Deep seismic reflection profiling in the Archaean northeastern Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia: implications for crustal architecture and mineral potential

Deep seismic reflection data across the Archaean Eastern Goldfields Province, northeastern Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, have provided information on its crustal architecture and on several of its highly mineralised belts. The seismic reflection data allow interpretation of several prominent crustal scale features, including an eastward thickening of the crust, subdivision of the crust into three broad layers, the presence of a prominent east dip to the majority of the reflections and the interpretation of three east-dipping crustal-penetrating shear zones. These east-dipping shear zones are major structures that subdivide the region into four terranes. Major orogenic gold deposits in the Eastern Goldfields Province are spatially associated with these major structures. The Laverton Tectonic Zone, for example, is a highly mineralised corridor that contains several world-class gold deposits plus many smaller deposits. Other non crustal-penetrating structures within the area do not appear to be as well endowed metallogenically as the Laverton structure. The seismic reflection data have also imaged a series of low-angle shear zones within and beneath the granite–greenstone terranes. Where the low-angle shear zones intersect the major crustal-penetrating structures, a wedge shaped geometry is formed. This geometry forms a suitable fluid focusing wedge in which upward to subhorizontal moving fluids are focused and then distributed into the nearby complexly deformed greenstones.     

Complexity gradients in the Yilgarn Craton: Fundamental controls on crustal-scale fluid flow and the formation of world-class orogenic-gold deposits

Fractal-dimension analysis is an effective means of quantifying complex map patterns of structures and lithological contacts, which are conduits for hydrothermal fluid flow during the formation of orogenic-gold deposits. In this study, fractal dimensions, calculated on a 10 km grid across a geologic map of the Yilgarn Craton of uniform data quality, highlight relationships between geologic complexity and the location and size of Archaean orogenic-gold deposits. In the Kalgoorlie Terrane and Laverton Tectonic Zone, the largest gold deposits occur along steep gradients defined by fractal-dimension values. These steep gradients in the greenstone belts occur between massive sedimentary rock sequences of low complexity, and volcanic and intrusive rock units with more complex map patterns. The formation of world-class orogenic-gold deposits requires that hydrothermal fluids become focused from a large volume of well-connected rocks at depth, towards narrow, high-permeability zones near the location of deposit formation. Connectivity is indirectly related to permeability, and the degree of connectivity is related to the density and orientation of fluid pathways, which are quantified in map patterns using fractal-dimension analysis. Thus, fractal dimensions are a measure of the potential for increased connectivity and the likelihood of increased permeability. Greater complexity, as measured by larger fractal dimensions, implies that a certain area has the potential to produce more interconnected pathways, or zones of high connectivity. Therefore, the steep complexity gradients defined in the Kalgoorlie Terrane and Laverton Tectonic Zone correspond to areas that focused large volumes of hydrothermal fluid and enhanced the potential for significant gold mineralisation. Fractal-dimension analysis thus provides a link between empirical map features and the processes that have enhanced hydrothermal fluid flow and resulted in the formation of larger orogenic-gold deposits.     

Lessons from a joint interpretation of vibroseis wide-angle and near-vertical reflection data in the northeastern Yilgarn, Western Australia

A wide-angle reflection seismic experiment was carried out in the Eastern Goldfields granite–greenstone terrane of the Archaean Yilgarn Craton during 2001. This was the first time in Australia that wide-angle data were collected using a vibrator source and with a high density of observations. Unlike other wide-angle surveys carried out in other parts of the world, our survey used both a smaller number of sweeps, and shorter sweeps. We recorded three sweeps (each with its own frequency range) at each vibration point. The experiment demonstrated that the sum of three 12 s sweeps using 3 large vibrators provides enough energy to record signal at offsets up to up to 60–70 km. A comparison of individual shot gathers from near-vertical data and receiver gathers from wide-angle data demonstrated higher reflectivity in near-vertical data. This may be due to differences in the frequency bands of the recording equipment. The after stack section obtained from dense wide-angle data is different from that obtained from conventional near-vertical reflection data. The conventional reflection section provides higher quality image of the crust compared to the wide-angle section. This could be explained by the low-fold in wide-angle data and differences in the acquisition and processing methodology. The wide-angle survey, which was coincident with a regional vibroseis seismic reflection transect, was focused on the Leonora–Laverton region. The survey was designed to supplement the deep seismic reflection studies with velocity information. This also created an opportunity to compare velocity model derived from wide-angle reflection seismic data with a structural image obtained from the deep common mid-point seismic reflection data, and thus refine our geological understanding of the area. A high velocity body reaching a maximum thickness of 2 km was identified exclusively from the seismic velocity model derived from wide-angle study. This body is interpreted as mafic rocks within the Archaean Granite–Greenstone Belt. The joint interpretation also shows that structural boundaries do not always follow lithological boundaries in our study area. The combination of wide-angle reflection and near-vertical reflection data has facilitated a more complete geological interpretation of the seismic data.     

