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PSOverpressured
Gas Systems Modeling
in the Neuquen Basin Center*
By
F. Rodriguez1, Graciela Olea1, Daniel Delpino1, Roger Baudino2, Mirta Suarez1
Search and Discovery Article #10149 (2008)
Posted November 13, 2008
*Adapted from poster presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas, April 20-23, 2008
1Gerencia de Exploración Argentina Onshore, Repsol-YPF, Talero 360, Q8300IEH Neuquén, Argentina ([email protected])
2Gerencia de Exploración ABB, Repsol-YPF Exploración, Esmeralda 255, C1035ABE Buenos Aires, Argentina
Complex overpressured systems of the Neuquen Basin
center are discussed in this study with a basin-modeling
approach. Enormous
amounts of hydrocarbons have been generated by the Jurassic Los Molles Formation
in this area. This type III marine source rock reaches thicknesses of more than
1000 m with TOC values in the range of 1-3.5%. Vitrinite reflectance values of
1-2.5% show present-time overmaturity of the source rock. Widespread
overpressured gas accumulations have been found in the overlying Jurassic
sediments. Lajas Formation tight sands are the main reservoirs. Some recent oil
and gas discoveries have also been made in fractured carbonates and Tertiary
sills. The Cretaceous Auquilco Formation evaporites act as an effective regional
seal for this petroleum system.
Multi-1D and 2D regional models were satisfactorily calibrated for temperature,
maturity, pressure and known accumulations. Models showed that generation
occurred between 150 and 50 Ma. Up to 500 billion barrels of oil equivalent were
generated in this area. Deposition of a Cretaceous evaporitic regional seal and
a later overburden developed a highly overpressured system. Tertiary sills
intruded in the Los Molles-Lajas formations contact were charged by retarded
hydrocarbon expulsion related to source rock undercompaction. Despite the lack
of effective migration pathways, long distance migration occurred, and it is
still active. Fluids migrate towards the basin edge where the pinch-out of the
evaporites allows for overpressure dissipation. Fluid inclusions and geochemical
oils and gas analyses show several migration pulses of a wide maturity range of
products. Diamondoids and GC analyses done in oils from shallow reservoirs are
proof of mixing processes with high maturity hydrocarbon. These as evidence
suggest the probable occurrence of deep accumulations in undrilled old
structures located in the migration pathway. Basin modeling
and geochemical
analyses were helpful in calculating generated volumes, understanding charge of
young traps, and predicting long distance accumulations that opened new
exploration opportunities in this basin.
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Selected Figures Enormous amounts of hydrocarbons have been generated by the Jurassic 1000-m-thick Los Molles Formation in the Neuquen Basin. The development of a semi-confined petroleum system in the basin-centered subsalt sediments results in 15 MPa overpressure. Basin models show that these anomalous pressures are being dissipated by the migration of fluids (water and HC) towards the basin edge until present time, and it will continue in the future. Although most of the hydrocarbons are probably accumulated in the basin-centered tight sandstones, new sedimentary models suggest that good quality subsalt fluvial sandstones and carbonates should be present in old structures 3000-4000 m deep. These new migration and geological models supported by recent geochemical analyses suggest a promising exploration upside in the main structures of the basin that remain undrilled for these deep objectives.
Dahl, J.E., J.M. Moldowan, K.E. Peters, G.E. Claypool, M.A. Rooney, G.E. Michael, M.R. Mello, and M.E.L. Kohnen, 1999. Diamondoid hydrocarbons as indicators of natural oil cracking: Nature v. 399, p. 54-57. Uliana, M.A., and L. Legarreta, 1993. Hydrocarbons habitat in a Triassic to Cretaceous sub-Andean setting: Neuquén Basin, Argentina: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 16, p. 397-420. Urien, C.M., and J.J. Zambrano, 1994. Petroleum systems in the Neuquen Basin, Argentina, in L.B. Magoon and W.G. Dow, eds., The Petroleum System - from Source to Trap: AAPG Memoir 60, p. 513-534. |