Petroleum inclusions in sedimentary basins: systematics, analytical methods and applications

Fluid dynamics in sedimentary basins is of tremendous interest, both from a scientific and an economic point of view. Integration between fluid inclusion and present-day fluid data provides the time aspect necessary for reconstruction of fluid flow paths, and can be used for mapping fluid dynamics both on a regional basin scale or on the more local scale of petroleum reservoirs. This paper presents a review of analytical and modelling methods for petroleum in fluid inclusions. Essentially, four types of data for petroleum inclusions can be established through analysis and modelling: (1) textures (which give indirect information of the time aspect), (2) fluid composition, (3) fluid properties and (4) pressure–temperature of trapping. During the last decade, development of analytical methods for determination of inclusion fluid compositions has taken place. Traditional correlation studies for characterisation of maturity and source facies may now therefore include fluid inclusion data. The development has also been directed towards an improved understanding of the physical properties of petroleum inclusions. Although these methods are in their early stages concerning precision and accuracy, data necessary for fluid flow modelling, such as fluid densities, viscosities, pressure and temperature, can be estimated.     

Cold seep deposits of Beauvoisin (Oxfordian; southeastern France) and Marmorito (Miocene; northern Italy): microbially induced authigenic carbonates

The relation of two well-known ancient carbonate deposits to hydrocarbon seepage was confirmed by this study. Archaea are found to be associated with the formation of Oxfordian seep carbonates from Beauvoisin and with a Miocene limestone from Marmorito ("tube-worm limestone"). Carbonates formed due to a mediation by archaea exhibit extremely positive or extremely negative δ¹³C_carbonate values, respectively. Highly positive values (+15‰) reflect the use of ¹³C-enriched CO₂ produced by methanogenesis. Low δ¹³C values of the Marmorito carbonates (–30‰) indicate the oxidation of seepage-derived hydrocarbons. Likewise, the δ¹³C content of specific tail-to-tail linked isoprenoids, biomarkers for archaea, was found to be strikingly depleted in these samples (as low as –115‰). The isotopic signatures corroborate that archaea were involved in the cycling of seepage-derived organic carbon at the ancient localities. Another Miocene limestone ("Marmorito limestone") shows a strong imprint of methanotrophic bacteria as indicated by δ¹³C values of carbonate as low as –40‰ and biomarker evidence. Epifluorescence microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that bacterial biofilms were involved in carbonate aggregation. In addition to lucinid bivalves previously reported from both localities, we infer that sponges from Beauvoisin and tube worms from Marmorito depended on chemosynthesis as well. Low δ¹³C values of nodules related to sponge taphonomy (–27‰) indicate that sponges might have been linked to an enhanced hydrocarbon oxidation. Tube worm fossils from Marmorito closely resemble chemosynthetic pogonophoran tube worms from Recent cold seeps and are embedded in isotopically light carbonate (δ¹³C –30‰). Received: 13 October 1998 / Accepted: 5 February 1999     

Meso-scale testing and development of test procedures to maintain mass balance

The Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science (Texas A&M University––Corpus Christi) has conducted numerous petroleum experiments at the Shoreline Environmental Research Facility (Corpus Christi, Texas, USA). The meso-scale facility has multiple wave tanks, permitting some control in experimental design of the investigations, but allowing for real-world conditions. This paper outlines the evolution of a materials balance approach in conducting petroleum experiments at the facility. The first attempt at a materials balance was during a 1998 study on the fate/effects of dispersant use on crude oil. Both water column and beach sediment samples were collected. For the materials balance, the defined environmental compartments for oil accumulation were sediments, water column, and the water surface, while the discharge from the tanks was presumed to be the primary sink. The “lessons learned” included a need to quantify oil adhesion to the tank surfaces. This was resolved by adhering strips of the polymer tank lining to the tank sides that could be later removed and extracted for oil. Also, a protocol was needed to quantify any floating oil on the water surface. A water surface (oil slick) quantification protocol was developed, involving the use of solid-phase extraction disks. This protocol was first tested during a shoreline cleaner experiment, and later refined in subsequent dispersant effectiveness studies. The effectiveness tests were designed to simulate shallow embayments which created the need for additional adjustments in the tanks. Since dispersant efficacy is largely affected by hydrodynamics, it was necessary to scale the hydrodynamic conditions of the tanks to those expected in our prototype system (Corpus Christi Bay, Texas). The use of a scaled model permits the experiment to be reproduced and/or evaluated under different conditions. To minimize wave reflection in the tank, a parabolic wave dissipater was built. In terms of materials balance, this design reduced available surface area as a sink for oil adsorption.     

