Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 383-396, 1993

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

GEOLOGY AND HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL
OF THE NEUQUEN BASIN

S. L. Hogg*

* Cullen Valdez Rojas & Assoc., Talcahuano 778 p. 7, 1013 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Abstract

The Neuquen Basin in western Argentina offers a variety of attractive hydrocarbon plays in both the Jurassic and Cretaceous sequences. Exploration to date has proved hydrocarbon reserves of 800 million cu.m oil-equivalent, 60% of which are gas. These reserves have been found mainly in relatively small structures along the stable platform area, where good reservoir-quality sandstones and carbonates are present. In the western thrust-belt, large structures remain untested, however, reservoir quality in this area is a problem. The exploration dilemma is therefore, whether to search for "elephants", with a high risk of finding adequate reservoirs, or be satisfied with the less risky but smaller rewards associated with foreland traps.