The Falkland Basins - New Structural Model and Hydrocarbon Bearing Prospects (by Remote Sensing and Geoelectric Data)

Abstract

Summary New results of geoelectric measurements were obtained during the season works of 17 Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition (XVII UAE, 2012). New data on the deep structure of the tectonic zone between the Falkland Islands and the South Shetland Islands make it possible to estimate the probable nature of geodynamic processes in this region. Deep geoelectric boundaries position and nature of their contacts near the South Shetland Islands and the Falkland Islands show a fundamentally different distribution of crustal and mantle layers in the Strait structures with continental and oceanic rock complexes. The results of the of petroleum potential assessment of individual fragments of the surveyed area are analyzed in the report. Emphasis is placed on the results of marine geoelectric measurements. Some anomalous zones of “hydrocarbon deposit” type were detected in the South Falkland Basin shelf by the special technology of satellite data processing and interpretation using. The “deposit” type anomalies were mapped by FSPEF survey and anomalous polarized layers of “hydrocarbon deposit” type were chosen by VERS sounding within these anomalies in the South Falkland Basin. These results are new and additional to oil and gas potential data for the South and East Falkland Basins zones.