Prospect Evaluation Based on Integrated Petroleum System Analysis: Block E Case Study, South-Eastern Edge of Precaspian Basin Kazakhstan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ainura Zhanserkeyeva ◽  
Akzhan Kassenov

Abstract Positive geological and geochemical prerequisites have been identified for the purpose of increasing hydrocarbon resource potential in the under-explored study area. A methodology has been developed for assessing the hydrocarbon potential and prospecting for new promising oil and gas accumulation zones using the technology of basin modeling, provided there is a lack of initial data. A high hydrocarbon source rock generative potential and the degree of thermal maturity of the Lower Permian, Mid Carboniferous and Upper Devonian strata of the south-eastern part of the Precaspian depression have been revealed. Seismostratigraphic and geodynamic analysis was carried out and the main stages of the geodynamic evolution of the study area were reconstructed based on combination of all available geological and geophysical information, recent exploration drilling results and unpublished subsurface studies. The results of thermotectonic modelling confirm the possibility of vertical migration of hydrocarbons generated in Paleozoic sediments. A revision of the previously performed interpretation of 3D seismic data has been carried out; and for the first time, intrasalt sedimentary packets of presumably Upper Permian age have been identified as independent objects, which can be potential hydrocarbon traps. For the Lower Permian deposits, type III kerogen predominates, which may be associated with an increase in collisional processes in the Late Paleozoic time and an active input of plant organic matter. For Mid Carboniferous sediments, mixed type II / III kerogen or type II kerogen prevails. Analysis of the evolution of thermal maturity indicates the unevenness of the entry of potential oil and gas source strata into the main zone of oil generation. For kerogen type III of the Lower Permian source rocks, the peak of oil generation falls on the Late Cretaceous. For predominantly carbonate and terrigenous-carbonate Middle Carboniferous source rocks the peak of generation falls on the Jurassic. The most submerged Devonian source rocks are located mainly in the zone of wet gas generation. The development of salt tectonics from the Late Triassic to the Cenozoic contributed to the vertical migration of hydrocarbons into the post-salt complex. The identified oil fields in the Upper Triassic-Jurassic stratigraphic section are mainly confined to the four-way dip structural closured above the steep flanks of salt structures.

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
M.R. Bendall C.F. Burrett ◽  
H.J. Askin

Sedimentary successions belonging to three petroleum su persy stems can be recognised in and below the Late Carboniferous to Late Triassic onshore Tasmania Basin. These are the Centralian, Larapintine and Gondwanan. The oldest (Centralian) is poorly known and contains possible mature source rocks in Upper Proterozoic dolomites. The Larapintine 2 system is represented by rocks of the Devonian fold and thrust belt beneath the Tasmania Basin. Potential source rocks are micrites and shales within the 1.8 km-thick tropical Ordovician Gordon Group carbonates. Conodont CAI plots show that the Gordon Group lies in the oil and gas windows over most of central Tasmania and probably under much of the Tasmania Basin. Potential reservoirs are the upper reefal parts of the Gordon Group, paleokarsted surfaces within the Gordon Group and the overlying sandstones of the Siluro-Devonian Tiger Range and Eldon Groups. Seal rocks include shales within the Siluro-Devonian and Upper Carboniferous-Permian tillites and shales.The Gondwanan supersystem is the most promising supersystem for petroleum exploration within the onshore Tasmania Basin. It is divided into two petroleum systems— the Early Permian Gondwanan 1 system, and the Late Permian to Triassic Gondwanan 2 system. Excellent source rocks occur in the marine Tasmanite Oil Shale and other sections within the Lower Permian Woody Island and Quamby Formations of the Gondwanan 1 system and within coals and freshwater oil shales of the Gondwanan 2 system. These sources are within the oil and gas windows across most of the basin and probably reached peak oil generation at about 100 Ma. An oil seep, sourced from a Tasmanites-rich, anoxic shale, is found within Jurassic dolerite 40 km WSW of Hobart. Potential Gondwanan 1 reservoirs are the glaciofluvial Faulkner Group sandstones and sandstones and limestones within the overlying parts of the glaciomarine Permian sequence. The Upper Permian Ferntree Mudstone Formation provides an effective regional seal. Potential Gondwanan 2 reservoirs are the sandstones of the Upper Permian to Norian Upper Parmeener Supergroup. Traps consisting of domes, anticlines and faults were formed probably during the Early Cretaceous. Preliminary interpretation of a short AGSO seismic profile in the Tasmania Basin shows that, contrary to earlier belief, structures can be mapped beneath extensive and thick (300 m) sills of Jurassic dolerite. In addition, the total section of Gondwana to Upper Proterozoic to Triassic sediments appears to be in excess of 8,500 m. These recent studies, analysis of the oil seep and drilling results show that the Tasmanian source rocks have generated both oil and gas. The Tasmania Basin is considered prospective for both petroleum and helium and is comparable in size and stratigraphy to other glaciomarine-terrestrial Gondwanan basins such as the South Oman and Cooper Basins.


2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Do Couto ◽  
Sylvain Garel ◽  
Andrea Moscariello ◽  
Samer Bou Daher ◽  
Ralf Littke ◽  
...  

AbstractAn extensive subsurface investigation evaluating the geothermal energy resources and underground thermal energy storage potential is being carried out in the southwestern part of the Swiss Molasse Basin around the Geneva Canton. Among this process, the evaluation of the petroleum source-rock type and potential is an important step to understand the petroleum system responsible of some oil and gas shows at surface and subsurface. This study provides a first appraisal of the risk to encounter possible undesired occurrence of hydrocarbons in the subsurface of the Geneva Basin. Upon the numerous source-rocks mentioned in the petroleum systems of the North Alpine Foreland Basin, the marine Type II Toarcian shales (Lias) and the terrigenous Type III Carboniferous coals and shales have been sampled from wells and characterized with Rock–Eval pyrolysis and GC–MS analysis. The Toarcian shales (known as the Posidonia shales) are showing a dominant Type II organic matter composition with a Type III component in the Jura region and the south of the basin. Its thermal maturity (~ 0.7 VRr%) shows that this source-rock currently generates hydrocarbons at depth. The Carboniferous coals and shales show a dominant Type III organic matter with slight marine to lacustrine component, in the wet gas window below the Geneva Basin. Two bitumen samples retrieved at surface (Roulave stream) and in a shallow borehole (Satigny) are heavily biodegraded. Relative abundance of regular steranes of the Roulave bitumen indicates an origin from a marine Type II organic matter. The source of the Satigny bitumen is supposedly the same even though a deeper source-rock, such as the lacustrine Permian shales expelling oil in the Jura region, can’t be discarded. The oil-prone Toarcian shales in the oil window are the most likely source of this bitumen. A gas pocket encountered in the shallow well of Satigny (Geneva Canton), was investigated for molecular and stable isotopic gas composition. The analyses indicated that the gas is made of a mixture of microbial (very low δ13C1) and thermogenic gas. The isotopic composition of ethane and propane suggests a thermogenic origin from an overmature Type II source-rock (> 1.6 VRr%) or from a terrigenous Type III source at a maturity of ~ 1.2 VRr%. The Carboniferous seems to be the only source-rock satisfying these constraints at depth. The petroleum potential of the marine Toarcian shales below the Geneva Basin remains nevertheless limited given the limited thickness of the source-rock across the area and does not pose a high risk for geothermal exploration. A higher risk is assigned to Permian and Carboniferous source-rocks at depth where they reached gas window maturity and generated large amount of gas below sealing Triassic evaporites. The large amount of faults and fractures cross-cutting the entire stratigraphic succession in the basin certainly serve as preferential migration pathways for gas, explaining its presence in shallow stratigraphic levels such as at Satigny.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 95-120
Author(s):  
Rzger Abdulkarim Abdula

Burial history, thermal maturity, and timing of hydrocarbon generation were modeled for five key source-rock horizons at five locations in Northern Iraq. Constructed burial-history locations from east to west in the region are: Taq Taq-1; Qara Chugh-2; Zab-1; Guwair-2; and Shaikhan-2 wells. Generally, the thermal maturity status of the burial history sites based on increasing thermal maturity is Shaikhan-2 < Zab-1 < Guwair-2 < Qara Chugh-2 < Taq Taq-1. In well Qara Chugh-2, oil generation from Type-IIS kerogen in Geli Khana Formation started in the Late Cretaceous. Gas generation occurred at Qara Chugh-2 from Geli Khana Formation in the Late Miocene. The Kurra Chine Formation entered oil generation window at Guwair-2 and Shaikhan-2 at 64 Ma and 46 Ma, respectively. At Zab-1, the Baluti Formation started to generate gas at 120 Ma. The Butmah /Sarki reached peak oil generation at 45 Ma at Taq Taq-1. The main source rock in the area, Sargelu Formation started to generate oil at 47, 51, 33, 28, and 28 Ma at Taq Taq-1, Guwair-2, Shaikhan-2, Qara Chugh-2, and Zab-1, respectively. The results of the models demonstrated that peak petroleum generation from the Jurassic oil- and gas-prone source rocks in the most profound parts of the studied area occurred from Late Cretaceous to Middle Oligocene. At all localities, the Sargelu Formation is still within the oil window apart from Taq Taq-1 and Qara Chugh-2 where it is in the oil cracking and gas generation phase.


The Rock–Eval pyrolysis and LECO analysis for 9 shale and 12 coal samples, as well as, geostatistical analysis have been used to investigate source rock characteristics, correlation between the assessed parameters (QI, BI, S1, S2, S3, HI, S1 + S2, OI, PI, TOC) and the impact of changes in the Tmax on the assessed parameters in the Cretaceous Sokoto, Anambra Basins and Middle Benue Trough of northwestern, southeastern and northcentral Nigeria respectively. The geochemical results point that about 97% of the samples have TOC values greater than the minimum limit value (0.5 wt %) required to induce hydrocarbon generation from source rocks. Meanwhile, the Dukamaje and Taloka shales and Lafia/Obi coal are found to be fair to good source rock for oil generation with slightly higher thermal maturation. The source rocks are generally immature through sub-mature to marginal mature with respect to the oil and gas window, while the potential source rocks from the Anambra Basin are generally sub-mature grading to mature within the oil window. The analyzed data were approached statistically to find some relations such as factors, and clusters concerning the examination of the source rocks. These factors were categorized into type of organic matter and organic richness, thermal maturity and hydrocarbon potency. In addendum, cluster analysis separated the source rocks in the study area into two groups. The source rocks characterized by HI >240 (mg/g), TOC from 58.89 to 66.43 wt %, S1 from 2.01 to 2.54 (mg/g) and S2 from 148.94 to 162.52 (mg/g) indicating good to excellent source rocks with kerogen of type II and type III and are capable of generating oil and gas. Followed by the Source rocks characterized by HI <240 (mg/g), TOC from 0.94 to 36.12 wt%, S1 from 0.14 to 0.72 (mg/g) and S2 from 0.14 to 20.38 (mg/g) indicating poor to good source rocks with kerogen of type III and are capable of generating gas. Howeverr, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis shows a significant positive correlation between TOC and S1, S2 and HI and no correlation between TOC and Tmax, highly negative correlation between TOC and OI and no correlation between Tmax and HI. Keywords- Cretaceous, Geochemical, Statistical, Cluster; Factor analyses.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. SF225-SF242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun Sun ◽  
Quansheng Liang ◽  
Chengfu Jiang ◽  
Daniel Enriquez ◽  
Tongwei Zhang ◽  
...  

Source-rock samples from the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin of China were geochemically characterized to determine variations in depositional environments, organic-matter (OM) source, and thermal maturity. Total organic carbon (TOC) content varies from 4 wt% to 10 wt% in the Chang 7, Chang 8, and Chang 9 members — the three OM-rich shale intervals. The Chang 7 has the highest TOC and hydrogen index values, and it is considered the best source rock in the formation. Geochemical evidence indicates that the main sources of OM in the Yanchang Formation are freshwater lacustrine phytoplanktons, aquatic macrophytes, aquatic organisms, and land plants deposited under a weakly reducing to suboxic depositional environment. The elevated [Formula: see text] sterane concentration and depleted [Formula: see text] values of OM in the middle of the Chang 7 may indicate the presence of freshwater cyanobacteria blooms that corresponds to a period of maximum lake expansion. The OM deposited in deeper parts of the lake is dominated by oil-prone type I or type II kerogen or a mixture of both. The OM deposited in shallower settings is characterized by increased terrestrial input with a mixture of types II and III kerogen. These source rocks are in the oil window, with maturity increasing with burial depth. The measured solid-bitumen reflectance and calculated vitrinite reflectance from the temperature at maximum release of hydrocarbons occurs during Rock-Eval pyrolysis ([Formula: see text]) and the methylphenanthrene index (MPI-1) chemical maturity parameters range from 0.8 to [Formula: see text]. Because the thermal labilities of OM are associated with the kerogen type, the required thermal stress for oil generation from types I and II mixed kerogen has a higher and narrower range of temperature for hydrocarbon generation than that of OM dominated by type II kerogen or types II and III mixed kerogen deposited in the prodelta and delta front.


