application of stable isotopes in petroleum

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Uses of Stable IsotopesUses of Stable Isotopes

in Petroleum.in Petroleum.



Isotopes in PetroleumIsotopes in Petroleum

IsotopeIsotope-- atoms with the same atomicatoms with the same atomic

number but different mass numbernumber but different mass number In the past the use of stable isotopes inIn the past the use of stable isotopes in

petroleum was not common.petroleum was not common. With high demand and prices it is nowWith high demand and prices it is now

feasible to use isotopic analysis infeasible to use isotopic analysis in

petroleum.petroleum.



Isotopes in PetroleumIsotopes in Petroleum

Isotope fractionation of CIsotope fractionation of C--12 C12 C--1313

In order for petroleum hydrocarbons toIn order for petroleum hydrocarbons to

form the Carbon bonds must breakform the Carbon bonds must break

Can indicate whether the gas comes fromCan indicate whether the gas comes froma heavier bituminous or carbonaceousa heavier bituminous or carbonaceous

residue.residue.



Common Uses In PetroleumCommon Uses In Petroleum

Determining gas maturityDetermining gas maturity

Correlating reservoired gas to its sourceCorrelating reservoired gas to its source

Correlating one reservoir to anotherCorrelating one reservoir to another

Recognizing gas mixturesRecognizing gas mixtures



MaturationMaturation

(Prinzhofer 2000)



Determining MaturationDetermining Maturation

Two ways to determine maturation usingTwo ways to determine maturation usingisotopesisotopes

1. Isotopic composition of methane1. Isotopic composition of methane2. Separation of carbon isotopes2. Separation of carbon isotopes

between hydrocarbon components.between hydrocarbon components.



Methane Isotopic AnalysisMethane Isotopic Analysis

Methane alone is a poor method ofMethane alone is a poor method of

isotopic analysisisotopic analysis Does not take into account the otherDoes not take into account the other

hydrocarbons present such as butane orhydrocarbons present such as butane orethaneethane

Gases are mobile so the original sourceGases are mobile so the original source

may not be know and does not take intomay not be know and does not take into

account the possibility of multiple sourcesaccount the possibility of multiple sources



Carbon Isotope SeparationCarbon Isotope Separation

Thermal degradationThermal degradation

of carbon isotopesof carbon isotopesthat correspond tothat correspond to

the main zone ofthe main zone of

primary cracking ofprimary cracking of

kerogen andkerogen and

secondary crackingsecondary crackingof heavy oils.of heavy oils.

(Prinzhofer 2000)




Maturity DiagramMaturity Diagram

LOM (level of organic Metamorphism)LOM (level of organic Metamorphism)

indicator of maturityindicator of maturity

Thermal alteration indexThermal alteration index

Partial functions of carbon isotopePartial functions of carbon isotope

separation can be calculated usingseparation can be calculated using

force field matricesforce field matrices

(James 1983)

(Galimov and Ivlev)(Galimov and Ivlev)




Plotting thePlotting the

LOM, TAI, andLOM, TAI, andIsotopic dataIsotopic data

on a maturityon a maturity

diagram showsdiagram shows

the type of gasthe type of gas

as well as theas well as thematurity.

(James 1983)

maturity.



Isotope Correlation to SourceIsotope Correlation to Source

Calculating source isotopes andCalculating source isotopes and

hydrocarbon isotopes allows for genetichydrocarbon isotopes allows for genetictracing of sourcetracing of source

The isotope calculations for the potentialThe isotope calculations for the potentialsource and the hydrocarbons should besource and the hydrocarbons should be

plotted on a maturity diagramplotted on a maturity diagram



Cyanosa Field,Cyanosa Field,

Delaware Basin, WestDelaware Basin, West

TexasTexas Bulk of value were atBulk of value were at

LOM 11, whichLOM 11, which

compared to thecompared to the

Permian WolfcampianPermian Wolfcampianshalesshales

(James 1983)(James 1983)



Correlating Two ReservoirsCorrelating Two Reservoirs Marlin Field, Gippsland Basin, AustraliaMarlin Field, Gippsland Basin, Australia

Tertiary sourceTertiary source

LOM, TAI, Isotope analysis was compared to theLOM, TAI, Isotope analysis was compared to theentire sequence.entire sequence.

