Changes

[[file:petroleum-systems_fig3-3.png|thumb|300px|{{figure number|1.}}Burial history chart.]]

[[file:petroleum-systems_fig3-3.png|thumb|300px|{{figure number|1.}}Burial history chart.]]

The '''temporal extent''' of the petroleum system is shown on the events chart and includes the age of the essential elements and processes, the preservation time, and the critical moment. By displaying together the time over which these separate events took place, the relation between forming and charging the traps containing the accumulations is easily evaluated.

The '''temporal extent''' of the [[petroleum system]] is shown on the events chart and includes the age of the essential elements and processes, the preservation time, and the critical moment. By displaying together the time over which these separate events took place, the relation between forming and charging the traps containing the accumulations is easily evaluated.

* Age

* Age

* Preservation time

* Preservation time

The '''age''' of a system is the time required for the process of generation-migration-accumulation of hydrocarbons.

The '''age''' of a system is the time required for the process of [[Kerogen type and hydrocarbon generation|generation]]-[[migration]]-[[Hydrocarbon accumulation: the seven critical elements|accumulation]] of hydrocarbons.

The '''critical moment''' is the time that best depicts the generation-migration-accumulation of hydrocarbons in a petroleum system. A map and cross section drawn at the critical moment best show the geographic and stratigraphic extent of the system. The burial history chart ([[:file:petroleum-systems_fig3-3.png|Figure 1]]) shows the critical moment and the essential elements for the fictitious Deer-Boar(.) petroleum system.

The '''critical moment''' is the time that best depicts the generation-migration-accumulation of hydrocarbons in a petroleum system. A map and [[cross section]] drawn at the critical moment best show the geographic and stratigraphic extent of the system. The [[burial history chart]] ([[:file:petroleum-systems_fig3-3.png|Figure 1]]) shows the critical moment and the essential elements for the fictitious Deer-Boar(.) petroleum system.

The '''preservation time''' of the petroleum system begins immediately after the generation-migration-accumulation process occurs and extends to the present day. It encompasses any changes to the petroleum accumulations during this period. During the preservation time, remigration, physical or biological degradation, or complete destruction of the petroleum may take place. During the preservation time, remigrated (tertiary migration) petroleum can accumulate in reservoir rocks deposited after the petroleum system formed. If insignificant tectonic activity occurs during the preservation time, accumulations remain in their original position. Remigration happens during the preservation time only if folding, faulting, uplift, or erosion occurs. If all accumulations are destroyed during preservation time, then the evidence that a petroleum system existed is absent. An incomplete or just completed petroleum system lacks a preservation time.

The '''preservation time''' of the petroleum system begins immediately after the generation-migration-accumulation process occurs and extends to the present day. It encompasses any changes to the petroleum accumulations during this period. During the preservation time, remigration, physical or biological degradation, or complete destruction of the petroleum may take place. During the preservation time, remigrated ([[tertiary migration]]) petroleum can accumulate in reservoir rocks deposited after the petroleum system formed. If insignificant [[Tectonics|tectonic activity]] occurs during the preservation time, accumulations remain in their original position. Remigration happens during the preservation time only if folding, faulting, uplift, or erosion occurs. If all accumulations are destroyed during preservation time, then the evidence that a petroleum system existed is absent. An incomplete or just completed petroleum system lacks a preservation time.

==Spatial aspects==

==Spatial aspects==