MESOZOIC/CENOZOIC TECTONIC EVOLUTION,

BASIN FAIRWAYS, AND PLAY OPPORTUNITIES,

PERU1
George Devries Klein2, Fernando J. Ziga-y-Rivero3, Hugh Hay-Roe4,
and Estuardo Alvarez-Caldern3
2. SED-STRAT Geosciences Consultants, Inc, 17117 Westheimer Rd, PMB #11,
Houston, TX, 77082 (gdkgeo@earthlink.net)
3. BPZ Resources, Inc., 580 West Lake Blvd, Suite 525, Houston, TX, 77079
4. 3126 Royal Crescent, Kingwood, TX, 77339

SIPES HOUSTON CHAPTER MEETING

SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

1). Published with permission of the Board of Directors of BPZ Resources, Inc. The authors wish to express their
appreciation to Manolo Ziga-Pflcker, President and CEO, BPZ Resources, Inc for facilitating this project.
Dr. Victor Benavides-Caceres is thanked for his helpful and cogent review of earlier versions of this manuscript . Kelly
Zuniaga-Lopez is thanked for providing outstanding geotechnical support and drafting. Drafting was also completed by
Enrique Bravo. Argelia Rojas and Angelica Rojas are thanked for their excellent clerical support.

QUICK LOOK SUMMARY OF PRIOR PERU GEOLOGY

EXPERIENCE AT START OF PROJECT.
Giant Oil and Gas fields in Talara and Madre de Dios basins.

Peru margin is characterized by Oceanic/Continental plate

collision with accretionary

prisms.
Peru margin is type area of sediment subduction.
Peru margin is type area for coastal upwelling and development of relatively shallow
Oxygen-Minimum Zones; serves as global depositional model for source beds.
Coastal basins (like Talara and Tumbes) were forearc basins.
Multiple orogenic events in Andes (as per Steinmann, 1929).
Times of faster spreading rates controlled orogenic events (Pardo-Casas and Molnar,
1987).
Peru is a mature oil province.
A captain of an oceanographic vessel needs a hand-stamp to facilitate entry and
departure at any seaport there.

.. There is nothing like looking at an old

problem from a new point of view
- Paul E Potter, letter to GDK, January, 1970

..looking at things differently..

- Dick Bishop, HGS Legends Night, January 17, 2011

e.g. Charles Sternbach talk, HGS, April 25, 2011 on Great

American Bank

OUTCOME FROM REAPPRAISAL

Giant Oil and Gas fields in Talara and Madre de Dios basins. Talara 2.1 Billion bbls
oil produced 1 Billion more estimated: Camisea 20 Tcf gas.
Peru margin characterized by Oceanic/Continental plate collision with accretionary
prisms. Collision model confirmed; Accretionary prisms disproven from industry
seismic and ODP Leg 112 drilling (Slumps).
Peru margin is type area of sediment & crustal subduction. - Confirmed.
Peru margin is type area for coastal upwelling and development of relatively shallow
Oxygen-Minimum Zones; serves as depositional model for source beds. - Confirmed
Coastal basins (like Talara and Tumbes) were forearc basins. Problematic No Arc or
Arc Massif (Paleozoic slates instead). No paired metamorphic belts (except in docked
Precambrian terrane). Sandstone petrology doesnt fit (Marsaglia and Carozzi, 1990).
Multiple orogenic events in Andes (as per Steinmann, 1929). - Confirmed.
Times of faster spreading rates controlled orogenic events (Pardo-Casas and Molnar,
1987). - Generally confirmed; plate evolution of Nazca-Farallon plate complicates this
finding (Lonsdale, 2005).
Peru is a mature oil province. NO - See conclusions.

COMPOSITE TRANSFORM MARGIN: OBLIQUE

PLATE CONVERGENCE.
Peru margin is excellent example

of Composite Transform Margin

(cf. Ryan and Coleman, 1992)

This style of margin controls

Perus tectonic evolution.
Oblique convergence applies
torque to overriding plate.
Plate Motion

Causes normal faults parallel to

trench axis and strike-slip faults
parallel to regional lineaments
(cf. Stryon et al, 2011).

(Redrawn from Krabbenhoft et al, 2004 and

Zuniga y Rivero et al, 2010)

MORPHOTECTONIC
MAP, NW-CENTRAL
SOUTH AMERICA.
All but one megashear
is Precambrian.
Precambrian megashears
compartmentalize
continent into separate
tectonic zones prone to
major reactivation,
particularly with OBLIQUE
CONVERGENCE.
Dolores-Guayaquil
megashear is Late
K (Maastrichtian) in age.

(Redrawn from Shepherd

and Moberly, 1981).

REINTERPRETED MAGNETIC ANOMALY MAP, EAST-CENTRAL PACIFIC

This map based on

newly reprocessed
magnetic anomaly
data.

Authors note: Abbreviation: F.Z. Fault Zone

(Redrawn from Lonsdale, 2005)

PRESENT-DAY STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK, EAST-CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN.

Major finding from

reprocessed data:
Peru margin bounded by
Farallon plate; Nazca plate
reduced in size.

(Redrawn from Lonsdale, 2005)

Authors notes: Abbreviations: MR Mathematicians ridge, VR Viru Rise, CR Clipperton Rise, GR Galapagos Rise, MER Mendoza Rise,
EM Easter microplate, M - Mendana fracture zone (East); Marquesas fracture zone (west), C Clipperton fracture zone, G - Guatemala fracture zone,
N Nicaragua fracture zone, GA Galapagos fracture zone, V- Viru fracture zone, A (N) Austral fracture zone (west flank) Nazca fracture zone (east Flank).

NAZCA PLATE AND ANDEAN KINEMATICS AND CRUSTAL STRUCTURE.

ACTIVE ARC IS MISSING IN ZONE OF FLAT SUBDUCTION

Andes in Flat Subduction zone consists of Paleozoic slate and low-grade metamorphics.
(Redrawn from Bump et al, 2008, and
Kennan, 2000).

SEISMICITY AND ACTIVE

VOLCANOES, PERU
Deep earthquakes are inboard
along zone of flat subduction.
Flat subduction caused by
oblique angle of subducted
Nazca Ridge since 11 ma.
Volcanoes absent in zone of
flat subduction.

(Redrawn and updated from Hampel, 2002,

and Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010)

INTERNAL CRUSTAL STRUCTURE WITH FREE-AIR ANOMALY, NAZCA RIDGE

EXPLANATION
Observed Anomaly _______
Inferred Anomaly _ _ _ _ _
Computed Anomaly o o o o o
Density of Layers on gm/cm2

(Redrawn from Couch and Whitsett, 1981).

(Redrawn from Rosenbaum et al, 2005)

PERU BORDERLAND SHOWING FRACTURE ZONES AND THEIR

LANDWARD EXTENSION

FAULT BLOCKS
REPLICATE
FAULT PATTERN
IN TALARA BASIN
SUBSURFACE.

(Redrawn from Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010)

STRUCTURE MAP, EAST

PORTOCHEULA FIELD, TALARA
BASIN; TOP OF SALINA SAND
#13

(Redrawn from Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010: per H.

Hay-Roe; IPC).

RIBIANA SURVEY LINE 93-16

Accretionary prism and associated thrust faults are missing.

(Redrawn from Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010)

MAJOR TECTONIC UNITS,

PERU

Maranon FTB occurs on east

flanks of Western Cordilleran.
Sub-Andean FTB occurs on
east side of Eastern Cordillera.

(Redrawn and modified from Benavides-Cceres,

1999).

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF FORELAND BASINS EAST OF THE ANDES AND

ASSOCIATED PETROLEUM SYSTEMS, WESTERN SOUTH AMERICA

GUIANA
SHIELD

Major Precambrian megashears of South America

compartmentalize foreland basin belt, each with
separate and distinct petroleum systems.

(Redrawn from Jacques, 2003b)

REGIONAL ZONATION OF
PETROLEUM SYSTEMS AND
SOURCE BED AGES IN
PERUVIAN FORELAND
BASINS.

Pisco-Abancay
Megashear

AMBO SOURCE: (MISSISSIPPIAN)

VERY GOOD OIL SOURCE ROCK WITH
LOCAL OIL POTENTIAL.
COMMON T.O.C. VALUES >10%
SOURCE OFCAMISEA AND PROBABLE
AGUAYTIA GAS FIELDS

Age zonation of petroleum

systems occurs on a more

local scale as well.

(Redrawn from Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010)

TECTONIC CORRELATION DIAGRAM, NAZCA & FARALLON PLATES AND ANDES. PERU

ss
spreading rate is faster (Pardo-Casas
and Molnar, 1987)

(Redrawn from Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010)

TABLE 2. GEOCHRONOLOGICAL AGE OF MAJOR OROGENIC EVENTS, ANDES

MOUNTAINS, PERU1
OROGENIC
EVENT

GEOCHRONOMETRIC
AGE

GEOLOGIC AGE/STAGE

Quechua 4

2.0 16. Ma

Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene

Quechua 3

5 - 4 Ma

Early-Middle Pliocene

Quechua 2

8 - 7 Ma

Upper Miocene (Tortonian)

Quechua 1

20.5 12.0 Ma

Early and Middle Miocene (Berdigalian

through Serravallian)

Inca 4

22 Ma

Upper Oligocene (Chattian)

Inca 3

30 - 27 Ma

Late Early to Early Late Oligocene (Rupelian

and Chattian

Inca 2

43 42 Ma

Middle Eocene (Lutetian)

Inca 1

59 55 Ma

Late Paleocene to Early Eocene (Thanetian to

Ypresian)

Peruvian

84 - 79 Ma.

