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Hydrocarbon Generation, Previous HitMigrationNext Hit and Accumulation Related to Igneous Intrusions: An Atypical Petroleum System from the Neuquen Basin of Argentina

Felipe Rodríguez1, Héctor J. Villar2, and Roger Baudino3
1Exploración Argentina Onshore, REPSOL-YPF, Talero 360 (8300) Neuquén, Argentina [email protected]
2Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas - FCEyN – Universidad de Buenos Aires - Conicet, Buenos.Aires, Argentina
3Gerencia de Exploración Brasil, REPSOL-YPF, Praia de Botafogo 300, 7 Andar (22250-040) Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The stratigraphic record of the Altiplanicie del Payún area, in the Northern Platform of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina, includes Tertiary sills and laccolites that reach thicknesses of up to 600 m. Occurrence of thermally immature oil-prone shales of the Late Jurassic Vaca Muerta and the Hauterivian Agrio Formations is profusely documented in the area. However, when sills have intruded the Vaca Muerta shales, source rock sections become mature, displaying a wide-ranging maturity spectrum spanning thicknesses that exceed 400 m.

Commercial oil accumulations (20-33°API) and oil shows are found along the entire column, both in sandstone/carbonate reservoirs and fractured intrusives reservoirs. Oil-oil and oil-source rock correlations suggest a local generation related to the thermal Previous HiteffectNext Hit of the intrusive bodies. Concurrently, diamondoid analyses point to mixtures of high-mature (cracked) with low-mature hydrocarbons: oils generated and cracked close to sills are considered to be mixed with oils generated from more distant source rock sections less affected by the thermal Previous HiteffectNext Hit of the igneous bodies, as they migrate towards the sills and shallower reservoirs.

A 2D model that included the thermal Previous HiteffectNext Hit of the three main igneous bodies of the area was satisfactory achieved, accounting for thermal maturation, oil and gas generation, Previous HitmigrationNext Hit and accumulation. From the modeling, hydrocarbons Previous HitmigrationNext Hit is favored by elevated generation pressures, source rock fracturing and convective water flows.

The integration of geochemical data and 2D-modeling of petroleum generation and Previous HitmigrationNext Hit related to the thermal Previous HiteffectTop of the igneous bodies led to the better understanding of this atypical petroleum system.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90066©2007 AAPG Hedberg Conference, The Hague, The Netherlands