Changes

  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps

  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps

  | chapter = Exploring for structural traps

  | chapter = Exploring for structural traps

  | frompg  = 20-1

  | frompg  = 20-5

  | topg    = 20-70

  | topg    = 20-6

  | author  = R.A. Nelson, T.L. Patton, S. Serra

  | author  = R.A. Nelson, T.L. Patton, S. Serra

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch20/ch20.htm

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch20/ch20.htm

Four basic tools must be put together in a structural play or prospect, regardless of local structural style, level of structural complexity, or exploration maturity:

Four basic tools must be put together in a structural play or prospect, regardless of local structural style, level of structural complexity, or exploration maturity:

* A structure contour map on top of the reservoir.

* A structure [[contour]] map on top of the reservoir.

* An isopach map of the target reservoir—especially important if the reservoir displays significant stratigraphic thickness variation or has behaved in a [[Ductility|ductile]] or compactive manner during [[deformation]].

* An [[Subsurface_maps#Isopach|isopach map]] of the target reservoir—especially important if the reservoir displays significant stratigraphic thickness variation or has behaved in a [[Ductility|ductile]] or compactive manner during [[deformation]].

* Two or more structural [[cross section]]s incorporating all surface and subsurface control (wells and seismic) projected into the line of section in both the strike and dip directions.

* Two or more structural [[cross section]]s incorporating all surface and subsurface control (wells and [[seismic data]]) projected into the line of section in both the [[strike]] and [[dip]] directions.

* Fault-surface maps (structural contours on the fault plane), made for all faults critical to closure at the top of the reservoir.

* [[Fault plane profile construction|Fault-surface maps]] (structural contours on the fault plane), made for all faults critical to closure at the top of the reservoir.

==Guidelines for making maps and sections==

==Guidelines for making maps and sections==

Follow these guidelines when making maps and [[cross section]]s of a structural play.

Follow these guidelines when making maps and [[cross section]]s of a structural play.

[[file:exploring-for-structural-traps_fig20-1.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|1}}See text for explanation.]]

[[file:exploring-for-structural-traps_fig20-1.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|1}}schematic representing how to integrate different maps and cross sections in a structural geology play.]]

* Construct maps using interpretive, not mechanical, mapping techniques.

* Construct maps using interpretive, not mechanical, mapping techniques.

* Use a 1:1 vertical to horizontal scale for sections. If this is impractical, construct sections with as little vertical exaggeration as possible to minimize distorting the true shape of the structures.

* Use a 1:1 vertical to horizontal scale for sections. If this is impractical, construct sections with as little vertical exaggeration as possible to minimize distorting the true shape of the structures.

* For control, project wells into sections parallel to the structural contours.

* For control, project wells into sections parallel to the structural contours.

* Check sections for geometric feasibility (i.e., balanced or restored) where appropriate.

* Check sections for geometric feasibility (i.e., [[Balanced cross sections|balanced]] or [[Understanding_the_geology_of_a_structural_play#Timing_structural_development|restored]]) where appropriate.

* Integrate the contours of reservoir tops and fault surfaces to honor vertical separation along faults.

* Integrate the contours of reservoir tops and fault surfaces to honor vertical separation along faults.

* Depict “known” vs. “inferred” or interpreted geometry on sections and maps. Display the relative subjective quality of interpreted geometry (low, medium, high). As shown in Figure 19-1, displaying the data in this manner allows the viewer to know where it is well and poorly constrained.

* Depict “known” vs. “inferred” or interpreted geometry on sections and maps. Display the relative subjective quality of interpreted geometry (low, medium, high). As shown in Figure 19-1, displaying the data in this manner allows the viewer to know where it is well and poorly constrained.

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Understanding the geology of a structural play]]

* [[Structural play geology]]

* [[Selling a structural play]]

* [[Selling a structural play]]

* [[Cross section]]

* [[Cross section]]

[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  

[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  

[[Category:Exploring for structural traps]]

[[Category:Exploring for structural traps]]