Earth Systems Modelling in the Predictive Mapping of Source Rock Environments: The Application of Organic Matter Productivity and Anoxia/Dysoxia Preservation Models for the Greater Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean

Abstract

Abstract

The complex Mesozoic – Cenozoic geohistory of the Greater Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean was accompanied by wholescale variations in palaeoclimate that represent the main controls on stratigraphy and resource potential. Palaeogeographic mapping underpinned by a comprehensive global data base of control points was used to make digital elevation models (DEMs). The DEMs have been coupled with a palaeo-Earth systems model (UK Met Office HadCM3 GCM) and a palaeotide model (Imperial College, UK, ICOM) to define this geohistory and provide quantitative palaeoenvironmental information. Given the complexities of the regional geohistory the distribution of source rocks and the lateral variation in source quality are significant uncertainties for exploration. To map source rock environments and to assess source rock risk a global scale predictive model of organic matter productivity, dilution and preservation has been developed. This model defines source facies depositional space for a broad range of marine source rock environments and has been successfully applied and tested for a series of Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic time slices. Now this approach has been extended to model regional detail and a new anoxia/dysoxia model of organic matter preservation has also been developed. This approach is applied to the Greater Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean in the context of the regions evolving palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic geohistory.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90260 © 2016 AAPG/SEG International Conference & Exhibition, Cancun, Mexico, September 6-9, 2016