Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Sub-Department

Geological Sciences

First Advisor

James Kellogg

Second Advisor

Christopher Kendall

Abstract

New gravity, magnetic, well and 3D seismic data provides a better understanding of regional structures and tectonic movement affecting the petroleum system and sedimentary history of an important region of oil production in the Foothills of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. To the south the Garzón fault was previously interpreted as a right-lateral strikeslip fault. New seismic, well, and gravity data demonstrate that this fault is also a low-angle (12–17 degrees) Andean fault that thrusts PreCambrian basement 10 to 17 km northwestward over Miocene rocks of the Upper Magdalena Valley (UMV) in a prospective footwall anticline. New geophysical data as well as previous field mapping were used to produce the first gravity and magnetic maps and retrodeformable structural cross section of the northern Garzón Massif. The new model distinguishes for the first time distinct episodes of “thin-skinned” and “thick-skinned” deformation in the Garzón Massif. To the north in the Foothills of the Eastern Cordillera spectral decomposition analysis of a 3D seismic volume and sequence stratigraphy of the Cenozoic sedimentary succession has developed new chronostratigraphic conceptual models and facies predictions. Earlier exploration in the Foothills was focused on structural traps that led to a number of significant discoveries, including the Cusiana and Cupiagua oil fields. However, more challenging stratigraphic play types have evolved from spectral decomposition (STFF, CWT, MP) analysis, enhancing our understanding of the fluvial reservoir architecture. Also this technique has helped improve our understanding of how regional structures and tectonic movements vi affected local sedimentary history and produced regional geomorphologic features. Use of this technology can open new opportunities in hydrocarbon exploration in the eastern foothills of the northern Andes and adjacent basins.

Rights

© 2018, Essam Saeid

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