Print this pageAdvanced Chemistry of Basin Modeling — Predicting Fluid Properties and Using Field Gas Isotope to Constrain Basin Modeling Uncertainty
Conventional basin modeling techniques generally attempt to predict the timing and volume of hydrocarbon generation within a basin while the chemistry of the resource is largely disregarded. Recent advances in our ability mathematically describe the kinetics of hydrocarbon generation and have led to the development of an advanced tool for the prediction of many geochemical and physical properties of generated petroleum products. Integration of this kinetic model into standard basin models allows for the prediction of key physicochemical properties of oil flow properties, such as dead oil API gravity, viscosity, wax and asphaltene content.
Besides compositional modeling of fluid properties, we can also integrate natural gas isotope into basin modeling. Since the uncertainty of basin modeling is very large and the evaluation of uncertainty is also difficult, integrating advanced geochemical tools into basin modeling can significantly constrain our uncertainties and give another dimension for basin modeling. In the presentation, we will illustrate (1) how to use gas isotope of basin modeling to predict gas isotope values at different maturity, (2) how to use gas isotope to determine gas filling history, (3) how to determine the gas maturity and age of gas formation based on observed field gas isotope value.
In conclusion, the ability to predict oil flow properties "ahead of the drill" provides enormous benefit for prospect evaluation, in particular deepwater oil production. Equally importance to the forward predictive capabilities of advance chemistry of basin modeling, integrating gas isotope into basin modeling can place important constraints on the basin model, thereby significantly reducing the uncertainty associated with the model. Ultimately, the kinetic and basin models can be run interactively in such a way as to converge on a single solution.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90100©2009 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition 15-18 November 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil