Register      Login
The APPEA Journal The APPEA Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Analytical approach for multivariate exploration planning via secondary migration modelling

Amin Shokrollahi A * , Sara Borazjani A , Syeda Sara Mobasher A , Ulrike Schacht A , Khalid Amrouch A and Pavel Bedrikovetsky A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

The APPEA Journal 63 220-229 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22191
Submitted: 27 November 2022  Accepted: 25 January 2023   Published: 11 May 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.

Abstract

Identifying potential petroleum traps in petroleum basins is one of the key challenges in petroleum exploration. Specifically, it is the identification of probable petroleum traps within a set of stratigraphic traps of a particular location of source rock and carrier bed. One solution lies in understanding the behaviour of hydrocarbon flow during secondary migration, and the evaluation of the probability of successful transport from the source rock to the trap. Modern reservoir simulators rely on numerical methods to model the oil/gas secondary migration. Using numerical simulators is, however, cumbersome and requires high volumes of data and computation time, which affects successful decision-making in exploration planning. Yet, analytical models are fast and allow for multivariant analysis of hydrocarbon secondary migration requiring only a moderate amount of geological data. This study presents the analytical modelling of hydrocarbon buoyant transport in petroleum basins by including the (i) areal variation of stringers’ cross-section, (ii) chemical reactions including oil biodegradation and (iii) hydrological water flow. The explicit formula is provided for the first and last moments of hydrocarbon arrival at the trap, describing the dynamics of filling of the trap. Field data from Australian and Chinese basins are used to investigate the effects of the above-mentioned parameters on the first and last moments of hydrocarbon arrival at the trap.

Keywords: analytical modelling, basin analysis, chemical reaction, exact solution, filling history of traps, hydrological water flow, petroleum exploration, secondary migration.

Amin Shokrollahi is a PhD student at the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources (ASPER) at the University of Adelaide. His current research is focused on the mathematical modelling of fluid flow in porous media, specifically oil/gas secondary migration and CO2/H2 storage in subsurface reservoirs. He received his MSc degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. Amin has over 10 years of combined academic and industrial research experience in reservoir engineering and rock/fluid evaluation. Contact email: amin.shokrollahi@adelaide.edu.au, shokrollahi.amin@gmail.com.

Dr Sara Borazjani graduated from the University of Adelaide with a PhD in Petroleum Engineering in February 2016. She has since worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at ASPER. Her research interests include mathematical modelling of multiphase, multicomponent flow in porous media, enhanced oil recovery methods and fines-assisted water flooding for improved oil production. Contact email: sara.borazjani@adelaide.edu.au.

Syeda Sara Mobasher is a PhD student at ASPER, University of Adelaide. Her research interests lie in the secondary migration of hydrocarbon reaching traps and carbon storage projects. She is modelling secondary migration cases numerically using PetroMod and working on measurement, monitoring and verification techniques to study carbon plume migration from an injection well to a monitoring well. Previously, she worked with Schlumberger as a reservoir characterisation engineer and completed her BSc and MSc in Geophysics from Bahria University, Pakistan. Contact email: syeda.mobasher@adelaide.edu.au.

Dr Ulrike Schacht is the Chevron Senior Research Fellow in Carbon Storage Science and workgroup lead for subsurface gas storage at ASPER. She has extensive expertise in the geochemical aspects of subsurface gas storage, with 15+ years of experience in conducting laboratory and field-scale investigations into (gas–) water–rock interaction processes. Her contributions in this field of expertise include a detailed understanding of how these processes can impact on the storage and sealing capacity of reservoir rocks and seals, the impacts of leakage on near subsurface environments such as fresh water aquifers, as well as the development and implementation of assurance monitoring programs for CO2 storage sites. Contact email: ulrike.schacht@adelaide.edu.au.

Dr Khalid Amrouch is a Structural Geologist with expertise in geomechanics. He graduated from Sorbonne University (Paris) with a BSc-Hons in Earth Sciences, MSc in Geosciences and a PhD in Structural Geology. His main interest relates to brittle tectonics, fracture characterisation and 4D stress analyses. Khalid started his career in 2005 at the Institut Français du Pétrole Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), which sponsored his studies, followed in 2010 by a Research Engineer position at the Mines PariTech (PSL). In 2012, Khalid spent 1 year working for BHP as an Exploration Geologist in Chile, before joining ASPER in February 2013. Since then, Khalid has been an active member of the S3 Research Group, one of the largest geoscience research groups at the University of Adelaide. Since 2021, Khalid has also been an Adjunct Professor at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P – Morocco). Contact email: khalid.amrouch@adelaide.edu.au.

