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  = 20-45

  | topg    = 20-70

  | topg    = 20-45

  | 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

==Definition==

==Definition==

Certain structural domains or specific portions of those domains provide the greatest opportunities for exploration success. Those areas are called '''prospective structural fairways'''. In a prospective structural fairway, the structural history, trap configuration, and major elements of the hydrocarbon system combine to present a likely scenario for an economic accumulation of hydrocarbons.

Certain [[structural domains]] or specific portions of those domains provide the greatest opportunities for exploration success. Those areas are called '''prospective structural fairways'''. In a prospective structural fairway, the structural history, [[trap]] configuration, and major elements of the hydrocarbon system combine to present a likely scenario for an economic [[accumulation]] of hydrocarbons.

Important considerations in identifying a prospective structural fairway are as follows:

Important considerations in identifying a prospective structural fairway are as follows:

* Structural style

* Structural style

* Tectonic overburden or denudation

* Tectonic [[overburden]] or denudation

* Trap evolution and timing

* Trap evolution and timing

* Presence of source and reservoir facies

* Presence of [[Source rock|source]] and reservoir facies

* Timing of hydrocarbon generation and migration

* Timing of [[Petroleum generation|hydrocarbon generation]] and [[migration]]

==Assessing fairway prospectivity==

==Assessing fairway prospectivity==

The above considerations and their interdependencies, along with the following data sources, help us assess which structural fairways might be prospective:

The above considerations and their interdependencies, along with the following data sources, help us assess which structural fairways might be prospective:

* Regional geologic data (tops, sections, maps)

* Regional geologic data (tops, [[cross section]]s, maps)

* Natural and productive analogs of structures

* Natural and productive analogs of structures

* Reconnaissance [[seismic data]]

* Reconnaissance [[seismic data]]

* Fabric analysis

* Fabric analysis

* Tectonic subsidence analysis

* Tectonic subsidence analysis

* Surveys for remote detection of hydrocarbons

* Surveys for [[Remote sensing|remote detection]] of hydrocarbons

If the structural fairway has most, if not all, of the major components needed for a viable hydrocarbon system, the next step is to identify structural leads and convert these to prospects.

If the structural fairway has most, if not all, of the major components needed for a viable hydrocarbon system, the next step is to identify structural leads and convert these to prospects.

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Workflow to find a prospect]]

* [[Structural exploration workflow]]

* [[Schematic overview]]

* [[Tectonic setting]]

* [[Tectonic setting]]

* [[Structural domains]]

* [[Structural domains]]

* [[Lead/Prospect delineation]]

* [[Structural lead and prospect delineation]]

* [[Location selection]]

* [[Structural exploration:location selection]]

* [[Thrust belt example]]

* [[Structural maps and cross sections]]

* [[Structural exploration: thrust belt example]]

==External links==

==External links==

[[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]]