Evaluation of remedial alternatives for a petroleum contaminated unconfined aquifer with fluctuating groundwater level

This study evaluated remedial alternatives for a petroleum-contaminated site where an unconfined aquifer composed of a sandy layer of about 3–3.5 m thickness is covered by alluvial deposits and reclaimed soil of about 1.5 m thickness. Precambrian gneiss, of low permeability, lies below the sandy layer. The shallow water table is about 3 m below the surface, but shows high fluctuations of up to 1.5 m in response to precipitation events. The unsaturated soil near the water table and the groundwater are highly contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, especially toluene, which have apparently leaked from storage tanks. Selection of the remedial alternatives required consideration of the relevant laws on soil and groundwater conservation in Korea, the results of risk analysis and the hydrogeological conditions. The contaminated area has been divided into zones in which different remediation goals are set based on risk analysis and the degree of natural attenuation. It is estimated that the clean-up goal can be achieved in two years by the combined use of a trench drain and well point pumping to collect the contaminated groundwater for treatment, and a dual air injection system for the contaminated soil.     

EROD activity, serum SDH and PAH biliary metabolites in sand flathead (Platycephalus bassensis) collected in Port Phillip Bay, Australia

In order to evaluate the health status of fish inhabiting Port Phillip Bay, Australia, southern sand flathead (Platycephalus hassensis, N = 133) were collected at six stations throughout the Bay. Fish had a similar serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activity level (p = 0.12), indicating that they were not experiencing hepatocellular injuries. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was generally lower in the non-urbanized and non-industrialized southern part of the Bay. The highest EROD activity was observed in Hobson Bay, the closest station from Melbourne city. Naphthalene-type biliary metabolites were also highest in Hobson Bay with intermediate levels found in Corio Bay where refineries are present. An opposite trend was observed with the pyrene-type bile metabolites, the highest levels being observed in Corio Bay while intermediate levels were found in Hobson Bay. The ratio of naphthalene-type to benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)-type metabolites indicate that relatively to other sites sampled in Port Phillip Bay, Corio Bay is subjected to enriched petroleum hydrocarbons of pyrolytic origin. Temporal trends indicate that the availability of xenobiotics to fish remained unchanged over the 1990s.     

Application of the luciferase cell culture bioassay for the detection of refined petroleum products

A luciferase cell culture-based bioassay, developed to detect 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-like activity of halo-genated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was optimized to detect refined petroleum products and to determine their relative inducing potency. Quality control standards from 32 refined products (gasolines and diesels, jet fuels, lubricating oils, fuel oils and weathered products) and three commercial products were evaluated. Induction equivalents (I-EQs) were determined by direct comparison of the EC50 and EC20 values (based on the median and 20% TCDD maximal response, respectively) from dose-response curves for each product to those obtained with TCDD. Most petroleum products were active in the luciferase bioassay, with those products composed of fractions produced later in the distillation process (i.e. fuel oils) inducing higher levels. Additionally, weathering of products reduced their induction potency. Based on the high I-EQ estimates of many products, biological effects associated with exposure may have been previously underestimated using other diagnostic methods.     

