Reservoir fluid dynamics

At the scale of petroleum reservoirs we investigate the compositional variations of petroleum fluids at different spatial and temporal scales. Petroleum reservoirs can contain significant heterogeneities which depend on a variety of processes: charge history, compartmentalisation, alteration or mixing to name a few. We investigate the origin of such heterogeneities using organic geochemical methods, geophysical and geologic information and numerical simulation. Our goal is to understand the dynamic charge of complex reservoirs, determining how they are formed, and aid in the definition of exploration, appraisal, development and production strategies.

Ongoing Projects:
 

• Improved assessment of fluid mixing in petroleum systems

Specific Topics:  

• Filling histories (numerical reconstruction)
• Fluid properties (density, viscosity, etc.)  
  • Role of polar and HMW organic constituents

• Fluid alteration and mixing  
  • Controls, mechanisms, effects, reconstruction of original fluid(s)
  • PVT properties

• Fluid rock interactions (wettability, catalytic processes)
• Reservoir compartmentalisation and fluid heterogeneity  
  • Consequences for reservoir heterogeneities and compartmentalization

New project proposals:  

• Carbon mass transfers and balances at (palaeo)oil-water contacts (OWC)
• BioPetS Flux II: Polar Compound Geochemistry at Reservoir Scale