Compound-specific stable isotope composition of hydrocarbons as a tool in petroleum exploration

Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of individual hydrocarbons is a powerful tool in petroleum exploration. When integrated with other organic geochemical methodologies it can provide evidence of fluid histories including source, maturity, charge history and reservoir processes that can support field development planning and exploration efforts. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a review of the methodology used for generating carbon and hydrogen isotope data for petroleum hydrocarbons. The talk will cover the key factors that control stable carbon and hydrogen isotope compositions of n-alkanes and related compounds in sedimentary and petroleum systems and review current and future applications of this methodology for petroleum exploration. In addition, the presentation will give examples of basin specific case studies that demonstrate the usefulness of CSIA when addressing either particular aspects of petroleum exploration (e.g., charge evaluation, source rock-oil correlation, and investigation of maturity and in-reservoir processes) or when this technique is used to corroborate interpretations from integrated petroleum systems analysis, providing unique insights, which may not be revealed when using other methods. CSIA of petroleum hydrocarbons can provide crucial data to strengthen petroleum systems concepts from generation and expulsion of fluids from source rock, to charge history, connectivity, and in-reservoir processes.