kendall, weber & alsharhan “evaporite plays” ‘ the giant oil field evaporite...

Kendall, Weber & Alsharhan “Evaporite Plays”

‘‘The Giant Oil Field Evaporite The Giant Oil Field Evaporite Association’Association’

a function of thea function of the

Wilson Cycle, Climate, Basin Wilson Cycle, Climate, Basin Position & Sea LevelPosition & Sea Level

‘‘The Giant Oil Field Evaporite The Giant Oil Field Evaporite Association’Association’

a function of thea function of the

Wilson Cycle, Climate, Basin Wilson Cycle, Climate, Basin Position & Sea LevelPosition & Sea Level

CHRISTOPHER G. ST.C. KENDALL - University of S. CarolinaL. J. (Jim) WEBER – ExxonMobil Production Co.

ABDULRAHMAN ALSHARHAN - Middle East Geological Establishment

CHRISTOPHER G. ST.C. KENDALL - University of S. CarolinaL. J. (Jim) WEBER – ExxonMobil Production Co.

ABDULRAHMAN ALSHARHAN - Middle East Geological Establishment


AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgmentsAcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

• University of South CarolinaUniversity of South Carolina ExxonMobil ExxonMobil MEGEMEGE

• University of South CarolinaUniversity of South Carolina ExxonMobil ExxonMobil MEGEMEGE

We extend our thanks & We extend our thanks & appreciation to:appreciation to:We extend our thanks & We extend our thanks & appreciation to:appreciation to:

for making the study reported in this for making the study reported in this presentation possiblepresentation possiblefor making the study reported in this for making the study reported in this presentation possiblepresentation possible


Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Carbonate/Evaporite Carbonate/Evaporite Hydrocarbon ReservesHydrocarbon Reserves

Tie between Tie between Carbonate/Evaporite Carbonate/Evaporite SettingsSettings

ClimateClimate

Basin Phase (extension, Basin Phase (extension, compression, or barred)compression, or barred)

Sea LevelSea Level

Carbonate/ Evaporite Play Carbonate/ Evaporite Play GeometriesGeometries

Summary & ConclusionsSummary & Conclusions

Carbonate/Evaporite Carbonate/Evaporite Hydrocarbon ReservesHydrocarbon Reserves

Tie between Tie between Carbonate/Evaporite Carbonate/Evaporite SettingsSettings

ClimateClimate

Basin Phase (extension, Basin Phase (extension, compression, or barred)compression, or barred)

Sea LevelSea Level

Carbonate/ Evaporite Play Carbonate/ Evaporite Play GeometriesGeometries


Carbonate

Plays

Evaporite

Settings

Evolving

Basins &

Plates

Basin Phase Evolution = Basin Phase Evolution = Plate Tectonic Setting +Plate Tectonic Setting +Subsidence MechanismSubsidence Mechanism

Basin Phase Evolution = Basin Phase Evolution = Plate Tectonic Setting +Plate Tectonic Setting +Subsidence MechanismSubsidence Mechanism

Talk based on Proven Plays from Commercial Databases (e.g., C & Talk based on Proven Plays from Commercial Databases (e.g., C & C Reservoirs, IHS Energy, USGS Assessments)C Reservoirs, IHS Energy, USGS Assessments)

Talk based on Proven Plays from Commercial Databases (e.g., C & Talk based on Proven Plays from Commercial Databases (e.g., C & C Reservoirs, IHS Energy, USGS Assessments)C Reservoirs, IHS Energy, USGS Assessments)


Database captured 33% of total discovered reserves in carbonates41% of plays exhibit an evaporite seal64% of discovered reserves trapped under an evaporite sealSo evaporites are important?

Database captured 33% of total discovered reserves in carbonates41% of plays exhibit an evaporite seal64% of discovered reserves trapped under an evaporite sealSo evaporites are important?

Significance of Carbonates & EvaporitesSignificance of Carbonates & EvaporitesSignificance of Carbonates & EvaporitesSignificance of Carbonates & Evaporites

(1) USGS World Assessment (2000)(1) USGS World Assessment (2000)

(2) hMobil CATT Study (1999)(2) hMobil CATT Study (1999)

56%World Total 56%World Total Reserves in Reserves in Carbonates Carbonates

56% Total 56% Total Reserves in Reserves in Carbonates Carbonates

TotalReserves

CarbonateFraction

00

11

22

33

44

55

WorldTotal (1)

Tri

llion

s O

EB

Tri

llion

s O

EB

4.1

2.3

DISCOVERED Proven Plays with Discovered Reserves Reported (764,000 MOEB)

