Primary migration of petroleum refers to movements of hydrocarbon within the source rock

and final escape of hydrocarbons (out) of source rock. The exact transportation mechanism or
mechanisms are still unclear, however many scenarios have been suggested which are
explaining (explain) the conditions under which these movements are feasible.
Depth and time are the main parameters in understanding those mechanisms. Movements of
hydrocarbons within and out of source rocks (happen) (are) is happening down below ? the
surface of the earth where physical observation is difficult and over big periods of time,
making uncertainties even bigger.
It is widely accepted that the main (major) factors influencing the primary migration of
hydrocarbons are pressure and temperature, clay types within the source rock, chemistry of
hydrocarbons and water, as well as other compounds present in the source rock.
Even though, primary migration of hydrocarbons is most probably (likely) due to several
transport mechanisms which are happening simultaneously and/or sequentially, depending on
time and stage of burial some of them could be dominant. Consequently, two critical
questions need to be answered, in order to determine the dominant mechanisms of migration
of hydrocarbons: where and when this transport happened. For example, for (quite) relatively
shallow source formations before maturation, solution transportation of hydrocarbons appears
to be preferential. For the same source (shallow) but on a later stage of burial, when
hydrocarbon generation is peaking, pressure seems to be the main mechanism of migration.
However, in deeper source formations, microfractures, which are formed because of excessive
internal pore pressure, is believed to play the major role in hydrocarbon primary migration.
Following the same logic, primary migration of hydrocarbons can be categorized in two main
groups. The first one (contains) is containing all migration mechanisms where migration of
immature hydrocarbons “protopetroleum” is possible and the second group (refers) is
referring to migration mechanisms of matured petroleum. The second group is categorized
then to mechanisms where the petroleum can (be dissolved in the water migrated) migrate
dissolved in water and on the other hand to mechanisms where hydrocarbons are migrating as
a separate phase.
It seems that the first theory, migration of immature hydrocarbons “protopetroleum” is not
strongly plausible. Even though protopetroleum is more soluble in water which can explain
the migration, there is poor evidence that maturation of petroleum can take place while (is?)
in reservoir rocks. In addition, protopetroleum compounds like mixture of acids, ketones and
esters are difficult to observe in source rocks, fact which supports the idea that the majority of
hydrocarbon transportation (occurs) is happening after maturation.
Migration of hydrocarbons dissolve in water is supported by facts (as) like the fact that
methane is soluble in water, presence of micelles, colloidal organic acid soaps can also
elaborate in solubility. Furthermore, increased temperatures, above 150o C, contribute in
solubility of heavier fractions of hydrocarbons in water. Facts working against the above
theories are that the increased temperatures could eventually harm the petroleum and
presences of compounds, which help solubility, need bigger pore throats to migrate. Carbon
dioxide can play a significant role in this theory. Its presence increases pore pressure due to
pore volume decrease due to calcite precipitation. Carbon dioxide can also enhance the ability
of hydrocarbons to move; it lowers the overall weight and viscosity of heavier hydrocarbon
fractions. On the other hand, presence of carbon dioxide can (cause) create many problems to
hydrocarbon migration as well ? (such as) like the fact that calcite precipitation will
practically lower pore volume thus permeability. Another reason why carbon dioxide is not
the main factor of petroleum migration is that carbon dioxide is produced (at) in the early
phase of oil maturation.
The last migration mechanisms, where hydrocarbons are migrating as a separate phase are
supported from two main theories. In case of water wet clays, movement(s) of hydrocarbons
are mainly in globules and only if pore throats are big enough and in presence of
microfractures. The movement(s?) of hydrocarbons (are) is happening in a continuous phase
in case that source rock is oil wet; high concentration of hydrocarbons in source rock is
required for this (process) to happen.
There is no chance that primary migration of hydrocarbons to be explained solitary from one
of the above mechanisms. Most probably, many mechanisms (are) operating simultaneously
and sequentially contribute into the primary migration of hydrocarbons.