--> ABSTRACT: FRACOIL - A Global Information System Linking Fracture Prediction with Burial History/Oil Generation Analyses, by Myron K. Horn; #91020 (1995).

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FRACOIL - A Global Information System Linking Fracture Prediction with Burial History/Oil Generation Analyses

Myron K. Horn

Oil generation curves and their associated burial histories have been linked to a fracture prediction algorithm to form a world-wide network of more than 500 case studies representing 150 sedimentary provinces and/or basins. Plots, calculation templates, data/information cells, and maps reside in a Windows© program group consisting of Lotus 1-2-3© Release 4; Paradox© Relational Database; Toolworks Multimedia U.S. Atlas/World Atlas©; and Allison MAPIT.

The purpose of FRACOIL is to provide a readily accessible database of natural fracture/oil generation associations. For each of the studies, 15 paleo-depth "stations" were selected as a function of the particular burial history curve for a target formation. Then, for each of the 15 paleo "stations", oil generation percent and triaxial stresses were calculated. The product of minimum horizontal effective stress and oil generation percent is called the Fracture Oil Index (FOI). An FOI of less than -1.0 is an indicator of hydrocarbon-filled-fracture potential.

The FRACOIL system was developed to prioritize fracture-related horizontal drill prospects. Rankings of case studies by FOI provide a mechanism for this objective. In addition, the system contains a) a standardized electronic library of over 500 sets of burial history curves, oil generation plots, and stress histories; b) bibliographies; c) calculated vitrinite reflectances cross-referenced by chemistry and basin thermics; and d) measured vitrinite reflectances. All of the above information is retrievable by combinations of location, formation, and age.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995