Tectonic Models – their influence on Exploration Decision-Making across the Greater Caribbean

Abstract

The complex tectonic evolution of the Caribbean region has prompted numerous interpretations which, as research has progressed, have tended to concentrate around two end member models: the “in situ” model and the “emplacement” (Pacific origin) model. The end member models have significant implications for assessing the hydrocarbon potential of the region. Oil and gas companies typically high-grade areas for hydrocarbon exploration based on the presence of key petroleum system elements (source rock, migration, reservoir, seal, trap and timing) and their associated risking. The tectonic setting, while intrinsic to fully understanding these, also needs to be considered in an observation-based context, at an appropriate scale, to predict the presence or absence of these elements. Companies ranking exploration based solely on inadequate tectonic models may unwittingly overlook areas of high potential. Observations on petroleum system elements from historic and current exploration efforts in the Caribbean will be presented in the context of the “end member” tectonic models. In particular, the challenges of proving effective source rock are consistent with an emplaced plate, while clear field evidence for good quality clastic reservoirs requires consideration of complex plate interactions and trajectories over time. The key to effective exploration decision-making is the appropriate scrutiny of regional scale tectonic models, in combination with ground-truthed observations, in a basin by basin approach. This is particularly the case in a geologically complex area such as the Caribbean.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90330©2018 AAPG Hedberg: Geology of Middle America – the Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan, Caribbean, Grenada and Tobago Basins and Their Margins “Integration of the geology of the area from the southern onshore of North America to the northern onshore of South America”, Siguenza, Guadalajara, Spain, July 2-5, 2018