Hydrocarbon-related diagenesis: The key to understanding trap integrity and hydrocarbon charge history in Australia's Timor Sea

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · AAPG Bulletin

OSTI ID:6574938

O'Brien, G W; Woods, E P; Lisk, M; Fellows, M

In the Late Miocene, the effects of continental collision partially to completely breached many charged, Mesozoic traps in Australia's Timor Sea. An integrated geophysical and geochemical study has shown that the biodegradation of hydrocarbons leaking from these Mesozoic traps produced hydrocarbon-related diagenetic zones or HRDZs within overlying, Eocene aquifer sands. These HRDZs, which are principally defined by zones of intense carbonate cementation, are seismically-resolvable, with both their size and velocity being directly related to the amount of hydrocarbons that have passed through the aquifer sands. Consequently, the integration of observations on the seismic, velocity and isotopic characteristics of the HRDZs, the nature of present-day hydrocarbon seepage (as defined by sniffer and ALF data), and geometric relationships between the reactivation (Miocene) and trap (Jurassic) fault geometries, can provide a powerful predictive tool for evaluating and ranking undrilled structures and prospects within the Timor Sea.

• OSTI ID: 6574938
• Report Number(s): CONF-960527--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin Journal Volume: 5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIAGENESIS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLORATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
PETROLEUM
RESERVOIR ROCK
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
TECTONICS