Topics:

Š Petroleum System
Š Traps
Š Exploration Methods (seismic)
Structural Geology in Š Maui Field Example
Š Salt Tectonics
Petroleum Exploration
Š Reading:
• 1. Outline in website
2. Pdf file: Geology for Petroleum Exploration, Drilling, and
Production by Norman J. Hyne, 1984, pages 173-197.

Oil Exploration Strategy: Origin of Petroleum

Š Find the Traps Š Oil forms from the decay and
Š Most common traps are structures transformation of dead organisms buried in
Š So exploration often targets the structures in sedimentary rocks
hopes of finding oil

Factors required to make an Oil

Major deposit
Hydrocarbon • Source rock- rich in organic matter
Provinces in • Burial heating- > maturation
North • Reservoir rock- porous and permeable
America • Trap-
• structural trap
• stratigraphic trap
Sedimentary Basins
Petroleum system Source Rocks
Š Black organic-rich marine shales
Š Organic matter is preserved low-oxygen
water
Š Restricted marine basins and zones were
water rises from the deep

Maturation of Organic Matter Migration of oil

Š Organic matter in sediments is solid (kerogen)
Š At about 60o C transformation begins
• Liquid hydrocarbons begin to form
Š At 120o C gas begins to form
Š At 140o C organic matter is exhausted
Š Only gas forms at higher T
Š Oil is less dense than water
Š Oil will move up by buoyancy
Š Oil needs a permeable bed to move
Š It will stop when it reaches an impermeable bed

Migration
Eastern
Venezuela

Western
Canada
 Oil traps
Š Permeable reservoir bed
Stratigraphic Traps
Š Impermeable seal

Porosity

Structural Fault
Traps Traps

Map of the
Murre Field

Newfoundland
 Compressional Traps
Salt Traps

Traps in Strike-Slip settings

Positive Flower Structures

Trap Types How to image the subsurface?

Š Drilling
Š Structural Interpretation
Š Seismic Reflection Imaging
• Send sound into the rock, and collect the
echoes
Seismic Acquisition

3D Seismic Image 3D Geological Model

Salt
 Offshore Platform

Maui Field, New Zealand

Gulf of
Mexico Salt moves driven by buoyancy
Salt
•Salt density= 2 g/ cm3
•Salt undergoes no compaction
•Shale Density is initially 40% water
•Initial Density = 1.8 g/ cm3
•Water expelled during compaction
• Final Density = 2.4 g/ cm3
 Sequential Stages
of a Salt Diapir

Seismic Image of a Salt Dome 3D Seismic Interpretation of Salt

Structures

Sandbox Experiment Extension Above Salt Diapir

Relationship between diapirism and normal faulting
Syn-sedimentary Salt Movement