--> ABSTRACT: Insights from the Petroleum Systems of the Campos Basin, Eastern Brazil: An Integrated 3D Petroleum Systems Modeling Approach, by Tscherny, Robert G., Björn Wygrala, Peter Eisenach; #90026 (2004)

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Tscherny, Robert G.1, Björn Wygrala1, Peter Eisenach2 
(1) IES Integrated Exploration Systems, Juelich, Germany 
(2) Wintershall-AG, Kassel, Germany

ABSTRACT: Insights from the Petroleum Systems of the Campos Basin, Eastern Brazil: An Integrated 3D Petroleum Systems Modeling Approach

An integrated 3D approach including geological, geochemical and geophysical data was applied in order to characterize the petroleum systems of the Campos basin, Eastern Brazil. 3D hydrocarbon migration simulations were performed and provided valuable insights into the complexities of the petroleum system and hydrocarbon occurrences, characteristics and quality. The simulations were performed with a Hybrid 3D simulator combining Darcy flow and Flowpath modeling technology with fully coupled pvt-controlled n-component modeling through the entire migration process. 
The Exploration Model is a regional scale (164 km x 236 km) 3D geological model of the Campos Basin. Detailed depth maps (resolution 250m) of horizons based on the interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic and well data were used. The stratigraphic column comprises sediments from Early Cretaceous up to present day. 
The Exploration Model provided the framework for a detailed 3D hydrocarbon generation and migration modeling study and allowed the identification of the hydrocarbon kitchen areas, migration pathways and their evolution through geologic time. The results indicate an onset of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion by the Rift stage source rocks in Late Cretaceous times. Only the deepest rift stage source rocks generate significant amounts of hydrocarbons - the upper ones are predominantly immature. The calculated models imply the possibility of long distance secondary migration from the kitchen area into shallower post-rift structural and facial traps located in the north-western part of the 3D model. Hydrocarbon mass balance analysis and source rock tracking prove that a significant amount of the entrapped hydrocarbons belong to the Rift stage source rocks. 
The study - essentially a quantitative analysis of the geological risk factors in a consistent, dynamic and regional scale 3D data model - was used to support exploration decisions in the region.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.