As the first AAPG Student Chapter event of the year 2015, Dr. Michael Abrams, manager of Petroleum Systems for Apache Corporation, gave a riveting talk on Liquid-Rich Unconventional (LRU) Petroleum Systems. The lecture discussed the key characteristics of a successful LRU play from a geological point of view but, most importantly, from an economic point of view. Relating to the current petroleum industry economic climate, and boding well with the academic program for both undergraduates and postgraduate students, the event was received with enthusiasm and experienced a great turn out.
The parameters that control the economic success of a LRU play are mainly related to the type and amount and type of organic matter present in the source rock as well as the source rock maturity. However, not all organic-rich generating source rocks will provide an economic petroleum system. Of the oil generated, considerable amounts could be retained, therefore hydrocarbon storage and flow capacity, which are intrinsically related to the physical characteristics of the source rock and fluid properties, have a great impact on producibility. Finally, the fracability of the source rock, related to the regional stress regime and to the rock brittleness, is fundamental for drilling and completion.
Dr. Abrams recommends future research focusing on in-situ organic matter measurements, more quantitative evaluation of maturity and better understanding of retained hydrocarbon related to organic-matrix interaction (organic porosity). Due to the particular nature of LRU systems, measurements of the producible hydrocarbons must be favoured instead of concentrating only on the volumes in place.
The parameters that control the economic success of a LRU play are mainly related to the type and amount and type of organic matter present in the source rock as well as the source rock maturity. However, not all organic-rich generating source rocks will provide an economic petroleum system. Of the oil generated, considerable amounts could be retained, therefore hydrocarbon storage and flow capacity, which are intrinsically related to the physical characteristics of the source rock and fluid properties, have a great impact on producibility. Finally, the fracability of the source rock, related to the regional stress regime and to the rock brittleness, is fundamental for drilling and completion.
Dr. Abrams recommends future research focusing on in-situ organic matter measurements, more quantitative evaluation of maturity and better understanding of retained hydrocarbon related to organic-matrix interaction (organic porosity). Due to the particular nature of LRU systems, measurements of the producible hydrocarbons must be favoured instead of concentrating only on the volumes in place.