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

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · 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), Vol. 69:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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