LOS MOLLES AND VACA MUERTA SOURCE ROCKS:COMPLEX HYDROCARBON-CHARGE SYSTEMS IN THE
CENTRAL DOMAIN OF THE NEUQUÉN BASIN, ARGENTINA
de PEREZ COMPANC S.A.
pluspetrol
Carlos E. Cruz, Andrés Boll, Ricardo Gómez Omil, Eduardo A. Martínez,Carlos Arregui, Carlos Gulisano, Guillermo A. Laffitte and Héctor J. Villar
Petr oleo & GasConsultor aCG
AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – November 5-9, 2001, Mendoza, ArgentinaNew Technologies and New Play Concepts in Latin America
LA PAMPA
RIO NEGRO
CHIL
E
MENDOZA
0 60Km.
NEUQUEN
NEUQUÉN BASIN - TECTONIC SETTINGS
THR
UST
BEL
T
NORTHEASTERN
PLATFORM
EMBAYMENT
PICÚN LEUFÚ
SUB-BASIN
LA PAMPA
RIO NEGRO
CHIL
E
ARGE
NTIN
A
0 400 km200
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
LA PAMPA
RIO NEGRO
CHIL
E
MENDOZA
0 60Km.
NEUQUEN
LA PAMPA
RIO NEGRO
CHIL
E
NEUQUÉN BASIN - MAIN SOURCE ROCKS KITCHENS
LOS MOLLESMAIN RESERVOIRS: LAJAS, LOTENA& TORDILLO
VACA MUERTAMAIN RESERVOIRS: TORDILLO, QUINTUCO- LOMA MONTOSA & MULICHINCO IN NEUQUÉN.CHACHAO, NEUQUÉN GR. &TERTIARY INTRUSIVES IN MENDOZA.
AGRIOMAIN RESERVOIRS: AVILÉ & TRONCOSO
PRECUYOMAIN RESERVOIRS: LAJAS & PRECUYO
SOUTH DORSAL VACA MUERTAMAIN RESERVOIR: Qda. DEL SAPO
Modified from Legarreta et al.,1999
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
LA PAMPA
RIO NEGRO
CHIL
E
MENDOZA
0 60Km.
NEUQUEN
LA PAMPA
RIO NEGRO
CHIL
E
LOCATION MAP
Substantiate the good-quality hydrocarbon source of Los Molles beds in the study area.
Compare the main features of Vaca Muertaand Los Molles hydrocarbons charge systems.
Highlight the importance of Los Mollespetroleum system as contributor ofhydrocarbon accumulations.
OBJECTIVES
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
LA PAMPA
RIO NEGRO
CHIL
E
MENDOZA
0 60Km.
NEUQUEN
LA PAMPA
RIO NEGRO
CHIL
E
LOS MOLLES GEOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENTS
AGUADA BAGUALESLAS CHIVASCENTENARIOESTACIÓN FERNANDEZ OROBARREALES COLORADOSCERRO MOROLINDERO ATRAVESADORÍO NEUQUÉNCHARCO BAYOLA JARILLAAGUADA DE LOS INDIOS
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
NEUQUEN
MAIN OIL & GAS FIELDS - RESERVES & RESERVOIRS
QUINTUCOLOMA MONTOSA
CENTENARIO
TORDILLOSIERRAS BLANCAS
LOTENA
CUYO
PRECUYO
EUR
CATRIEL
0.4
11
1.10.2
0.1
0.440.13
0.1
17.3 TCF GAS
1
1
13
113
12.5
30
1248 MMB OIL1.9
3.2
0.63222
12
60.23.5
9.5
160
22
4417
0.7
1.9360
1.32.45.2
3.85.2
63
63
11
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
HUINCUL DORSALTO CATRIEL SHELF
SCHEMATIC CROSS SECTION&
CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC CHART
VOLCANICS -TUFFS &CONTINENTAL CLASTICS
OFF SHORE - BASINAL CLASTICS
MARGINAL MARINE CLASTICS
CONTINENTAL CLASTICS
MARINE CARBONATES, EVAPORITES &CLASTICS
SHELFAL CARBONATES & CLASTICS
Pc: Precuyo; Mo: Molles; L: Lajas; Ch: Challacó;PR: Punta Rosada; Lo: Lotena; To: Tordillo;VM: Vaca Muerta; Q: Quintuco; LM: Loma MontosaCe: Centenario; Ry: Rayoso; Nqn: Neuquén; Mg: Malargüe
150
100
NqnMg
Ry
Ce
Q LMVMTo
Lo
PR
L
Mo
Ch Ch
PCPCPC200
SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY
HUINCUL DORSAL EMBAYMENT CATRIEL SHELF
CUYO GR.
