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Geology of Petr
Geology of Petr
CRAIG
Formation
Migration
Accumulation
ORIGIN OF PETROLEUM
To be considered are these 3 stages:
Formation of Petroleum
Migration of Petroleum
Accumulation of Petroleum
Formation of Petroleum
There are 2 theories concerning the
formation of petroleum:
The Inorganic theory
The Organic theory
Inorganic Theory
Berthelot (1860) & Dmitri Mendeleev (1902):
Iron carbide in the earths mantle would react with
percolating water to form methane.
FeC2 + 2H2O CH4 + FeO2
This theory is called Deep-Seated Terrestrial
Hypothesis.
Sokoloff (1890):
Hydrocarbons precipitated as rain from the
original nebular matter from which solar system
was formed.
The hydrocarbons were the ejected from earths
interior onto surface rocks.
This theory is called Extraterrestrial Hypothesis
Organic Theory
Early marine life forms living on earth were
primarily plankton (rich in hydrogen & carbon)
Over 95% of living matter in the ocean is
plankton.
Shales
Shale rock =
99% clay
mineral + 1%
organic material.
Kerogen
Insoluble
High molecular
weight
Polymeric
compound
Hydrocarbon maturation
Migration of Petroleum
Produced hydrocarbons migrates upward
from the deeper, hotter parts of the basin
through permeable strata into suitable
structures.
There are 2 stages of migration:
Primary Migration Kerogen transformation
causes micro-fracturing of the impermeable &
low porosity source rock, allowing hydrocarbons
to move into more permeable strata.
Accumulation of Petroleum
Accumulation & storage occur when the
migrating fluids encounter an impermeable
shale or dense layer of rock.
This is called a Trap.
After accumulation, the fluids tend to stratify
according to their relative densities:
Gas
Oil
Water
Types of Traps
Anticlinal Traps
Result of ductile
crustal
deformations.
HCWC
Fault Traps
Result of brittle
crustal
deformations.
HCWC
Stratigraphic
Traps
Impermeable
strata seal the
reservoir.
HCWC
Combination Traps
Fault bound anticlinal structures, i.e.
combination of anticlinal & fault traps. Many
global reservoirs have this type.