Basin Modeling, Methane and Nitrogen Generation, and Migration Problems; Industry Cooperation with Research at KFA Julich: ABSTRACT

Abstract

Research definition and selection of projects at the Institute of Petroleum and Organic Geochemistry (KFA Juelich) have always been driven by the need of industry. This poster presents a summary of three studies involving industry collaboration. Gas Generation in the West Siberian Basin and Atmospheric Methane Balance: This collaborative project at KFA Juelich and VNII Geosystems (Moscow) with a Russian gas company (Urengoy Neft Gas Geologiya) is funded by several German gas companies (Ruhrgas, Veba and Wintershall). The objective is the understanding of methane generation and accumulation in the crust, and methane release to the atmosphere. The area chosen for study in NW Siberia contains the largest gas fields on earth and supplies a large portion of natural gas used in Germany. Measurements of soil gas emanation rates and in-flight atmospheric methane concentrations are used to calculate the methane balance between lithosphere and atmosphere and possibly anthropogenic pollution (pipeline leaks, etc.). Nitrogen-Rich Natural Gas in the North German Basin - Origin, Kinetics and Numerical Simulation: Many gas reservoirs in the North German Basin contain high concentration ( 90%) of nitrogen, making these accumulations non-commercial. Pyrolysis of Carboniferous coals showed that not only methane but also significant amounts ofmore » nitrogen are generated from the coaly organic matter. Using these pyrolysis kinetics in a basin modelling study, nitrogen concentrations were predicted which closely correlate with observed nitrogen concentrations. German-Norwegian Geoscientific Cooperation: The main goals of this joint effort between the Norwegian and German petroleum industry and research organizations are to: understand and reconstruct the processes involved in the dynamic evolution of the lithosphere; promote the collaboration of scientists of different background; address open questions of basin evolution and reservoir formation in a common study area (North Sea).« less