PRECUYOGR.
LOTENA Fm.
TORDILLO Fm.
LOWERMENDOZA Gr.
UPPERMENDOZA Gr.
RAYOSOFm.
NEUQUÉNGr.
MALARGÜEGr.
UPP
ERLO
WER
MID
DLE
UPP
ERLO
WER
UPP
ERLO
WER
TERT.
CR
ETA
CEO
US
JUR
ASS
ICTR
IAS.
Nqn
Mg
Ry
Ce
Q
VMLo
ToPR
L
Mo
Ch
Pc
My
LM
Choiyoi
NS
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
LOS MOLLES VACA MUERTA
0250500
750
CATRIEL
0100200 CATRIEL
NEUQUENNEUQUEN
100
ORGANIC RICH FACIES - ISOPACH MAPS
Thickness in Meters
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
LAS CHIVAS - GEOCHEMICAL LOGCruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
CENTENARIO - GEOCHEMICAL LOGCruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
0 2 4% Ro
0 40 80HI
0 1.5S2(mg/g)
0 1.5S1(mg/g)
0 3 6TOC(%)
4000
4500
TOARCIAN LOS
MO
LLES
LAJA
S
Modified from Fernández Seveso et al., 1996
BARREALES COLORADOS - GEOCHEMICAL LOGCruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY AND BIOMARKER FINGERPRINTS
Vaca Muerta Oil - Sierras Blancas Reservoir
Los Molles Oil - Lajas Reservoir
Whole oil GC Terpanes m/z 191 Steranes m/z 217
Whole oil GC Terpanes m/z 191 Steranes m/z 217
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
Los Molles
Phytane/nC18
Pristane/nC17
THERMAL MATURITY Oxidizing
Terrestrial O.M.
Reducing
AquaticO.M
.
10.01.00.10.1
1.0
10.0
-24-32
-23
Vaca Muerta
Los Molles
Non marineoils
Marineoils
-33δ13C saturates
δ13C aromatics
St C29
Marine Terrestrial
Vaca Muerta
Los Molles
St C28
St C27
5050
50
Gas Chromatography
CarbonIsotopes
SteraneBiomarkers
Vaca Muerta
Compositional andmolecular features
discriminatingVaca Muerta & Los Molles oils
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
Los Molles Fm.Oil (0.7 Ro%):130 (bottom) - 94 (top)Wet Gas & Condensate (1.3 Ro%): 94 (bottom) - 43 (top)Dry Gas (2.0 Ro%):75 (bottom)
Vaca Muerta Fm.Oil (O.7 Ro%): 80 (bottom) - 73 (top)
Los Molles Fm.Oil (0.7 Ro%): 84 (bottom) - 78 (top)
Vaca Muerta Fm.Oil (0.7 Ro%): 58 (bottom) - 54 (top)
Los Molles Fm.Oil (0.7% Ro): 63 (bottom) - 9 (top)
ONSETS OF HYDROCARBONGENERATION (My)
ONSETS OF HYDROCARBONGENERATION (My)
ONSETS OF HYDROCARBONGENERATION (My)
Neuquen Gr.Centenario Fm.Quintuco Fm.Vaca Muerta Fm.
