lecture 4 Flashcards
HC seeps occur because
there is no seal
what do petroleum geologist do?
examine and study outcrops, examine ariel photographs and satallite images, predict the likelihood of a geological stucutre contains HC, ground truthing
what is ground truthing
a process where promising areas examined using aerial photos are further examined using in-situ field measurements
what is prospecting
examining local geology, identifying and assessing location of deposits, ascertaining extraction risks, preparing geological maps
what is a prospect
a potential trap that may contain HC, must be evaluated by drilling
what is a play
geographically and stratigraphically delimited area where common geological features occur where HC accmulation can occur
what is a trend / fairway
area within a basin where the specific geological attributes necessary for the existance of HC accumulaton can exist
what is petroleum geology
evaluation of a potential petroleum systems elements, interpreting surface and below surface data to infer 3D characteristics
how do petroleum geologists evaluate new basins
look for large structural traps, determine the size and shape of a basin, extrablish stratagraphy
how do petroleum geologists evaluate mature basins
focus on subsurface mapping, construct cross sections, re-contour and re-interpret maps
what is a cross section
vertical, 2D representation of subsurface rock layers
what is geological correlation
a technique used to understand age relationships between different layers at different locations
what is a marker bed
a distintive rock layer easy to identify
what are two ways to to establish age relationships in rock layers
comparing physical charateristics of strata, fossils
what is the difference between stratagraphic cross section and structural cross section
stratagraphic = original position of rock layers before deformation structural = current positioning after deformation