64%

36%

Carbonate Play Association with Evaporite Seal: N = 31Carbonate Play Association with Evaporite Seal: N = 31Carbonate Play Association with No Evaporite Seal: N = 45Carbonate Play Association with No Evaporite Seal: N = 45

Weber & Sarg, 2005

Total inCaCO3

Fields (2)


Paleozoic

Paleozoic

Paleozoic

PaleozoicJurassic

Jurassic

Jurassic

Jurassic {{Cretaceous

Cretaceous

Cretaceous

Cretaceous{{

Tertiary

Tertiary

Tertiary

Tertiary

Location Location of Oil & of Oil &

Gas Gas Fields of Fields of Arabian Arabian

Gulf Gulf --

ReservoirReservoirss

areareYoungerYoungerto Eastto East

Location Location of Oil & of Oil &

Gas Gas Fields of Fields of Arabian Arabian

Gulf Gulf --

ReservoirReservoirss

areareYoungerYoungerto Eastto East

Most are carbonate plays that accumulated beneath evaporite seals in inter-plate isolated restricted basins

Most are carbonate plays that accumulated beneath evaporite seals in inter-plate isolated restricted basins


Evaporites - Tectonic Phase, & Evaporites - Tectonic Phase, & Source, Reservoir, & Seal, & Sea Source, Reservoir, & Seal, & Sea

LevelLevel

Evaporites - Tectonic Phase, & Evaporites - Tectonic Phase, & Source, Reservoir, & Seal, & Sea Source, Reservoir, & Seal, & Sea

LevelLevelMajor carbonate/evaporite successions Major carbonate/evaporite successions accumulated in theaccumulated in the arid tropicsarid tropics adjacent to adjacent to continental plate margins atcontinental plate margins at start of start of extensionalextensional & end of& end of compressionalcompressional Wilsonian phases of plate motion & toWilsonian phases of plate motion & to lee oflee of structural & depositionalstructural & depositional barriers barriers on trailing on trailing marginsmarginsThese phases juxtaposedThese phases juxtaposed source, reservoir, source, reservoir, & seal,& seal, favoring hydrocarbon exploration & favoring hydrocarbon exploration & exploitationexploitation GeometriesGeometries of hydrocarbon prone of hydrocarbon prone carbonate/evaporite successions are carbonate/evaporite successions are determined by position ofdetermined by position of base level base level changechange

Major carbonate/evaporite successions Major carbonate/evaporite successions accumulated in theaccumulated in the arid tropicsarid tropics adjacent to adjacent to continental plate margins atcontinental plate margins at start of start of extensionalextensional & end of& end of compressionalcompressional Wilsonian phases of plate motion & toWilsonian phases of plate motion & to lee oflee of structural & depositionalstructural & depositional barriers barriers on trailing on trailing marginsmarginsThese phases juxtaposedThese phases juxtaposed source, reservoir, source, reservoir, & seal,& seal, favoring hydrocarbon exploration & favoring hydrocarbon exploration & exploitationexploitation GeometriesGeometries of hydrocarbon prone of hydrocarbon prone carbonate/evaporite successions are carbonate/evaporite successions are determined by position ofdetermined by position of base level base level changechange

Evidence comes from plate motion cycles of Evidence comes from plate motion cycles of Arabian Gulf, Central Asia, Atlantic, Cordilleran & Arabian Gulf, Central Asia, Atlantic, Cordilleran & Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains

Evidence comes from plate motion cycles of Evidence comes from plate motion cycles of Arabian Gulf, Central Asia, Atlantic, Cordilleran & Arabian Gulf, Central Asia, Atlantic, Cordilleran & Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains


Break Up - Mesozoic of Northern AtlanticBreak Up - Mesozoic of Northern AtlanticBreak Up - Mesozoic of Northern AtlanticBreak Up - Mesozoic of Northern Atlanticrestricted restricted entrances entrances

to seato sea

isolated linear

isolated linear

belt of interior

belt of interior

drainage

drainage regional regional

drainage drainage

away away

from marginfrom margin

arid tropics air system arid tropics air system

wide envelope of surrounding continentswide envelope of surrounding continents

SWEETSWEETSPOT!SPOT!

juxtaposed source, seal & reservoirjuxtaposed source, seal & reservoir


Break Up Margins & Break Up Margins & EvaporitesEvaporites

Break Up Margins & Break Up Margins & EvaporitesEvaporites

Mesozoic of northern Gulf of MexicoMesozoic of northern Gulf of Mexico

Mesozoic of North & South Atlantic Mesozoic of North & South Atlantic marginsmargins

