Scientist looking down a microscope.

Research technologies for understanding subsurface hydrocarbon distribution and fluid histories

Our specialised fluid inclusion and geochemical technologies help industry define subsurface petroleum migration and accumulation processes.

13 March 2006 | Updated 14 October 2011

Applications
Services

Applications

Fluid inclusion and geochemical technologies are used to reveal the migration pathways and stepwise oil filling history of geological reservoirs. These services have been used in the majority of Australian wells over the last ten years.

This information can be used for numerous petroleum exploration and development decisions such as:

assessment of oil zone extents
proximity indicators for oil accumulations
distinguishing multiple charge events
assessing source, maturity and physical alteration of petroleum
compartmentalisation
trap integrity testing
calibration of petroleum system models.

Services

We offer the following services:

Blue hydrocarbon inclusions trapped within a rock grain shown at high magnification.

Grains with oil inclusions (GOI™)

Grains with Oil Inclusions (GOI™) is a petrographic technique for identifying palaeo-oil zones in clastic rocks. It allows us to understand petroleum movement in the subsurface.

A diagram of a magnifying glass over an oilfield cross section

Molecular Composition of oil Inclusions (MCI™) service

Molecular Composition of oil Inclusions (MCI™) techniques are useful to oil exploration ventures, providing advanced understanding of the molecular composition of hydrocarbon inclusions.

Schematic of reservoir trapping hydrocarbons and how the FOI technique can detect present day and paleo-oil accumulations.

Frequency of oil inclusions (FOI)

The FOI technique is used for oil exploration to detect oil migration and accumulation in carbonate petroleum systems. It allows us to understand the history of oil accumulation.

Composite diagram of fluoresce spectrophotometer, quartz grains under visible and ultraviolet light and the spectra recorded

QGF and QGF-E

These techniques allow us to understand hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. They detect current and palaeo-oil zones by measuring the fluorescence from hydrocarbons sealed in fluid inclusions and at the surface of siliciclastic rocks.

An example of Total Scanning Flurogram (ultra violet light excitation versus emission) graph of an oil.

Total scanning fluorescence (TSF)

Total scanning fluorescence (TSF) is a technique that provides fluorescence fingerprints for oil, surface and oil inclusion extracts from rock samples.

Plan view of an oil reservoir with an OMI log through the reservoir

Oil migration intervals (OMI™)

The OMI™ technique is used to determine buoyancy and capillary controls in reservoirs in order to assess the location of oil accumulation.

Diagram representing the movement of water in the subsurface over time and how it gets trapped in rocks

Resistivity from oil-water inclusions (ROI™)

Resistivity from Oil-water Inclusions (ROI™) is a technique used by CSIRO for the petroleum industry to determine water saturation in oil reservoirs.

Picture of water inclusions in a rock grain.

Thermometrics

CSIRO is able to offer thermometrics services - a technique used to establish the water salinity and the time of trapping of inclusions in rocks.

Large white fluorescing oil inclusion with large vapour bubble trapped within a rock grain

Geochemical services and facilities

CSIRO’s world class expertise and capabilities allows us to provide a range of geochemical techniques to analyses the chemical composition of petroleum and extracted hydrocarbons.

We also offer tailored interpretation and integrated research programs. To find out more about our unique research services please contact us.

See more of CSIRO's Testing, Analytical & Accreditation Services.