Future Exploration Potential Associated with Glaciogenic Carboniferous Series in the Bolivian Subandean Chaco Foreland System

Abstract

The glaciogenic Carboniferous series (e.g. Machareti and Mandiyuti Groups) of the Bolivian SubAndean Foreland Basin are known to host significant hydrocarbon resources and are therefore considered a relative mature play. Through the completion of a regional and integrated surface/subsurface G&G study, including sedimentological and allostratigraphic analysis, the intimate stratigraphic architecture of these sedimentary units has been partially resolved at a basin scale. The results allow to distinguish an extremely strong intrinsic architectural complexity relying on the glaciogenic nature of deposits as well as the occurrences of numerous undrilled stratigraphic traps (e.g. sand-filled glacial valleys) and subsequent remaining exploration leads. Using outcrop and subsurface analogs, a dedicated geoscientific investigation workflow, the distinctive types of plays/leads were revealed. We will discuss the leads and associated risks, attempting to better address remaining and/or future exploration potential for the Carboniferous Series of Bolivian Subandean Foreland area.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90326 © 2018 AAPG Latin America & Caribbean Region, Optimizing Exploration and Development in Thrust Belts and Foreland Basins. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, June 6-8, 2018