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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
Houston Geological Society Bulletin
Abstract
Abstract: Worldwide Basin Classification
and Oil Play Prediction
By
A system is proposed which classifies sedimentary basins
worldwide into specific, as well
as general, categories. The
system is based on the origin and evolution of basins in the
context of their geologic history. The main elements used to
classify basins are basin-forming tectonics, depositional
cycles, and basin-modifying tectonics. Basin-forming tectonics
are deduced by knowledge of the type of underlying
crust, past plate tectonic history, basin location on the plate,
and type of primary structural movement involved in the basin
formation - such as sagging or faulting. The result is eight
single tectonic-cycle or simple basin
types
that are termed
interior sag, margin sag, interior fracture, wrench, trench,
trench associated, oceanic sag, and oceanic wrench.
Basin modifying tectonics include episode wrenches,
basin-adjacent foldbelts, and completely folded basins. These
have been identified and placed on a scale of increasing
magnitude, from movements of slight to major structural
efforts. More complex basins may contain several different
tectonic cycles, plus basin-modifying tectonic events. These
are called polyhistory basins. The eight simple basin types
,
their depositional fills, and tectonic modifiers have been given
letter and number symbols so that the specific geologic history
of each basin may be written as a formula. These formulas may
then be compared between basins, and similarities or differences
noted.
After the basins have been classified, major hydrocarbon
plays are located and the specific parameters that are responsible
for these plays are noted. For example, certain types
of
basins may commonly be the site of rich source rock or clean
reservoir sand deposition, or to contain block fault or wrench
type structures. From producing basins, these oil play parameters
may be projected into frontier areas via the global basin
classification system, and the oil play predictions made.
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