Sedimentological and petrophysical aspects of primary petroleum migration pathways

Abstract

Current theories and concepts of primary migration are reviewed with special emphasis being placed on sedimentological and petrophysical considerations. In particular the migration pathway through the pore network of the rock matrix is discussed with reference to field examples where hydrocarbon expulsion has occurred. It seems likely that the factors determining the dimensions of the three migration pathways - organic, pore and fracture network - have to be quantified in order to evaluate primary petroleum migration mechanism. The respective key factors are: 1. Organofacies for the organic network; 2. Lithofacies, diagenesis and compaction for the pore network; 3. Permeability versus petroleum generation rate for the fracture network. -from Author