Modelling Source-Rock Distribution and Quality Variations_ anic Facies Modelling ApproachModelling Source-Rock Distribution and Quality Variations_ anic Facies Modelling Approach.pdf

Spec. Publ. Int. Assoc. Sedimentol. (2008) 40, 239–274
Modelling source-rock distribution and quality variations:
anic facies modelling approach
UTE MANN and JANINE ZWEIGEL1
Basin Modelling Department, SINTEF Petroleum Research, N-7465 Trondheim, Norway
(E-mail: ute.******@)
ABSTRACT
This paper demonstrates the concept of process-anic facies modelling
(OF-Mod) software, and discusses general conceptual ideas and their translation and
numerical description in the different modules of the OF-Mod concept
is based on the idea that (1) the source type, (2) the preservation conditions anic
matter during deposition and burial, and (3) sequence-stratigraphic aspects are the most
important elements defining anic-facies–source-rock distribution. Each of these
elements and their interactions are reviewed and their translation in the program is
outlined. Modelling results from a case study of the Late Jurassic Spekk Formation of
the mid-Norwegian Continental Shelf are presented in this study. The challenge here
was to mimic realistically the special environmental conditions during deposition of
the lower ‘rich’ Spekk Formation, and to reproduce the subsurface data adequately,
thereby testing the validity of OF-Mod’s process description.
Keywords Source rock modelling, organic sedimentation, Late Jurassic, Spekk
Formation.
industry to obtain better estimates of source-rock
INTRODUCTION characteristics and variability in basin kitchen

In exploration, the ability to predict hydrocar- Several attempts for predicting source-rock
bon occurrence and quality variations within a occurrences have been made (. Passey et al.,
prospect, prior to drilling, is of great economic 1990; Carpentier et al., 1991; Schwarzkopf, 1993;
importance. Particularly, recently developed 3D Mallick & Raju, 1995). Calculation anic car-
modelling techniques are gaining significance bon (OC) content based on well-log data (resistiv-
wi