Applying the Process-Based Source Rock Modeling Software of-Mod 3-D to Approach Organic Carbon Burial in Modern Marine Settings

Maik Inthorn¹, Ute Mann¹, Katherina Seiter², Matthias Zabel², and Janine Zweigel^3
1Basin Modelling, SINTEF Petroleumresearch, Trondheim, Norway
²FB5 - Geosciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
³Statoil ASA, Stjørdal, Norway

Over the last few years, the process-based modeling software OF-Mod 3D has been applied for quantitative prediction of source-rock potential and -type away from well control in many frontier exploration areas all around the world. OF-Mod 3D simulates processes relevant for organic matter accumulation in sedimentary basin areas and interactions between these processes. The software considers marine and terrigenous supply of organic matter, degradation of organic matter in the water column and burial efficiency at the sea floor under oxic and anoxic (oxygen minimum zones, anoxic bottom water) conditions, as well as dilution of organic matter with siliciclastic sediments. The results are calibrated with analytical data from well samples.

But OF-Mod can also be applied to simulate organic carbon burial in modern marine settings. The results from the scientifically well-understood modern systems allow on the one hand for evaluation and calibration of the processes represented in OF-Mod and improvement and extension of the software. On the other hand the software can be used to quantify organic carbon accumulation in the investigation areas at present-day as well as over geological time scales.

The permanent burial of organic carbon in marine sediments corresponds to carbon dioxide sequestration from the atmosphere, which is continuously gaining importance with respect to increasing consumption of fossil energy resources and the buffer capacity of the ocean against anthropogenic carbon dioxide increase. Therefore, quantification of the deep ocean carbon budget is crucial to understand the relevance of marine systems for the global carbon cycle.

We present first results from the high-productive continental margin systems offshore south-western and north-western Africa and offshore Peru, considered to represent modern analogues of ancient source rock systems.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas