Houston Geological Society

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HGS Petroleum Exploration Methods
What Geologists and Geophysicists do to find oil
and gas
Cerro Azul 4 blow-out, Veracruz, Mexico
February 1916
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HGS Petroleum Exploration Methods
Part II Petroleum System Source
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(No Transcript)
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Source Oil is produced from source rock
Oil is formed in sedimentary rocks that contain
large quantities of organic material. Most of
the worlds oil is generated from rocks
containing algae, an aquatic plant
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Source Oil is produced from source rock
Oil forms from organic matter that is "cooked"
deep within the earth for long periods of time at
low temperatures.
Fossil organic matter is called kerogen
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Source Oil is produced from source rock
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Petroleum System
A Dynamic Entity
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Petroleum System Timing is Critical
Trap
Trap Must Be Available Before/During Migration
Accumulation and Preservation
Processes
Generation
Migration
Source Rock
Migration Avenue
Reservoir and Seal
Elements
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HGS Petroleum Exploration Methods
Part II Petroleum System Reservoir
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Reservoir Oil is stored in reservoir rock
Oil fills the pore-space between grains
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Reservoir Oil is stored in reservoir rock
Sand grains are white, pore space is blue
Porosity 26, permeability 2434 md
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Reservoir Sandstone
Pore-Filling Cement Reduces Quality
Cement (pink)
Less Space for Petroleum