Undiscovered Petroleum Accumulation Mapping Using Model-Based Stochastic Simulation

Stochastic simulation has been proven to be a useful tool for revealing uncertainties in petroleum exploration and exploitation. The application to petroleum resource assessment would result in predicted potential accumulations with geographic locations, a desirable feature for improving both resource management and exploration efficiency. The associated uncertainties with the prediction provide information useful for exploration risk analysis. This attempt has been encumbered by two typical technical difficulties: biased observation data and lack of information with respect to the undiscovered accumulation locations. In this paper we propose a model-based simulation approach, in which models are used to perform unbiased parameter estimation from biased data and to facilitate the location of undiscovered petroleum accumulations based on reasoning of available geological and geophysical observations. The Fourier transform algorithm is chosen for the simulation because the spatial correlation and location-specific features can be studied separately from different data sources and integrated in the simulation in a frequency domain. The proposed approach is illustrated by an example from the Rainbow petroleum play in the West Canadian Sedimentary Basin. In the application example, a pre-1994 exploration history data set was used as input, and the predictions are then checked against the locations of post-1993 exploratory drilling results. The comparison of the predictions from the proposed approach and the traditional conditional simulation shows that the model-based approach captures the essentials of geological controls on the spatial distribution of petroleum accumulation, thus improving the projections of undiscovered petroleum accumulations.     

Ocean-bottom seismograph observations on the Charlie—Gibbs fracture zone

Summary. Two networks of four ocean-bottom seismographs were deployed successfully in 1982 September on spreading centre sites in the region of the Charlie–Gibbs fracture zone. Activity was observed beneath both networks and hypocentres for over 100 events have been determined. The observations confirm the existence of seismic activity along a suspected short spreading centre near longitude 31.75°W linking the north and south transform valleys of the fracture zone. A relatively thick (7–9 km) seismogenic zone is seen beneath the axis which is in agreement with earlier microearthquake observations on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.     

Oxygen-Containing Compounds Identified in Groundwater from Fuel Release Sites Using GCxGC-TOF-MS

This research continues a 7-year study of oxygen-containing organic compounds present in groundwater at gasoline and diesel fuel release sites that are quantified as diesel-range “total petroleum hydrocarbons” when measured by methods utilizing solvent extraction and gas chromatography. Two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to tentatively identify 1162 compounds (TICs) in 113 groundwater samples from 22 sites. Samples were collected from wells either upgradient of the release, within the source zone, or downgradient of the source but still within the plume of dissolved organics associated with release. The names and formulas of all TICs found in samples from each well type are presented and the results from upgradient and downgradient locations are compared in detail. About 60% of the most frequently detected TICs in downgradient wells were also detected in upgradient wells. A majority of these were saturated straight chain alkyl acids, commonly called fatty acids, or fatty acid esters. Of TICs frequently detected in downgradient wells but not upgradient wells, over half were branched alkyl alcohols. Hierarchical cluster analysis results suggest about 80% of the chemical composition of downgradient samples is more similar to upgradient samples than to source area samples. This similarity is due to the presence of the same types of fatty acids and esters. Principal component analysis indicates a continuum of biodegradation between the source area and downgradient samples with the latter becoming more consistent with upgradient samples. Results suggest some TICs may not be petroleum degradation intermediates but compounds synthesized by microorganisms through secondary production and carbon cycling.     

Sedimentary processes operating around the entrance to a river mouth port,Westport, New Zealand

The paper presents investigations of wave climate, tidal inlet hydraulics, and sand sediment bypassing at the entrance to Westport Harbour, South Island, New Zealand. The results complement and extend those of studies of bar morphologies and sediment characteristics already published. Longshore transport of about 1 × 10⁶ m³/year is directed in a net eastward fashion across the inlet because of an in‐built misalignment of the harbour training walls. Approximately 90% of the drift is bypassed, and has been since 1921, by deflection and splitting of the main sediment streams through the inner and outer bars and a transverse channel aoross the entrance. The outer bar appears to be the submarine, downdrift extension of Carters Breach and river load appears to contribute an order of magnitude less sediment to the complex than annual littoral drift. River sediments and littoral drift are mixed off the harbour and a declining proportion over time is recirculated to cause progradation of North Beach. The tidal compartment contributes little to scour of the entrance because of the predominance of bar bypassing. Contrary to the recommendations of several past studies, it is argued that improvements in navigation depths at West‐port are more likely to be obtained through modification of the littoral drift system than they are from tidal compartment enlargement.     

Identifying outliers and assessing the accuracy of amino acid racemization measurements for geochronology: II. Data screening

Amino acid racemization (AAR) is a cost-effective method for dating the large numbers of specimens required for time-averaging studies. Because the aim of time-averaging studies is to determine the structure of the age distribution, any data screening must be done cautiously and systematically. Methods to quantitatively assess the quality of AAR data and to identify aberrant specimens are under-developed. Here we examine a variety of screening criteria for identifying outliers and determining the suitability of specimens for numerical dating including: high serine concentrations (modern contamination), covariance of aspartic acid (Asp) and glutamic acid (Glu) concentrations (diagenetic influences), replication of measurements (specimen heterogeneity), and the relation between Asp and Glu d/l values (internal consistency). This study is based on AAR analyses of 481 late Holocene shells of four molluscan taxa (Ethalia, Natica, Tellina, and Turbo) collected from shallow sediment cores from the central Great Barrier Reef. Different outliers are flagged by the different screening criteria, and 6% of specimens were found to be unsuitable for time-averaging analyses based on screening the raw AAR data. We recommend a hybrid approach for identifying outliers and specimens for numerical dating.     

Preliminary Results from an Astrophysically Relevant Radiation Transfer Experiment

The results of a diffusive radiation transport experiment in a simple geometry are presented. The experiment depends primarily on two variables, the target density and the temperature drive, which are characterized well. The experiment is designed to verify and validate radiation transport in codes. The codes can then be used to model astrophysical systems. The results of the experiments are found to be in good agreement with simulation results.     

Dynamic response of marine risers by single wave and spectral analysis methods

This paper uses the Galerkin method in the solution of the marine riser differential equation and compares the dynamic bending stresses in a tension-leg-platform riser calculated by the linearised single wave and linearised spectral analysis methods.The results show that it is possible to make some rational assessment of approximate peak values of bending stress in the spectral method.The analysis methods are applicable to any riser system subject to horizontal exciting forces due to fluid and vessel motion.