Print this pageLow Cost Techniques for Selecting Areas for Detailed Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Sparsely Drilled Parts of a Basin
SHARMA, B., M. SZPAKIEWICZ, T. K. REEVES, G. GUO, S. GEORGE, and R. LINDSEY
Low cost techniques were developed and tested to identify areas for detailed exploration with high-resolution seismic in the sparsely drilled parts of the Black Mesa basin in NE Arizona. Limited seismic data indicates that structures in prospective Lower Paleozoic formations at the Black Mesa closely follow the basement topography. A combination of residual gravity, aeromagnetic and Landsat data has been effective in mapping the basement surface, tectonic features, and igneous bodies. Gravity and magnetic model studies along profiles crossing both the drilled and the undrilled parts of the basin provided realistic models of structure and tectonics in areas with sparse data. Extrapolation of cross-sections from limited core and log data suggest target environments of deposition, where good structural and stratigraphic traps, including pinchouts, are likely to be present Geophysical and Landsat data indicate the presence of two significant fracture trends in the study area, both of which, are associated with oil accumulations elsewhere in the Colorado Plateau area.
Areas with thick sediment accumulations were identified where the potential for hydrocarbon generation is high, based on the prevailing geothermal gradient and source rock characteristics. Basin margin targets with a potential for biohermal reef development were delineated.
The target areas await further investigation with high-resolution seismic surveys.