Objective
High pressure and high temperature hydrocarbon exploration will constitute a new technological challenge in the coming decade.
The aim of the project is to apply new numerical tools and concepts on a case study, (North Sea) in order to demonstrate that an efficient methodology exists to predict high pressure and high temperature hydrocarbon accumulations together with their composition.
These newly developed tools and concepts are able to:
- model the development of temperature and pressure in sedimentary basins at present time and through geological time in lD, 2D and 3D;
- monitor the pressure and temperature fields along with their uncertainties at present day;
- account for changes in the composition and phase of hydrocarbons during migration and in reservoirs;
- predict the thermal stability of oils in high pressure and high temperature conditions;
- appraise the volumetrics of the hydrocarbon charge.
Phase 1 completed
Phase 2 completed
Phase 3 completed
Final results on :
- The present day thermal regime and by hydrodynamical monitoring showing the relationships between present day thermal state and geological context and nature and distribution of fluid pressure anomalies.
- The likely factors controlling the overpressure magnitude in the area. Integration of modelling and detailled observations and measurements enabled us to determine the most likely process for overpressure generation within the HP HT area; namely, disequilibrium burial beneath an effective seal.
- Geochemical characterisation of source rocks and oils, HC generation kinetics and HC phases modelling.
- 2D and 3D geological modelling. Results obtained on pressure - temperature - vitrinite calibrations on 2 phases generation - migration, on HC compositional generation and migration, and HC phases evolution.
Details on timing and magnitude of overpressure build-up, charging, secondary cracking and timing of "critical gas "occurence.
- Additional geochemical studies. Diamondoïds have been successfully used as an indicator of thermal maturity in oils and condensates.
- A detailed "what if" pressure analysis has been performed and an excellent Pressure - Temperature prognosis at well 2/1-11 location was realized validating the complete procedure for the geological and petroluem system predictions.
The project aims at using a set of recently developed lD, 2D and 3D numerical basin models on an actual case to demonstrate that the quality and quantity of the hydrocarbon charge in high pressure and high temperature settings can be predicted. The play will be located in a well documented province, the central North Sea. The investigation will be focused on the so-called "HPHT four corners area", including the structures of Elgin, Franklin and Erskine. The proposed project will use several new numerical tools and related geochemical concepts developed in IFP, EAP and BP from 1991 to 1993. Innovation is related to several fields:
- integrated approach to monitor and predict present day pressure and temperatures and their scale related uncertainties;
- description of the origin of overpressure generation in source rocks and reservoirs. Sedimentation rates, rock mechanics and fluid properties will be integrated for the first time at a geological time scale;
- comparative applicationof a set of the most recent ID, 2D and 3D models on actual data to exemplify the qualitative and quantitative changes in hydrocarbon composition during generation, migration and trapping;
- illustrate the stability of oils in the petroleum system, in relation with pressure development and trapping history. The project is split up into 3 phases, shared between the contractors according to their past experience:
1. Data gathering and preparation;
2. Numerical and laboratory processing;
3. Demonstration of the predictive capability of the models and techniques.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
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