The Foinaven oilfield was the first reserve development West of the Shetlands in the deepwater, it is a good quality producing oil field which provides significant hydrocarbon potential, one of largest oilfield of United Kingdom. This field was discovered in 1990 by British Petroleum (well# 204/24-1A) in the Faeroe-Shetland Basin in two blocks, 204/19 and 204/24a in the UK Continental Shelf. These blocks are located around 190km west of the Shetland Islands. Marine environment can be characterized as deep water conditions (450 m) and strong subsea currents (4.5 km/hr).
First hydrocarbons from the Foinaven play were produced in Nov.1997. The recoverable reserves were originally calculated at 200 million barrels and lately were estimated at 415 million barrels at 2004.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Geology
2. Source Rock
3. Migration
4. Reservoir rock
5. Seal rock
6. Trap
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This work provides an analysis of the Foinaven oilfield, detailing the geological characteristics, hydrocarbon migration patterns, reservoir properties, and structural trapping mechanisms within the Faeroe-Shetland Basin to understand the field's development and production potential.
- Geological evolution of the Faeroe-Shetland Basin.
- Evaluation of source rocks and hydrocarbon migration models.
- Characterization of turbidite sandstone reservoirs.
- Analysis of structural and stratigraphic trapping configurations.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Migration
A Foinaven hydrocarbons was migrated from the Kimmeridge Clay source rock into the Paleocene sandstones formations. The migration model illustrates that hydrocarbon generation happened in Late Cretaceous, before the reservoir deposition. For explaining sequence of events, which leads to oil-bearing formation of Foinaven field occurring, we may use the “Motel model” regarding which fluid initially must migrate to intermediate reservoir called “parking lot” for waiting of the trap origination. This model is used to explain the apparent timing imbalance. Due to complicate and interesting history of these region, we may explain Fionaven field accumulation by series of events. First of all, was primary and secondary migrations of hydrocarbons in Cretaceous period was formed the temporary hydrocarbon deposits, which was latterly migrate to the final reservoirs of Paleocene age.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: Provides an overview of the discovery and development of the Foinaven oilfield located West of the Shetlands in deepwater conditions.
1. Geology: Describes the tectonic and sedimentary structure of the Faroe-Shetland Basin, focusing on its Jurassic-Cretaceous-Paleocene rift history.
2. Source Rock: Identifies the organic-rich Kimmeridge Clay formation as the primary source of hydrocarbons in the region.
3. Migration: Explains the movement of hydrocarbons from the source rock to the reservoir using the "Motel model" and discussing timing imbalances.
4. Reservoir rock: Details the properties of the Foinaven reservoir, specifically the Paleocene deep marine turbidite sandstones and their high permeability.
5. Seal rock: Examines the role of Paleocene and Eocene mudstones as impermeable seals that facilitate hydrocarbon retention.
6. Trap: Analyzes the structural and stratigraphic characteristics of the Foinaven trap, including faulted anticlines and pinch-outs.
Conclusion: Summarizes the development history, including the use of FPSO technology and the implementation of 4D seismic monitoring.
Keywords
Foinaven, Faeroe-Shetland Basin, Hydrocarbon, Turbidite, Petroleum Geology, Reservoir, Migration, Kimmeridge Clay, Paleocene, Trap, Faulted Anticline, Subsea, FPSO, Seismic, Sedimentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on the geological and technical evaluation of the Foinaven oilfield, covering its discovery, geological setting, and the factors contributing to its hydrocarbon accumulation.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central themes include basin evolution, petroleum systems, sedimentology, and structural geology within the West Shetland region.
What is the primary goal of the research?
The primary goal is to provide a comprehensive geological understanding of the Foinaven play, explaining why it is a high-quality, productive field.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The work utilizes geological mapping, petrophysical analysis, seismic interpretation, and tectonic modeling to explain reservoir characteristics.
What is covered in the main section?
The main section details the geology, source rock potential, migration pathways, reservoir properties, sealing mechanisms, and the structural nature of the traps.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Keywords include Foinaven, Faeroe-Shetland Basin, Petroleum Geology, Turbidite, and Reservoir.
How is the migration of hydrocarbons explained in the Foinaven field?
The work uses the "Motel model" to explain how fluids moved from the Kimmeridge Clay into intermediate reservoirs before reaching their final Paleocene traps.
What makes the Foinaven reservoir unique?
It is a deepwater development characterized by high-quality, fine-to-medium-grained turbidite sandstones with excellent porosity and permeability.
What technology was used to support Foinaven's production?
The "Petrojarl Foinaven" Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel was utilized for development and maintenance.
What role does 4D seismic play in this field?
Fixed seafloor seismic receivers were used for 4D seismic investigations to monitor reservoir changes and fluid flow during formation depletion.
- Quote paper
- Dmitry Solovyev (Author), 2014, The Foinaven oilfield. Petroleum Geology in the Faeroe-Shetland Basin, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337023
