All oil and natural gas accumulations occur as part of a petroleum system. A key element in understanding a petroleum system is the identification of the possible source(s) of the oil and/or gas. To identify the source(s), an exploration geologist must evaluate the organic richness of a suite of rocks, measure their ability to generate oil and/or gas, and determine the thermal maturity of the likely candidate horizons. Typically, such an evaluation is carried out both over a small geographic area, and at the scale of a geological basin. The Weatherford Laboratories geochemical studies provide this information at both levels for many of the petroleum basins of the world, using data obtained internally and through the literature. This basic data is the first element the explorationist can use to assess the potential for commercial success of a play or prospect. While important in all petroleum exploration, characterization of the petroleum system is critical in evaluating any unconventional gas or oil plays.
In addition to basic geochemical studies, Weatherford Labs provides more detailed investigations of some basins. In certain areas detailed oil-to-source rock correlation investigations are available. For unconventional plays, additional geological data including mineralogy and petrology, are provided to enable the customer to evaluate the most cost effective completion techniques for the specific horizons involved. Weatherford Labs can also tailor studies to address specific exploration and production issues. We have an oil library containing over 10,000 samples world wide which can be combined with our source rock data base to form a complete petroleum system evaluation of an area.
The studies available from Weatherford Laboratories can be acquired at three levels. The most basic is a data base of analytical measurements obtained on cuttings and core samples. Interpretation is left completely to the client. Those organizations with internal expertise often acquire the studies in this form. A client can also purchase the data with a well-by-well summary evaluation of the key formations of the basin. These customers obtain an assessment of the data by the experienced petroleum geochemists of Weatherford Labs, but are able to do proprietary mapping internally. Such clients also obtain quality assessment of publically available data. For some clients, a geochemist from Weatherford Labs actively participates with their internal exploration team as a consultant in the development and assessment of prospects.