Pará-Maranhão Basin

Regional Geochemical Evaluation of Crude Oils and Source Rocks

GEOCHEMICAL SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. (GSI) has completed a geochemical study of oils from the Pará Maranhão basin along the Equatorial margin of Brazil designed to identify and compare the petroleum systems that have contributed to accumulations in this important area. Eleven (11) crude oils have been analyzed using state-of-the-art oil fingerprinting techniques to evaluate the major factors governing oil quality and quantity including: (1) source facies, (2) thermal maturity, (3) distance of migration from source to trap, (4) extent and timing of biodegradation, and (5) degree of oil mixing.

GEOCHEMICAL SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. (GSI) has completed a geochemical characterization of potential source rock samples from the Pará Maranhão Basin of equatorial Brazil. Samples included in this study represent rift, transition, drift and passive margin sections. This study was designed to evaluate the organic richness, hydrocarbon-generating potential, oil proneness, and thermal maturity level of all potential source rock intervals in order to assist exploration efforts in the less developed regions. This was accomplished by the detailed geochemical analysis of approximately twenty-two (22) well cuttings and/or core samples. These samples were selected based on total organic carbon (TOC) data from more than 2400 samples representing approximately 5000 m of section from more than 11 wells.

Crude oil and source rock analyses have been performed at BRI-DGSI laboratories in Houston. The analytical data and the associated interpretative report are available for immediate delivery.

Results of the study are presented in both analytical and interpretive formats to insure that all findings are accessible to explorationists and research personnel. All geochemical data will be provided in hard copy and in digital format in a database contained on CD, which includes a proprietary data browser to facilitate access. A synthesis and interpretation of all information is presented in a series of comprehensive final reports including oil-oil and oil-source rock correlations, oil quality, hydrocarbon source potential, oil proneness and thermal maturity.

For interested companies, basin-specific quantitative modeling studies focused on Round 8 Cells can be performed as a supplementary product.