--> ABSTRACT: Exploration Matrix Evaluation of Sedimentary Basins of Colombia, by W. H. Kanes and R. Bueno; #91022 (1989)

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Exploration Matrix Evaluation of Sedimentary Basins of Colombia

W. H. Kanes, R. Bueno

The sedimentary basins of Colombia are evaluated for the following five exploration criteria: (1) source rock potential, including total organic carbon, Rock-Eval analysis, and kerogen types; (2) seals, with specific units and lithologies designated in each basin; (3) reservoir characteristics, with stress laid on porosity and permeability fairways developed in the various types of clastic depositional systems; (4) traps, whether structural or stratigraphic, and the most probable routes of hydrocarbon migration; and (5) timing, which also examines the interrelationship between maturation and expulsion of hydrocarbon and the formation of the structural or stratigraphic trap and seal.

The exploration matrix is based on delineating the play concepts (up to five) for each sedimentary basin. These play concepts are based on a linear scale based on the probability of future or potential discoveries. All data for the analyses were provided by Ecopetrol and were subjectively weighed only where the number of wells in the basin was low in contrast to the basin area (< 1:100 km2) and there was no history of production.

Basins were ranked from poor (category 1) to excellent (category 5). Not surprisingly, the Llanos, Middle Magdalena, and Upper Magdalena basins were category 5. However, even those basins that could be considered underexplored received a rating of category 3 or above if the anoxic Upper Cretaceous shales (La Luna or Villeta, etc) were present. This outstanding source rock had a most pronounced effect, in general, of upgrading all sedimentary basins where it was present. Logistical and infrastructural problems affected only the Amazonas basin and local areas in the onshore Choco-Pacifico basin. No basins ranked category 1.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91022©1989 AAPG Annual Convention, April 23-26, 1989, San Antonio, Texas.