Los Molles Fm.Pre-Cuyo
Tordillo Fm.Lajas Fm
Legend1234
5678
MATURITY WINDOWS GEOHISTORY
LAS CHIVAS LINDERO ATRAVESADO LOMA GUADALOSA
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
0250500
750
CATRIEL
NEUQUEN
At 0 My
1.3
0.71.0
2.0
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
0250500
750
CATRIEL
NEUQUEN
At 94 My
ORGANIC RICH FACIES ISOPACH AND MATURITY ZONES MAPS
0.7
1.0
1.3
Thickness in Meters - Maturity % Ro
BOTTOM LOS MOLLES
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
At 0 My0250
500750
CATRIEL
NEUQUEN
1.00.7
1.32.0
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
At 94 My0250
500750
CATRIEL
NEUQUEN
ORGANIC RICH FACIES ISOPACH AND MATURITY ZONES MAPS
Thickness in Meters - Maturity % Ro
0.7
1.0
TOP LOS MOLLES
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
0100
200 CATRIEL
NEUQUEN100
At 94 My
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN LAPAMPA
RÍONEGRO
0100200 CATRIEL
NEUQUEN100
At 0 My
ORGANIC RICH FACIES ISOPACH AND MATURITY ZONES MAPS
Thickness in Meters - Maturity % Ro
0.7
1.0
1.3
VACA MUERTA
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
SE-NW CROSS SECTION AND HYDROCARBON CHARGE
Estación
Punta Rosada -
Fernández Oro Ferri
V
V
V
V V V
VV
V
V
V V
V
V
V
V
V VV
VV
VV V
V
V VVV
V
V
VV
V
V
VV
VV
V
V V V
V
V
V
VV V
V
VVV
V VVVV
V
V
V V VVV
V
V
V V
VV
V
V
VVV
B (SE) B’(NW)
EstaciónCentenario Río Neuquém El Cruce
SierrasBlancas Montuoso
Borde
0
Rayoso
Precuyo
Vaca Muerta
Malargüe
Neuquén
Centenario
Quintuco
Tordillo
Lajas
Los Molles
Choiyoi
1000 m
500
0
10 20 30 Km
Lotena
ESTACIÓNFERNANDEZ ORO
ESTACIÓNFERRI CENTENARIO RÍO
NEUQUÉNEL CRUCE
SIERRASBLANCAS
BORDEMONTUOSO
SL
0.7% Ro
1% Ro
1.3% Ro
2% Ro
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
SW-NE CROSS SECTION AND HYDROCARBON CHARGE
VV
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
VV
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
VV
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V VV
V
V
V
V
VV
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
VV
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
VV
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
VV
V
LAS CHIVAS LINDEROATRAVESADO
PUESTO SILVAEL CRUCE
LOMAGUADALOSA
CHARCOBAYO MEDANITO
0.7% Ro
1% Ro
1.3% Ro
2% Ro
??
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
MIGRATION PATTERNS
VOLCANICS -TUFFS &CONTINENTAL CLASTICS
OFF SHORE - BASINALCLASTICS
MARGINAL MARINE CLASTICS
CONTINENTAL CLASTICSMARINE CARBONATES, EVAPORITES & CLASTICS
SHELFAL CARBONATES& CLASTICS
NqnMg
Ry
Ce
Q
VMLo
To PR
L
Mo
Pc
LM
Choiyoi
S N
MIGRATION PATHWAY
MIGRATION BLOCKED
NON RESERVOIR TO POORRESERVOIR CONDITIONS
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN
RÍONEGRO
CATRIEL
NEUQUEN
VACA MUERTA KITCHEN AND MIGRATION PATHWAYS
60 Km.
70 Km.
70 Km.
20 Km.
4 Km.
4 Km.
7 Km.
LAPAMPA
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
CATRIEL
5Km.
NEUQUEN
LOS MOLLES KITCHEN AND MIGRATION PATHWAYS
0 6Km.
NEUQUÉN
RÍONEGRO
LAPAMPA
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
Oil prone source, type I/II, amorphous kerogen.
Marine anoxic
FACTS & CONCLUSIONS
Thick succession with asymmetrical distribution – thicker section closer to
Huincul Dorsal (rift related fault systeminverted during Jurassic-Cretaceous).
VACA MUERTALOS MOLLES
Mixed oil/gas source –Type II/III amorphous & structured kerogen.
Marine reducing to suboxic withvariable terrestrial input.
Poor petrophysical conditions of associated carriers disfavorlateral migration.
Fault systems favor vertical migration.
Mostly in gas/condensate zone(VRE 1.3 – 2%). Peak to late oil stage in
Dorsal northern flank.
Tabular and
symmetrical distribution.
Excellent quality associated carriers.Long distance lateral migrations.
Mostly in the oil window(VRE 0.7 – 1%).
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
Oil generation and expulsion beganaround 80 my.
FACTS & CONCLUSIONS
Oil generation and expulsion beganaround 130 my in deeper positions.
VACA MUERTALOS MOLLES
Tordillo/Lotena gas/condensate occurrence where Vaca Muerta is early/mid mature could be:
Vaca Muerta hydrocarbons extensive migrations Los Molles gassy hydrocarbons contribution
Hydrocarbons mostly trapped in Cuyo reservoirs.
Hydrocarbons mostly trapped in Tordillo and Quintuco reservoirs.
Cruz et al., AAPG 2001 – Hedberg Research Conference – Mendoza, Argentina
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