Classifying traps
| Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps | |
| |
| Series | Treatise in Petroleum Geology |
|---|---|
| Part | Traps, trap types, and the petroleum system |
| Chapter | Classification of exploration traps |
| Author | Richard R. Vincelette, Edward A. Beaumont, Norman H. Foster |
| Link | Web page |
| Store | AAPG Store |
Classification flexibility
The common occurrence of combination traps, which involve many different types and varieties of trapping elements, requires a scheme that allows for such variations. Consequently, a classification scheme such as that used to organize a stamp or coin collection might be more useful, especially one in which a variety of flexible methods of organization can be used.
For example, stamps can be organized or classified in many different ways: stamps from one country, stamps from all countries for a certain period, stamps from different countries with similar themes or colors, etc. Depending upon the needs of the stamp collector, the ability to search through a stamp classification scheme and pick out whatever combination of stamps is desirable would be a powerful research tool. In a similar manner, a flexible trap classification scheme should allow for different methods of classifying and cataloging hydrocarbon traps, depending upon the needs of the investigator. The intent is that the proposed classification scheme allows for such flexibility.
Classification levels
The proposed classification scheme places traps into four ranked levels, from general to specific:
- System
<list-item><label>2.</label>Regime
<list-item><label>3.</label>Class (Superclass if necessary)
<list-item><label>a.</label>Subclass</list-item><list-item><label>b.</label>Style (if necessary)
<list-item><label>4.</label>Family (Superfamily if necessary)
<list-item><label>a.</label>Subfamily</list-item><list-item><label>b.</label>Variety (if necessary)</list-item></list-item></list-item></list-item></list-item>
Basis for each level
Most of the levels and sublevels (outlined above) are necessary to adequately describe, in the classification scheme, all of the different elements that characterize a trap. Each level has its own unique basis for classification. Trap systems are based on the controlling geologic elements that created the traps, trap regimes are based on the geologic processes that caused the traps in each system, traps classes are based on the geometry and composition of the traps within the trap regimes, and trap families are based on the genesis or origin of the traps within the trap classes.
See also
- Classification philosophy
- What is a trap?
- Classification basis
- Trap systems: structural, stratigraphic, and fluidic
- Trap classification levels
External links
| find literature about Classifying traps |
|
|
|
|