PETROLEUM MIGRATION, FAULTS AND OVERPRESSURE, PART I: THE NEED TO CALIBRATE BASIN MODELLING USING PETROLEUM IN TRAPS -- A REVIEW

D. A. Karlsen¹* and J. E. Skeie²   

¹ Petroleum Geochemistry Program, Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Norway.

 ² University of Oslo; now Statoil, N-9481 Harstad, Norway.

*author for correspondence, email; dkarlsen@geo.uio.no

This paper considers the principles of deciphering basin-scale hydrocarbon migration patterns using the geochemical information in trapped petroleum. We can think of petroleum accumulations in subsiding basins as “data rchives” within which stored information can help us to understand aspects of hydrocarbon formation and migration. This information can impart a time-resolved picture of hydrocarbon migration in a basin in response to processes associated with progressive burial, particularly in the context of the occurrence and periodic activity of faults.

This review, which includes a series of tentative models of migration-related processes in the extensional Halten Terrace area, offshore mid-Norway, illustrates how we can use information from the migrating mobile hydrocarbon phase to improve our knowledge of the static geological system. Of particular importance is the role of sub-seismic heterogeneities and faults in controlling migration processes. We focus on how the secondary migration process can be enhanced in a multi-source rock basin such as the Halten Terrace,  thereby increasing prospectivity.

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