Biogenic gas – “from drilling hazard to promising future hydrocarbon resource”: Study of Mamberamo Frontier Basin, North Papua, Indonesia

Abstract

Biogenic gas was previously considered as a drilling hazard before it has become captivating with competitive price and due to high demand. This study was done to diagnose rock formations which are prospective match up to revolutionary hydrocarbon system variables and to cast up volume estimation. The North Papua Basin, which classified as a foreland (hybrid) basin, is reckoned to have significant gas potentials from well data compliments Pleistocene Mamberamo sandstone with robust biogenic gas parameters, high methane composition (99-100%) and low CO2, H2S or N2 contents. Rapid sedimentation and low geothermal gradient play great role to establish effective biogenic gas system, followed by young-aged reservoir parameter. Field data comprise of soil gas sample supports geochemical investigation. Petrophysical and seismic interpretation results, as follow, are applied to assist volumetric calculation and uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo simulation. Source rock evaluation from two wells reveals that Mamberamo Member D layer as the target is highly potential to become good source rock and storage of biogenic gas system in the area. The Monte Carlo simulation draws adequate correlation linking P50 (the most likely case) to the highest cumulative frequency in CDF curves, and testifies reasonable volumetric and resource calculation to be considered.