The mechanics of secondary hydrocarbon migration and entrapment are well-understood physical processes that can be dealt with quantitatively in hydrocarbon exploration. The main driving force for secondary migration of hydrocarbons is buoyancy. If the densities of the hydrocarbon phase and the water phase are known, then the magnitude of the buoyant force can be determined for any hydrocarbon column in the subsurface. Hydrocarbon and water densities vary significantly. Subsurface oil densities range from 0.5 to 1.0 g/cc; subsurface water densities range from 1.0 to 1.2 g/cc. When a hydrodynamic condition exists in the subsurface, the buoyant force of any hydrocarbon column will be different from that in the hydrostatic case. This effect can be quantified if the potentiome ric gradient and dip of the formation are known.

The main resistant force to secondary hydrocarbon migration is capillary pressure. The factors determining the magnitude of the resistant force are the radius of the pore throats of the rock, hydrocarbon-water interfacial tension, and wettability. For cylindrical pores, the resistant force can be quantified by the simple relation: Pd = (2^ggr cos ^THgr)/R, where Pd is the hydrocarbon-water displacement pressure or the resistant force, ^ggr is interfacial tension, cos ^THgr is the wettability term, and R is radius of the largest connected pore throats. Radius of the largest connected pore throats can be measured indirectly by mercury capillary techniques using cores or drill cuttings. Subsurface hydrocarbon-water interfacial tensions range from 5 to 35 dynes/cm for oil-water systems an from 70 to 30 dynes/cm for gas-water systems. Migrating hydrocarbon slugs are thought to encounter water-wet rocks. The contact angle of hydrocarbon and water against the solid rock surface as measured through the water phase, ^THgr, is thus assumed to be 0°, and the wettability term, cos ^THgr, is assumed to be 1.

A thorough understanding of these principles can aid both qualitatively and quantitatively in the exploration and development of petroleum reserves.