Correlated to the Cretaceous intervalCorrelated to the Cretaceous interval

(James 1983) (James 1983)



Gas MixturesGas Mixtures Can indicate whether the source isCan indicate whether the source is

mature, wet, or if production is beingmature, wet, or if production is being

driven by bacteria.driven by bacteria. Southeastern AlbertaSoutheastern Alberta

(James 1983)



Gas MixturesGas Mixtures

Mixture of mature andMixture of mature andimmature gasesimmature gases

Through C12Through C12

--C13C13

separation it wasseparation it wasconcluded the reservoirconcluded the reservoirwas a mixture of localwas a mixture of localgases as well as agases as well as a

component thatcomponent thatmigrated a substantialmigrated a substantialdistance.distance.

Possible DevonianPossible Devoniansourcesource

Later determined to beLater determined to befrom Thermal cracking.from Thermal cracking.

(James 1983)



Gas MixturesGas Mixtures

BacteriaogenicBacteriaogenic

methanemethane Light methaneLight methane

Plot Isotope ratio onPlot Isotope ratio onNatural Gas PlotNatural Gas Plot

Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico 40 % of the methane40 % of the methane

was bacteria drivenwas bacteria driven

(Chung 1988)



ConclusionsConclusions

With growing demand for petroleumWith growing demand for petroleum

products methods such as isotopicproducts methods such as isotopicanalysis is becoming more common.analysis is becoming more common.

Stable Isotopes can enhance prospectingStable Isotopes can enhance prospecting

as well as production in a petroleumas well as production in a petroleum

companycompany



ReferencesReferences

Arthur, Michael A., Anderson, Thomas F., Kaplan, Isaac R., and LArthur, Michael A., Anderson, Thomas F., Kaplan, Isaac R., and Land, Lynton S.and, Lynton S.Stable Isotopes in Sedimentary Geology: SEPM Short Course No. 10Stable Isotopes in Sedimentary Geology: SEPM Short Course No. 10 DallasDallas19831983.. Tulsa, Ok; SEPM Pub. 1983Tulsa, Ok; SEPM Pub. 1983

Chung, H. M., Gormly, J.R., and Squires, R. M.” Origin of GaseouChung, H. M., Gormly, J.R., and Squires, R. M.” Origin of Gaseous Hydrocarbons Ins Hydrocarbons InSubsurface Environments: Theoretical Considerations of Carbon IsSubsurface Environments: Theoretical Considerations of Carbon IsotopeotopeDistribution”.Distribution”. Chemical GeologyChemical Geology Vol 71 (1988). 97Vol 71 (1988). 97--103.103.

Faure, Gunter, and Mensing, Teresa M.Faure, Gunter, and Mensing, Teresa M. Isotopes Principles and Applications ThirdIsotopes Principles and Applications ThirdEditionEdition. Hoboken, New Jersey. John Wiley and Sons Inc.2005. Hoboken, New Jersey. John Wiley and Sons Inc.2005

James, Alan T. “Correlation of Natural Gas by Use of Carbon IsotJames, Alan T. “Correlation of Natural Gas by Use of Carbon Isotopic Distributionopic Distribution

Between Hydrocarbon Components”.Between Hydrocarbon Components”. AAPG Geologist BulletinAAPG Geologist Bulletin Vol 67 No. 7Vol 67 No. 7(July 1983). 1176(July 1983). 1176--1191.1191.

Prinzhofer, Alain, Mello, Macio R., and Takaki, Tikae. “GeochemiPrinzhofer, Alain, Mello, Macio R., and Takaki, Tikae. “Geochemical Characterizationcal Characterizationof Natural Gas: A Physical Multivariable Approach and its Applicof Natural Gas: A Physical Multivariable Approach and its Applications inations inMaturity and Migrations Estimates”.Maturity and Migrations Estimates”. AAPG BulletinAAPG Bulletin Vol. 84 No. 8.( AugustVol. 84 No. 8.( August2000). 11522000). 1152--1172.1172.

Schoell, Martin. “Recent advances in Petroleum Isotope GeochemisSchoell, Martin. “Recent advances in Petroleum Isotope Geochemistry”try” Org.Org.GGeochemistryeochemistry Vol. 6 (1984). 645Vol. 6 (1984). 645--663.663.

application of stable isotopes in petroleum

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