forecast of boundaries of hydrocarbon deposit productivity based on the data of land geochemical surveys, seismic exploration and drilling

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 722-729

J. Environ. Treat. Tech.

ISSN: 2309-1185

Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com

Forecast of Boundaries of Hydrocarbon Deposit

Productivity Based on the Data of Land

Geochemical Surveys, Seismic Exploration and

Drilling

Mikhail ZAVATSKII , Olga VEDUTA

Danil KOBYLINSKII, Olga VOLOBUEVA, Artur NIKIFOROV

Industrial University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia

Received: 27/05/2019

Accepted: 22/08/2019

Published: 03/09/2019

Abstract

The relevance of the research results from the increasing complexity of the structure of hydrocarbon deposits, which are objects

of exploration and development in Western Siberia. Exploration efficiency can be improved by using a technique able to provide

fundamentally new geological information – a land geochemical survey detecting oil migrational hydrocarbons on the surface. The

purpose of the work is to improve interpretational models used when integrating seismic and drilling data with detailed geochemical

survey results. To solve this problem, the authors analyzed the results of geochemical surveys carried out in two areas. In one area,

the investigation was aimed at identifying the type of the reservoir fluid content prior to drilling, on the other – at delineating a gas

deposit. It was discovered that surface gas shows depended on the reservoir fluid content (hydrocarbons or water) and the vertical

permeability of overlying rocks. The discovered local zones of active hydrocarbon migration show that cap rocks lose their sealing

properties, which allows identifying lateral boundaries of trap productivity.

Keywords: Land geochemical survey, Snow survey, Hydrocarbon migration, Geochemical indicators of oil and gas occurrence,

Tazovskoye field, Vostochno-Terelsky prospecting block.

detected with a probability of 0.7. Currently, with an

Introduction

accuracy of ± 15 m, the most common structure with an

amplitude of 15 m is detected with a probability of no more

than 0.41 (1). The most informative is a 3D seismic survey,

but it does not always solve the problems associated with

thinly bedded reservoirs (2). The above said explains the fact

that the efficiency of exploratory drilling in Western Siberia

does not exceed 30-35% (3).

Thus, there are two parallel and interrelated processes –

development of seismic exploration, as the main tool of oil

and gas exploration geology, and the constant complication

of target geological features. The seismic survey is

indispensable for describing a sedimentary basin, but it

remains an indirect method, since its search object is a

In Western Siberia, as well as in other traditional oil and

gas regions, large oil fields confined to amplitude anticlinal

layer-arch traps tend to be exhausted. Currently, much

attention is paid to the exploration of unconventional oil and

gas deposits: deep-seated horizons of the sedimentary basin

including the pre-Jurassic basement, unconventional traps

with thinly bedded reservoirs having a complex structure, and

others. It is difficult to simulate all these geological features

using only seismic data.

Geophysicists try to increase efficiency by using new

technologies for measuring the seismic signal and

mathematical methods for interpreting it, but they do not

manage to perform a unique interpretation of the seismic

signal. Until 1976 with an accuracy of ± 25 m, the most

frequently detected structure with an amplitude of 50 m was

potential trap and not

a hydrocarbon accumulation.

Exploration efficiency can be significantly increased by

combining geophysical methods with a land survey, which

gives

a planar characteristic – the variability of the

sedimentary cover in the plan. Currently, the land

geochemical survey is the most reliable tool for mapping the

lateral variability of the sedimentary cover (4, 5). In Western

Corresponding author: Mikhail ZAVATSKII, Industrial

University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia. Email:

eksis2005@yandex.ru.

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2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 722-729

Siberia, the most technologically advanced and informative

method of land geochemical surveys is a snow survey (5, 6).

positions of observation points were determined using a

satellite topographic positioning system GPS with an error of

no more than 5 m.

