Calibration of Igneous Systems and Basin Prospectivity using 2D Seismic and Potential Field

Interpretations*
Andrew Krassay1, Karen Connors1, Lynn Pryer1, and Cedric Jorand1
Search and Discovery Article #10479 (2013)**
Posted January 22, 2013

*Adapted from oral presentation at AAPG International Convention and Exhibition, Singapore, 16-19 September 2012
**AAPG2012 Serial rights given by author. For all other rights contact author directly.
1

FrOG Tech, Canberra, ACT, Australia (akrassay@frogtech.com.au)

Abstract
Exploration for unconventional and conventional hydrocarbons is experiencing a boom in older, onshore basins where seismic
data is commonly sparse. In Australia, large onshore Proterozoic to Mesozoic basins host multiple working petroleum systems,
potentially huge volumes of gas and oil, and have been affected by many igneous events. In onshore South America, the
interior Paleozoic basins feature Triassic and younger igneous events that affected generation timing, reservoir quality,
preservation potential and migration.
Regional 2D seismic is used to interpret the location, depth and thickness of igneous rocks that have intruded into sourcereservoir systems. Seismic facies analysis is important for assessing lithofacies variations where interbedded volcanics are
present. In the Jurassic-Cretaceous Otway Basin, seismic interpretation helps distinguish synrift flow-basalts from lacustrine
shale source intervals.
In the greater McArthur Basin in northern Australia, dolerite sills have been intruded directly into the main marine source rock
and above and beneath the main conventional reservoir. Similarly, in onshore South America (eg. Solimes, Amazonas basins)
Mesozoic sills and dykes have been intruded directly into the Paleozoic petroleum systems elements and provide the critical
moment for these systems.
Basalt flows and diabase sills are commonly able to be mapped on the seismic data but it is more difficult to interpret dykes on
seismic data alone. Igneous units commonly exhibit high seismic reflection amplitudes compared to surrounding basin units.

Seismic interpretation of the character and type of the igneous units is important for identifying the likely location of igneous
feeder systems and the possible extent of the igneous systems.
Combining seismic and potential field interpretations provides many benefits. Firstly, potential field data commonly cover a
greater area than seismic grids and allow an interpretation to be expanded across an entire basin to rapidly assess prospectivity
and volcanic risk. Secondly, high resolution magnetic and gravity data can help distinguish subtle igneous features such as
dyke trends and igneous centres (igneous complexes, feeder systems) that may be obscured on seismic. Thirdly, the correlation
of seismic and wells to potential field data is critical for mapping basement depth, and composition and interpreting deepseated fault control on igneous bodies and the role of basement heat flow for basin modeling.
References Cited
Goldberg, A.S., 2010, Dyke swarms as indicators of major extensional events in the 1.9-1.2 Ga Columbia Supercontinent, in
M. Santosh, (ed.), Supercontinents and crustal evolution: Journal of Geodynamics, v. 50/3-4, p. 176-190.
Silverman, M. and T. Ahlbrandt, 2011, Mesoproterozic Unconventional Plays in the Beetaloo Basin, Australia: The Worlds
Oldest Petroleum Systems: AAPG Search and Discovery Article #10295, 41 p. Web accessed 20 November 2012.
http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/documents/2011/10295silverman/ndx_silverman.pdf

Calibration of Igneous Systems & Basin Prospectivity

g 2D seismic & Potential Field Interpretations
using
Andrew Krassay, Karen Connors, Lynn Pryer & Cedric Jorand
FrOG Tech Pty Ltd

Acknowledgements

Presenters Notes: First case study is an old, onshore Proterozoic basin where unconventionals (mostly shale gas) is the priority. This area is
affected by two major thermal events with thick dolerite sills and dykes followed by flood basalt development. Second case is an offshore Mesozoic
basin where conventional exploration is the priority. This area is heavily affected by Triassic-Jurassic and older intrusives and a wide range of
Mesozoic extrusive and volcaniclastic igneous units. In both cases, the main seismic datasets are 2D and 3D is either unavailable or only covers small
areas The talk aims to show the importance and versatility of combining potential field geophysical analysis with traditional seismic- and wellbased basin analysis

