Timing Relationships of Mesozoic Petroleum Systems in the North-Western Neuquén Basin, Argentina

Based on 1D and 2D basin modelling a reconstruction of the evolution of the existing petroleum systems in the north-western Neuquén Basin (NQB) could be established. We identify two, geographically disconnected, but aerially extensive and active source pods in the area. The presence and Extension of These source kitchens determines the possibility of hydrocarbon charge of conventional Reservoirs in the study area, the key eExploration risk defined in the area, apart from trap integrity due to tectonic structuration. One, western kitchen, is located sub-thrust part of the outer thrust belt, most likely active till present day and interpreted as the result of thrust tectonics within the Jurassic and Cretaceous sediment pile. The eastern source kitchen is a result of renewed burial in front of thick-skin uplift blocks and bound to adjacent synclinal depressions (frontal synclines) with Miocene and younger basin fill, as represented in the study area. The existence and significant geographical extension of active source pods within the fold belt sheds new light on the understanding of the petroleum system risk assessment in the north-western NQB and provides guidance for exploration concepts in the fold-and-thrust belt.