Based on the field and analytical work results, the authors

constructed maps of distributions of the main geochemical

parameters – the content of methane and the sum of methane

homologs (SMG) from ethane to hexane. In some cases, the

authors used additional characteristics of the geochemical

field – the sum of gaseous methane homologs (SGMG) and

the ratio of methane to its homologs. The maps were

compared with seismic plans of target potential oil-bearing

horizons. When interpreting data, the authors used a fluid-

dynamic model (Fig. 1) considering a hydrocarbon deposit as

a system in dynamic equilibrium. On the one hand, there are

processes leading to an increase in the formation pressure

Materials and Methods

The research object is the data of multi-year geochemical

research (1991-2017) in Western Siberia (5). This work

considers in detail the results of two surveys conducted with

different purposes: at the Vostochno-Terelsky prospecting

block, the investigation was aimed at studying the local

elevations identified by the seismic survey and at the

Tazovskoye field, it was required to delineate a gas deposit in

the Cenomanian layer PK . All the works under consideration

were carried out using the snow survey technique: at the

observation point, a surface snow sample with a volume of

00 ml was collected, then in the laboratory this sample was

subjected to thermal vacuum degassing, the extracted gas was

analyzed using a chromatograph with hydrocarbon

(water-oil emulsion inflow, thermal cracking of

hydrocarbons, and hydrothermal injections); on the other

hand, the overpressure is released causing a decrease in the

rock pressure, i.e., generally vertically upwards. Hydrocarbon

migration occurs along the zones of overlying rock

detection threshold of no more than 1-10 % in volume.

Saturated hydrocarbons from methane (CH ) to hexane

(

C H ) were determined. Before degassing and analysis, the

6 14

decompaction

different

genesis.

sample was stored under refrigeration. The terrestrial

Fig. 1: Model of the reflection of geological boundaries of a ring-type bottom water-drive reservoir in gas saturation of the snow based on the results

of the work at the Urnenskoye field. 1 – basal complex; 2 – oil-saturated reservoir; 3 – water-saturated reservoir; 4 – effective cap rock; 5 – zone of

cap rock decompaction; 6 – oil reservoirs not covered with an effective cap rock; 7 – the most powerful migration channels resulting from the full or

partial pinch of a cap rock; 8 – productivity boundaries caused by underlying waters; 9 – productivity boundaries caused by reservoir drainage; 10 –

productivity boundaries resulting from the full or partial pinch of a cap rock; 11 – water microstream; 12 – water microstream enriched in

hydrocarbons; 13 – hydrothermal inflow.

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2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 722-729

This may be a zone of tectonic activity, zones of

overlying strata dynamic stresses, zones of hydrothermal

activity, etc. Regardless of the genesis, such zones are

boundaries of an effective seal (5-7).

but they have local zones of active hydrocarbon migration

along the enveloping isohypse. These characteristics allow

giving a positive forecast for the prospects of these features.

The Kutymsky elevation (southeast part) has similar

characteristics and is characterized as a productive area.

Taking into account the gas shows position relative to the

seismic plan, the contour was predicted to be closed at 3140

m isohypse. The Zapadno-Terelsky structure did not have any

gas shows so its productivity forecast was negative.

Exploratory drilling of the Vostochno-Terelsky site

structures by the subsoil user “Noyabrskgazdobycha”

basically confirmed this forecast. The Jurassic deposits

proved to be productive within the Kutymsky, Ninelsky,

Vostochno-Ninelsky and Lensky elevations within the

predicted contours. The negative forecast for the

Kypakynsky, Yuzhno-Kypakynsky and Graviyny elevations

was partially confirmed: stratum water inflow was obtained at

the Kypakynsky elevation, but the oil-wet core was lifted

from the Upper Jurassic deposits within the Yuzhno-

Kypakynsky elevation. The forecast error is likely to be

caused by a low density of geochemical sampling. The sizes

of this geological feature are comparable to the distance

between the sampling profiles, so the local zone of formation

fluid migration could be skipped. In general, the level of gas

content in the structure is non-zero and stable over the entire

area, which is a positive geochemical characteristic, but the

zones of formation fluid migration, which are typical for

marginal zones of commercial hydrocarbon accumulations,

were not found.

Results

The main objective of the work at the Vostochno-

Terelsky prospecting block was evaluating local elevation

prospects including a primary forecast of the oil reservoir

boundaries in the Jurassic sediments.

Oil and gas-bearing features in the eastern part of the

prospecting block were predicted in the Sigovskaya

formation (layer J ), which is westerly pinched out (Fig. 2).

The layer J₁(Nizhnesigovskaya subformation) is spread

over the entire exploration area (Fig. 3). A number of local

elevations were identified as prospective areas; the following

of them were included in the geochemical research zone:

Kutymsky,

Zapadno-Terelsky,

Terelsky,

Yuzhno-

Kypakynsky, Kypakynsky, Graviyny II, Ninelsky,

Vostochno-Ninelsky, Lensky, Zapadno-Lensky.