Mesozoic of Yemen rift beltMesozoic of Yemen rift belt

Mesozoic & Tertiary of EritreaMesozoic & Tertiary of Eritrea

East African RiftEast African Rift

Dead SeaDead Sea

Mesozoic of northern Gulf of MexicoMesozoic of northern Gulf of Mexico

Mesozoic of North & South Atlantic Mesozoic of North & South Atlantic marginsmargins

Mesozoic of Yemen rift beltMesozoic of Yemen rift belt

Mesozoic & Tertiary of EritreaMesozoic & Tertiary of Eritrea

East African RiftEast African Rift

Dead SeaDead Sea


Collision Margin EvaporitesCollision Margin EvaporitesCollision Margin EvaporitesCollision Margin Evaporites

restricted restricted entrance entrance

to seato sea

isolated linearisolated linearbelt of interiorbelt of interior

drainagedrainage

regional regional

drainage drainage

into basininto basin

arid tropics air system arid tropics air system

wide envelope of surrounding continentswide envelope of surrounding continents

SWEETSWEETSPOTSPOT!!

juxtaposed sourcejuxtaposed sourceseal & reservoirseal & reservoir


Collision Margin & Collision Margin & Evaporites Evaporites

Collision Margin & Collision Margin & Evaporites Evaporites

Current Arabian Gulf & underlying Late Current Arabian Gulf & underlying Late Mesozoic to Tertiary Mesozoic to Tertiary Silurian of Michigan Basin & Western New Silurian of Michigan Basin & Western New York State York State Devonian of Western Canada & NW USA Devonian of Western Canada & NW USA Permian of New Mexico & West Texas Permian of New Mexico & West Texas Permian of Zechstein Basin Permian of Zechstein Basin Mesozoic to Tertiary of southern South Mesozoic to Tertiary of southern South AmericaAmericaTertiary of Mediterranean Tertiary of Mediterranean Mesozoic & Tertiary in final phases of Tethys Mesozoic & Tertiary in final phases of Tethys SeaSea

Current Arabian Gulf & underlying Late Current Arabian Gulf & underlying Late Mesozoic to Tertiary Mesozoic to Tertiary Silurian of Michigan Basin & Western New Silurian of Michigan Basin & Western New York State York State Devonian of Western Canada & NW USA Devonian of Western Canada & NW USA Permian of New Mexico & West Texas Permian of New Mexico & West Texas Permian of Zechstein Basin Permian of Zechstein Basin Mesozoic to Tertiary of southern South Mesozoic to Tertiary of southern South AmericaAmericaTertiary of Mediterranean Tertiary of Mediterranean Mesozoic & Tertiary in final phases of Tethys Mesozoic & Tertiary in final phases of Tethys SeaSea


Restricted Basin Restricted Basin EvaporitesEvaporites

Restricted Basin Restricted Basin EvaporitesEvaporites


Example of Barred BasinExample of Barred Basin Mesozoic - Arabian GulfMesozoic - Arabian Gulf

upper Jurassic upper Jurassic

Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

Kuwait, IranKuwait, Iran

& UAE& UAE

restricted restricted entrance entrance

to seato seastructural & structural &

depositionaldepositional

barrier overbarrier over

Hercynian Hercynian horst blockshorst blocks

arid tropical air system arid tropical air system

wide shadow from adjacent continentswide shadow from adjacent continents

juxtaposed sourcejuxtaposed sourceseal & reservoirseal & reservoir

SWEETSWEETSPOTSPOT!!


Restricted Restricted Basins Basins

Isolated by Isolated by Build Up Build Up BarriersBarriersOrganic Organic Rich FillRich Fill Arabian Arabian

Gulf Gulf JurassicJurassic

Restricted Restricted Basins Basins

Isolated by Isolated by Build Up Build Up BarriersBarriersOrganic Organic Rich FillRich Fill Arabian Arabian

Gulf Gulf JurassicJurassic

After Fox & Albrandt,2002

Gotnia Basin

Gotnia Basin

Arabian Basin

Arabian Basin

Sout

h Ara

bian

Bas

in

Sout

h Ara

bian

Bas

in


Structural & Depositional Structural & Depositional Barrier EvaporitesBarrier Evaporites

Structural & Depositional Structural & Depositional Barrier EvaporitesBarrier Evaporites

Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic beneath Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic beneath Arabian GulfArabian Gulf

Cretaceous Ferry Lake Anhydrite of FloridaCretaceous Ferry Lake Anhydrite of Florida

Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic beneath Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic beneath Arabian GulfArabian Gulf

Cretaceous Ferry Lake Anhydrite of FloridaCretaceous Ferry Lake Anhydrite of Florida

Evaporites trapped by structural & Evaporites trapped by structural & depositional barrierdepositional barrierPunctuated by limited access to sea & Punctuated by limited access to sea & repeated arid climatic eventsrepeated arid climatic events

Evaporites trapped by structural & Evaporites trapped by structural & depositional barrierdepositional barrierPunctuated by limited access to sea & Punctuated by limited access to sea & repeated arid climatic eventsrepeated arid climatic events


Carbonate/Evaporites Plays & Carbonate/Evaporites Plays & Sequence StratigraphySequence Stratigraphy

Carbonate/Evaporites Plays & Carbonate/Evaporites Plays & Sequence StratigraphySequence Stratigraphy

Downdip restricted playas, salinas & basin evaporites (upper surface coincides with sea level position of the lowstand (LST) & following transgressive (TST) system tractsUpdip supratidal sabkha evaporite cycles (upper bounding surface preserved in regressive coastlines matching sea level position of late high stand (HST) system tract

Downdip restricted playas, salinas & basin evaporites (upper surface coincides with sea level position of the lowstand (LST) & following transgressive (TST) system tractsUpdip supratidal sabkha evaporite cycles (upper bounding surface preserved in regressive coastlines matching sea level position of late high stand (HST) system tract


Low Stand Evaporite SignalsLow Stand Evaporite SignalsLow Stand Evaporite SignalsLow Stand Evaporite Signals

sequencesequenceboundaryboundary


Transgressive Evaporite Transgressive Evaporite SignalsSignals

Transgressive Evaporite Transgressive Evaporite SignalsSignals

transgressivetransgressivesurfacesurface


High Stand Evaporite SignalsHigh Stand Evaporite SignalsHigh Stand Evaporite SignalsHigh Stand Evaporite Signals

maximummaximumfloodingfloodingsurfacesurface


Major Evaporite Major Evaporite SettingsSettings

Basin-Center (Commonly product of Basin-Center (Commonly product of LSTLST & & TSTTST))

Thick evaporites deposited across whole basin Thick evaporites deposited across whole basin (> 50 m thick evaporite intervals)(> 50 m thick evaporite intervals)

ShallowShallow to to deepdeep water evaporites occur in water evaporites occur in many different settings (many different settings (shelfshelf, slope, basin) , slope, basin)

Platform (Commonly product of Platform (Commonly product of LSTLST & & TSTTST))< 50 m thick evaporite intervals, commonly < < 50 m thick evaporite intervals, commonly < 5 m thick evaporite beds inter-bedded with thin 5 m thick evaporite beds inter-bedded with thin to thick carbonate intervalsto thick carbonate intervals

Shallow water (Shallow water (SalternSaltern) & subaerial () & subaerial (Sabkha, Sabkha, Salina, MudflatSalina, Mudflat) evaporites landward of barrier evaporites landward of barrier or sillor sill

Open marine sediments deposited seaward of Open marine sediments deposited seaward of sillsill

Continental (Playa Lakes) (not discussed Continental (Playa Lakes) (not discussed here)here)

ContinentalContinentalEvaporitesEvaporitesPlatform EvaporitesPlatform EvaporitesBasin-Center EvaporitesBasin-Center Evaporites

Mean Sea LevelMean Sea Level

Sabkha, Salina, Sabkha, Salina, MudflatMudflatSubaqueous SalternSubaqueous SalternShallow toShallow to

Deep BasinDeep Basin

BasinCenter

Platform

Discovered Reserves for Proven Discovered Reserves for Proven Carbonate PlaysCarbonate Plays

Total = 490,000 MOEBTotal = 490,000 MOEBDiscovered Reserves for Proven Evaporite Plays

Total = 485,884 MOEB

52% 48%


Evaporite Setting Plays & Basin Phase Evaporite Setting Plays & Basin Phase EvolutionEvolutionN = 9 PlaysN = 9 Plays

Play Elements & Tectonic Play Elements & Tectonic Evolution Pathway for Passive Evolution Pathway for Passive

Margin SettingsMargin Settings

Play Elements & Tectonic Play Elements & Tectonic Evolution Pathway for Passive Evolution Pathway for Passive