2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.J. Ambrose ◽  
K. Liu ◽  
I. Deighton ◽  
P.J. Eadington ◽  
C.J. Boreham

The northern Pedirka Basin in the Northern Territory is sparsely explored compared with its southern counterpart in South Australia. Only seven wells and 2,500 km of seismic data occur over a prospective area of 73,000 km2 which comprises three stacked sedimentary basins of Palaeozoic to Mesozoic age. In this area three petroleum systems have potential related to important source intervals in the Early Jurassic Eromanga Basin (Poolowanna Formation), the Triassic Simpson Basin (Peera Peera Formation) and Early Permian Pedirka Basin (Purni Formation). They are variably developed in three prospective depocentres, the Eringa Trough, the Madigan Trough and the northern Poolowanna Trough. Basin modelling using modern techniques indicate oil and gas expulsion responded to increasing early Late Cretaceous temperatures in part due to sediment loading (Winton Formation). Using a composite kinetic model, oil and gas expulsion from coal rich source rocks were largely coincident at this time, when source rocks entered the wet gas maturation window.The Purni Formation coals provide the richest source rocks and equate to the lower Patchawarra Formation in the Cooper Basin. Widespread well intersections indicate that glacial outwash sandstones at the base of the Purni Formation, herein referred to as the Tirrawarra Sandstone equivalent, have regional extent and are an important exploration target as well as providing a direct correlation with the prolific Patchawarra/Tirrawarra petroleum system found in the Cooper Basin.An integrated investigation into the hydrocarbon charge and migration history of Colson–1 was carried out using CSIRO Petroleum’s OMI (Oil Migration Intervals), QGF (Quantitative Grain Fluorescence) and GOI (Grains with Oil Inclusions) technologies. In the Early Jurassic Poolowanna Formation between 1984 and 2054 mRT, elevated QGF intensities, evidence of oil inclusions and abundant fluorescing material trapped in quartz grains and low displacement pressure measurements collectively indicate the presence of palaeo-oil and gas accumulation over this 70 m interval. This is consistent with the current oil show indications such as staining, cut fluorescence, mud gas and surface solvent extraction within this reservoir interval. Multiple hydrocarbon migration pathways are also indicated in sandstones of the lower Algebuckina Sandstone, basal Poolowanna Formation and Tirrawarra Sandstone equivalent. This is a significant upgrade in hydrocarbon prospectivity, given previous perceptions of relatively poor quality and largely immature source rocks in the Basin.Conventional structural targets are numerous, but the timing of hydrocarbon expulsion dictates that those with an older drape and compaction component will be more prospective than those dominated by Tertiary reactivation which may have resulted in remigration or leakage. Preference should also apply to those structures adjacent to generative source kitchens on relatively short migration pathways. Early formed stratigraphic traps at the level of the Tirrawarra Sandstone equivalent and Poolowanna Formation are also attractive targets. Cyclic sedimentation in the Poolowanna Formation results in two upward fining cycles which compartmentalise the sequence into two reservoir–seal configurations. Basal fluvial sandstone reservoirs grade upwards into topset shale/coal lithologies which form effective semi-regional seals. Onlap of the basal cycle onto the Late Triassic unconformity offers opportunities for stratigraphic entrapment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-596
Author(s):  
A. Emanuel ◽  
C.H. Kasanzu ◽  
M. Kagya

