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Boente C.Author

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February 25, 2025
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Hybrid Gold

THE LA LUNA/RÍO NEGRO(.) PETROLEUM SYSTEM AT THE URDANETA WEST FIELD, LAKE MARACAIBO BASIN, NW VENEZUELA: 1D BASIN MODELLING AND SECONDARY OIL MIGRATION

Publicated to:Journal Of Petroleum Geology. 45 (3): 283-302 - 2022-01-01 45(3), DOI: 10.1111/jpg.12820

Authors: Escobar M; Díaz JG; Márquez G; Boente C; Tocco R

Affiliations

Center for Research in Sustainable Chemistry (CIQSO); University of Huelva; Huelva; 21006; Spain - Author
Independent Petroleum Geochemistry Consultant; Madrid; 28410; Spain - Author
PDVSA; Exploration and Production Activities; Av. 5 de Julio; Maracaibo; 4002; Venezuela - Author
School of Petroleum Geology; Faculty of Engineering; University of Zulia; Maracaibo; 4002; Venezuela - Author

Abstract

This paper investigates the timing of hydrocarbon generation in the northern part of the Urdaneta West field in the NW of the Lake Maracaibo Basin, NW Venezuela, based on 1D basin modelling at three wells referred to as wells X, Y and Z. Kitchen areas were identified and secondary migration directions were inferred based on analyses of the thermal and burial history of the Upper Cretaceous La Luna Formation source rock and the geochemistry of 20 oil samples from the Río Negro Formation reservoir. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in the oil samples were analysed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) while the vanadium-nickel and sulphur contents were determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, respectively. Bulk and molecular characterizations indicated that the oils originated from a marine carbonate source rock containing oil-prone Type II kerogen, consistent with generation by the La Luna Formation. Burial and thermal history modelling in the study area indicated that the La Luna source rock at wells X, Y and Z reached the oil window during the late Eocene, mid-Eocene and early Paleocene respectively. 1D model results from the three wells showed that hydrocarbon generation began in the early Eocene. The transformation ratio of the La Luna Formation source rock in the modelled wells reached values of 35%, 98% and 100% by the end of the Eocene. In the Urdaneta West field, two different oil charges appear to have mixed in the Río Negro reservoir. Both oil charges were generated by the La Luna Formation source rock but at different times. A first charge of less mature oil occurred in the middle-late Eocene (Phase 1 generation), and a second, more mature oil charge took place in the Miocene – Quaternary (Phase 2 generation). The kitchen area for the first oil charge is inferred to have been located to the north and NE of Urdaneta West; that for the second oil charge to the south of the field. This migration model is supported by observed variations in the geochemical compositions of the oil samples analysed from different wells in the Urdaneta West field. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Petroleum Geology © 2022 Scientific Press Ltd.

Keywords

1d basin modelBasin modellingEoceneGas chromatographyGasolineGeochemistryHydrocarbon generationInductively coupled plasmaLa luna formationLake maracaiboLake maracaibo basinLakesMass spectrometryMigrationMioceneOils and fatsOptical emission spectroscopyPaleocenePetroleumPetroleum geochemistryReservoir fillingReservoir-filling historyRocksSource rockSource rocksUrdaneta west fieldVenezuela

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Journal Of Petroleum Geology due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2022, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q2 (Segundo Cuartil), in the category Earth and Planetary Sciences (Miscellaneous). Notably, the journal is positioned en el Cuartil Q3 for the agency WoS (JCR) in the category Geosciences, Multidisciplinary.

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-12:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 5 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Venezuela.