DEEP WATER HYBRID TURBIDITE CONTOURITE SYSTEMS HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL

The interaction of drift (or coast parallel bottom currents) and turbidite (or gravity) processes has only been recently recognized. The resulting mixed/hybrid turbiditic-contouritic systems are therefore just beginning to be understood. These are deep water depositional systems located in relatively frontier basins where modern 2D seismic is proving to be an essential tool in their identification and hydrocarbon potential evaluation, which must include a full petroleum systems review. This study focuses on recognizing and evaluating these mixed systems on seismic data using several examples from a comprehensive global long offset 2D seismic dataset. The huge potential already proven offshore Mozambique and Sergipe indicates that this depositional system should be a main target in deep water exploration. The Argentina Basin has strong indications of a significant accumulation offering a very attractive opportunity in the ongoing licence round.