Method of assessing hydrocarbon source rock candidate

1. A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate, comprising:

providing seismic data for a region of the Earth;

analysing the data to determine the presence, thickness, and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the seismic behaviour of hydrocarbon source rocks, wherein the presence of the candidate source rock is determined from

an upper boundary having a fall in acoustic impedance greater than a first threshold value, and/or

a lower boundary having a rise in acoustic impedance greater than a second threshold value;

providing an estimate of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance; and

providing an estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the organic content may comprise hydrocarbon, and in which the step of providing an estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock comprises providing an estimate of the amount and/or distribution, or at least an indication of the presence, of hydrocarbon contained in or held by the candidate source rock.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the organic content may comprise natural gas, and in which the step of providing an estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock comprises providing an estimate of the amount and/or distribution, or at least an indication of the presence, of natural gas contained in or held by the candidate source rock.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , in which the candidate source rock comprises a shale gas reservoir, and wherein the natural gas comprises shale gas.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the step of providing an estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential comprises providing an estimate of the hydrocarbon already generated.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the analysing step comprises determining the thickness of the candidate source rock from the lower boundary having a rise in acoustic impedance greater than a second threshold value.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 , in which the organic content estimate is derived from the acoustic impedance profile between the upper and lower boundaries and a predetermined relationship between acoustic impedance and organic content.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the organic content estimate is derived from the acoustic impedance and a predetermined relationship between acoustic impedance and organic content.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which, in the case that the presence of the candidate source rock is determined from an upper boundary having a fall in acoustic impedance greater than a first threshold value, the analysing step comprises determining the presence of the candidate source rock from an upper boundary having an Amplitude Versus Offset Class 4 response.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 , comprising determining the presence of the candidate source rock from an upper boundary having an Amplitude Versus Offset Class 4 response with a wider extent than non-source rock exhibiting an Amplitude Versus Offset Class 4 response.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which, in the case that the presence of the candidate source rock is determined from a lower boundary having a rise in acoustic impedance greater than a second threshold value, the analysing step comprises determining the presence of the candidate source rock from a lower boundary having an Amplitude Versus Offset Class 1 response.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the organic content estimate is derived from well-log data in or adjacent the region of interest.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the analysing step comprises determining the presence of the candidate source rock by analysing the lateral extent of continuous boundaries having an expected seismic response.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the analysing step comprises determining the presence of the candidate source rock on the basis of faults which detach near a lower boundary and which do not reach higher than substantially 100 meters above an upper boundary.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising the further step of performing basin modelling based on the seismic characteristics of the candidate source rock.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15 , comprising the further step of ranging basins, plays and prospects on the basis of the basin model.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15 , comprising the further step of controlling exploration or production on the basis of the basin model.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17 , in which the step of controlling production comprises selecting a location or area for drilling a well.

19. A computer program for performing a method as claimed in claim 1 .

20. A computer-readable storage medium containing a program as claimed in claim 19 .

21. A computer programmed by a program as claimed in claim 19 .

22. An apparatus comprising means for performing a method as claimed in claim 1 .

23. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the source rocks are organic rich rock which have produced or are able to produce hydrocarbons if heated sufficiently.

24. A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate in relation to its hydrocarbon content, comprising:

providing seismic data for a region of the Earth;

analysing the data to determine the presence, thickness, and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the seismic behaviour of hydrocarbon source rocks, wherein the presence of the candidate source rock is determined from

an upper boundary having a fall in acoustic impedance greater than a first threshold value, and/or

a lower boundary having a rise in acoustic impedance greater than a second threshold value;

providing an estimate of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance, the organic content possibly comprising hydrocarbon; and

providing an estimate of the amount and/or distribution, or at least an indication of the presence, of hydrocarbon contained in or held by the candidate source rock from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.

25. A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate in relation to its natural gas content, comprising:

providing seismic data for a region of the Earth;

analysing the data to determine the presence, thickness, and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the seismic behaviour of hydrocarbon source rocks, wherein the presence of the candidate source rock is determined from

an upper boundary having a fall in acoustic impedance greater than a first threshold value, and/or

a lower boundary having a rise in acoustic impedance greater than a second threshold value;

providing an estimate of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance, the organic content possibly comprising natural gas; and

providing an estimate of the amount and/or distribution, or at least an indication of the presence, of natural gas contained in or held by the candidate source rock from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.