The importance of surface geochemistry studies in hydrocarbon reservoir exploration: with a case study from Khuzestan Province, SW Iran
Subject Areas : Petroleum GeologyZeinab Alizadeh 1 , Bahman Soleimani 2 , Behzad Khani 3
1 - Department of Petroleum Geology and Sedimentary Basins, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz.Ahvaz, Iran.
2 - Professor in Department of Petroleum Geology and Sedimentary Basins, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
3 - Technical Manager of Ariana Energy Company, Ahvaz
Keywords: Surface Geochemistry, Microseepage, Dezful Embayment, Microbial Analysis, Adsorbed Soil Gas,
Abstract :
Surface geochemical studies are important tools in all stages of hydrocarbon potential exploration, from foreland basin identification to detailed exploration, and prospecting based on probable hydrocarbon flux, identification of sub-zones in mature fields, and monitoring of hydrocarbon drainage associated with production over time. In the current study, regional hydrocarbon potential prediction in northeastern Khuzestan (southeast of Dezful embeymant) was performed using soil gas analysis of collected samples (62 samples). Soil gas values were measured using acid extraction (AE) methods, microbial investigation and gene extraction (MT1-MT2). Data analysis showed that the changes in MT2 analysis parameters along the sampling lines in the histogram plots show a positive skew due to the presence of surface geochemical anomalies and the presence of hydrocarbons in potential reservoirs. The ratios of ethane to methane, ethane to propane, and c1/c2+c3 to c2/c3+c4 indicate the type of hydrocarbon trapped in the subsurface reservoirs. Based on the obtained data, the samples of the study area are located in the range of oil reservoirs and in some cases oil reservoirs with gas. Hydrocarbon reservoirs based on the standard ratio c3/c1×1000, with a range of 20-200, show hydrocarbon accumulation with a majority of liquid hydrocarbons and in some cases with gas. Based on logc1/(c2+c3) versus logc2/(c3+c4), it also shows the dominance of liquid hydrocarbons and in less cases gaseous hydrocarbons with oil. The changes in the MT1 analysis parameter data along the sampling lines also indicate a good correspondence between the high anomaly of these parameters and the subsurface geological structural features (faults). The current results indicate that the samples are dominated by liquid hydrocarbons and in some cases with a gas cap. However, a few samples show hydrocarbon characteristics with heavy oil characteristics as well as surface contamination. In general, the results of all methods used in soil gas anomaly prediction showed good agreement with the structural elements of the area, so it can be considered a useful tool for identifying and monitoring hidden faults at the surface.
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