Analyze low-[[gravity]] oils and bitumens to determine if the poor oil quality is due to [[biodegradation]], [[maturation]] level, or source type. Water washing and biodegradation are usually associated with active aquifers, which can be determined from potentiometric maps. Temperature or [[geothermal gradient]] maps can outline parts of reservoir formations where biodegradation is likely to be active (T< 76¡C). Basin-peripheral tar sands may result from degrading of oil as the migration pathway intersects the surface. These indicate where and in which formation migration occurs. Look downdip from tar sands for possible productive accumulations on the migration pathway.
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Analyze low-[[gravity]] oils and bitumens to determine if the poor oil quality is due to [[biodegradation]], [[maturation]] level, or source type. Water washing and biodegradation are usually associated with active aquifers, which can be determined from potentiometric maps. Temperature or [[geothermal gradient]] maps can outline parts of reservoir formations where biodegradation is likely to be active (T< 76¡C). Basin-peripheral tar sands may result from degrading of oil as the [[migration pathway]] intersects the surface. These indicate where and in which formation migration occurs. Look downdip from tar sands for possible productive accumulations on the migration pathway.