Dr Pavel Bedrikovetsky is a Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Adelaide. He authored a seminal book on reservoir engineering and 290 papers in international journals and SPE. His research covers CO2 and hydrogen storage, well injectivity and productivity, formation damage and EOR. He holds an MSc in Applied Mathematics, a PhD in Fluid Mechanics and DSc in Reservoir Engineering, all from Moscow Gubkin Oil-Gas University. Pavel boasts 40 years of industrial experience in Europe, USA, Brazil, Ukraine, Russia and Australia. Pavel was a 2008–2009 and 2016–2017 SPE Distinguished Lecturer. He is an SPE Distinguished Member. Pavel was ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists by Stanford University (2020). Contact email: pavel.bedrikovetski@adelaide.edu.au.


References

Allen PA, Allen JR (2013) ‘Basin analysis: Principles and application to petroleum play assessment.’ (John Wiley & Sons)

Barenblatt GI (2003) ‘Scaling.’ (Cambridge University Press)

Bedrikovetsky P, Borazjani S (2022) Exact solutions for gravity-segregated flows in porous media. Mathematics 10, 2455
Exact solutions for gravity-segregated flows in porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Borazjani S, Kulikowski D, Amrouch K, Bedrikovetsky P (2019) Composition changes of hydrocarbons during secondary petroleum migration (case study in cooper basin, australia). Geosciences 9, 78
Composition changes of hydrocarbons during secondary petroleum migration (case study in cooper basin, australia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ciriello V, Di Federico V, Archetti R, Longo S (2013) Effect of variable permeability on the propagation of thin gravity currents in porous media. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 57, 168–175.
Effect of variable permeability on the propagation of thin gravity currents in porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Connan J (1984) Biodegradation of crude oils in reservoirs. In ‘Advances in Petroleum Geochemistry. Vol. 1’. (Eds J Brooks, D Welte) pp. 299–335. (Academic Press: London)

Dentz M, Tartakovsky DM (2009) Abrupt-interface solution for carbon dioxide injection into porous media. Transport in Porous Media 79, 15–27.
Abrupt-interface solution for carbon dioxide injection into porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fahs M, Younes A, Mara TA (2014) A new benchmark semi-analytical solution for density-driven flow in porous media. Advances in Water Resources 70, 24–35.
A new benchmark semi-analytical solution for density-driven flow in porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fujii T (2006) Using 2d and 3d basin modelling and seismic seepage indicators to investigate controls on hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in the vulcan sub-basin, timor sea, north-western australia. M.Sc. Thesis, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

George SC, Ahmed M, Liu K, Volk H (2004) The analysis of oil trapped during secondary migration. Organic Geochemistry 35, 1489–1511.
The analysis of oil trapped during secondary migration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Golding MJ, Huppert HE (2010) The effect of confining impermeable boundaries on gravity currents in a porous medium. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 649, 1–17.
The effect of confining impermeable boundaries on gravity currents in a porous medium.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hao F, Zou H, Gong Z, Deng Y (2007) Petroleum migration and accumulation in the bozhong sub-basin, bohai bay basin, china: Significance of preferential petroleum migration pathways (ppmp) for the formation of large oilfields in lacustrine fault basins. Marine and Petroleum Geology 24, 1–13.
Petroleum migration and accumulation in the bozhong sub-basin, bohai bay basin, china: Significance of preferential petroleum migration pathways (ppmp) for the formation of large oilfields in lacustrine fault basins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hao F, Zhou X, Zhu Y, Bao X, Yang Y (2009) Charging of the neogene penglai 19-3 field, bohai bay basin, china: Oil accumulation in a young trap in an active fault zone. AAPG Bulletin 93, 155–179.
Charging of the neogene penglai 19-3 field, bohai bay basin, china: Oil accumulation in a young trap in an active fault zone.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Huppert HE, Woods AW (1995) Gravity-driven flows in porous layers. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 292, 55–69.
Gravity-driven flows in porous layers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kennard JM, Deighton I, Edwards DS, Colwell JB, O’Brien GW, Boreham CJ (1999) Thermal history modelling and transient heat pulses: New insights into hydrocarbon expulsion and ‘hot flushes’ in the vulcan sub-basin, timor sea. The APPEA Journal 39, 177–207.
Thermal history modelling and transient heat pulses: New insights into hydrocarbon expulsion and ‘hot flushes’ in the vulcan sub-basin, timor sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kulikowski D (2017) Modern structural analysis of subsurface provinces: A case study on the cooper and eromanga basins, australia. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Kulikowski D, Amrouch K, Pokalai K, Mackie SI, Gray ME, Burgin HB (2022) The cooper–eromanga petroleum province, australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences 69, 153–187.
The cooper–eromanga petroleum province, australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lisk M (2012) Fluid migration and hydrocarbon charge history of the vulcan sub-basin. Ph.D. Thesis, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Longo S, Ciriello V, Chiapponi L, Di Federico V (2015) Combined effect of rheology and confining boundaries on spreading of gravity currents in porous media. Advances in Water Resources 79, 140–152.
Combined effect of rheology and confining boundaries on spreading of gravity currents in porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lyle S, Huppert HE, Hallworth M, Bickle M, Chadwick A (2005) Axisymmetric gravity currents in a porous medium. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 543, 293–302.
Axisymmetric gravity currents in a porous medium.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pan C, Wang J, Yu S, Wang X, Xiang B, Liao J, Ren J, Li E, Zhang X (2021) Oil origins, mixing and biodegradation in southwestern junggar basin, nw china. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 196, 108017
Oil origins, mixing and biodegradation in southwestern junggar basin, nw china.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pegler SS, Huppert HE, Neufeld JA (2013) Topographic controls on gravity currents in porous media. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 734, 317–337.
Topographic controls on gravity currents in porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Simpson JE (1999) ‘Gravity currents: In the environment and the laboratory.’ (Cambridge University Press)

Tian J, Hao F, Zhou X, Zou H, Lan L (2014) Charging of the penglai 9-1 oil field, bohai bay basin, china: Functions of the delta on accumulating petroleum. Marine and Petroleum Geology 57, 603–618.
Charging of the penglai 9-1 oil field, bohai bay basin, china: Functions of the delta on accumulating petroleum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tosco T, Petrangeli Papini M, Cruz Viggi C, Sethi R (2014) Nanoscale zerovalent iron particles for groundwater remediation: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production 77, 10–21.
Nanoscale zerovalent iron particles for groundwater remediation: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Valderrama M (2022) Secondary migration of heavy oil in low dip basins. AAPG Bulletin 106, 1923–1937.
Secondary migration of heavy oil in low dip basins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vella D, Huppert HE (2006) Gravity currents in a porous medium at an inclined plane. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 555, 353–362.
Gravity currents in a porous medium at an inclined plane.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wilkinson R (2006) ‘Speaking oil and gas, written for BHP Billiton Petroleum Pty Ltd.’ (APPEA: Canberra, ACT)

Williams GA, Chadwick RA, Vosper H (2018) Some thoughts on darcy-type flow simulation for modelling underground CO2 storage, based on the sleipner CO2 storage operation. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 68, 164–175.
Some thoughts on darcy-type flow simulation for modelling underground CO2 storage, based on the sleipner CO2 storage operation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Xiao Q, He S, Yang Z, He Z, Furong W, Li S, Tang D (2010) Petroleum secondary migration and accumulation in the central junggar basin, northwest china: Insights from basin modeling. AAPG Bulletin 94, 937–955.
Petroleum secondary migration and accumulation in the central junggar basin, northwest china: Insights from basin modeling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Xu S, Hao F, Xu C, Zou H, Zhang X, Zong Y, Zhang Y, Cong F (2019) Hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in the northwestern bozhong subbasin, bohai bay basin, china. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 172, 477–488.
Hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in the northwestern bozhong subbasin, bohai bay basin, china.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zhang Z, Qin L, Qiu N, Zhong N, Zhang Z, Li W (2010) Combination and superimposition of source kitchens and their effects on hydrocarbon accumulation in the hinterland of the junggar basin, west china. Petroleum Science 7, 59–72.
Combination and superimposition of source kitchens and their effects on hydrocarbon accumulation in the hinterland of the junggar basin, west china.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zheng Z, Soh B, Huppert HE, Stone HA (2013) Fluid drainage from the edge of a porous reservoir. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 718, 558–568.
Fluid drainage from the edge of a porous reservoir.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zheng Z, Christov IC, Stone HA (2014) Influence of heterogeneity on second-kind self-similar solutions for viscous gravity currents. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 747, 218–246.
Influence of heterogeneity on second-kind self-similar solutions for viscous gravity currents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zheng Z, Guo B, Christov IC, Celia MA, Stone HA (2015) Flow regimes for fluid injection into a confined porous medium. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 767, 881–909.
Flow regimes for fluid injection into a confined porous medium.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |