling research wells through the same stratigraphic interval. Close-to-outcrop wells help to validate outcrop observations with well log and core data and thus improve the use of such data in actual field developments. Research wells located further away from the outcrops increase the spatial data coverage and can give important insight into regional facies distributions and net:gross changes.
In the Tanqua–Karoo Basin (South Africa), seven wells were drilled into fine-grained sand-rich basin-floor fans and interfan mudstones to supplement outcrop data. Three close-to-outcrop wells proved useful in establishing characteristic log responses of the main architectural elements identified from the nearby outcrops. Lithofacies were correctly identified in more than 80% of cases using an artificial neural network. Borehole images provided detailed information on sedimentary structures, including a wealth of palaeocurrent data from climbing ripples that significantly enhanced the interpretations based only on outcrops. Wells sited away from the outcrops supplied information on lateral thickness and facies trends and intrafan stacking patterns, which helped to define the stratigraphic evolution of the fans. The combined data indicate that deposition was controlled in part by subtle basin-floor topography, and that intrafan lobe switching took place, leading to internal subdivisions that potentially caused effective compartmentalization of the basin-floor fan.
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Volumes & issues
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Volume 30 (2024)
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Volume 29 (2023)
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Volume 28 (2022)
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Volume 27 (2021)
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Volume 26 (2020)
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Volume 25 (2019)
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Volume 24 (2018)
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Volume 23 (2017)
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Volume 22 (2016)
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Volume 21 (2015)
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Volume 20 (2014)
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Volume 19 (2013)
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Volume 18 (2012)
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Volume 17 (2011)
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Volume 16 (2010)
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Volume 15 (2009)
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Volume 14 (2008)
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Volume 13 (2007)
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Volume 12 (2006)
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Volume 11 (2005)
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Volume 10 (2004)
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Volume 9 (2003)
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Volume 8 (2002)
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Volume 7 (2001)
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Volume 6 (2000)
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Volume 5 (1999)
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Volume 4 (1998)
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Volume 3 (1997)
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Volume 2 (1996)
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Volume 1 (1995)