Data modelling for crude oil migration studies using ranking method: a rapid geo-tracer technique for geochemists

The direction of oil charges within a field in the Niger Delta, Nigeria was determined by the sum of differences ranking method of carbazole concentrations after ascertaining other possible geological constraints on their compositional variations. The principle is that the smaller the sum, the closer the well to the source kitchen. The approach makes use of carbazoles’ interaction with the matrix, which leads to a reduction in their concentration with increasing distance from the source kitchen, allowing prediction of the charging direction. A wide range of compositional variations was observed for C₁ (806.72–2152.90 μg/g) and C₂ (767–2469.72 μg/g) carbazoles within the field. Based on these results, we inferred a filling pathway orientation from west to east. This suggests that the source kitchen—the most promising region for oil exploration—is located in the western part of the oil field.