Margin SettingsMargin Settings

RiftRiftRiftRift

SagSagSagSagForelandForelandForelandForeland

CIEX

DBTH

CZCLFL or UP

PCMTH

DriftDriftDriftDrift

Pelagian

Rift Sag Drift Foreland

Post-Seal

Seal

Reservoir

Source

Post-Seal

Seal

Reservoir

Source

Post-Seal

Seal

Reservoir

Source

Pa

ss

ive

Ma

rgin

TECTONIC PHASE FOR PLATFORM-SUBAQUEOUS SALTERN EVAPORITE SETTINGS

Co

nti

ne

nta

l In

teri

or

Ba

ck

-Arc

Peten

Arabian Platform

Timan-Pechora

Angara-Lena

Gulf Basin

Dominant OccurrenceDominant Occurrence Minor OccurrenceMinor Occurrence

Plays Occur in Passive Margin Settings•25% of Plays Do Not Evolve to Foreland Phase•Stratigraphic Traps are Important•Source, Reservoir, Seal Likely in Drift Phase•>90% Source Rocks Carbonate in Origin•Source Rocks in Close Proximity to Reservoir

Plays Occur in Passive Margin Settings•25% of Plays Do Not Evolve to Foreland Phase•Stratigraphic Traps are Important•Source, Reservoir, Seal Likely in Drift Phase•>90% Source Rocks Carbonate in Origin•Source Rocks in Close Proximity to Reservoir

~ ~~~

~~


N = 13 PlaysN = 13 Plays Play Elements & Tectonic Play Elements & Tectonic Evolution Pathway for Continental Evolution Pathway for Continental

Interior SettingsInterior Settings

RiftRift

SagSag

ForelandForeland CITH

CIFL

CIEX

Evaporite Play Settings & Basin Phase EvolutionEvaporite Play Settings & Basin Phase Evolution

Rift Sag Drift Foreland

Post-Seal

Seal

Reservoir

Source

Post-Seal

Seal

Reservoir

Source

Post-Seal

Seal

Reservoir

Source

Pa

ss

ive

Ma

rgin

TECTONIC PHASE FOR BASIN CENTER-SHALLOW MARINE SHALLOW BASIN EVAPORITE SETTINGS

Co

nti

ne

nta

l In

teri

or

Ba

ck

-Arc

Gulf Suez

Michigan

Oman Salt

European Permian

Williston

Dnepr/Donets

Pripyat

Paradox

Zagros Fold Belt

Amu Darya

Western Canada

Dominant OccurrenceDominant Occurrence

Plays in Continental Interior SettingsPlays in Continental Interior Settings•40% of Plays Do Not Evolve to Foreland 40% of Plays Do Not Evolve to Foreland PhasePhase•Stratigraphic Traps ImportantStratigraphic Traps Important•Source, Reservoir, Seal Possible in ALL Source, Reservoir, Seal Possible in ALL PhasesPhases•>90% Source Rocks Carbonate in Origin>90% Source Rocks Carbonate in Origin•Source Rocks in Close Proximity to Source Rocks in Close Proximity to ReservoirReservoir

Minor OccurrenceMinor Occurrence



One can predict Carbonate Play Opportunities in Evaporite Basins from One can predict Carbonate Play Opportunities in Evaporite Basins from an understanding of Basin Phase Evolution and Evaporite Settingan understanding of Basin Phase Evolution and Evaporite Setting

The opportunities occur in: The opportunities occur in: Land Detached Isolated Platforms in Basin-Center Evaporite Settings in Arc-Land Detached Isolated Platforms in Basin-Center Evaporite Settings in Arc-Related and Passive Margin Settings that Evolve to the Foreland Basin PhaseRelated and Passive Margin Settings that Evolve to the Foreland Basin Phase

Isolated buildups in Platform Evaporite Settings in Passive Margin Settings Isolated buildups in Platform Evaporite Settings in Passive Margin Settings That May or May Not Evolve to the Foreland Basin PhaseThat May or May Not Evolve to the Foreland Basin Phase

The Exploration potential of Carbonate Plays in Evaporite Basin is good. The Exploration potential of Carbonate Plays in Evaporite Basin is good. However where the “prospects” are located is the ever evolving However where the “prospects” are located is the ever evolving objectives tied to access to prospective acreage and a drilling program! objectives tied to access to prospective acreage and a drilling program!

~ ~~

~ ~


ConclusionsConclusions

Now let’s Now let’s find oil!find oil!

kendall, weber & alsharhan “evaporite plays” ‘ the giant oil field evaporite...

Documents