Abstract Triassic to mid-Jurassic core samples of the Mandawa basin, southern Tanzania (western coast of the Indian Ocean), were geochemically analyzed in order to constrain source rock potentials and petroleum generation prospects of different stratigraphic formations within the coastal basin complex. The samples were collected from the Mihambia, Mbuo and Nondwa Formations in the basin. Geochemical characterization of source rocks intersected in exploration wells drilled between 503 to 4042 m below surface yielded highly variable organic matter contents (TOC) rated between fair and very good potential source rocks (0.5 to 8.7 wt%; mean ca. 2.3 wt%). Based on bulk geochemical data obtained in this study, the Mandawa source rocks are mainly Type I, Type II, Type III, mixed Types II/III and Type IV kerogens, with a predominance of Type II, Type III and mixed Type II/III. Based on pyrolysis data (Tmax 417 to 473oC; PI = 0.02 to 0.47; highly variable HI = 13 to 1 000 mg/gTOC; OI = 16 to 225 mg/g; and VR values of between 0.24 to 0.95% Ro) we suggest that the Triassic Mbuo Formation and possibly the mid-Jurassic Mihambia Formation have a higher potential for hydrocarbon generation than the Nondwa Formation as they are relatively thermally mature.


2016 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 68-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremie Berthonneau ◽  
Olivier Grauby ◽  
Muhannad Abuhaikal ◽  
Roland J.-M. Pellenq ◽  
Franz J. Ulm ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Ambrose ◽  
M. Scardigno ◽  
A.J. Hill

Prospective Middle–Late Triassic and Early Jurassic petroleum systems are widespread in central Australia where they have only been sparsely explored. These systems are important targets in the Simpson/Eromanga basins (Poolowanna Trough and surrounds), but the petroleum systems also extend into the northern and eastern Cooper Basin.Regional deposition of Early–Middle Triassic red-beds, which provide regional seal to the Permian petroleum system, are variously named the Walkandi Formation in the Simpson Basin, and the Arrabury Formation in the northern and eastern Cooper Basin. A pervasive, transgressive lacustrine sequence (Middle–Late Triassic Peera Peera Formation) disconformably overlies the red-beds and can be correlated over a distance of 500 km from the Poolowanna Trough into western Queensland, thus providing the key to unravelling Triassic stratigraphic architecture in the region. The equivalent sequence in the northern Cooper Basin is the Tinchoo Formation. These correlations allow considerable simplification of Triassic stratigraphy in this region, and demonstrate the wide lateral extent of lacustrine source rocks that also provide regional seal. Sheet-like, fluvial-alluvial sands at the base of the Peera Peera/Tinchoo sequence are prime reservoir targets and have produced oil at James–1, with widespread hydrocarbon shows occurring elsewhere including Poolowanna–1, Colson–1, Walkandi–1, Potiron–1 and Mackillop–1.The Early Jurassic Poolowanna Formation disconformably overlies the Peera Peera Formation and can be subdivided into two transgressive, fluvial-lacustrine cycles, which formed on a regional scale in response to distal sea level oscillations. Early Jurassic stratigraphic architecture in the Poolowanna Trough is defined by a lacustrine shale capping the basal transgressive cycle (Cycle 1). This shale partitions the Early Jurassic aquifer in some areas and significant hydrocarbon shows and oil recoveries are largely restricted to sandstones below this seal. Structural closure into the depositional edge of Cycle 1 is an important oil play.The Poolowanna and Peera Peera formations, which have produced minor oil and gas/condensate on test respectively in Poolowanna–1, include lacustrine source rocks with distinct coal maceral compositions. Significantly, the oil-bearing Early Jurassic sequence in Cuttapirrie–1 in the Cooper Basin correlates directly with the Cycle–1 oil pool in Poolowanna–1. Basin modelling in the latter indicates hydrocarbon expulsion occurred in the late Cretaceous (90–100 Ma) with migration into a subtle Jurassic age closure. Robust Miocene structural reactivation breached the trap leaving only minor remnants of water-washed oil. Other large Miocene structures, bound by reverse faults and some reflecting major inversion, have failed to encounter commercial hydrocarbons. Future exploration should target subtle Triassic to Jurassic–Early Cretaceous age structural and combination stratigraphic traps largely free of younger fault dislocation.


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