154
Statistical Methods for Estimating Petroleum Resources
The information provided is inadequate for economic study
3.
because it only generates an aggregate resource estimate.
However, this method can still be applied to evaluate frontier
basins when information is sparse.
Basin Classifi cation Method
The relationship between basin characteristics and the abundance of
resources has been studied by many researchers. The following two
examples illustrate their relationship.
Klemme (1975, 1986) attempted to classify basins according to their
tectonic history, morphology, and basin size. Suggesting that fi eld size
is infl uenced by the variation of a basin’s morphology and size, he classifi ed 65 producing basins of the world and computed the percentage
of the largest fi ve fi elds in terms of present-day reserves. The implication of Klemme’s classifi cations is that basins have either concentrated or dispersed types of petroleum habitats. Concentrated means
that most of the resources are distributed among the largest fi elds; dispersed means that most resources are distributed in many small fi elds.
According to Klemme’s classifi cation, the percent of the present-day
basin reserves contained in the fi ve largest fi elds (Table 7.1) varies from
one type of basin to another (Fig. 7.1).
Kingston et al. (1983a, b, 1985) collected data from about 600 identifi -
able sedimentary basins worldwide, classifi ed them according to their
tectonic history, and tallied the percent of productive basins (Fig. 7.2).
This classifi cation can provide information about the possible productivity of a basin in assessing conceptual plays. For example, if we know the
tectonic history of an untested basin from which a play is being assessed,
then the percentage of productive fi elds for that type of basin would permit us to determine the probability that it contains hydrocarbons.
Geochemical Approaches
The geochemical approach started in the early 1960s, fl ourished in the
1970s, and advanced in the 1980s. This section briefl y discusses the principle of the petroleum system method and burial and thermal history.
Petroleum System or Geochemical Mass Balance Method
A petroleum system is defi ned as a stratigraphic unit that is a continuous body of rocks separated from surrounding rocks by regional
Statistical Methods for Estimating Petroleum Resources
The information provided is inadequate for economic study
3.
because it only generates an aggregate resource estimate.
However, this method can still be applied to evaluate frontier
basins when information is sparse.
Basin Classifi cation Method
The relationship between basin characteristics and the abundance of
resources has been studied by many researchers. The following two
examples illustrate their relationship.
Klemme (1975, 1986) attempted to classify basins according to their
tectonic history, morphology, and basin size. Suggesting that fi eld size
is infl uenced by the variation of a basin’s morphology and size, he classifi ed 65 producing basins of the world and computed the percentage
of the largest fi ve fi elds in terms of present-day reserves. The implication of Klemme’s classifi cations is that basins have either concentrated or dispersed types of petroleum habitats. Concentrated means
that most of the resources are distributed among the largest fi elds; dispersed means that most resources are distributed in many small fi elds.
According to Klemme’s classifi cation, the percent of the present-day
basin reserves contained in the fi ve largest fi elds (Table 7.1) varies from
one type of basin to another (Fig. 7.1).
Kingston et al. (1983a, b, 1985) collected data from about 600 identifi -
able sedimentary basins worldwide, classifi ed them according to their
tectonic history, and tallied the percent of productive basins (Fig. 7.2).
This classifi cation can provide information about the possible productivity of a basin in assessing conceptual plays. For example, if we know the
tectonic history of an untested basin from which a play is being assessed,
then the percentage of productive fi elds for that type of basin would permit us to determine the probability that it contains hydrocarbons.
Geochemical Approaches
The geochemical approach started in the early 1960s, fl ourished in the
1970s, and advanced in the 1980s. This section briefl y discusses the principle of the petroleum system method and burial and thermal history.
Petroleum System or Geochemical Mass Balance Method
A petroleum system is defi ned as a stratigraphic unit that is a continuous body of rocks separated from surrounding rocks by regional