Exploration within the Sub-Andean Thrust Belt of Southern Bolivia

Conference · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:6067256

Nelson, K J ^[1]

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1. Chevron International Limited Exploration Staff, Santa Cruz (Bolivia)

The Sub-Andean thrust belt of Southern Bolivia is a proven hydrocarbon province. Chevron began a regional study of the area in 1988 and chose the Caipipendi block due to its high potential for significant new oil reserves. A regional work program designed to acquire and integrate seismic data, geologic field data, geochemistry, and gravity data was used to generated structural models, evaluate regional risk components and to detail leads. The structural style within the Caipipendi block is interpreted as being an in sequence, thin skinned thrust belt with eastward verging folds and thrust faults. Tight surface anticlines associated with a Middle Devonian detachment have been later folded by deeper fault bend folds associated with the Silurian detachment. While the tight surface folds are presently producing oil, the deeper broader structures associated with the Silurian detachement have not been tested. Seismic data, utilized for the first time in this part of the Sub-Andean thrust belt, integrated with balanced structural cross sections, is the key to evaluating this new play. Geochemical analysis, including oil biomarker work, indicate that the oils are sourced from the Silurian-Devonian sequence. A generative oil system model formulated by integrating the geochemical analysis with maturation modeling indicates that the Devonian Los Monos formation is the primary oil source. Anticipated reservoirs for the new play are Carboniferous and Devonian sandstones which are also productive elsewhere in the basin.

• OSTI ID: 6067256
• Report Number(s): CONF-930306--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 77:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ANTICLINES
BOLIVIA
CHEMISTRY
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DEVONIAN PERIOD
EVALUATION
EXPLORATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
GEOLOGY
HYDROCARBONS
LATIN AMERICA
MATURATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PALEOZOIC ERA
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
RESERVES
RESOURCES
RISK ASSESSMENT
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SOURCE ROCKS
SOUTH AMERICA
STRUCTURAL MODELS