Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Hydrocarbon Migration
Oil seep
Migration of oil
Petroleum System
1) Early Generation
Spill Point
Migration from
Kitchen
2) Late Generation
Spill Point
Seal Rock
Reservoir Rock (Mudstone)
(Sandstone)
Gas beginning
to displace oil
Displaced oil
accumulates
Gas displaces
all oil
From a U of OK course ppt file
2 cos
Resistance =
rt
Rock
Shepherd 2009
Selley 1998
p = density of petroleum
(~0.7-0.8 for oil)
Migration through
Fractures
Migration
Primary Migration
Secondary Migration
Remigration
Short and long distance migration
Vertical and lateral migration
Migration of hydrocarbons through
micro fractures, fault planes etc.
Evidence of Migration
The most compelling reason comes from
the way oil and gas accumulate. They are
typically found in porous and permeable
rocks that are arched upwards and that
are topped by impermeable layer (seal).
The second reason is the relationship
between the oil and gas source rock and
reservoir rock. The later is usually younger
and/ or structurally higher than the source
rock. Visual evidence of migration is
provided by oil and gas seepages found
in many pats of the world.
Hydrocarbon migration
Spill point
Leak at Fault
Controls HC Level
Seals
Leak Point
Leak Point
A
L12 Data Analysis
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
Low
Low
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
Wettability
Migration
Many observations indicate that HC found in reservoir beds
(porous and permeable) did nt originate there:
(1) HC form at depth through increased T and P. Must have moved
away after formation.
(2) HC found in secondary porosity- HC must have flowed in after
the porosity formed.
(3) HC typically found in the highest portion of laterally continuous
porous and permeable beds- implies upward and lateral migration
(4) Oil, gas and water are stratified according to their densities.
Implies they are free to move laterally and vertically.
DOMAL TRAP
Common Questions
1.Explain hydrocarbon migration from
source rock to reservoir rock.
2.Wite short notes on (A) oil seepage
(B)Spill point ( C)Tilted oil water
contact.
3.Explain the concept of buoyancy,
capillary pressure and wettability in
the process of hydrocarbon
migration.