Greater McArthur Basin

132E

Stratigraphy

134E

136E

138E

14S

16S

18 S
18S

100

200
Kilometers

Silverman & Ahlbrandt (2011)

Greater McArthur Basin

132E

Stratigraphy

134E

136E

138E

14S

16S

18 S
18S

100

200
Kilometers

Silverman & Ahlbrandt (2011)

Regional Seismic Character

0

Cambrian
Sill 1

Sill 2

Velkerri Fm source

Roper Group

TWT (s)

Nathan Group

Paleoproterozoic

5 km

Regional Seismic Character

0

Cambrian
Sill 1

Sill 2

Velkerri Fm source

Roper Group

TWT (s)

Nathan Group

Paleoproterozoic

5 km

Seismic
Seismic Anomalies
Anomalies
Sever-1
0

TW
WT (s)

0.5

1 km

FlOG
"Iech.

Seismic Anomalies
Sever-1
0

Cambrian basalts

upper Velkerri Fm

TW
WT (s)

0.5

Lower Velkerri Fm

1 km

Sever 1
OIL'

-'

"",.".L1

100

:!Xl

2SJ

XX!

Falnllkln

:liD
4:Xl
4SJ
8l)

500
/{1J

Ii'JJ

. -VOkorTI FaIn"",

700

F.rOG

"Iech.

Igneous
Igneous Well
Well
intersections
intersections

Sever 1
OIL'

"",.".L1

-'

100

:!Xl

2SJ

XX!

Falnllkln

:liD
4:Xl
4SJ
8l)

500
/{1J

Ii'JJ
700

F.rOG

"Iech.

. -VOkorTI FaIn"",

Igneous
Igneous Well
Well
intersections
intersections

Sever 1
OIL'

""",.L1

-.,

100

:!Xl

2SJ

XX!

Falnllkln

:liD
4:Xl
4SJ
8l)

500
/{1J

Ii'JJ

. -VOkorTI FaIn"",

700

n.erVeikeni F"",_

F.rOG

"Iech.

Igneous
Igneous Well
Well
intersections
intersections

Igneous Well
intersections
Middle Velkerri Fm

Seismic
Seismic Anomalies
Anomalies

F.rOG
tech.

5 km

Seismic Anomalies
TMI

FLOG
Tech.

-~~~~-=--

5km

Presenters Notes: Two major, distinct seismic anomalies. Seismic character = v high amplitude, generally flat, parallel continuous reflections. Note
the mild post intrusion deformation. Also, note the absence of apparent feeders/dykes, forced folds, saucer shapes, and lack of transgression of the
seismic events they seem to be remarkably continuous and stratiform. It appears that the dolerites have preferentially intruded the finest-grained,
uniform mudstones sequences presumably, they are exploiting competency contrasts within the stratigraphic section.

Presenters Notes:
Note that the Cambrian flood basalts form an overlying igneous blanket to much of the area but had little impact on petroleum systems.
The older igneous intrusives however have had a significant effect on petroleum systems locally and the intrusives are widely distributed
Note how the 1280 Ma dolerites have preferentially intruded 3 main stratigraphic intervals:
The Velkerri Formation (source quality risk)
The Bessie Creek Sandstone (reservoir quality risk)
The underlying Corcoran Formation (low risk as this is considered a non-source interval)

Magnetic
Magnetic Modelling
Modelling
- sills
sills vs
vs flood
flood basalts
basalts
Theoretical
Theoretical Model
Model
<=>

[3

mlin. M2OO19 - 1095 point<

, ~~
Line: M200 t9

[tj]

F.rOG

"Iech.

=I

Magnetic; Modelling - sills vs fI.ood ba:s alts

Theoretical Model
"l'
l..ft M20019

Iiil

I:
,

~~
t=
~

":"

.~

Flat sheet-like intrusions (sills) exhibit distinct magnetic signals at edges

Marked by a dipole effect with a negative and positve mag anomaly

Can be distinguished from shallower flood basalts and deeper intrusives

FLOG
lech.
Presenters Notes:
The model profile (top right) shows the same positive and negative pair of anomalies associated with the flat sill body. The observed
magnetic data is much noisier than the model data due to local variations in the Kalkarindji basalt. Presenters Notes continued on next page

The shallow near surface bodies represent the Kalkarindji basalt disrupted by faults and/or erosion and the deeper larger bodies represent the
Derim Derim sills. The depths to the top of the sills are approximate only. The depth can be varied along with the susceptibility of the bodies.
The possible depth range can be tested with additional modelling.
The theoretical model of the flat magnetic bodies (i.e. possible sills) highlights the pair of positive and negative anomalies that occur over the
edges of the flat bodies. The edges of the bodies are the main features that are highlighted in the magnetic data. The colour of the model
bodies (top right) indicate the relative susceptibility with red highest, yellow moderate and green lowest. The high susceptibility red bodies
near surface create the dominant anomalies in the calculated magnetic response (lower left). The yellow body is less magnetic and slightly
deeper and the resulting anomalies have lower amplitude and longer wavelength. Note that both of the high susceptibility red bodies show a
strong anomaly along their edges, i.e. we still see evidence of the lower body.

Theoretical model used to better understand and interpret real data. Magnetic response generated from the theoretical model bodies. Note the
positive anomaly on the northern edge and the negative anomaly along the southern edge of each sill body. The theoretical model was set up to
mimic the main bodies in the Gorrie sub-basin.

-1450'

13230'

225000

230000

13240'

235000

240000

245000

250000

13250'

255000

260000

265000

13300'

270000

275000

280000

285000

8340000
8330000

8310000

8310000

8320000

210000 215000

220000

225000

13220'

230000
13230'

235000

240000

245000

250000

255000

13240'

Daly Sub
Sub-Basin
Basin Sill Anomaly
2500

2500

5000

7500

10000

(meters)

GDA94 / MGA zone 53

12500

TMI Image
Cell Size 80m
FrOG Tech, May 2012

260000

265000

270000

13250'

275000

280000

285000
13300'

-1510'

8320000

8330000

-1510'

-1500'

-1500'

8350000

220000

8340000

Real Data

13220'

210000 215000

8350000

Magnetic Modelling
sills vs flood basalts

90.6
29.0
3.1
-13.4
13.4
-23.7
-30.8
-35.7
-39.3
-42.3
-45.0
-47.8
-51.0
-54.0
-57.6
-61.2
61 2
-64.7
-68.1
-74.7
-84.3
-95.9
-131.1

TMI
nT

Magnetic Modelling sills vs flood basa Its

Re.iIIl ~ta

Edge of sills - marked by

distinct anomaly pair
Can be distinguished from
shallower flood basalts

Presenters Notes:
Left: Observed magnetic data in the Gorrie Sub-basin northwest of the Sever 1 well and seismic line. Note the positive anomaly on the northern edge
and the negative anomaly along the southern edge of the irregularly shaped sill outlined in yellow.

