Modelling hydrocarbon generation and migration in tertiary source rocks of deepwater, Phu Khanh Basin, offshore Vietnam

Abstract

This study modelled a petroleum system to analyse the history of basin evolution, maturity, and hydrocarbon generation in the deepwater of the Phu Khanh Basin, offshore Vietnam. The paleo-heat flow, surface-water interface temperatures, and paleo water-depth were modelled using existing wells occurring in shallow to deep marine environments. Based on the geochemical analysis, the Oligocene and Lower-Middle Miocene source rocks are predominantly a mixture of type II and type III kerogens, with differences in distribution and maturation level. In the Phu Khanh Basin, hydrocarbon generation started during the Early Miocene. Petroleum migrated to a trap and accumulated in an uplift structure in the sandstone and carbonate reservoirs of the Lower Miocene formation. The results of this study can assist in defining the distribution of reservoir locations for future field development planning in the Phu Khanh Basin. [Received: March 28, 2020; Accepted: August 7, 2020]