High Resolution Geochemistry Technology (HRGT), Satellite Oil Slick Detection And Direct Geochemistry Methods Applied to Assess Exploration Risk In Deep and Ultra-Deep Waters of Gulf Of Mexico

Mello, M.R.¹ (1) HRT & Petroleum, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Natural oil seeps and high resolution geochemical methods have historically provided invaluable information to oil explorers in frontier areas for assessment of lease and exploration Basins. Foremost, they indicate the presence of active generative hydrocarbon source rocks, without which there can be no hydrocarbon accumulations The Detection of Natural Oil Seeps, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (US), based on RADARSAT-1 satellite data acquired mostly with RSI's Meteo Service, allowed the identification of more than 1000 seepage slicks, with 727 of them considered to be/ or with potential to represent clusters. The slicks were geographically and geologically associated with the Salt Complex Trend, and were subdivided in four main exploration provinces: The Alaminos Canyon, the Keathley Canyon, the Garden Banks, and the Green Canyon. The acquisition and HRGT analyses of sea bottom cores in areas associated with the seepage slick clusters, can confirm that the seepage slick clusters are indeed related to subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations, allowing the assessment of hydrocarbon origin, type, age and thermal evolution of their source rocks and also, oil mixing and extension of oil cracking to gas. The integration of these is the ultimate technology to understand the petroleum system of deep water areas before drilling. Also, they will allow the prediction of the oil quality and its geological depth of generation.