Oligocene stratigraphic traps at the SouthEastern, Cuu Long basin

Abstract

Up to recent years, major targets of oil and gas exploration in Cuu Long basin have been carried ort at structural traps in anticlines or basement highs in PreTertiary basement, Oligocene / Miocene clastics. As petroleum resources from reservoirs of traditional types become exhausted after many years of production (the remaining unexplored potential targets do not have sufficient reserves for development and production), exploration activities in Cuu Long basin have being focused in Oligocene stratigraphic/combination traps that have been discovered in recent years. Since the 1980s, petroleum explorers have identified oil in pinchouts trap in the Southeastern Cuu Long basin. However, these prospects have been evaluated to be of low potential due to be concerned of poor reservoir quality or incomplete petroleum system (lacking of source rocks or seals). Recent exploration activities in the region have identified several stratigraphic/ combination traps not only as pinch-outs but also as traps formed by appropriate facies changes. This article discusses types of stratigraphic traps that have been recently discovered in the studied area as well as exploration methods for predicting the distribution of these traps.