Compaction trends in the Vienna Basin: Regional top seal capacity estimation and evidence for hydrocarbon leakage

Skerbisch L, Misch D, Drews MC, Stollhofen H, Sachsenhofer RF, Arnberger K, Schuller V, Zámolyi A (2022)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2022

Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE

Conference Proceedings Title: 6th International Conference on Fault and Top Seals 2022, FTS 2022

Event location: Vienna AT

ISBN: 9789462824249

DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.202243008

Abstract

In a purely top seal-controlled scenario the capillary entry or breakthrough pressure defines the maximum amount of buoyant fluid that can theoretically be accommodated. The seal capacity can be estimated based on normal compaction trends, therefore this work aimed at calibrating established normal compaction trends and resulting seal capacity models for Miocene (Pannonian, Sarmatian, and Badenian) seal rocks of the Vienna Basin. 41 core samples from the Vienna Basin covering a broad depth interval from 720 m to 3270 m were investigated with X-ray diffraction, mercury intrusion capillary porosimetry, He-pycnometry, and Rock-Eval pyrolysis. The results of this study show that established mudstone normal compaction trends are generally suitable to estimate seal capacity in the Miocene Vienna Basin fill. Theoretical column heights show a clear depth trend, and Badenian seals from burial depths > 2000 m show hydrocarbon column heights > 2000 m, implying that capillary seal failure is unlikely. Free hydrocarbon indicators (Rock-Eval S1 and PI) show clear signs of oil staining which correlates with the estimated seal capacity. That points to the validity of seal quality estimations and a potentially significant vertical mobility of fluids in the Vienna Basin which is not purely fault-controlled.

Authors with CRIS profile

Harald Stollhofen Lehrstuhl für Geologie (Exogene Dynamik)

Involved external institutions

Montanuniversität Leoben AT Austria (AT) OMV AG AT Austria (AT) Technische Universität München (TUM) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Skerbisch, L., Misch, D., Drews, M.C., Stollhofen, H., Sachsenhofer, R.F., Arnberger, K.,... Zámolyi, A. (2022). Compaction trends in the Vienna Basin: Regional top seal capacity estimation and evidence for hydrocarbon leakage. In 6th International Conference on Fault and Top Seals 2022, FTS 2022. Vienna, AT: European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE.

MLA:

Skerbisch, L., et al. "Compaction trends in the Vienna Basin: Regional top seal capacity estimation and evidence for hydrocarbon leakage." Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Fault and Top Seals 2022, FTS 2022, Vienna European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE, 2022.

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