--> Interrogating Lithology and Age Data in Sediment Source Terranes for Source-to-Sink and Exploration Applications

AAPG ACE 2018

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Interrogating Lithology and Age Data in Sediment Source Terranes for Source-to-Sink and Exploration Applications

Abstract

Reliable geological maps and mapping tools are essential for accurate source-to-sink modeling and reservoir presence and quality prediction. To better inform clastic reservoir assessment during play and prospect risk evaluation, we developed a set of standardized global maps and clastic sediment provenance tools that integrate data from the “source” and “sink” regions equally. The central technology is a reproducible, GIS-based method that characterizes lithology and age data within mapped catchments, extracts relevant information from the underlying geologic terranes, assesses their potential to produce favorable clastic material for delivery to down-dip reservoirs, and predicts clastic material abundances at catchment outfall points in both modern and ancient time. We balance these forward models with a quantitative, iterative “sink-to-source” approach, founded in system-scaling relationships and basin data, which consists typically of sediment isopach maps, heavy mineral and rare earth elemental abundances, geo-/thermochronological data, and sedimentary petrology. Outputs constrain sediment flux calculations at key reservoir time intervals, aid drainage network mapping, and provide guidance for construction of paleo-topographic, paleo-drainage, and surface geology maps through time.

We leveraged existing geological data sets—drawn from proprietary and public data sources at multiple scales—to develop a baseline set of lithology and age classes with an associated dictionary of terms. To overcome issues with term consistency, geographic boundary effects, and naturally large unique term populations within input classes, we used natural language processing theories to build efficient data management tools, such as automated text translation algorithms, to translate and normalize elements within any spreadsheet-based data format. These proprietary lithology and age classifications are embedded within two foundational map products with self-consistent data and global coverage, Surface Geology and Basement Terranes, which ensure consistent outputs and allow rapid application for streamlined global play and prospect risking. These techniques have been used to characterize several areas of interest for hydrocarbon exploration, including the Cretaceous Equatorial and South Atlantic rift margins.