Print this pageKinematic Reconstitution and Tectono-Sedimentation Associated to Salt Domes in Deepwater of Santos Basin, Brazil
This work presents a new methodology for structural reconstitution and kinematic evolution of salt domes during the opening stages and growth of a passive margin in the Santos Basin. The traditional restoration method for the evolution of salt bodies uses softwares and a 3D database. Using 2D seismic data and adapting/improving methodologies published in the oil industry literature, we developed a methodology based on the observation of the stratal geometric patterns of sedimentary packages associated to the salt bodies such as tabular forms (straight parallel reflectors, pre- or post-tectonic sedimentary sequences), or dish/bowl forms (with very distinct depocenters and thinned margins with fanning of dips, syn-tectonic/halokinetic sedimentary sequences), and on the determination/mapping of growth axes and thinning axes in halokinetic strata. Horizontal and vertical reconstitutions of the salt flow (inflation, deflation and horizontal flow) were deduced based on isopach and axes maps and flattened sections at the time of deposition of each associated sedimentary sequence. The resulting maps and reconstitutions obtained presented an amazing correlation with the current patterns mapped in the study area. The interpreted tectonic phases of halokinetic evolution, deduced from the produced maps and reconstitutions, showed a good agreement with the regional events that affected the Santos Basin and adjoining basement. Based on those results, we believe that the application of this methodology provides an important contribution for the oil exploration industry, considering that it presents outstanding results based on 2D seismic data. It allows an understanding of the structural and kinematic evolution of the salt bodies and of the halokinetic sequences associated, with important implications on the modeling of petroleum systems, thus, reducing the risk of exploration prospects.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90100©2009 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition 15-18 November 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil