Structural setting for hydrocarbons in the middle and upper Magdalena Basins, Colombia

Conference · Sun Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1993 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:6104444

Schamel, S ^[1]

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1. Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia (United States)

The structures hosting hydrocarbons in the Middle and Upper Magdalena Basins vary systematically in style and age along the length of this prolific Andean petroleum province. Variations in trap style and age are the result of the multiphase, but diachronous, evolution of the Northern Andes-a structurally complex [open quotes]orogenic float.[close quotes] The Magdalena Basins form a series of en echelon, sediment-filled structural depressions. Until the late Miocene, they had been parts of four extensive sub-Andean basins. The fourth basin structures were separate [open quotes]successor[close quotes] basins and reflect the separate frontal thrust systems forming the eastern margin of the Central Cordillera during the mid-Tertiary. The frontal thrust systems were arranged in an en echelon pattern younging southward. It was against this irregular thrust front of the Central Cordillera that the westward-directed thrusts of the Eastern Cordillera were molded in the late Miocene-Pliocene, resulting in widespread lateral ramping and displacement transfer within the basement-rooted thrust sheets. The interplay of structuring and syn-orogenic sedimentation has given rise to a multiplicity of scenarios for burial and maturation/migration of hydrocarbons from the underlying, organic-rich Cretaceous source rocks. Depending on location within the Magdalena Basins, entry into the oil generative window was as early as early Paleogene or as late as Recent. An understanding of the regional contrasts in structural trap style and age and in the timing of hydrocarbon generation/migration can aid the discovery of the remaining hydrocarbon resources of the Magdalena Basins.

• OSTI ID: 6104444
• Report Number(s): CONF-930306--
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Vol. 77:2; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ANDES
COLOMBIA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
HYDROCARBONS
LATIN AMERICA
MATURATION
MIGRATION
MINERAL RESOURCES
MOUNTAINS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORIGIN
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTATION
SOURCE ROCKS
SOUTH AMERICA
VARIATIONS