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Title: Hydrocarbon shows in the scientific ocean drilling programs

Abstract

For more than 20 yr, two major programs, the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP), have been coring the deep oceans for scientific purposes. For technological as well as financial reasons, drilling was and is performed without a riser. Precruise preparation, therefore, is aimed at preventing an accidental hydrocarbon discovery. During the course of drilling, at the more than 700 locations studied to date, numerous black shales of various ages were encountered. Many of these represent thermally immature hydrocarbon source rocks. Although these organic-rich rocks (up to 34 wt.% total organic carbon) by themselves did not pose a safety problem, hydrocarbon shows were detected on no less than ten legs. These shows represent heavy (C{sub 15+}), thermally generated hydrocarbons. Commonly, these shows can be attributed to migration through a porous and permeable network into the penetrated section. In these situations, migration commonly occurs over distances on the order of several tens of miles from a more mature, structurally deeper section (e.g., Challenger Knoll, DSDP Site 2). There are, however, instances where there is strong geochemical evidence for in-situ hydrocarbon generation. In-situ hydrocarbon generation appears to be the result of anomalous thermal conditions associated with highmore » heat flow, igneous and/or hydrothermal activity (e.g., Tyrrhenian Sea, ODP Site 652). Such conditions are more commonly associated with young marginal basins. The distribution of these shows provides valuable information on the long-term exploratory potential of the deep oceans and continental margins.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Texaco USA, Houston, TX (USA)
  2. Geologisch Palaontologisches Institut, Kiel (West Germany)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6667747
Report Number(s):
CONF-900605-
Journal ID: ISSN 0149-1423; CODEN: AABUD
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 74:5; Conference: Annual convention and exposition of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, San Francisco, CA (USA), 3-6 Jun 1990; Journal ID: ISSN 0149-1423
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; 58 GEOSCIENCES; PETROLEUM DEPOSITS; EXPLORATION; CONTINENTAL MARGIN; OFFSHORE SITES; RESEARCH PROGRAMS; SEDIMENTARY BASINS; WELL DRILLING; DRILLING; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES; MINERAL RESOURCES; RESOURCES; 020200* - Petroleum- Reserves, Geology, & Exploration; 580000 - Geosciences

Citation Formats

Katz, B J, and Emeis, K C. Hydrocarbon shows in the scientific ocean drilling programs. United States: N. p., 1990. Web.
Katz, B J, & Emeis, K C. Hydrocarbon shows in the scientific ocean drilling programs. United States.
Katz, B J, and Emeis, K C. 1990. "Hydrocarbon shows in the scientific ocean drilling programs". United States.
@article{osti_6667747,
title = {Hydrocarbon shows in the scientific ocean drilling programs},
author = {Katz, B J and Emeis, K C},
abstractNote = {For more than 20 yr, two major programs, the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP), have been coring the deep oceans for scientific purposes. For technological as well as financial reasons, drilling was and is performed without a riser. Precruise preparation, therefore, is aimed at preventing an accidental hydrocarbon discovery. During the course of drilling, at the more than 700 locations studied to date, numerous black shales of various ages were encountered. Many of these represent thermally immature hydrocarbon source rocks. Although these organic-rich rocks (up to 34 wt.% total organic carbon) by themselves did not pose a safety problem, hydrocarbon shows were detected on no less than ten legs. These shows represent heavy (C{sub 15+}), thermally generated hydrocarbons. Commonly, these shows can be attributed to migration through a porous and permeable network into the penetrated section. In these situations, migration commonly occurs over distances on the order of several tens of miles from a more mature, structurally deeper section (e.g., Challenger Knoll, DSDP Site 2). There are, however, instances where there is strong geochemical evidence for in-situ hydrocarbon generation. In-situ hydrocarbon generation appears to be the result of anomalous thermal conditions associated with high heat flow, igneous and/or hydrothermal activity (e.g., Tyrrhenian Sea, ODP Site 652). Such conditions are more commonly associated with young marginal basins. The distribution of these shows provides valuable information on the long-term exploratory potential of the deep oceans and continental margins.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6667747}, journal = {AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)},
issn = {0149-1423},
number = ,
volume = 74:5,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990},
month = {Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990}
}

Conference:
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