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| Clayton,
C. J., and P. R. Dando, 1996, Comparison of seepage and seal leakage rates,
in
D. Schumacher and M. A. Abrams, eds., Hydrocarbon migration and its near-surface
expression: AAPG Memoir 66, p. 169-171.
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Chapter
13
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| Comparison
of Seepage and Seal Leakage Rates |
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| Chris J.
Clayton
School of Geological Sciences
Kingston University
Kingston upon Thames,
Surrey, U.K.
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|  Paul R. Dando
School of Ocean Sciences
University of Wales
Bangor, Gwynedd, U.K. |
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Abstract
Rates of petroleum
seepage must ultimately be related to the rate of supply from below. This
could be either from a leaking accumulation or directly from the source
rock itself. However, many things can happen during migration to the surface,
such that the relationship between trap leakage rates and surface seep
rates remains obscure. We calculate the potential flux rates of gas leakage
across seals and compare these with measurements of fluxes for three seepage
sites on the European continental shelf. We conclude that seepage flow
rates can be modeled effectively by assuming Poiseuille flow through the
matrix of mudstone seals. Flow rates calculated in this way are about 0.4-1.0
m3 gas/m2/year, consistent with field observations. |
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