Fluid properties, phase and compartmentalization: Magnolia Field case study, Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, USA

Abstract

AbstractThe Magnolia Field in the deepwater northern Gulf of Mexico is a Plio-Pleistocene age mixed phase reservoir whose fluids are not in compositional equilibrium. Fluid heterogeneities have arisen principally due to (1) variations in maturity of the source rock from which the hydrocarbons were derived, (2) the extent to which biogenic methane has been incorporated into the fluids and (3) phase fractionation effects. These influences express themselves both in terms of bulk fluid properties such as gas/liquid ratio, API gravity and saturation pressure and minor compositional attributes such as hydrocarbon gas isotopic composition and gasoline range molecular ratios. Significant compositional variations that cannot be ascribed to gravitational fluid segregation occur within reservoirs that are demonstrably in pressure communication. These variations challenge the notion that hydrocarbon fluid mixing is geologically instantaneous and underscore the importance of testing assumptions regarding compositional equilibria in conjunction with reservoir studies. Although the state of disequilibrium impedes compartmentalization assessments at Magnolia, it provides both opportunities for fluid property and phase predictions and potentially a development setting in which geochemical surveillance techniques may be profitably employed.