In structural traps, the influence of hydrodynamic gradient is much less marked. The flow of the aquifer, which is parallel to the bedding planes, can just displace laterally the hydrocarbon accumulation as illustrated in figure 068. The wall of accumulation, i.e., the water oil plane contact is inclined according to the Hubbert’s law…
…According to Hubbert’s equation, it is evident the tilting of the oil-water plane increases with inasmuch the hydrodynamic gradient is stronger and the densities of oil and water are closer and nearer
When the hydrodynamic flow is very important, the hydrocarbon accumulation can be completely swept out of the trap. In such conditions, in these kind of traps, it can happen that the hydrocarbon column exceeds the theoretical closure, determined from the structural maps…
… In other words, in the evaluation of a structural trap, geoscientists must necessarily take a position on these possibilities and use the more likely. In some cases, the prospect may not interest the economists, but in others, it may be economically profitable.
