--> Abstract: Modeling the Hydrocarbon System of the North Viking Graben: A Case Study Using a Ray-Tracing Technique, by F. W. Schroeder and O. Sylta; #91004 (1991)

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Modeling the Hydrocarbon System of the North Viking Graben: A Case Study Using a Ray-Tracing Technique

SCHROEDER, FRED W., Exxon Production Research Company, Houston, TX, and OYVIND SYLTA, Continental Shelf and Petroleum Technology Research Institute (IKU) A/S, Trondheim, Norway

A 3-D model of the hydrocarbon system for the North Viking Graben was developed using IKU's SEMI software. The objectives of this study were to gain insights into the controls on hydrocarbon generation, expulsion, migration, and entrapment, and to use the results to aid in the ranking and risking of prospects. The study area contains several oil, gas, and condensate fields/discoveries at varying distances from the oil kitchen.

The model covers an area approximately 100 km by 250 km. It contains 11 stratigraphic intervals from the seafloor down through the Middle Jurassic. Two source intervals were included: Upper Jurassic (Draupne) organic-rich shales and Middle Jurassic (Brent) coals. The carrier was taken to be Middle Jurassic (Brent) and Upper Jurassic (Sognefjord) sand-prone facies. Heat flow histories were modeled at selected well locations and extended to cover the study area. Kinetic models of oil and gas generation The model was calibrated at the fields/discoveries in terms of known capacities and in-place reserves. Then we were able to analyze major migration routes. We also examined the fill history of individual traps.

The model was used to assess the migration risk associated with several prospects. We considered relative rather than absolute results. For example, we were interested in three prospects. The first prospect is located on a major migration route and was modeled as containing oil in almost every run. A second prospect, also on a migration route, varied on different model runs between an oil- and a gas-filled trap. A third prospect was found to be consistently under-filled with gas. Based on these modeling results, we were able to rate and rank these prospects in terms of migration.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91004 © 1991 AAPG Annual Convention Dallas, Texas, April 7-10, 1991 (2009)