Thermal subsidence and compaction in sedimentary basins: application to Baltimore Canyon Trough
Cooling, with the subsidence of continental crust, is likely to be an important mechanism for the formation of sedimentary basins. If the lithosphere was initially very thin and sedimentation continued to fill the basin to the original depth of basement, a similarity solution is possible. In this paper the similarity solution is extended to include sediment compaction and a depth-dependent thermal conductivity. The similarity solution is also used to determine the thermal evolution and petroleum potential of sedimentary basins. Experience with similarity solutions in many branches of applied physics indicates that they commonly give good results even when the required assumptions are rather poor approximations. An empirical subsidence relation valid for older basins is also extended to include sediment compaction. These results are applied to the evolution of the Baltimore Canyon Trough on the outer continental margin of the eastern United States as given by the COST B-2 well. Good agreement is obtained with both the subsidence record and the present thermal gradient. It is predicted that optimal thermal conditions for the conversion of kerogens to petroleum occur between depths of 4 and 6 km.
- Research Organization:
- Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 6447295
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 65-2; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Structure and evolution of Baltimore Canyon Trough and Georges Bank Basin
Baltimore Canyon Trough, a clastic-carbonate system
Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BALTIMORE CANYON
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
MINERAL RESOURCES
ORIGIN
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESOURCES
SEAS
SEDIMENTATION
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES