Heavy and extra heavy hydrocarbons in Venezuela
- Intevep, Caracas (Venezuela)
Most of Venezuela's giant accumulations of heavier thatn 22[degrees] API hydrocarbons, are located in the more stable flanks of the Maracaibo and Eastern Venezuela basins, at depths shallower than 2400 meters. The reservoir rocks are unconsolidated fluviodeltaic Neogene sands, transgressive over large regional Oligocene unconformities. There are also large volumes accumulated along the mountainous and more active flanks, either in Neogene alluvial sediments or in Cretaceous and older fractured rocks. These accumulations, located near present day erosion surfaces, are subjected to meteoric water influx. Extensive research carried out by the affiliates of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., and other institutions during the past ten years, has shown tha the main cause of degradation is the action of microorganisms brought in by meteoric water influx and, to less extent, the washing of lighter hydrocarbon fractions by either connate or meteric water. These studies have also shown that most of the heavy and extra-heavy hydrocarbons are the result of biodegradation of low maturity crudes generated from Cretaceous rocks, rich in marine organic matter, which started its generation during the Paleogene. The heavy and extra-heavy hydrocarbons, bitumen included, so far discovered in Venezuela, add up to 1.5 [times] 10[sup 12] bbl in place. This figure includes proved, probable and possible volumes, and the expectancy of additional hydrocarbons of this kind to be discovered yet is of 0.1 [times] 10[sup 12] bbl in place.
- OSTI ID:
- 5941054
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930306-; CODEN: AABUD2
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Vol. 77:2; Conference: International congress of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Caracas (Venezuela), 14-17 Mar 1993; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
HYDROCARBONS
BIODEGRADATION
RESERVES
VOLUME
VENEZUELA
RESERVOIR ROCK
API GRAVITY
BITUMENS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
EROSION
METEORIC WATER
MICROORGANISMS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTS
TERTIARY PERIOD
WATER INFLUX
CENOZOIC ERA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DENSITY
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
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MESOZOIC ERA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESOURCES
SOUTH AMERICA
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020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration