Geology and Production

(Reservoirs and Traps)

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 Types of Rocks

 Igneous Rocks (from Magma when cools and solidifies)

– basalt, andesite, granite, gabbo etc.
 Sedimentary Rocks (deposition of sediments which are compressed
and cemented). Clastic, Organic and Chemical
– sandstone, limestone, dolomite, shale, halite, etc.
 Metamorphic Rocks (any type change by heat / pressure)
– marble (metamorphosed limestone), schist, gneiss, quarz, etc.

Majority of important hydrocarbon reservoirs rocks are sedimentary rocks

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 The Rock Cycle

Igneous Weathering, transport Sediments

Cooling & solidification

rocks and deposition

(crystallization)

Heat and Pressure

(Metamorphism)

Weathering, transport
t
or

Compression &
n sp
i o an

Cementation
s it , t r

and deposition
po ng
d e ri
d he
a n ea t
W

Magma

Heat and Pressure Sedimentary

Melting Metamorphic (Metamorphism)
rocks
rocks
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 Sedimentary Rocks

Clastic Rock - Formed From Debris (weathering and erosion) of Older Rock

Rock Type Particular Diameter

Conglomerate Pebbles - 2 to 64 mm
Sandstone Sand - 0.06 to 2 mm
Siltstone Silt - 0.003 to 0.06 mm
Shale Clay - Less than 0.003 mm

Nonclastic - Mostly of Chemical or Biochemical Origin

Rock Type Composition

Limestone Calcite - CaCO3

Dolomite Dolomite - CaMg(CO3)2
Salt Halite - NaCI
Gypsum Gypsum - CaSO4.2H2O
Chert Silica - SiO2
Coal Chiefly Carbon
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 Origin of Oil

Accepted Theory: Organic Theory:

The source of oil is organic material (aquatic plants and organisms)

which has been preserved in sedimentary environments like seas,
lakes, rivers, deltas, etc. This material was transformed into oil after
being subjected to high pressure and temperature along the geological
eras. Once the oil is formed, it migrates from the source rock until it
finds a barrier where it is trapped and preserved within the pores of
sedimentary rocks (recipient rock).

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 Conditions for a Hydrocarbon Reservoir

 Mother Rock (reach in organic material)

 Alteration of molecular structure due to heat, pressure and
time and Migration to a Reservoir Rock
 Reservoir Rock, where the hydrocarbon will fill the porosity,
voids or cracks
 Impermeable barrier to Seal the hydrocarbon in the reservoir
rock.

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 Hydrocarbon Traps

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 Geological Time Scale

Overview
 The story of oil and natural gas
15%(*)
begins far back in time as long
30 as 500 million years ago. Over
30 the 4.5 billion years of its
lifetime the earth has been in an
8
extremely slow but constant
process of change.
8
9

(*) % of oil formed

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 Accumulation of Oil & Gas in a Reservoir

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 ‘Normal’ pressure distribution

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 Hydrocarbon Traps

 Structural
 Stratigraphical
 Combined

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 Structural & Stratigraphic Traps

 Structural Traps - When compressive forces act on a section

of the crust that is ductile, or bendable, folds are formed. The
arch-like folds are called anticlines and gently folded
anticlines can provide some of the largest and most effective
traps in the world.
 Stratigraphic Traps - These are traps created by the way in
which sedimentary layers are deposited, and they include
angular unconformities and pinchouts.

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 Fold Terminology

b
Lim Lim
b
b
Lim

Anticline
Youngest rock
Syncline
Oldest rock

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 Structural Traps

DOME TRAP
Gas
Oil

Sandstone Shale

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 Structural Traps

FAULT

Oil / Gas
S an d

Shale

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 Structural Traps

Gas
Shale Oil Oil/Gas Closure
Trap
Contact

Sea Oil/Water
l
Contact
Oil

Fractured Basement Fold Trap

(Anticline)

Salt
Salt Diapir Oil
Dome

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 Stratigraphic Traps

Unconformity Pinch out

Uncomformity Oil/Gas
Oil/Gas

Channel Pinch Out

Oil/Gas

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 Other Traps

Meteoric
Water
Asphalt Trap
Biodegraded
Oil/Asphalt
Partly
Water Biodegraded Oil

Hydrodynamic Trap Hydrostatic

Head
Shale
Water
Oil

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 Exercise

What are the trap mechanims in the reservoirs of your fields?

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