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Integrating Structural Restorations into Basin and Petroleum System Modeling: A Study from the Gulf of Mexico
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 81st EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2019, Jun 2019, Volume 2019, p.1 - 5
Abstract
This study documents the importance of incorporating sequential structural restorations when constructing basin and petroleum system models across structures characterized by significant lateral stratigraphic translation. The results of the study show that constructing a basin model using only vertical backstripping across a structure, which laterally displaces stratigraphic layers produces a markedly different layer paleogeometry compared to a model incorporating sequential kinematic structural restoration. The paleogeometry obtained through pure vertical backstripping does not accurately represent the evolution of the basin because it does not show progressive lateral slip and rotation of bedding during structural evolution. Differences between these two methods of constructing paleogeometry translate into differences in simulated pressure and thermal history. The differences in thermal history can be significant when studying the maturation of a source horizon and the corresponding evolution of the petroleum system. The results emphasize the need to incorporate sequential structural restorations into basin and petroleum system modeling to properly simulate pressure and thermal history in the vicinity of structures associated with significant lateral displacement of stratigraphic layers.