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Determination of Petroleum Accumulation Histories: Examples from the Ula Field, Central Graben, Norwegian North Sea

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North Sea Oil and Gas Reservoirs—II

Abstract

The application of coupled geological and geochemical studies of oilfields can provide information on the maturity of the source rocks that fed the field, the directions of filling and estimates on the timing of accumulation development. In this ongoing study, detailed three-dimensional compositional mapping of the Ula Field permitted the selection of samples for more detailed molecular analysis, providing data on both source facies and maturity. It was observed from these data that, in addition to the expected lateral variations in chemical composition, vertical variations are also evident. Furthermore, local polar compound concentrations (small tar mats that are chemically relatable to the accumulation) are definable on a stratigraphic basis. Despite these chemical compositional variations and maturity differences, the petroleum column in the Ula Field appears mechanically stable. Indeed, the observed chemical compositional variations and the mechanical properties of the field are consistent with Late Tertiary filling as indicated by maturation modelling of maturity parameters.

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A. T. Buller E. Berg O. Hjelmeland J. Kleppe O. Torsæter J. O. Aasen

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© 1990 Norwegian Institute of Technology

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Larter, S.R. et al. (1990). Determination of Petroleum Accumulation Histories: Examples from the Ula Field, Central Graben, Norwegian North Sea. In: Buller, A.T., Berg, E., Hjelmeland, O., Kleppe, J., Torsæter, O., Aasen, J.O. (eds) North Sea Oil and Gas Reservoirs—II. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0791-1_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0791-1_27

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6843-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0791-1

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