Distribution of field sizes in a petroleum system: parabolic fractal, lognormal or stretched exponential?

Publication date: 2000-04-01
First published in: Marine and Petroleum Geology
Authors: J. Laherrere

Abstract:

Field size distributions in three Petroleum Systems have been analyzed using different approaches. The parabolic fractal model shows the Niger Delta and the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) have similar dispersed habitats, in contrast to the Saharan Triassic, which has a concentrated habitat. On a lognormal model, the Niger Delta and the Saharan Triassic field size distributions are similar, being almost linear and coinciding. However, field sizes in the GOM OCS lie on a curved and very different plot. Using a stretched exponential model, all are different but close to linear. Evidently, a single model does not adequately represent the complexity of field size distribution, and several should be used.

Published in: Marine and Petroleum Geology, Volume 17, Issue 4, 1 April 2000, Pages 539-546
Available from: ScienceDirect