Understanding Engineering Challenges Posed by Natural Hydrocarbon Infiltration and the Development of Authigenic Carbonate

Abstract

Infiltration of shallow soils by naturally occurring hydrocarbons has been documented in several deepwater environments worldwide. The potential for significant soil modification, such as the development of authigenic carbonates and alteration of the generally expected background geotechnical properties may provide constraints to flowline routing, foundation installation and engineering lifetime performance. This paper presents a review of the current state of knowledge of the authors with special reference to recent investigations in deepwater offshore Angola, and a suggested method for identification, characterization and prediction.

Interpretation of 3D exploration seismic, enhanced by AUV (Chirp) data facilitates an initial identification of areas prone to hydrocarbon infiltration and the vertical and spatial extent of potential soil modification. A first pass geotechnical characterisation is developed by targeted seabed CPTs and soil sampling. The generation of an integrated predictive model requires a multidisciplinary advanced testing programme, including geophysical, geotechnical, geochemical and geological analyses.

Once the extent, nature, and formative processes of hydrocarbon-related soil modification are understood, an assessment can be made of the challenges posed to a field development. This provides the necessary input to foundation and /or routing feasibility and determines if there is requirement to mitigate, through avoidance or design.

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