Tectonic setting
Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps | |
Series | Treatise in Petroleum Geology |
---|---|
Part | Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps |
Chapter | Exploring for structural traps |
Author | R.A. Nelson, T.L. Patton, S. Serra |
Link | Web page |
Store | AAPG Store |
Determining the tectonic setting
The play concept envisioned is determined by the tectonic setting(s) in which the play can be pursued, from a structural as well as source and reservoir perspective. We identify regions with the correct tectonic setting by using the following data sources:
- Published geological studies
- Plate reconstructions and motions
- Tectonic maps
- Paleomagnetic data
- Satellite images
Assessing the area
Once regions with the appropriate tectonic setting are identified, we determine if these areas have the appropriate components to satisfy the requirements established for the play concept. Examples of issues of structure and tectonics which might be addressed include the following:
- Kinematics (e.g., oblique vs. orthogonal convergence)
- Significant changes in kinematics with time (e.g., episodic vs. continuous tectonic events)
- Duration of tectonism
- Major tectonostratigraphic terranes
- Overall complexity of the deformed belt
- Igneous activity
We then examine more closely those regions that meet the play concept criteria to determine if specific structural domains exist within these settings where we can pursue the structural play concept.
See also
- Structural exploration workflow
- Structural domains
- Structural fairway prospectivity
- Structural lead and prospect delineation
- Structural exploration:location selection
- Structural exploration: thrust belt example