Postglacial vegetation, fire, and climate history of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon, USA

The forests of the Siskiyou Mountains are among the most diverse in North America, yet the long-term relationship among climate, diversity, and natural disturbance is not well known. Pollen, plant macrofossils, and high-resolution charcoal data from Bolan Lake, Oregon, were analyzed to reconstruct a 17,000-yr-long environmental history of high-elevation forests in the region. In the late-glacial period, the presence of a subalpine parkland of Artemisia, Poaceae, Pinus, and Tsuga with infrequent fires suggests cool dry conditions. After 14,500 cal yr B.P., a closed forest of Abies, Pseudotsuga, Tsuga, and Alnus rubra with more frequent fires developed which indicates more mesic conditions than before. An open woodland of Pinus, Quercus, and Cupressaceae, with higher fire activity than before, characterized the early Holocene and implies warmer and drier conditions than at present. In the late Holocene, Abies and Picea were more prevalent in the forest, suggesting a return to cool wet conditions, although fire-episode frequency remained relatively high. The modern forest of Abies and Pseudotsuga and the present-day fire regime developed ca. 2100 cal yr B.P. and indicates that conditions had become slightly drier than before. Sub-millennial-scale fluctuations in vegetation and fire activity suggest climatic variations during the Younger Dryas interval and within the early Holocene period. The timing of vegetation changes in the Bolan Lake record is similar to that of other sites in the Pacific Northwest and Klamath region, and indicates that local vegetation communities were responding to regional-scale climate changes. The record implies that climate-driven millennial- to centennial-scale vegetation and fire change should be considered when explaining the high floristic diversity observed at present in the Siskiyou Mountains.     

Three-dimensional mineral prospectivity modeling for targeting of concealed mineralization within the Zhonggu iron orefield,Ningwu Basin,China

The Zhonggu iron orefield is one of the most important iron orefields in China, and is located in the south of the Ningwu volcanic basin, within the middle and lower Yangtze metallogenic belt of eastern China. Here, we present the results of new 3D prospectivity modeling that enabled the delineation of areas prospective for exploration of concealed and deep-seated Baixiangshan-type mineralization and Yangzhuang-type mineralization within the Zhonggu orefield; both of these deposits are Kiruna-type Fe-apatite deposits but are hosted by different formations within the Ningwu Basin. The modeling approach used during this study involves 3 steps: (1) combining available geological and geophysical data to construct 3D geological models; (2) generation of 3D predictive maps from these 3D geological models using 3D spatial analysis and 3D geophysical methods; (3) combining all of the 3D predictive maps using logistic regression to create a prospectivity map. This approach integrates a large amount of available geoscientific data using 3D methods, including 3D geological modeling, 3D/2D geophysical methods, and 3D spatial analysis and data integration methods. The resulting prospectivity model clearly identifies highly prospective areas that not only include areas of known mineralization but also a number of favorable targets for future mineral exploration. The 3D prospectivity modeling approach showcased within this study provides an efficient way to identify camp-scale concealed and deep-seated exploration targets and can easily be adapted for regional- and deposit- scale targeting.     

Mineral systems approach applied to GIS-based 2D-prospectivity modelling of geological regions: Insights from Western Australia

