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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Indonesian Petroleum Association

Abstract


21st Annual Convention Proceedings (Volume 1), 1992
Pages 165-199

Geochemical Inversion – A Modern Approach to Inferring Previous HitSourceNext Hit-Rock Identity from Characteristics of Accumulated Oil and Gas

K. K. Bissada, L. W. Elrod, L. M. Darnell, H. M. Szymczyk, J. L. Trostle

Abstract

In recent years, petroleum geochemists have been refocussing their efforts on developing practical means for inferring, from hydrocarbon chemistry and geologic constraints, the "provenance" of hydrocarbon accumulations, seeps or stains. This capability, referred to here as "Geochemical Inversion", can be invaluable to the explorationist in deriving clues as to the character, age, identity, maturity and location of an accumulation's Previous HitsourceNext Hit rocks and in evaluating a petroleum system's hydrocarbon supply volumetrics. This is particularly true where pertinent Previous HitsourceNext Hit-rock information may be absent because exploratory drilling focused strictly on structural highs and failed to penetrate the deeply buried, effective basinal Previous HitsourceNext Hit facies. Advances in chemical analysis technology over the last decade have facilitated the development of powerful geochemical methods for deconvolution of complex chemistries of crude oil and natural gas at the molecular and subatomic levels to extract specific information on the hydrocarbons' Previous HitsourceNext Hit. Inferences on such factors as organic matter make-up, depositional environment, lithology, age and maturity of the Previous HitsourceNext Hit can frequently be drawn. These, together with a sound analysis of the geologic and architectural constraints on the system, can supply clues as to the identity and location of the probable Previous HitsourceNext Hit sequence. This paper describes the principles underlying geochemical "inversion" and provides examples of its application in exploration and exploitation settings.

Inversion of geochemical characteristics of migrated hydrocarbon fluids to specific attributes of the Previous HitsourceNext Hit is demonstrated. The paper will also illustrate the utilization of systematic variations in fluid chemistry within a geologic setting to infer Previous HitsourceTop location, degree of hydrocarbon mixing and relative migration distance.


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