--> Deepwater Hydrocarbon Regions of the Mexican Gulf of México, by Guillermo Pérez Cruz; #90062 (2007)

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Deepwater Hydrocarbon Regions of the Mexican Gulf of México

Guillermo Pérez Cruz
Pemex Exploración y Producción

As a result of a mega-regional exploratory study that integrates geological, geochemical and geophysical data sets of the whole deepwater region, a generalized model that predicts areas of hydrocarbon distribution is proposed. The study integrates seeps, slicks, location of oil pools, DHI’s and hydrates information observed in the deepwater Gulf. The evaluation of likely source rocks types, properties and extent is also presented. Various scenarios of thermal modeling were tested. Thermal models were calibrated to temperatures observed in wells, heat flows derived from seabed probes and temperatures derived from hydrates. Relevant issues resulting from basin modeling are: large areas with gas/condensate affinity, timing of charge relative to trap formation, expected hydrocarbon columns and retention capability. Heavy oil and extra heavy oil regions are limited to the southeastern part of the study area were Jurassic source rocks are in a retarded process of maturation. The extra-heavy oils volumes already localized are significant; however, their recovery factors are very low, making their exploitation non yet viable from both, technologic and economic point of view. The appearance of new technologies to solve the flow assurance problem is still something to come. Research cooperative efforts in this matter will make these resources available to mitigate Mexico energy supply difficulties in the future.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90062©2006 AAPG Hedberg Research Conference, Veracruz, Mexico