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Linking the elements (source, reservoir, seal, and overburden) to the processes of petroleum geology (trap formation and hydrocarbon [[Petroleum generation|generation]]-[[migration]]-[[accumulation]]) is an effective exploration approach. Mapping and studying a [[petroleum system]] helps explorationists predict which traps will contain petroleum and which will not. It also helps them focus on that part of a province that will most likely contain accumulations. Below are some examples of how the petroleum system concept can be applied to petroleum exploration at local and regional levels.

Linking the elements (source, reservoir, seal, and overburden) to the processes of [[petroleum]] geology (trap formation and hydrocarbon [[Petroleum generation|generation]]-[[migration]]-[[accumulation]]) is an effective exploration approach. Mapping and studying a [[petroleum system]] helps explorationists predict which traps will contain petroleum and which will not. It also helps them focus on that part of a province that will most likely contain accumulations. Below are some examples of how the petroleum system concept can be applied to petroleum exploration at local and regional levels.

==Local example==

==Local example==

[[file:petroleum-systems_fig3-23.png|thumb|300px|{{figure number|3}}Vertically drained system. From Demaison and Huizinga.<ref name=ch03r4 />]]

[[file:petroleum-systems_fig3-23.png|thumb|300px|{{figure number|3}}Vertically drained system. From Demaison and Huizinga.<ref name=ch03r4 />]]

Demaison and Huizinga:<ref name=ch03r4>Demaison, G., Huizinga, B., J., 1994, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/methodo2/data/a077/a077/0001/0050/0073.htm Genetic classification of petroleum systems using three factors: charge, migration, and entrapment], ''in'' L. B. Magoon and W. G. Dow, eds., The Petroleum System—From Source to Trap: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1022 AAPG Memoir 60], p. 73–89.</ref> divide petroleum systems into vertically and laterally drained. The [[Mandal-Ekofisk(!) petroleum system]] is a vertically drained system. Vertically drained systems are generally found in rifts, deltas, wrenches, and overthrust provinces where migration is controlled by faults and fractures. Faults and fractures limit the size of the fetch area available to traps, so a number of small- and medium-sized accumulations abound.

Demaison and Huizinga:<ref name=ch03r4>Demaison, G., and B. J. Huizinga, 1994, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/methodo2/data/a077/a077/0001/0050/0073.htm Genetic classification of petroleum systems using three factors: charge, migration, and entrapment], ''in'' L. B. Magoon and W. G. Dow, eds., The Petroleum System—From Source to Trap: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1022 AAPG Memoir 60], p. 73–89.</ref> divide petroleum systems into vertically and laterally drained. The [[Mandal-Ekofisk(!) petroleum system]] is a vertically drained system. Vertically drained systems are generally found in rifts, deltas, wrenches, and [[overthrust]] provinces where migration is controlled by faults and fractures. Faults and fractures limit the size of the fetch area available to traps, so a number of small- and medium-sized accumulations abound.

Vertically drained systems have the following characteristics<ref name=ch03r4 />

Vertically drained systems have the following characteristics<ref name=ch03r4 />

* Accumulations containing oil that migrated long distances on average account for 50% of the entrapped oil.

* Accumulations containing oil that migrated long distances on average account for 50% of the entrapped oil.

* A single reservoir of the same age as the active source rock contains most of the entrapped oil and gas.

* A single reservoir of the same age as the active source rock contains most of the entrapped oil and gas.

* In supercharged systems, large deposits of heavy oil often occur in thermally immature strata near the eroded margin (geographic extent) of the petroleum system.

* In supercharged systems, large deposits of [[heavy oil]] often occur in thermally immature strata near the eroded margin (geographic extent) of the petroleum system.

* The largest accumulation is usually found early in the drilling history of the system. After that, mostly small accumulations are found (J. Armentrout, personal communication, 1997).

* The largest accumulation is usually found early in the drilling history of the system. After that, mostly small accumulations are found (J. Armentrout, personal communication, 1997).

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

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

[[Category:Petroleum systems]]

[[Category:Petroleum systems]]