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Case Studies - Water and Petroleum Fluid Compositional Variations |
Conoco Phillips (U.K.) Limited, Rubislaw House, North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, AB15 6FZ, UK
There is considerable diversity in petroleum type within the Judy and Joanne Fields of the Central Graben. Superficially, the three major reservoir systems can be considered to contain the following fluid types: gas-condensates in the Pre-Cretaceous, undersaturated black oils in the Chalk and gas-condensates in the Palaeocene. Reality is, however, quite different.
This paper presents the results of several geochemical studies undertaken in the area; oil/condensate analyses to identify differences in maturity and source input, a pressure data review, high resolution GC fingerprinting, strontium isotope analyses to investigate reservoir connectivity/compartmentalization, and 2D basin modelling to determine the timing and extent of petroleum expulsion and migration. These components have been synthesized to produce a composite petroleum charge model which adequately explains the differences observed. This, in turn, enables an assessment to be made of the likely impact, if any, on field development. Furthermore, the petroleum charge model can be applied to predict the charge risk, fluid type and likely petroleum-water contacts in untested parts of the field and in the immediate vicinity.
The results of recent development wells are reviewed in the light of the charge model. Subsequent reservoir geochemistry studies have confirmed the validity of the model and highlight additional applications for reservoir management.
