Fluid Migration Path Detection and Its Application to Basin Modelling

Abstract

Modelling Petroleum Systems in a basin with a high degree of confidence requires the ability to calibrate migration paths, hydrocarbon kitchens and all other factors that influence and make up the petroleum system. Often only limited information is available with respect to hydrocarbon migration. Therefore, the method for integrating detection of fluid migration paths in seismic data with 3D basin modelling is proven to be a new important contributor to the task of reducing exploration risk. The detection method is using an assemblage of directive, multi-trace seismic attributes, neural network technology and the interpreter’s insight to produce a 3D Chimney Cube. Structures in the seismic that are probable fluid migration paths are enhanced selectively while other features are muted. These results provide additional input and calibration information to basin modelling in a 3D volume. Especially information with respect to hydraulic properties of faults, location of possible overpressure zones, location of high and low permeability zones and indirectly about charge of reservoirs and leakage/spillage from these reservoirs into shallow gas pockets or to the sea floor are valuable for constraining the 3D basin model. Besides providing information on hydrocarbon migration paths, the Chimney Cube appears to be detecting areas where hydrocarbons are actively being generated and expelled thus offering unprecedented constraint on basin modeling predictions concerning delineation of areas containing mature source rocks. Examples are provided to illustrate the value of integrating the fluid path detection with 3D basin modeling.