TERMINERT! Cumulative light hydrocarbon parameters: Calibration of models for the process of cumulative filling and mixing of reserv

The processes of oil generation and entrapment are complex and dynamic, though at a slow rate. The composition of the oil expelled by the source rock changes throughout the generation period, giving different inputs into the reservoir over time. Incorp oration these aspects into quantitative basin models requires that there are measurable parameters that relate oil composition to timing of the input. The parameters must describe the process in a quantitative way, and cover the wide range of composition of oil that can occur throughout the period of generation and accumulation. At present, there are few such parameters and their quantitative application in modelling is difficult. This project will review the light hydrocarbon parameters based on C7 c omposition, and test new methods of oil characterisation by measurement of isotopic composition and by use of NMR spectroscopy on the whole oil or major oil fractions. The parameters will be calibrated on samples from simulated maturation of source rocks and on oil samples provided by Norsk Hydro. The parameters will be tested in numerical models in selected case studies. The project is a co-operation between the Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, and the Norsk Hydro Research Centre, Oil and energy group. The project comprises funding of one Ph.D. student, who is very well qualified for this work. The work will be co-ordinated with complimentary research funded by Norsk Hydro. Co-operation with the Newcastle Research Group at the Univers ity of Newcastle is incorporated in the project