--> Hydrocarbon Generation and Long Distance Migration in the Foreland Part of the Papuan Basin

International Conference & Exhibition

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Hydrocarbon Generation and Long Distance Migration in the Foreland Part of the Papuan Basin

Abstract

The petroleum system of the Papuan Basin of Papua New Guinea (PNG) compares well to that of the prolific Mesozoic basins of the North West Shelf of Australia (NWS) but by comparison remains relatively under-explored. Exploration efforts to date focus broadly on three play types; the foldbelt / foothills zone (e.g. the multi Tcf producing Hides Gas Field and Kutubu Oil and Gas Fields), the Tertiary carbonates (recent discoveries at Elk and Antelope) and the foreland play with a number of small discoveries but as yet no commercial production. A detailed petroleum systems analysis of the foreland play seeks to assess its full prospective extent by determining the charge and migration story for this part of the Papuan Basin. Regional depth maps of the key horizons based on 2D seismic data combined with existing well, source rock, hydrocarbon, and temperature data were integrated into a basin model to examine the timing of hydrocarbon expulsion and development of migration pathways in the foreland basin. The results of the models were tested by the Talisman operated 2013–14 drilling program in PPL235 and PPL261 and the results have significantly improved the understanding of charge risk and hydrocarbon composition. The well results of Manta 1 and NW Koko 1 confirmed the petroleum system which relies on long distance migration with distances from source of up to 100 kilometres. In addition the result from Kupio 1 confirmed areas of migration shadow as predicted in the model. Continuing refinements to the regional basin model will improve the understanding of the hydrocarbon generation and distribution in the basin and it is envisioned to help unlock the remaining potential of the foreland play.