Structural style on southern flank of Merida Andes, Venezuela
- Corpoven S.A., Caracas (Venezuela)
The Merida Andes exhibit the most complex tectonics in western Venezuela. By studying the different ages and regional distribution of rocks, we can describe some tectonic features which are of interest to oil exploration in this area. Vertical basement movements accompanied extensional tectonics from pre-Cambrian until Eocene times. For this time interval, we reconstructed diverse normal fault systems and associated subsidence. From Eocene time onwards, compressional tectonics gave origin to anticlines and reverse, thrust and back-thrust faults. Neo-tectonic movements have modified existing structures by dislocation along transcurrent fault systems. Geochemical analyses have determined the presence of hydrocarbon source rocks equivalent to the a Luna Formation of the Maracaibo Basin; seismic, surface and subsurface data prove the existence of excellent seals in the Eocene Paguey Shale. The principal problem is to determine the timing of hydrocarbon migration with respect to the timing of trap formation. It is highly probable that the sapropelic strata of the Navay Formation, equivalent to the La Luna Formation, is presently expelling hydrocarbons to traps in the Barinas Basin, under presently existing temperature-pressure conditions.
- OSTI ID:
- 6104350
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930306-; CODEN: AABUD2
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Vol. 77:2; Conference: International congress of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Caracas (Venezuela), 14-17 Mar 1993; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
ORIGIN
HYDROCARBONS
MIGRATION
ROCKS
AGE ESTIMATION
VENEZUELA
TECTONICS
ANDES
ANTICLINES
CAMBRIAN PERIOD
DISTRIBUTION
EOCENE EPOCH
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
SOURCE ROCKS
CENOZOIC ERA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGY
LATIN AMERICA
MOUNTAINS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PALEOZOIC ERA
SOUTH AMERICA
TERTIARY PERIOD
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration