--> ABSTRACT: Shale Oil Potential of the Paris Basin, France, by Monticone, Benjamin; Duval, Matthieu; Knispel, Ricarda; Wojciak, Patrick; Dubille, Matthieu H.; #90135 (2011)

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Shale Oil Potential of the Paris Basin, France

Monticone, Benjamin 1; Duval, Matthieu 1; Knispel, Ricarda 1; Wojciak, Patrick 2; Dubille, Matthieu H.2
(1)Toreador Energy France, Paris, France. (2) Beicip-Franlab, Rueil-Malmaison, France.

In the French Paris Basin, most of hydrocarbons are generated in the Liassic Shale interval. Among these Liassic deposits, three source rock intervals are identified in the basin: the Lower Toarcian organic-rich interval (“Schistes Carton”); the Pliensbachian (“Amaltheus Shale”); and the Sinemurian-Hettangian. All are marine shales, with type II kerogen.

Numerous similarities exist between the North American Bakken Shale play, that locally is intensively developed for Shale Oil production, and the Paris Liassic Shale: the high source rock potential with favorable maturation (within the oil window), a very close contact and proximity between the source beds and a potential low porosity tight fractured reservoir, and both basins being cratonic.

Multi-2D basin modeling over the main depocenter of Liassic Shale (East of Paris) allowed to understand the source rock maturity evolution through time. Where most deeply buried, maturation started during Lower Cretaceous for Sinemurian source rock, and around mid-Cretaceous for Schistes Carton. Maturity increased until the end of Cretaceous and uplift/erosion of the basin: since then, maturity evolved very little.

Hydrocarbon generation and expulsion history from the source rocks was modeled. HC migration (starting at the end of Cretaceous) is developed upward (Dogger reservoirs) and downward (Triassic reservoirs), faults are important pathways. An evaluation of the amount of hydrocarbons still possibly trapped in source rocks (Shale Oil) was performed. A big part of the generated HC was expelled subsequently; the remaining HC vary from one source rock to another, and also geographically, but is in the average of 20-30% of the generated HC generally.

Based on 2D modeling results, tentative 3D volumetric estimates have been made. The main results taken from 2D modeling were the maturity level of the three source rocks at present day, especially their Transformation Ratio. TR was extrapolated to maps, based on the burial, thickness and structure of each source layer. Then total generated HC were estimated for each of the three source rocks. In total, around 95 bn bbls were generated by the Liassic Shales (Toarcian Schistes Carton being the most prolific source rock).

The use of basin modeling tools supported the new play concept, that the Paris Basin was clearly a major area for Shale Oil potential. Exploration strategy is currently developed by Toreador for a prove of play of this unconventional resource.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90135©2011 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Milan, Italy, 23-26 October 2011.