Theory of Fluid Potential Energy and Its Appl ication to Hydrocarbon Exploration

This paper introduces the major mathematical models and the acquiring methods to some parameters in potential energy theory, and discusses the important implications of potential energy to hydrocarbon exploration. The potential energy theory can be used to explain the rules about hydrocarbon secondary migration and accumulation quantitatively; to predict hydrocarbon migration pathways clearly; to determine the favorable areas of hydrocarbon accumulation; and to enhance success proportion of drilling notably.