1. Discuss the petroleum origin and occurance --2...
1. Discuss the petroleum origin and occurance --2...
Origin of Petroleum:
The prevailing scientific theory for the origin of petroleum (crude oil and natural gas)
is the organic theory. This theory posits that petroleum originates from the remains
of ancient microscopic marine organisms, primarily plankton and algae, that lived in
oceans and lakes millions of years ago. The key steps involved are:
● Accumulation of Organic Matter: When these organisms died, their remains
settled on the bottom of these water bodies and were mixed with fine-grained
sediments like mud and silt.
● Burial and Preservation: Over time, these organic-rich sediments were buried
under increasing layers of sediment. The lack of oxygen in these deep, stagnant
environments prevented complete decomposition by aerobic bacteria. Anaerobic
bacteria played a role in the initial breakdown of complex organic molecules.
● Diagenesis: As burial depth and pressure increased, the organic matter
underwent a series of chemical and physical changes. This initial stage,
diagenesis, led to the formation of kerogen, a waxy, insoluble organic polymer
that is the precursor to petroleum.1
● Catagenesis (Maturation): With further burial (typically several kilometers) and
increasing temperatures (ranging from about 60°C to 150°C, known as the "oil
window"), the kerogen underwent thermal cracking. This process breaks down
the large, complex kerogen molecules into smaller, liquid and gaseous
hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas).2 The specific type of hydrocarbon formed
depends on the type of kerogen, temperature, and pressure.3
● Metagenesis: At even higher temperatures (above 150°C), primarily natural gas
(methane) is formed as the remaining organic matter is further broken down.
Eventually, at very high temperatures, all hydrocarbons are destroyed, leaving
behind only carbon residue.
While the organic theory is widely accepted, there is also an inorganic (abiotic)
theory which suggests that hydrocarbons can be formed from inorganic reactions
deep within the Earth's mantle.4 However, this theory lacks substantial evidence and is
not the mainstream scientific view for the vast majority of petroleum reserves.
Occurrence of Petroleum:
Once formed in source rocks (typically organic-rich shales), petroleum is less dense
than water and tends to migrate upwards through permeable rocks due to buoyancy.5
For an economic accumulation of petroleum to occur, three key geological conditions
must be met:
● Source Rock: A rock rich in organic matter that has been subjected to the
appropriate temperature and pressure conditions to generate hydrocarbons.6
● Reservoir Rock: A porous and permeable rock (e.g., sandstone, fractured
limestone) where the migrated hydrocarbons can accumulate and be stored.7
Porosity refers to the void spaces within the rock, and permeability is the ability of
fluids to flow through these spaces.
● Cap Rock (Seal): An impermeable layer of rock (e.g., shale, salt) that overlies the
reservoir rock, preventing the hydrocarbons from escaping to the surface.8
Petroleum accumulations are typically found in traps, which are geological structures
that impede the upward migration of hydrocarbons, allowing them to concentrate in
the reservoir rock.9 Common types of traps include:
● Structural Traps: Formed by deformation of rock layers, such as:
○ Anticlines: Upward-folding arch-like structures.
○ Fault Traps: Created by the movement of rock blocks along faults,
juxtaposing permeable and impermeable layers.10
○ Salt Domes: Upward intrusion of salt layers that deform surrounding rocks,
creating traps.11
● Stratigraphic Traps: Formed by changes in rock type or unconformities (breaks
in the geological record), such as:
○ Pinch-outs: Where a permeable layer thins out and is sealed by impermeable
rocks.
○ Reefs: Porous carbonate structures formed by ancient marine organisms.
○ Unconformity Traps: Hydrocarbons trapped below an impermeable layer
that was deposited on an eroded surface.12
The search for petroleum involves understanding these geological factors and using
various exploration techniques (e.g., seismic surveys, well drilling) to identify potential
traps containing hydrocarbons.15
Structure of UNFC:
Classification Codes:
A resource project is classified using a combination of codes from each axis (e.g.,
E2-F1-G3). The numerical codes indicate the level of viability, feasibility, and
confidence, with lower numbers generally representing more advanced and certain
projects.20
Applications of UNFC:
Evolution of UNFC:
UNFC has evolved since its initial development in 1997 to include a wider range of
resources and to better align with sustainable development principles.22 The latest
version (UNFC 2019) provides improved terminology and applicability across all
resource sectors.23