The Terelsky, Lensky and Kypakynsky local elevations

were investigated by drilling. The well at the Terelsky local

elevation gave oil, gas, and condensate from the layer J ; the

Lensky local elevation showed gas (layer J ) and oil (layer

J ).productivity. Three wells revealed water saturation of the

studied layers in the marginal parts of the Kypakynsky

structure.

The seismic plan shows two prospective local elevations

identified by the seismic survey at the top of layer J : Lensky

This experience is very important for using detailed land

geochemical surveys for predicting boundaries of oil-bearing

features. The survey results give an idea of productive

stratum influence on the geochemical field. Initially, the

(

in the north of the site) and Kypakynsky (at the eastern

boundary of the site). To identify the Jurassic deposit

productivity within these structures, the authors constructed a

map comparing the seismic plan with the SMG content in the

snow cover. The actual absence of gas shows in the eastern

part (Kypakynsky, Graviyny local elevations) indicates that

these geological features are unproductive.

The comparative analysis of the maps presented in Figs. 2

and 3 showed that the geochemical signal structure was more

influenced by the occurrence mode of the Nizhnesigovskaya

subformation than by the overlying layer J₁for which the

main forecast was done. When analyzing the correlation of

the geochemical field with the J₁layer structural plan, one

can see the intensive subsoil degassing lineaments coinciding

with the 2900-2910 m isohypses contouring the structural

plateau, which includes the Lensky elevation.

The data on oil and gas saturation of the underlying

layers allows drawing the boundary of oil and gas occurrence

in the Jurassic sediments along these lineaments taking into

account the structural plan. The absence of geochemical

sampling in the southwest of the identified zone did not allow

closing the contour from this side. The delineated area is an

anticline (a monocline) between the Verkhne-Chaselsky

elevation in the north-west and the regional elevation slope in

the east. At first glance, these are not good structural

conditions, but the subsequent exploration confirmed oil and

gas presence in the delineated area.

^J^u^r^a^s^sⁱ^c^l^a^y^e^r^J1 was expected to contain hydrocarbon

accumulations, but after receiving information on its water

saturation and oil detection in the underlying strata, the

authors were faced with the problem of identifying the

boundaries of oil and gas occurrence within the geological

^f^e^a^t^u^r^e^b^e^c^a^u^s^e^t^h^e^s^t^r^u^c^t^u^r^e^oⁿ^t^h^e^t^o^p^o^f^t^h^e^l^a^y^e^r^J1 is not

hypsometric. This is the case when the seismic survey and

drilling do not provide reliable information for locating the

next exploratory well. The mismatch of the Lensky structure

contour along the top of the Sigovskaya formation (Fig. 2)

with the SMG distribution on the surface allows concluding

that the hypsometry does not indicate hydrocarbon

accumulations in the Jurassic sediments. Along the top of the

layer J , this subsurface site is a non-amplitude fold between

two higher-order anticlines, but it is its hypsometric

boundaries that are spatially correlated with surface gas

shows. This suggests that despite the effect of overlying

strata, the gas shows are strongly influenced by the structure

of oil and gas-bearing horizon.

The patterns of geochemical field distribution at the

geological features of the Vostochno-Terelsky subsurface site

correspond to the existing ideas about the confinedness of

maximum gas shows to the periphery zones of productive

anticlinal traps (8). As the surveys at the Tazovskoye field

show, this effect is the most pronounced at large amplitude

elevations, where the dimension of the individual elements of

The Ninelsky and Vostochno-Ninelsky elevations are

equally characterized by a low SMG content over the area,

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2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 722-729

the pool structure far exceeds the sampling interval, which

makes the geochemical picture on the surface more

representative. The Tazovskoye field is confined to the

cognominal elevation in the north-western part of the Ust-

Tazovsky bar and contains productive reservoirs in the

Middle Jurassic (condensate), Achimovsky (oil) and

Cenomanian (gas with oil rim) deposits. The Cenomanian

petroleum deposit is relatively well studied by drilling within

the Tazovsky elevation dome.

The work was aimed at delineating the Cenomanian

deposit by mapping the location of the petroleum reservoir

and the cap rock. Special attention was paid to the northern

slope of the elevation, which was not studied in such detail

by drilling.

Fig. 2: The content of methane homologs in the snow relative to the seismic plan for the layer top of the Sigovskaya formation (J

stratum). 1 –

fractures; 2 – boundaries of promising local elevations identified by the results of the seismic survey and prospecting drilling; 3 – sampling point.

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Local elevations

Terelsky

Zapadno-Terelsky

Well testing results

- Kutymsky

Verhnechaselsky

Lensky

oil

water

Zapadno-Lensky

oil by geophysical

well logging

- Ninelsky

Vostochno-Ninelsky

- Kypakynsky

oil-wet core without

oil influx

Juzhno-Kypakynsky

Gravijny-II

structural contour of the J stratum

(

nizhnesigovsky subsuite)

tectonic faults

prospective feature contours according

to geochemical survey

Fig. 3: The content of methane homologs in the snow relative to the seismic plan for the top of Nizhnesigovskaya subsuite (J

stratum)

The initial comparison of the maps of the methane and

SMG content in the snow with the key bed hypsometry

revealed the maximum correspondence of the zonal

distribution of gas shows to the structure of the PK₁

reservoir model (Tyumen NIIGIPROGAS contour) suggested

the presence of an oil rim in the 85-R well area and gas

saturation of the layer at the 82-R well area. The forecast for

these wells done taking into account the land geochemical

survey data was negative. The boundaries of gas occurrence

in the Cenomanian deposits predicted using the land

geochemical survey results were confirmed by well tests.

(Cenomanian) layer. The SMG maxima were confined to

disjunctive faults on the eastern side of the structure, which is

a structural seal of the Cenomanian gas reservoir. Lower

intensity gas shows are mainly localized on the elevation

slopes, forming concentric zonality lineaments, consistent

with the layer top hypsometry (Fig. 4). The structure dome,

the productivity of which is proven, was displayed by low

values of SMG.

Taking into consideration these phenomena, the

Cenomanian gas reservoir contours were forecasted not only

by methane but also by SMG, the most likely source of which

could be the Jurassic and Achimovsky oil-bearing strata,

since the gas reservoir seal in the Cenomanian sediments

must stop the migration flow from deep-lying sources.

One of the research tasks was identifying the structure of

the northern undrilled part of the field. The subsoil user

Conclusions

The work carried out at the Tazovskoye field showed that

the land geochemical survey data provided significant

geological information even about explored areas. The

Tazovskoye field has been explored for about 50 years. Its

structure was identified in 1959, and the first inflow was

received in 1962 (9). By the time of the work start, 105

geological features had been tested by 52 wells. Seismic

surveys were carried out twice in 1985-1988 and in 2002.

However, the obtained data were insufficient for reliable

simulation of the undrilled part of the field. The use of data

on the lateral variability of the sedimentary basin horizons

markedly detailed the ideas about the hydrocarbon potential

of the Tazovskoye field.

“

Yamburggazdobycha” drilled four exploratory wells – Nos.

5-R, 86-R, 80-R, 82-R. As can be seen from Fig. 5, the

forecast for two of them was contradictory – the earlier

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2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 722-729

Fig. 4: The content of methane homologs in the snow relative to the structure of the oil and gas deposit in the PK layer (Cenomanian) in the

Tazovskoye field

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2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 722-729

Fig. 5: Forecast of the oil and gas reservoir contour in the PK

(Cenomanian) stratum based on the results of the complex interpretation of the

geochemical survey, seismic exploration and drilling. 1 – isohypses of the PK stratum (Cenomanian); 2 – tectonic faults; 3 – boundary of the cap

rock decompaction zone; 4 – oil and gas reservoir contour based on the results of the complex interpretation of the geochemical survey, seismic

exploration and drilling; 5 – oil productivity contour according to the Tyumen NIIGIPROGAS model; 6 – gas productivity contour according to the

Tyumen NIIGIPROGAS model.

In methodological terms, it became clear that the

readability” of the land geochemical field depended on

petroleum occurrence within the earth. However, fixing

anomalies of the hydrocarbon gas content on the surface is

insufficient for effective use of land geochemical survey data

in oil exploration. To identify geological boundaries, it is

necessary to obtain reliable information on the correlation

between the geochemical field and the sedimentary cover

structure.

“

correspondence between dimensions of a geological feature

under investigation and sampling frequency. The correlation

between surface gas shows and the structure of the main

productive horizons at the Tazovskoye field was much

stronger than at the Vostochno-Terelsky site, where the

geological features under investigation had small sizes and

the use of the same sampling interval resulted in taking less

than ten samples at each of them.

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