May 2013 - Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Petroleum Systems Modeling —State of the Art and Future DirectionsBy Marek Kacewicz, AAPG Distinguished LecturerIn addition to its primaryfunction, which is to helpreduce exploration riskrelated to hydrocarboncharge, PSM has becomevery useful in predictionof pre-drill pressure andeffective stress, whichare utilized in reservoirand seal quality analysis.AAPG Distinguished Lecturer – May 1 st Continued on page 33 »Petroleum systems modeling (PSM) is an integration of different geologicaldisciplines to analyze the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins and tostudy processes such as generation, migration, entrapment and preservationof hydrocarbons. PSM estimates mechanical and chemical compaction ofsediments and the resulting porosity/permeability, computes pressure, estimatessource rock maturity and the degree of kerogen transformation, models multicomponenthydrocarbon generation, expulsion and migration, provides likelylocations where hydrocarbons are trapped, and estimates composition andvolumes of accumulated hydrocarbons. In addition to its primary function,which is to help reduce exploration risk related to hydrocarbon charge, PSMhas become very useful in prediction of pre-drill pressure and effective stress,which are utilized in reservoir and seal quality analysis.Computational complexity of PSM depends on the quality and resolution ofseismic and well input data, maturity of the project (exploration, developmentor production), availability of tectonic/structural/mechanical earth models, andavailability of geochemical data. Typical models at present are not too large(several millions grid cells) and the subsurface is represented by relativelysimple structured meshes. The utilization of structured meshes often resultsin inadequately represented internal model boundaries such as faults and maylead to incorrect hydrocarbon migration scenarios.Luncheon Reservations & InformationLuncheon will be held at the Marriott City Center at California and 17th St. Please check the event listing in thelobby for the room. Check-in/walk-in registration begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served at 12:00 noon, and thetalk begins at 12:20 p.m. The luncheon price is $30.00. To listen only to the talk, walk-in price is $10.00. Ifyou make a reservation and do not attend the luncheon, you will be billed for the luncheon. Online registrationcloses at 4:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the luncheon. Cancellations are not guaranteed after that time.Your attendance is welcomedand encouraged. Bring a guestor new member!Call 303-573-8621email staff@rmag.org,or register online.Vol. 62, No.530May 2013