Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.6, No.1, pp.89-94, 1983

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

CHANCO FORMATION, A POTENTIAL CRETACEOUS RESERVOIR,
CENTRAL CHILE

Giovanni Cecioni*

* Professor of Petroleum Geology, University of Chile, Santiago, Casilla 13518, Correo 21.

Abstract

The Chancoembayment lies 300 km SSW of Santiago, Chile. The sequence within this basin above the metamorphic basement is: Chanco Formation (very clean sandstone), Quiriquina Formation (glauconitic sandstone, rich in organic matter), and Navidad Group (a very good caprock). This section thus contains reservoir, source and caprocks, and is therefore verypromisingfor petroleum investigations. The offshore C-1 well yielded salt- water with gas shows, and two wells drilled onshore yielded flows of gas. The C-1 well lies on a gently-dipping EW-striking anticlinal structure, the presence of which makes the area very prospective.