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Global petroleum systems in space and time

S. May, R. Kleist, E. Kneller, C. Johnson and S. Creaney
Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series, 7, 1-9, 1 January 2010, https://doi.org/10.1144/0070001
S. May
1ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., P.O. Box 2189, Houston, TX 77252, USA (e-mail: )
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R. Kleist
2ExxonMobil Exploration Co., P.O. Box 4778, Houston, TX 77210, USA
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E. Kneller
1ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., P.O. Box 2189, Houston, TX 77252, USA (e-mail: )
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  • For correspondence: steve.may@exxonmobil.com
C. Johnson
1ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., P.O. Box 2189, Houston, TX 77252, USA (e-mail: )
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S. Creaney
2ExxonMobil Exploration Co., P.O. Box 4778, Houston, TX 77210, USA
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Abstract

Each of the Earth's approximately 900 sedimentary basins is a unique result of geologic, hydrologic, atmospheric and biologic processes. The interaction of these processes results in complex histories that are palaeogeographically linked within tectonic provinces. Process-based genetic analysis provides the fundamental framework for predicting the distribution and character of petroleum systems. New technologies enable the exploitation of this predictability and are themselves the origin of new ideas and improved systems understanding. Petroleum geoscience embraces both forward modelling of processes as well as observation, calibration and inverse modelling. This approach of forward and inverse modelling promotes a general scientific methodology of simulation, prediction, testing and learning that allows us to describe the genetics of sedimentary basins. Genetic analysis can be applied to the spectrum of resource types from hydrocarbon to groundwater to mineral systems and across the range of scales from regional to play to prospect. Like the study of evolution through the fossil record, fundamental characteristics of petroleum systems can be recovered from the patterns of their distribution within the framework provided by plate motion, palaeogeography and palaeoclimate. These fundamental drivers control regional tectonics, subsidence, fill history and deformation that result in the phenotypic expression of individual basins and their fluid systems. Genetic analysis results in a taxonomic hierarchy that facilitates prediction and guides resource exploration. Although genetic analysis provides a framework for understanding the distribution and nature of petroleum systems, that framework itself is insufficient to address the challenges now facing the petroleum industry. New technologies are required to enable exploration in frontier settings, to identify new opportunities in mature basins, to maximize recovery from existing fields, and to unlock the potential of unconventional resources. Future success in all of these areas is fundamentally dependent on our ability to conceptualize new ideas.

Keywords
  • basin
  • petroleum system
  • palaeogeography
  • plate reconstruction
  • play element
  • genetic
  • tectonics
  • hydrocarbon
  • © Petroleum Geology Conferences Ltd. Published by the Geological Society, London
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Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference 				series: 7 (1)
Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series
Volume 7
2010
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Global petroleum systems in space and time

S. May, R. Kleist, E. Kneller, C. Johnson and S. Creaney
Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series, 7, 1-9, 1 January 2010, https://doi.org/10.1144/0070001
S. May
1ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., P.O. Box 2189, Houston, TX 77252, USA (e-mail: )
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: steve.may@exxonmobil.com
R. Kleist
2ExxonMobil Exploration Co., P.O. Box 4778, Houston, TX 77210, USA
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
E. Kneller
1ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., P.O. Box 2189, Houston, TX 77252, USA (e-mail: )
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: steve.may@exxonmobil.com
C. Johnson
1ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co., P.O. Box 2189, Houston, TX 77252, USA (e-mail: )
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: steve.may@exxonmobil.com
S. Creaney
2ExxonMobil Exploration Co., P.O. Box 4778, Houston, TX 77210, USA
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Global petroleum systems in space and time

S. May, R. Kleist, E. Kneller, C. Johnson and S. Creaney
Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series, 7, 1-9, 1 January 2010, https://doi.org/10.1144/0070001
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Genetic basin analysis
    • Genetic basin analysis: overview
    • Genetic basin analysis: global data and global plate motion
    • Genetic basin analysis: example
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