Role of fault rejuvenation in hydrocarbon accumulation and structural evolution of Reconcavo basin, northeastern Brazil

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6360208

Cohen, C R

From a geometric analysis of the fault pattern in the Reconcavo basin, Brazil, supported by a reinterpretation of the early opening history of the South Atlantic Ocean, it is inferred that the basin formed as a result of Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) motion on a major N40/sup 0/E-striking left-lateral transform fault located offshore between Salvador and Recife. Left-lateral movement along the inferred transform created three fault sets. Geohistory curves for Early Cretaceous units in the Reconcavo basin indicate that the syn-tectonic Valanginian shales of the lacustrine Candeias Formation began to generate hydrocarbons during the earliest subsequent deposition of the Ilhas Formation (.Hauterivian). Rejuvenation as normal faults of earlier formed strikeslip and normal faults occurred in the latest Aptian. Rejuvenated faults tapped earlier filled Sergi Formation reservoirs, which then leaked earlier reservoired hydrocarbons up these fault planes into higher reservoirs in the Ilhas and Sao Sebastiao Formations.

• Research Organization: Esso Exploration Inc., Europe-Africa Division, Houston, TX
• OSTI ID: 6360208
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 69:1; ISSN AAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
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& Exploration
BRAZIL
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DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EARTH CRUST
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
HYDROCARBONS
LATIN AMERICA
LITHOLOGY
MIGRATION
MINERAL RESOURCES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SOUTH AMERICA
STRATIGRAPHY