A Simplified Modeling Approach of Compaction-Induced Groundwater Hydrodynamic Activity in Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

Abstract

Groundwater flow has been identified as a cause of hydrocarbon trapping in geological basins. In sedimentary basins, two main drives for hydrodynamic flow can be distinguished: gravity-driven (centripetal flow) and compaction-driven (centrifugal flow). Some experts believe that the centrifugal phenomenon is a currently active mechanism in some hydrocarbon reservoirs. However, the time duration in which the centrifugal hydrodynamic flow is active has not been well studied by researchers. In this article using numerical modelling of compaction-induced hydrodynamic flow, we estimate a duration time in which this kind of flow is active. With comparison of the time of diminution of centrifugal flow to geological time scale of hydrocarbon reservoirs, it is concluded that centrifugal hydrodynamic flow cannot be currently active. Also, all the phenomena influenced by hydrodynamic activity in petroleum reservoirs including tilted fluid contact and also hydrodynamic trapping are as a result of gravity-driven hydrodynamic activity not compaction-driven.