Peters Kenneth E.

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Peters
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Kenneth E.
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  • Preprint
    Combining biomarker and bulk compositional gradient analysis to assess reservoir connectivity
    ( 2010-04-10) Pomerantz, Andrew E. ; Ventura, Gregory T. ; McKenna, Amy M. ; Canas, Jesus A. ; Auman, John ; Koerner, Kyle ; Curry, David ; Nelson, Robert K. ; Reddy, Christopher M. ; Rodgers, Ryan P. ; Marshall, Alan G. ; Peters, Kenneth E. ; Mullins, Oliver C.
    Hydraulic connectivity of petroleum reservoirs represents one of the biggest uncertainties for both oil production and petroleum system studies. Here, a geochemical analysis involving bulk and detailed measures of crude oil composition is shown to constrain connectivity more tightly than is possible with conventional methods. Three crude oils collected from different depths in a single well exhibit large gradients in viscosity, density, and asphaltene content. Crude oil samples are collected with a wireline sampling tool providing samples from well‐defined locations and relatively free of contamination by drilling fluids; the known provenance of these samples minimizes uncertainties in the subsequent analysis. The detailed chemical composition of almost the entire crude oil is determined by use of comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) to interrogate the nonpolar fraction and negative ion electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT‐ICR MS) to interrogate the polar fraction. The simultaneous presence of 25‐ norhopanes and mildly altered normal and isoprenoid alkanes is detected, suggesting that the reservoir has experienced multiple charges and contains a mixture of oils biodegraded to different extents. The gradient in asphaltene concentration is explained by an equilibrium model considering only gravitational segregation of asphaltene nanoaggregates; this grading can be responsible for the observed variation in viscosity. Combining these analyses yields a consistent picture of a connected reservoir in which the observed viscosity variation originates from gravitational segregation of asphaltene nanoaggregates in a crude oil with high asphaltene concentration resulting from multiple charges, including one charge that suffered severe biodegradation. Observation of these gradients having appropriate magnitudes suggests good reservoir connectivity with greater confidence than is possible with traditional techniques alone.
  • Preprint
    Integrating comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and downhole fluid analysis to validate a spill-fill sequence of reservoirs with variations of biodegradation, water washing and thermal maturity
    ( 2016-09) Forsythe, Jerimiah C. ; Martin, Robin ; De Santo, Ilaria ; Tyndall, Richard ; Arman, Kate ; Pye, Jonathan ; De Nicolais, Nelly ; Nelson, Robert K. ; Pomerantz, Andrew E. ; Kenyon-Roberts, Stephen ; Zuo, Julian Y. ; Betancourt, Soraya S. ; Reddy, Christopher M. ; Peters, Kenneth E. ; Mullins, Oliver C.
    Optimization of crude oil production depends heavily on crude oil composition and its variation within individual reservoirs and across multiple reservoirs. In particular, asphaltene content has an enormous impact on crude oil viscosity and even the economic value of the fluids in the reservoir. Thus, it is highly desirable to understand the primary controls on crude oil composition and asphaltene distributions in reservoirs. Here, a complex oilfield in the North Sea containing six separate reservoirs is addressed. The crude oil is believed to have spilled out of deeper reservoirs into shallower reservoirs during the overall reservoir charging process. Asphaltene content is measured in-situ through downhole fluid analysis and is generally consistent with a spill-fill sequence in reservoir charging. Detailed compositional analysis of crude oil samples by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) is used to determine the extent and variation among the reservoirs of water washing, biodegradation and thermal maturity. Increased biodegradation and water washing in the shallower reservoirs is consistent with a spill-fill sequence. The water washing is evidently assisted by biodegradation. Moreover, analyses of four thermal maturity biomarkers show that shallower reservoirs contain less mature oil, again consistent with a spill-fill sequence. The combination of DFA for bulk compositional analysis and GC×GC for detailed compositional analysis with geochemical interpretation is an effective tool for unraveling complex oilfield scenarios.