Abstract: Preliminary South Caspian Basin Hydrocarbon System Modeling, Azerbaijan

REGAN, DONALD R., SHANGYOU NIE, T.R. WILLIAMS, T.F. WRIGHT, and JOE FAULKERSON

Using BasinMod and proprietary Amoco FINESSE basin modeling software, 1D and map view hydrocarbon system modeling was conducted for the South Caspian Basin in order to determine: 1) how modeled hydrocarbon migration pathways agree with known oil and gas fields, and, 2) whether the predicted hydrocarbon types fit the distribution of known oil and gas fields in the South Caspian of Azerbaijan.

The models were calibrated using four wells in the study area, together with regional temperature gradient data. There is still a general lack of calibration data for key parameters. To address this problem, several models were run to test the sensitivity of these parameters, including: a) depth, thickness, and richness of potential source rock(s), and, b) paleo-geothermal gradient variations.

Principal model results are:

a) In more than 80% of the Azerbaijan South Caspian, source
rocks are middle mature or higher.
b) Peak generation has occurred in the last 2.5 Ma.
c) No significant Tertiary migration of hydrocarbons has
occurred.
d) Models are highly sensitive to temperature gradient and
depth of source rock.
e) Though not a unique solution, the model result fits well
with the distribution and product type of known oil and gas
fields.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria