Abstract
In geologic time scale, flow of secondary migration of hydrocarbon is controlled by capillary (resistive) and buoyancy (driving) forces. The relationship between capillary threshold pressure of formation and buoyancy of hydrocarbons is considered as one of the most important aspects for petroleum system analysis. As high quality 3D seismic data is acquired in common, high resolution 3D basin simulation of capillary-dominated multi-phase flow regimes is the effective technique to realize the generation, migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons in reservoir scale. Two case studies are carried out to reveal the usefulness of 3D basin simulation in reservoir and new exploration ideas based on the seal evaluation. Case studies indicate that the invasion percolation for simulation algorithm enables to realize the migration pathways controlled by sand distribution, seal capacity and trap geometry. Working hypothesis of Matryoshka pressure model also enables that the reevaluation of the pressure data in discovered fields will produce some remaining exploration potential, even in mature fields and basins.