黔中降起的油气勘探壁垒——兼论海相碳酸盐岩烃源岩

黔中隆起在地质构造上属于扬子地块的滇黔隆褶带．南华纪晚期初现雏形，震旦纪—奥陶纪为水下隆起，燕山运动使其整体抬高，喜马拉雅运动时急剧隆升，构造地貌长期相对隆起。地表油苗油样分析结果显示，在红外吸收谱图中缩合芳烃结构及含氧基团吸收明显，有机质热成熟度高，且遭受了氧化蚀变：震旦系以上地层大量暴露，地表水溶蚀下渗深度在黔西南地区可达3000-4000m；作为长期存在的古隆起，经历了多次抬升，直至挽近仍处于严重剥蚀阶段。地腹可能存在酸性岩浆热源使有机质过度热演化、保存条件不佳以及缺少勘探目的层，是黔中隆起油气勘探的三大壁垒。兼谈了碳酸盐岩烃源岩问题．认为形成大油气田的烃源岩主要是泥质岩系，“碳酸盐岩烃源岩”只是从属性的．分布在泥质烃源岩系的边缘或局部范围。     

塔里木盆地地球动力学演化与含油气系统旋回

论述了塔里木盆地的地球动力学演化过程,指出震旦-三叠纪和侏罗-第四纪是两个构造巨旋回．在这类旋回中,盆地经历了由伸展到聚敛的完整发育过程塔里木盆地的演化总体上表现为强伸展-聚敛-微伸展-强聚敛的特点盆地动力学旋回决定了油气的生运聚散过程．提出含油气系统旋口的概念．在分析寒武-奥陶系含油气系统旋回、石炭系-下二叠统含油气系统旋回和侏罗系含油气系统旋回的基础上,指出对含油气系统旋回的形成期与调整再分配期的研究更具实际意义．     

Oil migration driven by exhumation of the Canol Formation oil shale: A new conceptual model for the Norman Wells oil field,northwestern Canada

Thermal history, petroleum system, structural, and tectonic constraints are reviewed and integrated in order to derive a new conceptual model for the Norman Wells oil field, and a new play type for tectonically active foreland regions. The thermal history recorded by Devonian rocks suggests that source rocks experienced peak thermal conditions in the Triassic–Jurassic, during which time oil was likely generated. After initial oil generation and expulsion, the Canol Formation oil shale retained a certain fraction of hydrocarbons. The shallow reservoir (650–350 m) is a Devonian carbonate bank overlain by the Canol Formation and resides within a hanging wall block of the Norman Range thrust fault. Both reservoir and source rocks are naturally fractured and have produced high API non-biodegraded oil. Thrust faults in the region formed after the Paleocene, and a structural cross-section of the field shows that the source and reservoir rocks at Norman Wells have been exhumed by over 1 km since then.The key proposition of the exhumation model is that as Canol Formation rocks underwent thrust-driven exhumation, they crossed a ductile–brittle transition zone and dip-oriented fractures formed sympathetic to the thrust fault. The combination of pore overpressure and new dip-directed subvertical fractures liberated oil from the Canol Formation and allowed for up-dip oil migration. Reservoir rocks were similarly fractured and improved permeability enhanced charging and pooling of oil. GPS and seismicity data indicate that strain transfer across the northern Cordillera is a response to accretion of the Yakutat terrane along the northern Pacific margin of North America, which is also the probable driving force for foreland shortening and rock exhumation at Norman Wells.     

石油烃和营养盐的复合污染对海洋浮游植物的影响Ⅰ. 石油烃对海洋浮游植物吸收营养盐的影响

通过向具有相同营养盐浓度的培养体系中添加不同浓度的石油烃,对中肋骨条藻、赤潮异弯藻、微小亚历山大藻和锥状斯氏藻进行周期性培养,探讨了石油烃对微藻营养盐吸收动力学的影响.结果发现,在开始30min内,微藻对营养盐均有一非耗能的短暂快吸收,随后吸收速率下降并趋于稳定.石油烃对中肋骨条藻和赤潮异弯藻氮、磷的吸收都表现抑制作用,浓度从0.13 mg/L到8.25mg/L的石油烃所呈现的抑制作用基本表现为先减弱后逐渐增强,8.25mg/L浓度的石油烃抑制作用最强.与中肋骨条藻和赤潮异弯藻实验结果不同的是,石油烃对微小亚历山大藻和锥状斯氏藻的氮、磷吸收在低浓度时呈现促进作用,且促进作用的程度随石油烃浓度的增加有先增强后减弱的趋势,在高浓度下促进作用会消失,8.25mg/L的石油烃不表现促进作用.石油烃对微藻营养盐吸收动力学的影响表现出复杂性,这既受石油烃浓度的影响,也与浮游植物的种类有重要关系.