3D Petroleum Systems Model using Restored Paleo-Geometries

Abstract

SUMMARY3D petroleum systems modeling is an integrated approach that includes thermogenic source rock maturation, hydrocarbon generation timing, migration and trap formation (Hantschel and Kauerauf, 2009). Evaluating the key elements during the charge and trap forming processes is of fundamental importance when assessing the risk of a working petroleum system. Parameters which affect the petroleum system, such as source rock properties, trap system, and migration flow path through carrier rocks and fault geometries directly depend on the tectonic history of the basin. Therefore, addressing the structural evolution of the petroleum system's geometry and using appropriate paleo-geometries is a key requirement to be able to adequately evaluate the risks. There are two ways to address the forward modeling: backstripping and paleo-reconstruction. The backstripping approach is a vertical shifting process in which a model is recompacted layer by layer. With paleo-reconstruction, a model is described by paleo-sections based on geomechanical restoration.