Approaches to Petroleum Systems Analysis demonstrated in Tertiary lacustrine systems of the Greater Rocky Mountains Region, USA
Abstract
The Greater Rocky Mountains have played a central role to hydrocarbon exploration in the United States for decades. While many paleo-depositional settings have contributed to this significance, Tertiary lacustrine depositional systems are one important aspect regionally. These systems developed in a variety of structural
settings within the Rocky Mountain and Great Basin regions including compressional, transtensional, and extensional basins. While sharing certain traits, each basin formed within a unique geographic and stratigraphic setting. These individual settings have a significant influence on the resulting lacustrine
system
(water budget vs. sedimentation rate vs. accommodation) and invoke a unique set of petroleum
system
elements and processes that impact the hydrocarbons present today. Elements include source rock (quality and quantity), reservoir, seal, and overburden material, while the processes comprise
trap
formation, and hydrocarbon generation / migration / accumulation. Independently, each component produces a partial understanding of the petroleum
system
, but collective interpretation of variables results in a comprehensive understanding. A protocol that includes both critical variables and geologic input is encouraged. The successful exploration program will endeavor to understand the entire petroleum
system
by relating the source rock data, including kerogen kinetics with accurate thermal maturity analysis, to the geographic and stratigraphic framework. One regional application includes the impact of the level of paleo-water salinity on generation thresholds for hydrocarbon. This study compares and contrasts petroleum
system
elements and processes of Tertiary lacustrine systems in the Rocky Mountain and Great Basin regions to demonstrate the benefits of comprehensive and thorough petroleum systems analysis.
AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90374 © 2020 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, 2020 Vision: Turn Hindsight to Foresight, Grand Junction, Colorado, September 13-15, 2020 (CANCELLED)