Changes

Understanding the underlying geology of sedimentary basins is often hindered by the existence of complex structures and/or lack of data, leading to highly uncertain models, and thus exploration/operational difficulties. For that, subsurface dynamic structural models are critical for constructing an understanding of the structural evolution of a basin of interest. For instance, tectonic controls such as faults and subsidence/uplift play a significant role in altering the subsurface geology, impacting petroleum system elements such as reservoir distribution and source rock burial depth. Dynamic restoration models as such can aid the understanding of petroleum systems processes, including hydrocarbon maturation, expulsion, migration and accumulation, and potentially present-day location of hydrocarbon fields.‎<ref name=Neumaier_2016>Neumaier, M. (2016). Structural Restoration and Basin and Petroleum Systems Modeling: Case Studies from the Monagas Fold and Thrust Belt, Venezuela and the Moroccan Atlantic Margin (Doctoral dissertation, Universitätsbibliothek der RWTH Aachen).</ref> Structural balancing and restoration combined make a good tool that can be used to validate structural models and predict untapped locations with more confidence in a geologically plausible manner.

Understanding the underlying geology of sedimentary basins is often hindered by the existence of complex structures and/or lack of data, leading to highly uncertain models, and thus exploration/operational difficulties. For that, subsurface dynamic structural models are critical for constructing an understanding of the structural evolution of a basin of interest. For instance, tectonic controls such as faults and subsidence/uplift play a significant role in altering the subsurface geology, impacting petroleum system elements such as reservoir distribution and source rock burial depth. Dynamic restoration models as such can aid the understanding of petroleum systems processes, including hydrocarbon maturation, expulsion, migration and accumulation, and potentially present-day location of hydrocarbon fields.‎<ref name=Neumaier_2016>Neumaier, M. (2016). Structural Restoration and Basin and Petroleum Systems Modeling: Case Studies from the Monagas Fold and Thrust Belt, Venezuela and the Moroccan Atlantic Margin (Doctoral dissertation, Universitätsbibliothek der RWTH Aachen).</ref> Structural balancing and restoration combined make a good tool that can be used to validate structural models and predict untapped locations with more confidence in a geologically plausible manner.

[[file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure1.jpg|thumb|300px|{{figure number|1}}3D restoration conducted on a faulted and folded layer (Sub-Andean Zone, Bolivia), showing a) the deformed state and b) the restored state. c) Distribution of maximum principal stress that resulted from the deformation in a.‎<ref name=Morettietal_2006>Moretti, I., F. Lepage, and M. Guiton, 2006, KINE3D: A new 3D restoration method based on a mixed approach linking geometry and geomechanics: Oil & Gas Science and Technology, v. 61. no. 2, p. 277-289.</ref>]]

[[file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure1.jpg|center|framed|{{figure number|1}}3D restoration conducted on a faulted and folded layer (Sub-Andean Zone, Bolivia), showing a) the deformed state and b) the restored state. c) Distribution of maximum principal stress that resulted from the deformation in a.‎<ref name=Morettietal_2006>Moretti, I., F. Lepage, and M. Guiton, 2006, KINE3D: A new 3D restoration method based on a mixed approach linking geometry and geomechanics: Oil & Gas Science and Technology, v. 61. no. 2, p. 277-289.</ref>]]

Structural restoration can be conducted in 2D and 3D models. As 3D applications help to quantify spatial distribution of deformation, 2D balancing and restoration can be used to validate interpretation at parts of the volume of interest, which can be edited before committing to the 3D workflow ([[:file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure1.jpg|Figure 1]]).  

Structural restoration can be conducted in 2D and 3D models. As 3D applications help to quantify spatial distribution of deformation, 2D balancing and restoration can be used to validate interpretation at parts of the volume of interest, which can be edited before committing to the 3D workflow ([[:file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure1.jpg|Figure 1]]).