Recharge of petroleum fields

Danilo Anton

In the orthodox biogenic theory of the origin of petroleum, oil fields can be exploited to a certain extent, past which they might be depleted and recovery is not expected.

For that reason, "exhausted" fields are abandoned and prospectors search for deposits elsewhere.

According to this approach, sooner or later all oil fields will eventually run out.

However, following the abiogenic theory most oil fields will  not be exhausted forever. In fact, although wells and fields may lose pressure (when extraction is too fast and their exploitation may cease to have commercial interest) the wells may become exploitable again if they are allowed to rest long enough. In those cases the rise of hydrocarbons from deeper levels would allow the recovery of both wells and reservoirs.

For this reason, the calculations of "probable reserves" or "proved reserves" can be without foundation, since the conceptual model on which they are based may not not correct.

When calculating the time that a reservoir will last, according to the so-called "reserves", a very important variable is left aside: the recoverability of the oil or gas fields due to the migration of hydrocarbons from the lower or lateral layers.

Reservoir recharge cases are numerous. They have been observed in Abu Dhabi and elsewhere in the Middle East, in the deep wells of Oklahoma, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and elsewhere.

The production estimates of the wells are generally erroneous because there is recharge from depth during production period. Every few years, reserves should be recalculated because the orthodox theory has misinterpreted the geological mechanisms that allow the formation of oil and gas.

The prediction of the 1970s was that oil would end in 1987. However, not only it did not end then but the alleged reserves have increased considerably.

Thomas Gold points out that recharging is an issue of enormous economic significance and of great engineering importance, because if this fact was accepted, some control over the recharging process could be achieved.

The problem is, again, the lack of understanding of the dynamics of the planetary degassing process. If we accept the fact, well known at this time, that hydrocarbons are a common constituent in the cosmos, and that evolving planets undergo degassing processes, we can better understand and therefore predict the future availability of hydrocarbons worldwide .

If we recognize that there are huge amounts of hydrocarbons or their constituent atoms in the interior of the Earth (as indicated by the composition of other planets, comets and meteorites) then we should consider the possibility that the source of hydrocarbons is in the mantle and that therefore the recharge comes from these deep levels.

From: "Unexhaustible? Gas and Petroleum", Danilo Anton, Piriguazú Ediciones.