Structural Analysis of the Distal Stretches of Rift System: Case study from prolific Pre-salt Campos Basin

Abstract

Summary Distal stretches of prolific Campos Basin remain poorly understood for crustal evolution and salt deformation, which may have significant impact on the development of effective source rock, reservoir, and hydrocarbon charges. salt thickness variation through time, duration of rifting and heat flow evolution are some of the main uncertainties. So heat flow evolution of those frontier zones, which is crucial for petroleum system modelling is still subject of debate. In this paper we aim to use 3D seismic and well data for 3D structural restoration and paleo heat flow estimation of distal Campos margin. The study integrates both 2D & 3D structural restoration techniques, a leading edge technological application for structural analysis mainly used to estimate initial salt thickness, update subsidence curves and to estimate heat flow. By doing this, the model successfully incorporates the complex tectonic and paleo-salt movements (halokinesis) in the outboard Campos. The robust thermal model is expected to predict hydrocarbon phases correctly further outboard provided the other petroleum system elements remain consistent.