Evaluation of hydrocarbon occurrences of Hatay with integrated methods, SE Turkey

Abstract

Understanding the depositional and development of hydrocarbon reservoirs is fundamental process to hydrocarbon exploration. Typically, water samples and remote sensing methods from existing or potential reservoirs can be used for interpretation of depositional environment. However, the lack of data in reservoirs represents a challenge for further exploration. The purpose of this study, the hydrocarbon potential of Hatay province was investigated by evaluating the geological, geochemical, hydrogeochemical and remote sensing methods. In this study, the methods of Liu et al. (Appl Geochem 97:226–237, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2018.07.010) and Hashimov (J Geol Resour Eng 2015:42–48, 2015. https://doi.org/10.17265/2328-2193/2015.01.006) for radon gas and hydrocarbon relations; method of Hosseinpour (Arab J Geosci 13:511, 2020) for hydrocarbon induced alterations; for theory of conceptual microseepage from Tedesco (Surface geochemistry in petroleum exploration, Springer, Boston, 1995); classifications of Sulin (Waters of petroleum formations in the system of nature waters, Gostoptekhizdat, Moscow, 1946), Schoellers (1955), Chebotarev (Geochim Cosmochim Acta 8:22–48, 137–170, 198–212, 1955), Wei et al. (Chin J Geochem 15(4):374–382, 1996), Bojarski Bojarski (Angew Geol 16:123–125, 1970), Vel'kov (Pet Geol Dig Russ Lit Pet Geol 4(9B):539–541, 1960) and Schoeneich (Nafta (Pol) 27:154–157, 1971) for hydrogeochemical classifications; classification of Schoellers (1955) for index of base exchange (IBE) hydrocontours; classification of Sulin (1946) for Na/Cl hydrocontour; methods of Hashimov (2015) and Schumacher (2016) for macroseepage data were used and interpreted. As a result of the evaluation of radon data from soil gases, areas that could be potential reservoirs in the Amik basin were determined. Fossil waters representing stable conditions in which hydrocarbons can be trapped have been identified by hydrogeochemical methods. In addition, hydrocarbon induced alterations possible hydrocarbon microseepage areas were detected with remote sensing method and hydrocarbon field detection was made by adapting to conceptual microseepage theory model. In this study, where all these methods were evaluated together, it was seen that the Amik Basin and the west of Reyhanlı could be evaluated in terms of hydrocarbon deposits in the study area. This study can be applied for assessment of reservoir distribution and reduction of uncertainty during hydrocarbon field exploration and used to similar hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Article Highlights

The hydrocarbon potential of Hatay province was investigated by evaluating the geological, geochemical, hydrogeochemical and remote sensing methods in the study. Combined geochemical, hydrochemical and soil gas methods show a hydrocarbon reservoir under Amik Basin (Hatay), and also a giant microseepage zone was detected by remote sensing methods. In this study, where all these methods were evaluated together, it was seen that the Amik Basin and the west of Reyhanlı could be evaluated in terms of hydrocarbon deposits in the study area. This study can be applied for assessment of reservoir distribution and reduction of uncertainty during hydrocarbon field exploration and can be used to similar hydrocarbon reservoirs explorations.