--> Abstract: SORCER: A Comprehensive Paleogeographic, Stratigraphic, and Geochemical Model for Marine Source Rock Prediction, by J. T. Westrich, D. T. Lawrence, M. A. Doyle, T. Aigner, and A. M. Brandenburg; #90987 (1993).

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WESTRICH, JOSEPH T., Shell Development Company, Houston, TX; DAVID T. LAWRENCE, Shell Offshore, Inc., New Orleans, LA; MARK A. DOYLE, KSEPL, Shell Research, Rijswijk, The Netherlands; TOM AIGNER, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; and ALY M. BRANDENBURG, KSEPL, Shell Research, Rijswijk, The Netherlands

ABSTRACT: SORCER: A Comprehensive Paleogeographic, Stratigraphic, and Geochemical Model for Marine Source Rock Prediction

In order to assess charge risk in both frontier and moderately explored basin, explorationists need reliable methods for source rock prediction. With this in mind, a computer program called SORCER was developed for making first-order predictions of source rock quality and distribution in marine settings. Here we present a brief overview of SORCER along with results of a calibration study for the Paris Basin (France).

The program systematically considers all known factors that affect source rock deposition in deep-marine environments. A number of basin-wide input parameters, derived from regional paleoenvironmental interpretatations are used to determine generalized water column oxygen profiles through time. Next, paleo water depth estimates which are determined using other basin modeling programs (e.g. BASMOD) are convolved with the oxygen profiles to specify redox conditions at the sediment/water interface through time, preferably along a shelf-to-basin transect. This information is then used with a number of other input parameters to calculate the richness and kerogen type of deposited sediment. The semi-quantitative and deterministic algorithms implemented in the program are based on empirical bservations and theoretical relationships.

A comparison of model results with actual source rock data for the Paris basin demonstrates that SORCER is reasonably accurate. Initial results based on regional input parameters correctly predicts the main source rock in the lower Toarcian and its richness and kerogen composition. Using geochemical data from one well to calibrate the paleoenvironmental history, the thickness and lateral distribution of the Toarcian source rock is well reproduced by the BASMOD/SORCER package.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.