Coupled Microbiological–Isotopic Approach for Studying Hydrodynamics in Deep Reservoirs: The Case of the Val d’Agri Oilfield (Southern Italy)

Pietro Rizzo,Anna Maria Sanangelantoni,Paola Iacumin,Antonio Bucci,Fulvio Celico

doi:10.3390/w12051483

Pietro Rizzo, Anna Maria Sanangelantoni + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/w12051483

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Journal: Water	Publication Date: May 22, 2020
Citations: 7	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Parma, University of Molise

Abstract

The studies upstream of the petroleum industry include oil and gas geological exploration and are usually focused on geological, structural, geophysical, and modeling techniques. In this research, the application of a coupled microbiological–isotopic approach was explored to assess its potential as an adequate characterization and monitoring tool of geofluids in oilfield areas, in order to expand and refine the information acquired through more consolidated practices. The test site was selected within the Val d’Agri oilfield, where some natural hydrocarbon springs have been documented since the 19th century in the Tramutola area. Close to these springs, several tens of exploration and production wells were drilled in the first half of the 20th century. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach for the analysis of fluid dynamics in complex systems, such as oilfield areas, and highlighted the capacity of microbial communities to “behave” as “bio-thermometers”, that is, as indicators of the different temperatures in various subsurface compartments.

Highlights

Petroleum reservoirs are discovered in a wide range of geologic settings across the continents [1]and their monitoring is one of the key factors in the management of oil and gas resources [2]
We explore, for the first time, the potential application of a coupled microbiological–isotopic approach as a useful tool for the characterization and monitoring of geofluids in oilfield areas, in order to expand and refine the information acquired through more consolidated practices
S1, S2, anduncertainty well P . for Samples the art spring S3, whose waters are used for drinking purposes, were not considered for BTEX and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) determinations

Summary

Introduction

Petroleum reservoirs are discovered in a wide range of geologic settings across the continents [1]. Their monitoring is one of the key factors in the management of oil and gas resources [2]. The studies on mineral oil and gas reservoirs are usually focused on geological, structural, and geophysical features, e.g., [4,5,6,7,8]. We explore, for the first time, the potential application of a coupled microbiological–isotopic approach as a useful tool for the characterization and monitoring of geofluids in oilfield areas, in order to expand and refine the information acquired through more consolidated practices. A review on conceptual and practical oil and gas reservoir monitoring methods.

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Results

Conclusion