Statistical Estimation of Petroleum Geochemistry Parameters

Abstract

Parameters based upon the aromatic compounds found in crude oil and sediments have been shown to be very useful geochemical tools. For example, by detailed analysis of the aromatic fraction of a crude oil it is possible to characterize the nature of the petroleum source material, to assess the maturity of the sediments at the time of expulsion and for the thermal history of the sediment column to be reconstructed. We review the statistical treatment and modelling of the kinetics of biological marker reaction systems used obtaining quantification of the uncertainties in the estimation procedure associated with the prediction of crude oil formation temperatures and burial depths on the basis of the measured extent of the reaction in the sample.