Geochemistry of Oils and Gases From the Verkhnechonskoye Field, East Siberian Basin: Application of Analytical Results to Reservoir Characterisation

Abstract

A geochemical study was carried out on oil and gas samples from the Verkhnechonskoye field, located on the Nepa‐Botuoba Anteclise in the central‐southern part of the Siberian Platform. The goal of the study was to distinguish between fluids derived from the V10‐13 and B12 reservoir units in the Vendian (Neoproterozoic) Katanga and Nepa Formations and to identify the producing reservoir using geochemical data. The results of analyses of 12 oil and 13 associated gas samples from the two reservoirs showed that all the fluids have similar geochemical properties including: low Pr/Ph ratios (0.78‐1.00); a predominance of C29 over C27 and C28 steranes; a predominance of odd‐numbered C21‐C25 n‐alkylbenzenes over their even‐numbered homologues; the presence of 12‐ and 13‐methylalkanes; and a high relative abundance of tricyclic terpanes (cheilantanes). All these properties are consistent with those of the properties of petroleum from other fields on the Siberian Platform. The molecular and stable carbon isotope compositions of the oils and gases suggest that they were derived from marine organic matter with a high algal input deposited under reducing conditions. To date, specific source rocks which generated the oil and gas present at fields on the Nepa‐Botuaoba Anteclise have not conclusively been identified, but potential candidates include the Upper Riphean Iremeken and Ayan Formations and more probably the Vendian Zherbinskaya, Seralakh, Vanavara and Nepa Formations.The second part of the study demonstrates the application to reservoir geochemistry of C3‐ and C4‐ alkylbenzene compounds together with more conventional biomarkers. Key parameters were selected using statistical processing and displayed in graphic profiles. These profiles allowed the oil and gas samples to be classified according to the reservoir from which they were derived based on their geochemical properties. Parameters based on C3‐ and C4‐ alkylbenzene compounds were most effective in discriminating between oils from the two reservoirs. In addition, a new parameter is proposed based on the contents of 1‐methyl‐3‐isopropylbenzene, 1‐methyl‐2‐isopropylbenzene and 1‐methyl‐2‐propylbenzene; this parameter correlates closely with the pristane/phytane ratio and can be used as an additional indicator of the level of oxicity in the source rock depositional environment.