About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 83 (1999), No. 6 (June 1999), P. 889-897.

Ghorizon.jpg (5188 bytes)

Petroleum Exploration and Production in Fold and Thrust Belts: Ideas From a Hedberg Research Symposium1

Javier Meneses-Rocha2 and Donald A. Yurewicz3
 

©Copyright 1999.  The American Association of Petroleum Geologists.  All Rights Reserved

1Manuscript received March 26, 1998; revised manuscript received October 12, 1998; final acceptance October 12, 1998.
2Pemex Exploración y Produción, Av. A. Ruiz Cortines No. 1202, Edificio Piramide 6 piso, Villahermosa, Tabasco CP 86030, Mexico.
3Exxon Exploration Company, P.O. Box 4778, Houston, Texas 77210-4778; e-mail: [email protected]

We would like to thank Richard Bishop, Michael Covey, José Sequeira, Richard Chuchla, and Neil Hurley for their thoughtful reviews of this manuscript. 
 

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews ideas presented at the February 1997 Hedberg Research Symposium on petroleum exploration and production in fold and thrust belts, held in Veracruz, Mexico. Exploration in fold-thrust belts has been expanding rapidly due to recent discoveries, improved demand for gas, and improved access to promising areas. At the same time, the methods for exploring in fold-thrust belts and in developing fields have evolved significantly. This was the first AAPG conference to focus on exploration and production within this structural domain. This conference brought together geologists and geophysicists from around the world who are actively working in fold-thrust belts to share their experiences and to address a broad range of exploration and production concerns. Symposium topics included hydrocarbon generation, migration, entrapment and preservation, exploration methods and strategies, field development, and data acquisition. Numerous case studies were presented illustrating these topics.

Although exploration and production in fold-thrust belts must address many of the same issues as in other structural plays, there are additional challenges. Fold and thrust belts, for example, are characterized by complex trap geometry; a complex burial and thermal history; a narrow time line between the onset of petroleum generation, migration, and trap development; and a complex history of fill and spill. Other challenges can include difficult terrain, poor seismic quality, high cost of field operations, environmental constraints, and drilling problems related to active tectonic stress regimes. Success in this setting requires efficient application of all available tools to mitigate risk and costs, but given the complex geology and relatively poor imageability, explorationists must be willing to persist in the face of initial failures. The conference offered many illustrations of successful exploration and development programs to encourage geologists and geophysicists working in this setting. 

Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24

AAPG Member?

Please login with your Member username and password.

Members of AAPG receive access to the full AAPG Bulletin Archives as part of their membership. For more information, contact the AAPG Membership Department at [email protected].