GETECH

AFRICAN BASINS COVERED: Anambra Niger Delta Cameroon Rio Muni Gabon North Congo Lower Congo Kwanza Namibe Walvis Luderitz Orange Outeniqua

SOUTH AMERICAN BASINS COVERED: Potiguar Sergipe-Alagoas Tucano Reconcavo Alamada Camamu Jequitinhonha Cumuruxatiba Espirito Santo Campos Santos Pelotas Salado Colorado Valdez Rawson San Jorge San Julian Magallanes Malvinas North Falklands South Falklands

Project Rationale and Objectives

The study builds on GETECH's unique global gravity and magnetic data to underpin a re-evaluation of the structural development of the conjugate margins of the South Atlantic and implications for the opening history. This forms the basis for mapping ten critical palaeogeographic and palaeolandscape timeslice reconstructions. Aided by an analysis of the modern day drainage, the study reviews the landscape evolution and likely effects on sediment dispersal. It also contains a review of the geochemical literature, new geochemical modelling, a synthesis of the stratigraphic framework and palaeoclimatology and palaeoceanography. All these have been used to generate new insights into the petroleum systems of the South Atlantic margins.

Some critical issues addressed in the study include:

Timing and nature of the opening of the South Atlantic and its influence on lacustrine source rock deposition, marine incursions, and clastic supply from adjacent hinterlands. The extent of salt deposition to understand its influence on later structural development (trap formation, migration pathways).

Importance of hinterland changes in the Late Cretaceous for supplying clastics to the West African margins.

 

Deliverables

The studies are delivered as:

• Multivolume A3 reports with accompanying A0 enclosures (hardcopy and pdf)
• GIS projects (ArcGIS 9x)

Reports

Executive Summary and Introduction

Geophysical Interpretation

• Images of the gravity and magnetic data to illustrate key features
• Ten regional 2D modelled gravity profiles across the principal basins
• Depth-to-basement case study for the Santos Basin

Tectonic and Structural Framework

• Structural interpretation of the gravity data
• Re-evaluation and the testing of published structures
• Mapping of Precambrian structural fabric

Plate Modelling

• Plate tectonic modelling and review of opening history of the South Atlantic

Stratigraphic Framework

Petroleum Geochemistry

• Source rock characterisation and evaluation
• Burial history modelling
• Correlation of available source rock and oil data

Palaeoclimatology and Palaeoceanography

Drainage and Landscape Analysis

Palaeogeography and Palaeolandscape

• Ten palaeogeographic reconstructions (maps of rotated data locating palaeoenvironments, tectonophysiographic terrains and lithologies)
• Palaeoelevation interpretation and derived palaeo-digital elevation models
• Palaeodrainage reconstruction (including drainage basin geometry and evolution through time)

Petroleum Systems Identification and Evaluation

Key Exploration Issues

Conclusion, References and Appendices

Ten A0 Enclosures

 

 

GIS Project

A series of .mxds illustrating:

Potential Field Data

• Gravity data and derivatives

Structural Framework

• Structures, tectonic boundaries and Precambrian structural framework

Palaeogeographies

A series of maps: Palaeoenvironments and tectonophysiographic terranes Palaeotopography PalaeoDEM (digital elevation model) Palaeodrainage

For each of ten timeslices: Tithonian Berriasian Barremian Aptian Cenomanian Campanian Maastrictian Early Eocene Late Oligocene Middle Miocene

Modern Day Drainage

• Landscape analysis grids and shape files

These non-exclusive studies are licensed to companies under GETECH's standard Licensing Agreement