Changes

  | part    = Traps, trap types, and the petroleum system

  | part    = Traps, trap types, and the petroleum system

  | chapter = Petroleum systems

  | chapter = Petroleum systems

  | frompg  = 3-1

  | frompg  = 3-5

  | topg    = 3-34

  | topg    = 3-5

  | author  = Leslie B. Magoon, Edward A. Beaumont

  | author  = Leslie B. Magoon, Edward A. Beaumont

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch03/ch03.htm

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch03/ch03.htm

  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X

  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X

}}

}}

The petroleum system is a unifying concept that encompasses all of the disparate elements and processes of petroleum geology. Practical application of petroleum systems can be used in exploration, resource evaluation, and research.

The [[petroleum]] system is a unifying concept that encompasses all of the disparate elements and processes of petroleum geology, including: the essential elements ([[source]], [[reservoir]], [[seal]], and [[overburden rock]]) and processes ([[trap formation]], [[generation]]-[[migration]]-[[accumulation]]) and all genetically related petroleum that originated from one pod of active [[source rock]] and occurs in [[show]]s, [[seep]]s, or [[accumulation]]s;<ref name=Magoonanddow_1994>Magoon, L. B., and W. G. Dow, 1994, The petroleum system: From source to trap: [http://archives.datapages.com/data/alt-browse/aapg-special-volumes/m60.htm AAPG Memoir 60], 655 p.</ref> also called [[hydrocarbon system]].<ref name=Petersetal_2012>Peters, Kenneth E., David J. Curry, and Marek Kacewicz, 2012, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/hedberg4/INTRODUCTION/INTRODUCTION.HTM An overview of basin and petroleum system modeling: Definitions and concepts], ''in'' Peters, Kenneth E., David J. Curry, and Marek Kacewicz, eds., Basin modeling: New horizons in research and applications: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1106 AAPG Hedberg Series no. 4], p. 1-16.</ref>

 

Practical application of petroleum systems can be used in exploration, resource evaluation, and research.

==What is a petroleum system?==

==What is a petroleum system?==

A petroleum system encompasses a pod of active source rock and all genetically related oil and gas accumulations. It includes all the geologic elements and processes that are essential if an oil and gas accumulation is to exist.

A petroleum system encompasses a pod of active [[source rock]] and all genetically related oil and gas accumulations. It includes all the geologic elements and processes that are essential if an [[oil]] and [[Natural gas|gas]] [[accumulation]] is to exist.

'''Petroleum''' describes a compound that includes high concentrations of any of the following substances:

'''Petroleum''' describes a compound that includes high concentrations of any of the following substances:

* Thermal and biological hydrocarbon gas found in conventional reservoirs as well as in gas hydrates, tight reservoirs, fractured shale, and coal

* Thermal and biological hydrocarbon gas found in conventional reservoirs as well as in [[gas hydrates]], tight reservoirs, [[fracture]]d [[shale]], and [[coal]]

* Condensates

* Condensates

* Crude oils

* [[Crude oil]]s

* Natural bitumen in reservoirs, generally in siliciclastic and carbonate rocks

* Natural bitumen in reservoirs, generally in [[Lithofacies and environmental analysis of clastic depositional systems|siliciclastic]] and [http://http://www.geologyrocks.co.uk/tutorials/introduction_to_carbonates carbonate] rocks

'''System''' describes the interdependent elements and processes that form the functional unit that creates hydrocarbon accumulations.

'''System''' describes the interdependent elements and processes that form the functional unit that creates hydrocarbon [[accumulation]]s.

==Elements and processes==

==Elements and processes==

* [[Source rock]]

* [[Source rock]]

* Reservoir rock

* [[Reservoir]] rock

* Seal rock

* [[Seal]] rock

* Overburden rock

* [[Overburden]] rock

[[Petroleum systems]] have two processes:

[[Petroleum systems]] have two processes:

* Trap formation

* [[Trap]] formation

* Generation–[[Hydrocarbon_expulsion,_migration,_and_accumulation|expulsion]]–[[migration]]–[[Hydrocarbon_expulsion,_migration,_and_accumulation|accumulation]] of hydrocarbons

* [[Petroleum generation|Generation]]–[[Hydrocarbon_expulsion,_migration,_and_accumulation|expulsion]]–[[migration]]–[[accumulation]] of hydrocarbons

These essential elements and processes must be correctly placed in time and space so that organic matter included in a source rock can be converted into a petroleum accumulation. A petroleum system exists wherever all these essential elements and processes are known to occur or are thought to have a reasonable chance or probability to occur.

These essential elements and processes must be correctly placed in time and space so that organic matter included in a source rock can be converted into a petroleum accumulation. A petroleum system exists wherever all these essential elements and processes are known to occur or are thought to have a reasonable chance or probability to occur.

A petroleum system investigation identifies, names, determines the level of certainty, and maps the [[geographic, stratigraphic, and temporal extent]] of a petroleum system. The investigation includes certain components:

A petroleum system investigation identifies, names, determines the level of certainty, and maps the [[geographic, stratigraphic, and temporal extent]] of a petroleum system. The investigation includes certain components:

* Petroleum–petroleum geochemical correlation

* [[Oil-oil and oil-source rock correlation|Petroleum–petroleum geochemical correlation]]

* Petroleum–source rock geochemical correlation

* [[Oil-oil and oil-source rock correlation|Petroleum–source rock geochemical correlation]]

* Burial history chart

* [[Burial history chart]]

* Petroleum system map

* Petroleum system map

* Petroleum system cross section

* Petroleum system [[cross section]]

* Events chart

* [[Petroleum_system:_geographic,_stratigraphic,_and_temporal_extent#What_is_an_events_chart.3F|Events chart]]

* Table of hydrocarbon accumulations

* Table of hydrocarbon accumulations

* Determination of generation–accumulation efficiency

* Determination of [[Estimating expulsion efficiency|generation–accumulation efficiency]]

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Identifying a petroleum system]]

* [[Petroleum system identification]]

* [[Naming a petroleum system]]

* [[Petroleum system naming]]

* [[Geographic, stratigraphic, and temporal extent]]

* [[Petroleum system: geographic, stratigraphic, and temporal extent]]

* [[Size of a petroleum system]]

* [[Petroleum system size]]

* [[Mapping a petroleum system]]

* [[Province, basin, system, play, and prospect]]

* [[Basin, system, play, and prospect]]

* [[Reducing exploration risk]]

* [[Reducing exploration risk]]

* [[Examples of applying the petroleum system concept]]

* [[Petroleum system concept: examples of application]]

 

==External links==

==External links==

[[Category:Traps, trap types, and the petroleum system]]  

[[Category:Traps, trap types, and the petroleum system]]  

[[Category:Petroleum systems]]

[[Category:Petroleum systems]]