The evaluation of hydrocarbon generation potential, 2D modeling of sedimentary basin, and tracing hydrocarbon migration pathway in the Garmsar Block, Central Iran Basin

Abstract

Source rock is one of the major components of the hydrocarbon system. Understanding the maturity of the source rock and the patterns of the basin would have led to proposing a suitable site for drilling an exploratory well. Simulation of the hydrocarbon system is an indirect approach to an estimate of the exploration potential of a site. The current research purposes are to evaluate the maturation of the hydrocarbon fluids, trace the hydrocarbon migration pathway, and identify the possible source rock characteristics in the Garmsar area, Central Iran Basin. To this purpose, 1D and 2D modeling of the area have been carried out using PetroMod software to measure kerogen maturation and hydrocarbon generation and expel, as well as to stimulate the production of oil and gas from a source rock, migration pathway, and accumulation respectively. Geochemical characteristics of the source rocks were examined to estimate the hydrocarbon generation; the obtained data have demonstrated that there are relatively good quantities of organic matter in the source rocks of Qom Formation in Garmsar Block, and the organic matter is mainly type II and III. In general, source rock from the Garmsar Block spreads a satisfactory perspective for hydrocarbon generation. Furthermore, based on the 2D modeling, hydrocarbon accumulation begins in the C4 member of the Qom Formation and, eventually to the present, increases in anticlines at the central part of the study area in the F member of the Qom Formation.