April 29, 2015 Noon Geosciences Seminar M216
The Hidden Benefits of Maturity Modeling, and How to Obtain Those Benefits Douglas W. Waples Sirius Exploration Geochemistry, Inc. 9299 William Cody Drive, Evergreen, CO 80439 USA email: [email protected]
Abstract Most 1-D (maturity) modeling studies are carried out with the explicit primary (and sometimes exclusive) objective of calculating maturity and hydrocarbon generation and expulsion. This focus on bottom-line output has caused most modelers to overlook a major additional value of such studies: the knowledge acquired while building internally consistent, realistic, and complete geologic models. During the process of model building, one should carefully consider and integrate the following phenomena: the depositional and erosional events that occurred during unconformities; rates and causes of subsidence and sedimentation; bathymetry and elevation through time; changes in lithology; tectonic events that have created and modified the area being studied; isostasy and eustasy; variations in surface temperature, and paleoheat flow.
The process of building such complex models requires that we fully integrate these disparate types of data, which are derived from specialized disciplines that often communicate poorly with each other. Techniques useful in building high-quality models are illustrated here using examples from around the world. When properly executed following this philosophy, maturity modeling becomes a unique, general, and extremely valuable tool for geologic investigation and integration. It is not even necessary to calculate hydrocarbon generation to benefit for this type of modeling; it is enough to simply do the rigorous thinking involved in building the models. This technology and philosophy are thus accessible, suitable, and even essential for all exploration geologists.
The deeper and often novel understanding we achieve in developing internally consistent, fully integrated geological models will often result in new exploration concepts, and thus can aid exploration programs in unanticipated ways. We believe it will become an essential exploration tool in the very near future.
Dr. Douglas Waples: Brief Bio Douglas Waples received his PhD in physical organic chemistry from Stanford University in 1971, but shifted his emphasis to petroleum geochemistry during postdoctoral fellowships in West Germany and Chile. He started his career with Chevron, where he was one of the first to apply maturity modeling to oil exploration. Subsequently, he taught at the Colorado School of Mines and worked for Mobil. Since 1983 he has been an independent consultant to oil companies in numerous countries. His assignments have covered much of the world, and include long-term relationships with JNOC in Japan, Petronas in Malaysia, Maersk in Denmark, Pemex in Mexico, and PTTEP in Thailand. Doug also lived in Japan for three years as a researcher for JNOC. He has participated in development of several types of commercial software for basin modeling. His publications include three books and about 85 papers and chapters on geochemistry and basin modeling, one of which won the 1982 Sproule Award from the AAPG. He also received the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Outstanding Scientist award for 2012. Over the past 30+ years Doug has taught short courses and university courses in geochemistry and basin modeling in English or Spanish in more than 20 countries on six continents.
Doug is currently president and chief scientist for Sirius Exploration Geochemistry in Evergreen, Colorado. Sirius Exploration Geochemistry conducts interpretation of geochemical data, especially source-rock kinetics and basin modeling, for the petroleum exploration industry. Much recent work has been in domestic unconventional plays in addition to international exploration. The company develops new technologies, such as one-run source-rock kinetics that can be used in basin modeling and as an organo-facies and maturity indicator.