Efficient Workflows for Unconventional Plays: Bakken as “Template” for Bazhen, a New Approach to Old West Siberian Giant

Initial petroleum systems modeling, which was originally developed to enable improved understanding and predictions of conventional petroleum resources, can be used for assessments in unconventional systems. The geologic framework and the processes are the same. As the controlling factors for shale gas or shale oil are the thermal histories and the type of organic matter, petroleum systems modeling is an essential part of the assessment workflow. In many recent predictions the Bazhen Formation is mainly attributed as future giant shale oil play. In order to provide potential workflow for the forthcoming Bazhen unconventional exploration, we exposed the main principles of the unconventional exploration of Bakken formation (Williston basin).