An easy-to-use map-based charge modeling package was used to model the history of petroleum generation, migration, and accumulation. The system can be used to simulate maturation and migration interactively at high horizontal resolution and is amenable to limited input data sets (e.g., one map and few wells).

Migration modeling based on the Hith structure surface, which mimics the top Arab reservoir, shows that small-scale variations of the structure surface affect migration patterns. Focusing by these minor features resulted in meandering migration channels as well as large areas of "migration shadows." Active shows and production on or near the migration "channels" and wells that are characterized by poor shows and lacking production in the migration shadows confirm these features. The estimated migration patterns are also consistent with geochemical analyses that demonstrate the existence of several oil families across the arch. Each of these oil families resides in a separate fetch area that is defined by the migration modeling.

The consistency of the modeled migration pathways with test data, field distribution, and geochemical analysis makes it possible to use the modeling results in high-grade exploration prospects/areas. The calculated charge volumes for existing fields are very close to in-place reserves, indicating that charge volumes may be accurately estimated with the modeling technique as well.

Considering the effects of hydrodynamics, the estimated location of accumulation in the Cretaceous Shuaiba Formation coincides with existing production from the Al Shaheen field, which is located northeast of the structural crest.