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Title: Thermal and compaction processes in a young rifted basin containing evaporites: Gulf of Lions, France

Abstract

The Gulf of Lions (northwestern Mediterranean) is a young Oligocene-Miocene rifted basin characterized by the presence of a thick evaporitic sequence. Observed data (surface heat flow, well temperatures, geopressures below the evaporites, crustal thinning) are used to model (1) the basin-forming mechanisms, and (2) the intrasedimentary processes that influence the temperature history, and thus, the maturation of source rocks. A two-dimensional finite-difference basin model, Temispack, simulates the sedimentation, compaction, and overpressures related to the low permeability of the post-rift sequence, the heat transfer from the rifted lithosphere into the sediments, and the level or maturation by using a kinetic approach. The classic passive margin model, which relates the history of heat flow and the rate of subsidence to a uniform thinning factor, yields subsidence and heat flow predictions that agree with observations. The recently accelerated subsidence observed in the deep margin is probably an effect of recent regional compression rather than the consequence of alternative rifting mechanisms. The history of maturation of organic matter was influenced by the variation of the regional heat flow due to the rifting, the effect of sedimentation (or blanketing), and the variability of the lithologies and porosities. The undercompaction of sediments underlying the evaporites ismore » accounted for by the model, which suggests that hydraulic fracturing is taking place at present in the overpressured sediments. Fluid flow associated with the compaction disequilibrium has negligible thermal effect. Undercompacted shales below the evaporites have lower thermal diffusivity and thus higher temperatures, which has a significant effect on maturation. 15 figs., 4 tabs.« less

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Institut Francais du Petrole, Rueil-Malmaison (France)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5921715
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 74:9; Journal ID: ISSN 0149-1423
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
58 GEOSCIENCES; FRANCE; PETROLEUM DEPOSITS; SEDIMENTARY BASINS; SOURCE ROCKS; MATURATION; FLUID FLOW; GEOLOGIC MODELS; LITHOLOGY; POROSITY; RIFT ZONES; TECTONICS; EUROPE; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES; MINERAL RESOURCES; RESOURCES; WESTERN EUROPE; 580000* - Geosciences

Citation Formats

Burrus, J, and Audebert, F. Thermal and compaction processes in a young rifted basin containing evaporites: Gulf of Lions, France. United States: N. p., 1990. Web.
Burrus, J, & Audebert, F. Thermal and compaction processes in a young rifted basin containing evaporites: Gulf of Lions, France. United States.
Burrus, J, and Audebert, F. 1990. "Thermal and compaction processes in a young rifted basin containing evaporites: Gulf of Lions, France". United States.
@article{osti_5921715,
title = {Thermal and compaction processes in a young rifted basin containing evaporites: Gulf of Lions, France},
author = {Burrus, J and Audebert, F},
abstractNote = {The Gulf of Lions (northwestern Mediterranean) is a young Oligocene-Miocene rifted basin characterized by the presence of a thick evaporitic sequence. Observed data (surface heat flow, well temperatures, geopressures below the evaporites, crustal thinning) are used to model (1) the basin-forming mechanisms, and (2) the intrasedimentary processes that influence the temperature history, and thus, the maturation of source rocks. A two-dimensional finite-difference basin model, Temispack, simulates the sedimentation, compaction, and overpressures related to the low permeability of the post-rift sequence, the heat transfer from the rifted lithosphere into the sediments, and the level or maturation by using a kinetic approach. The classic passive margin model, which relates the history of heat flow and the rate of subsidence to a uniform thinning factor, yields subsidence and heat flow predictions that agree with observations. The recently accelerated subsidence observed in the deep margin is probably an effect of recent regional compression rather than the consequence of alternative rifting mechanisms. The history of maturation of organic matter was influenced by the variation of the regional heat flow due to the rifting, the effect of sedimentation (or blanketing), and the variability of the lithologies and porosities. The undercompaction of sediments underlying the evaporites is accounted for by the model, which suggests that hydraulic fracturing is taking place at present in the overpressured sediments. Fluid flow associated with the compaction disequilibrium has negligible thermal effect. Undercompacted shales below the evaporites have lower thermal diffusivity and thus higher temperatures, which has a significant effect on maturation. 15 figs., 4 tabs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5921715}, journal = {AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)},
issn = {0149-1423},
number = ,
volume = 74:9,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990},
month = {Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990}
}