Integrated igneous mapping & prospectivity

Maiwok
Sub-basin

Gorrie
Sub-basin

Beetaloo
Sub-basin

50

100
Kilometers

Integrated igneous mapping & prospectivity

Maiwok
Sub-basin

Gorrie
Sub-basin

Beetaloo
Sub-basin

50

100
Kilometers

Integrated igneous mapping & prospectivity

Maiwok
Sub-basin

Intrusive mapped
on seismic

Gorrie
Sub-basin

Beetaloo
Sub-basin

50

100
Kilometers

Integrated igneous mapping & prospectivity

Maiwok
Sub-basin

Intrusive mapped
on seismic
Intrusive mapped
or modeled on
pot field data

Gorrie
Sub-basin

Beetaloo
Sub-basin

50

100
Kilometers

Presenters Notes:
2nd image is an RTP_TernaryTiltMsAgc filter
Derim Derim Dolerite
Sills up to 100m thick and dykes
1324 4 Ma age from Kimberley region (J. Claoue-Long, written pers. comm., 2005 quoted by Goldberg, 2010)
1280 Ma age from this region

Browse
Basin
Northwest
Shelf

50

100

Kilometers

Bonaparte Basin
Seringapatam

Caswell
Yampi
Shelf

Scott
Plateau

Barcoo
Leveque
Shelf

Roebuck Basin

Browse
Basin
Northwest
Shelf

50

100

Kilometers

Bonaparte Basin
Seringapatam

Caswell
Yampi
Shelf

Scott
Plateau

Barcoo
Leveque
Shelf

Roebuck Basin

Browse
Basin No,rthwest
Shelf

(/)

Wells

Oil

*+

G as & co nde nsate

<:>

Gas

--

Gas , all shows

<

Oil & gas

(/)

Oil Shows

Oil & Gas Shows

(/)

Gas & co ndensate shows

<>

Gas Shows

+-

Oil & Gas indication

<i-

Dry hole

Res ult unreported

'!'
....
~

F.rOG

Tech.

Scott
Plateau

Presenters Notes:
Main Igneous events are associated with:
1. Permo-Carboniferous extension
2. Early-mid Jurassic extension
There are to less voluminous and extensive peaks in igneous activity during:
1. Triassic compression and partial basin inversion
2. Minor volcanism during the Aptian (far-field effects?)

Igneous
Igneous Character
Character from
from Magnetics
Magnetics &
& Well
Well Calibration
Calibration

F.rOG
tech.

50

100

Kilometers

Igneous Character from Magnetics & Well Calibration

1748.4
121.0
55.1
28 9
28.9
14.7
4.9
-2.8
-9.3
-14.9
-19.7
-24.4
-29.3
-34.4
-39.4
-44.8
-51.2
-59.7
-70.1
-85.2
-119.9
1368.8

Igneous Intersections
Primary (mostly
extrusives)
Volcanic +
volcaniclastic
Volcaniclastic
N
None

TMI
nT

50

100

Kilometers

Igneous Character from Magnetics & Well Calibration

1748.4
4331.2
255.2
121.0
184.2
146.7
55.1
121.2
28 9
28.9
104.5
93.1
14.7
83.9
76.6
4.9
70.2
64.1
-2.8
58.4
53.7
-9.3
49.6
45.7
-14.9
42.1
38.8
-19.7
35.7
32.7
-24.4
29.9
27 0
27.0
-29.3
23.9
20.8
-34.4
17.5
13.9
-39.4
10.1
6.4
-44.8
2.6
-1.7
-51.2
-6.7
-11.9
-59.7
-17.7
-24.8
-70.1
-33.3
-43.4
-85.2
55 6
-55.6
-119.9
-70.1
-89.4
1368.8
-122.9
-1384.8

Igneous Intersections
Primary (mostly
extrusives)
Volcanic +
volcaniclastic
Volcaniclastic
N
None

TMI
RTP
nT
nT

50

100

Kilometers

Igneous Character from Magnetics & Well Calibration

1748.4
4331.2
4433.6
255.2
121.0
338.8
184.2
279.5
146.7
55.1
244.6
121.2
216.3
28 9
28.9
104.5
195.2
93.1
178.6
14.7
83.9
165.2
76.6
152.6
4.9
141.4
70.2
131.6
64.1
-2.8
123.0
58.4
116.2
53.7
-9.3
110.4
49.6
105.2
45.7
-14.9
100.2
42.1
95.8
38.8
-19.7
91.5
35.7
87.5
32.7
-24.4
83.5
29.9
79
79.6
27 60
27.0
-29.3
76.0
23.9
72.7
20.8
-34.4
69.6
17.5
66.6
13.9
-39.4
63.7
10.1
60.8
6.4
-44.8
58.1
2.6
55.4
-1.7
-51.2
52.8
-6.7
50.2
-11.9
-59.7
47.6
-17.7
45.0
-24.8
-70.1
42.2
-33.3
39.5
-43.4
-85.2
36.5
36
55 56
-55.6
32.8
-119.9
-70.1
28.0
-89.4
21.1
1368.8
-122.9
0.2
-1384.8

Argus-1 (178 m)
Buffon-1 (494 m)
Igneous Intersections
Primary (mostly
extrusives)

Maginnis-1/1A
(494 m))

Volcanic +
volcaniclastic
Volcaniclastic
N
None

CA
TMI
RTP
nT
nT
nT

50

100

Kilometers

Igneous rocks at Buffon-1

3.0

35
3.5

Dens
Neut

DT

VSH

Volcanic section 3760-4254 mRT (494 m thick)

Clear seismic change top & base of volcanics
(2-25
25 m thick),
3 igneous facies: basalt flows (2
tuffs, coarse pyroclastics

RES

main vo
olcanic sectio
on

TWT (s)

2.5

More lava interpreted off flanks

GR
SP

SE

iinterbedded clastics
and thin tu
uffs

NW

Buffon-1/ST1

TD @ 4787mRT, ~ 3200 ms twt

Seismic mapping & Calibration outer Browse

10 km

TWT (s)

3.5

4.5

5.5

S119-12

Seismic mapping & Calibration outer Browse

10 km
3.5

TWT (s)

massive Jurassic lava flows

4.5
smaller sill
14.75 km diameter sill

5.5

S119-12

Western Barcoo & Caswell S-b exhibit significant intra-basinal magmatism

Massive sills and extensive Jurassic lavas. Multiple large magnetic anomalies

Lavas reach thickness >300 ms twt (500 m+) = 483 m @ Maginnis 1/1A

Seismic mapping & Calibration Barcoo Sub-basin

Arquebus 1
Lombardina 1

SE

NW

3.0

TW
WT (s)

2.0

4.0

S119-11

Igneous features/facies

Wb
L Mio
Base Mio
Mid Olig
Base Eoc
Base Tert
Turonian
Aptian
Val.
Base K
Callovian
Base Jur
Mid Trias
Top Perm
L Carb
Basement

Seismic mapping & Calibration Barcoo Sub-basin

Arquebus 1
Lombardina 1

SE

NW

3.0

TW
WT (s)

2.0

4.0

S119-11

Igneous features/facies

Chaotic, discontinuous, high amplitude, low frequency reflections at depth early rift magmatism?

Wb
L Mio
Base Mio
Mid Olig
Base Eoc
Base Tert
Turonian
Aptian
Val.
Base K
Callovian
Base Jur
Mid Trias
Top Perm
L Carb
Basement

Seismic mapping & Calibration Barcoo Sub-basin

Arquebus 1
Lombardina 1

SE

NW

3.0

TW
WT (s)

2.0

4.0

S119-11

Igneous features/facies

Intra-Permo Carboniferous cross-cutting

g discontinuous & climbing
g anomalies Sills & dykes
y
Chaotic, discontinuous, high amplitude, low frequency reflections at depth early rift magmatism?

Wb
L Mio
Base Mio
Mid Olig
Base Eoc
Base Tert
Turonian
Aptian
Val.
Base K
Callovian
Base Jur
Mid Trias
Top Perm
L Carb
Basement

Seismic mapping & Calibration Barcoo Sub-basin

Arquebus 1
Lombardina 1

SE

NW

3.0

TW
WT (s)

2.0

4.0

S119-11

Igneous features/facies

Intra-Triassic complex terminations and geometries extrusive and very shallow intrusive features
Intra-Permo Carboniferous cross-cutting
g discontinuous & climbing
g anomalies Sills & dykes
y
Chaotic, discontinuous, high amplitude, low frequency reflections at depth early rift magmatism?

Wb
L Mio
Base Mio
Mid Olig
Base Eoc
Base Tert
Turonian
Aptian
Val.
Base K
Callovian
Base Jur
Mid Trias
Top Perm
L Carb
Basement

Seismic mapping & Calibration Barcoo Sub-basin

Arquebus 1
Lombardina 1

SE

NW

3.0

TW
WT (s)

2.0

4.0

S119-11

Igneous features/facies
Laterally continuous,
continuous conformable
conformable, high amplitude reflections with clear coherent top,
top rubbly internal
character and a diffuse base massive, amalgamated basalts (lava flows)
Intra-Triassic complex terminations and geometries extrusive and very shallow intrusive features
Intra-Permo Carboniferous cross-cutting
g discontinuous & climbing
g anomalies Sills & dykes
y
Chaotic, discontinuous, high amplitude, low frequency reflections at depth early rift magmatism?

Wb
L Mio
Base Mio
Mid Olig
Base Eoc
Base Tert
Turonian
Aptian
Val.
Base K
Callovian
Base Jur
Mid Trias
Top Perm
L Carb
Basement

Seismic
Seismic mapping
mapping &
&. Calibration
Calibration
- Barcoo
Barcoo Sub-basin
Sub-basin
NW

3.0

TWT (s)

4.0

5.0

SE

Seismic
Seismic mapping
mapping &
&. Calibration
Calibration
- Barcoo
Barcoo Sub-basin
Sub-basin
NW

3.0

SE

Jcal horizon

4.0

TWT (s)

Jbase
horizon

5.0

S119-11
S119 11

Seismic mapping & Calibration Barcoo Sub-basin

SE

NW

top basalt flow horizon bright, coherent

reflection, conformable with Callovian horizon

zone of anomalously bright,

discontinuous reflections
interpreted as shallow intrusive
complex. Likely comprise sills
and dyke feeder system to
extrusive complex

3.0

Jcal horizon

4.0

TWT (s)

sills
dyke

Jbase
horizon

5.0

S119-11
S119 11

chaotic poorly imaged zone beneath thick

basalt flows and upper intrusives? May
represent main vertical pathways for
igneous melts

Geophysical
Geophysical Modelling:
Modelling: testing
testing igneous
igneous seismic
seismic scenarios
scenarios
Yampi 1

Gwydion 1

W
1.0

20
2.0
TWT (s)

??

3.0

4.0

??

5.0
BBHR_S175-08

Geophysical Modelling: testing igneous seismic scenarios

Igneous Features
Scott Reef

Magnetic highs in the Yampi Shelf

Observed
Modelled
Feeder
dyke

Feeder
dyke

Geophysical Modelling: testing igneous seismic scenarios

Igneous Features
Strongly magnetised
(mafic) intrusive
complexes (Triassic?)

Scott Reef

Magnetic highs in the Yampi Shelf

Observed
Modelled
Feeder
dyke

Feeder
dyke

Geophysical Modelling: testing igneous seismic scenarios

Igneous Features
Strongly magnetised
(mafic) intrusive
complexes (Triassic?)

Scott Reef

Magnetic highs in the Yampi Shelf

Mod-strongly negative
magnetised (maficfelsic) intrusions

Observed

Mod magnetised ?Prz

basement intrusions

Modelled
Feeder
dyke

Feeder
dyke

Geophysical Modelling: testing igneous seismic scenarios

Igneous Features
Strongly magnetised
(mafic) intrusive
complexes (Triassic?)

Scott Reef

Magnetic highs in the Yampi Shelf

Mod-strongly negative
magnetised (maficfelsic) intrusions

Observed

Mod magnetised ?Prz

basement intrusions
Scott Reef: Moderately
magnetised (mafic)
intrusion of ?Jur age

Modelled
Feeder
dyke

Feeder
dyke

Geophysical Modelling: testing igneous seismic scenarios

Igneous Features
Strongly magnetised
(mafic) intrusive
complexes (Triassic?)

Scott Reef

Magnetic highs in the Yampi Shelf

Mod-strongly negative
magnetised (maficfelsic) intrusions

Observed

Mod magnetised ?Prz

basement intrusions
Scott Reef: Moderately
magnetised (mafic)
intrusion of ?Jur age
Strongly
S
l magnetised
i d ?Tr
?T
mafic igneous rocks

Modelled
Feeder
dyke

Feeder
dyke

Geophysical M'o dellin.g: testi:n.g ign,e o,u5 seism,i c scenarios

I:gl!leous, Fea,tuFes

'

'"

El

line. SBBHR_175_fe:j

Strongly magnetised
(mafic) intrusive
complexes (Triassic?)

Magnetic " highs in the Yampi Shelf

Mod-strongly negative
magnetised (maficfelsic) intrusions
- - Observed

Mod magnetised ?Prz

basement intrusions

,
I

-,

Scott Reef: Moderately

magnetised (mafic)
intrusion of ?Jur age
Strongly magnetised ?Tr
mafic igneous rocks

I
Feeder

,I

,I

- - Modelled

Feeder

Body Colour
Susceptibility

--

.
0
0
0
0
0
0

0.0100
0.0078
0.0056
0.0033
0.0011
.0.0011
00033
.00056
00078
.0.0100

Negatively remanently magnetised Jurassic

mafic plug/dyke
Moderately magnetised Jurassic mafic lava flows

FLOG
lech.

Integrated
tegrat igneous
neous mapping
map in &
& prospectivity
pros ectivity
Igneous Intersections

121E

122E

123E

124E

Primary (mostly
extrusives)

Volcanic +
volcaniclastic

6. Volcaniclastic

None

50

100

Kilometers

Integrated igneous mapping & prospectivity

Igneous Intersections
Primary (mostly
extrusives)
Volcanic +
volcaniclastic
Volcaniclastic
None

Deep Intrusives
Seismic calibration mapping
deep
p intrusive
igneous complex
sill/dyke
Triassic intrusive

50

100

Kilometers

Integrated igneous mapping & prospectivity

Igneous Intersections
Primary (mostly
extrusives)
Volcanic +
volcaniclastic
Volcaniclastic
None

Deep Intrusives
Seismic calibration mapping
deep
p intrusive
igneous complex
sill/dyke
Triassic intrusive
E Jurassic extrusive
M Jurassic extrusive
L Jurassic extrusive

Interpreted volcanics
Triassic
Early Jurassic
Middle Jurassic
Late Jurassic
Jurassic undiff
Valanginian
Aptian
Possible (no seismic)

50

100

Kilometers

Conclusions

Case 1
Large,
Large deep
deep, old
Potential field data & interpretation are critical
sparse
basinsfor
under
cover
data regions and allow rapid assessment Sparse 2D seismic
Few wells
Even in mature basins with good seismic coverage
M lti l source rocks
k
Multiple
Thick dolerite sills &
magnetics & gravity data are useful:
flood basalts

Depth, extent, thickness of igneous bodies

Intrusives vs extrusives
Key Igneous risk =
Testing seismic facies models

source overmaturity

Potential field analysis can help avoid exploration pitfalls:

400 m of basalt and no reservoir !
Map
p and p
predict areas of igneous
g
risk to p
pet. sys.
y
Seismic, well AND potential field interpretation are
complementary and best used in an integrated approach