Late Cretaceous (Santonian to Campanian)

Mochica

100 95 Ma

Late Cretaceous (Late Albian to Cenomanian)

1. From Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010;. Ages from Benavides-Cceres (1999), Mgard
(1984), Noble et al (1974), McKee and Noble (1982). See also, Klein et al (2011) Search &
Discovery #10332

CORRELATION DIAGRAM CONFIRMS CLOSE

TECTONIC LINKAGE OF THE COMBINED
NAZCA-FARALLON PLATES AND THE
EVOLUTION OF THE ANDES.

Perus Petroliferous Basins

MESOZOIC/CENOZOIC
SEDIMENTARY BASINS,
PERU
Outer Shelf and Upper Slope
ridges separate the major
coastal basins.

(Redrawn from Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010)

KEY ISSUES CONCERNING SEDIMENTARY BASINS OF PERU:

Absence of volcanic arc and arc massif in flat-subduction region.
Absence of paired metamorphic belts in Peru (Except for Precambrian blocks).
Dominant fault style is extensional and strike-slip, except for fold-and-thrust belts
flanking western and eastern Cordillera.
So-called forearc basins are absent in flat-subduction region.
Instead, these basins are Extensional/Pull-apart basins formed in
response to oblique subduction associated with a composite
transform margin and reactivation along Precambrian lineaments. Classified
according to FAULT STYLES.
Intermontane areas contain basins formed by normal and secondary strike-slip
faults.
Foreland basins east of Andes are Cenozoic and are characterized
by polyhistory, the latest stages involving flexural subsidence in response
to the Incaic and Quechua orogenies.

MAP OF BASIN
FAIRWAYS
OF PERU
Major tectonic zones of Peru
define separate basin
fairways characterized by
distinct basin forming
processes.
Aids in narrowing prospective
basins.

(Redrawn from Ziga y Rivero et al,

2010)

ESTIMATED RESERVES/RESOURCES & PRODUCTION SUMMARIES

EXTENSIONAL/PULL-A-PART BASIN FAIRWAY
BASINS

Oil

Gas

COMMENTS

ALL BASINS IN FAIRWAY (est.

Reserves and Resources)

18 BBO

47 TCF

Optimistic (Zuniga et al,

1P ~ 0.25 BBO
2P ~ 0.08 BBO
3P ~ 1.1 BBO

1P ~ 1 TCF
2P ~ 1 TCF
3P ~5.3
TCF

2010, p.41)

Peru Min. Energy & Mines (2008):

Talara basin (total production)

2.1 BBO

10.5
TCF

Production from 2% of basin

area; Drilling only in 10% of NE
part of basin

Tumbes basin (est. Reserves

1P- 38.9
MMBO

Corvina Field 29.2 MMBO

(1P)
Albacora Field - 9.7 MMBO (1P)

Netherland & Sewell (BPZ SEC Filing,

6.30.2011)

PRODUCTION TO DATE: 12.2 MMBO

Remain reserves -25.3 MMBO

Lancones basin (Est.

Resources)

189-392
MMBO

Sechura basin (daily production)

Trujillo basin (GCA, 2005)

400 MMBO

Salaverry basin (GCA,2005)

Lo 50; Med
250; Hi
550 MMBO

10 mmcf/day
Lead stage.
Additional Source: Zuniga-y-Rivero et al, 2010

ILLUSTRATIVE RANGES OF ESTIMATED RECOVERABLE OIL VOLUMES

(Gaffney, Cline & Assoc, 2005; in MMBO)
BASIN

LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH

Trujillo-Salaverry-Sechura

50

250

500

Tumbes

25

50

75

Talara

25

50

75

Pisco

100

200

350

COMMENTS:
1). Numbers are CONSERVATIVE, except for Pisco basin.
2). Booked reserves in Corvina and Albacora fields, Tumbes basin,
fall in medium range. In future, could be higher.

ESTIMATED RESERVES/RESOURCES & PRODUCTION SUMMARIES

FORELAND BASIN FAIRWAY
BASINS

Oil

Maranon basin

2.25-2.5 BBO

Gas

COMMENTS

19 TCF

Cum Production 900 MMBO

32,000 bpd; 290 Mmcf/d

16 TCF

Cum Production 32 MMBO;

0.3 TCF

Peru Min. Energy & Mines

(2008):
1P ~ 274 MMBO
2P ~ 391 MMBO
3P ~ 838 MMBO

Ucayali basin
(potential)

Madre de Dios basin:

3-6 BBO
Peru Min. Energy &
Mines (2008):
1P ~ 2.5 MMBO
2P ~ 1.0 MMBO
3P ~ 555 MMBO

600 mmblc

1P ~ 0.172
TCF
2P ~ 0.81TCF
3P- ~0.6 TCF

14 TCF

CAMISEA GAS FIELD

Madre de Dios (All)

Peru Min. Energy &

Mines (2008):
1P ~ 0; 2P ~0; 3P ~101
MMBO
1P ~ 653; 2P~ 245; 3P~ 306
MMBC
1P~ 653;2P~ 245; 3P ~194
MMBNGL

1P ~ 11 TCF
2P ~ 3.9 TCF
3P ~ 3.5 TCF

Cum Production 1.2 TCF;

10 MMBO
Basin Potential: 20 TCF
3-4 BBc
600-900 MBO
Additional source: Zuniga-y-Rivero et al, 2010

TABLE 4. FUTURE PLAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES, PERU

PLAY
Extensional/Wrench System Play.

RATIONALE

Peru Margin is a composite-transform margin characterized by

oblique convergence. Traps associated with normal, gravity,
and strike-slip faults, and rollover anticlines.
Incised Valley/Shelf Edge Delta/Canyon Fill Well developed incised valley and submarine canyon fills in
Play
Seismic cross-lines (between 6o and 15o S Latitude); Shelf edge
delta clinoforms; Shingled submarine fans.
Inboard Foreland Basin Play.
Major oil and natural gas exploration play in South America.
Hydrocarbon migration and production in play enhanced by a
strong tectonically-driven water drive following Incaic orogeny.
Outer Foreland Basin Play.
In east side of foreland basins. Play influenced by a gravitydriven water drive from Andes which enhanced migration
following the Quechua orogeny.
Missed Attic Opportunity.
Older fields, especially in Talara basin, likely contain unknown
volumes of by-passed oil. (Petrobras testing this now)
Post-Mortem Opportunities from Past Opportunities during past drilling were missed by inappropriate
Drilling Failures.
well locations despite presence of DHIs. Re-evaluation
presents potential opportunity.
Re-evaluating Proposed Leads Developed by Leads and prospects identified by consulting teams to Peru
Perupetro and Associated Contractors.
Government during past ten years remain to be drilled.

LINKED CANYON-FAN-DEEPWATER PLAY, TRUJILLO BASIN

(From Sternbach et al, 2010)

PROPOSED CANYON/FAN LOCATION DOWN-DIP FROM MORSA 1-X Well

(From Sternbach et al, 2010)

INCAIC OROGENY
INNER FORELAND BASIN PLAY
TECTONIC FLUID EXPULSION
DRIVES MIGRATION

TECTONIC
WATER
DRIVE

(Redrawn from Barson, 2002)

CAMISEA FIELD, MADRE DE DIOS BASIN, 3-D SEISMIC DISPLAY

AND CROSS-SECTION

(Redrawn from Luquez and Disalvo, 2004,

and Ziga y Rivero et al, 2010)

QUECHUA OROGENY

OUTER FORELAND BASIN PLAY

GRAVITY-DRIVEN FLUID DRIVE
ENHANCES MIGRATION

(Redrawn from Barson, 2002)

SEISMIC LINE 96-69 THROUGH MORSA 1X WELL, TRUJILLO BASIN SHOWING

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.

Traps exist.
Morsa 1X
missed high
on amplitude
anomaly.

Potential
fault traps
evident

(Redrawn from PARSEP, 2001).

PROPOSED CANYON/FAN LOCATION DOWN-DIP FROM MORSA 1-X Well

(From Sternbach et al, 2010)

CONCLUDING COMMENTS:
Continental tectonics is influenced extensively by the tectonics
of adjacent ocean margins and plates.
Reappraisal of tectonic and basin evolution demonstrates that
Peru is still an unexplored country with major exploration
opportunities waiting to be drilled.
New basin classification and associated Basin Fairway Concept
yields new opportunities for exploration.
Best opportunities occur in the Coastal Extensional/Pull-Apart basin
fairway and the Foreland basin fairway.

PRODUCTS FROM ANALYSIS.

BOOK:
ONLINE OVERVIEW
PAPER:
Klein, G.D, Zuniga y
Rivero, F.J., Hay-Roe, H.,
Alvarez-Calderon, E,
2011, A Reappraisal
of the Mesozoic/Cenozoic
Tectonics and
Sedimentary Basins of
Peru: AAPG,
Search and Discovery
Article #10332

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