A core technology in hydrocarbon exploration and risk assessment investigation is 3D Petroleum System Basin Modeling. It usually integrates well data, structural depth maps, lithological facies maps, rock properties and geochemical data. Specific studies, in which large uncertainties are involved, necessitate multiple runs designed carefully to obtain appropriate surface response and risk probabilities of the accumulations of the main prospects. Other specific studies are of pre salt prospects in which the heat flow evolution is important to be well constrained by a Crustal Heat Flow tool. In complex tectonic settings, where it is difficult to predict the heat flow variation through time, the bottom heat flow condition can be derived by optimization tools like Crustal Heat Flow Calibration and PetroFits. The situations where it is important to distinguish whether a prospect is filled with oil or gas can be appropriately assessed by a 3D geochemical compositional modeling coupled with flash tools. We are able to track which source rocks and depocenters contributed to the filling history of each hydrocarbon accumulation.

All available data are taken into account into a framework to be quantified by a 3D petroleum system simulation that generates the main parameters for geologically controlled exploratory risk evaluation of all leads mapped in the study areas. Generation timing and a Biodegradation risk assessment are also calculated.

The results are interpreted in a petroleum systems context to define the active petroleum systems. The results provide clients with a 3D assessment of hydrocarbon migration over geologic time, an initial first pass look at specific accumulation properties. All data is presented in a special database with all maps integrated in GIS format in order to facilitate an understanding of the petroleum systems identified.