Global Prediction of Continuous Hydrocarbon Accumulations in Self-Sourced Reservoirs

Shale resource plays occur in predictable tectonic settings within similar orders of magnitude of eustatic events. A conceptual model for predicting the presence of resource-quality shales is essential to evaluate components of continuous petroleum systems.

Basin geometry often distinguishes self-sourced resource plays from sources of conventional plays. Intracratonic or intrashelf foreland basins at active margins are the predominant depositional settings among those explored for the development of this type of continuous accumulation, whereas source rocks associated with conventional accumulations typically were deposited in rifted passive margin settings or other cratonic environments. Generally, the former are associated with the assembly of supercontinents, and the latter often resulted during or subsequent to the breakup of landmasses. Spreading rates, climate, and eustasy are influenced by these global tectonic events, such that deposition of self-sourced reservoirs occurred during periods characterized by rapid plate reconfiguration, predominantly greenhouse conditions, and in areas adjacent to extensive carbonate sedimentation. Combined tectonic histories, eustatic curves, and paleogeographic reconstructions may be useful in global prediction of organic-rich shale accumulations suitable for continuous resource development.

Accumulation of marine organic material is attributed to upwellings that enhance productivity and oxygen-minimum bottom waters that prevent destruction of organic matter. The accumulation of potential self-sourced resources can be attributed to slow sedimentation rates in rapidly-subsiding (incipient, flexural) foreland basins, while flooding of adjacent carbonate platforms and other cratonic highs occurred. In contrast, deposition of this resource type on rifted passive margins likely resulted from reactivation of long-lived cratonic features or salt tectonic regimes that created semi-confined basins. Commonly, loading by thick sections of clastic material, following thermal relaxation after plate collision or rift phases, advances kerogen maturation.

With few exceptions, North American self-sourced reservoirs appear to be associated with calcitic seas and predominantly greenhouse or transitional (i.e., “warm” to “cool”) global climatic conditions. Significant changes to the global carbon budget may also be a contributing factor in the stratigraphic distribution of continuous resource plays, requiring additional evaluation.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90142 © 2012 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 22-25, 2012, Long Beach, California