GIS-based 2D prospectivity modelling of three greenfield geological regions of Western Australia, namely, the West Arunta Orogen, West Musgrave Orogen and Gascoyne Province, was implemented for a range of deposit types including orogenic and intrusion-related gold, volcanic sediment-hosted base-metal sulfides, magmatic nickel–copper and magmatic platinum group element sulfides, iron-oxide copper gold, tin–tungsten, igneous and metamorphic related rare earth elements, surficial uranium and unconformity-related uranium.Conceptual mineral systems models were generated to identify the targeting criteria. The inputs to the models were the spatial proxies derived from 1:100,000 to 1:500,000 scale public domain data. The results showed similar prospectivity patterns for all of the targeted deposit types except sediment-hosted uranium and surficial uranium deposit types. Once a favourable geodynamic architecture is established, it can sustain different mineral systems and produce diverse deposit types depending on the nature of ligands in the source regions and physical–chemical environment in the trap regions through repeated reactivation in the subsequent geological history. A model is proposed to explain the formation of different deposit types at different stages of tectonic evolution of a province. The implication for GIS-based 2D prospectivity modelling at the scale of geological region is that the prospectivity model may not be deposit type specific. Further, prospectivity modelling should be carried out sequentially at progressively finer scales (regional- to district- to camp-scale), using only the targeting criteria that are relevant at the specific scale to delineate targets for specific deposit types.     

云南红河州超大规模离子吸附型稀土矿的发现及其意义

围绕国家战略性产业发展对稀土资源的需求, 特别是紧缺的重稀土资源, 如何快速有效地发现富含重稀土矿床找矿靶区是勘查地球化学急需解决的问题。“化学地球”大科学计划获得全国地球化学基准数据, 圈定稀土异常超常富集区9处, 其中新发现的滇南红河州蒙自—中越边境地区稀土富集区轻重稀土比值(LREE/HREE)为3.5, 与华南富含重稀土的离子吸附型稀土矿异常LREE/HREE比值一致。结合地质背景、成矿母岩、气候和地形地貌特点等初步判断具有寻找类似华南富含重稀土的离子吸附型稀土矿资源潜力。因此, 对这一异常的核心区, 开展了1:25万、1:5万地球化学调查和风化剖面测量, 并经29个钻孔验证, 初步发现马鞍底潜在超大型富含重稀土离子吸附型稀土矿。富矿区分布于坡度较缓的坡脚处, 风化母岩为印支期和燕山期花岗岩、元古界斜长片麻岩和变粒岩。风化剖面厚度最深可达25 m左右, 富矿层位位于全风化层, 一般在2~13 m深度, 矿体平均厚度6~13 m, 最厚可达21 m, 平均品位0.14%。根据29个钻孔和84个风化壳剖面测量, 初步估算稀土潜在矿石量约9.46亿吨、稀土氧化物潜在资源约100万吨。这是我国首次在滇南地区发现潜在超大型离子吸附型稀土矿。该离子吸附型稀土矿同时富含轻稀土(镧、铈、镨、钕)和重稀土(钆、铽、镝、钇), 具有重大经济价值和科学意义。这一发现表明开展从极低密度、低密度到高密度地球化学调查, 获得全部16个稀土元素高质量数据是发现离子吸附型稀土矿的快速有效方法。     

Preliminary 3–D geological model of the Kalgoorlie region,Yilgarn Craton,Western Australia,based on deep seismic‐reflection and potential‐field data

The granite‐greenstone terranes of the Eastern Goldfields Province, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, are a major Australian and world gold and nickel source. The Kalgoorlie region, in particular, hosts several world‐class gold deposits. To attempt to understand why these deposits occur where they do, it is important to understand the crustal architecture in the region and how the major mineral systems operate in this architecture. One way to understand these relationships is to develop a detailed 3–D geological model for the region. The best method to map the 3–D geometry of major geological structures is by acquisition and interpretation of seismic‐reflection profiles. To contribute to this aim, a grid of deep seismic‐reflection traverses was acquired in 1999 to examine the 3–D geometry of the region in an area including the Kalgoorlie mineral region and mineral fields to the north and west. This grid was tied to the 1991 regional deep seismic traverse and 1997 high‐resolution seismic profiles in the same region. The grid covers an area measuring approximately 50 km wide by 50 km long and extended to a depth of approximately 50 km (below the base of the crust in this region). The resulting 3–D geological model was further constrained by both surface geological data and geophysical interpretations, with the seismic interpretations themselves also constrained by gravity and magnetic modelling. The 3–D model was used to investigate the geometric relationships between the major faults and shear zones in the area, the relationship between the granite‐greenstone succession and the basement, and the spatial relationships between the greenstones and the granites. Interpretation of the grid of seismic lines and construction of the 3–D geological model confirmed the existence of the detachment surface and led to the recognition that the granite‐greenstone contact usually occurs at a much shallower level than the detachment. Also, west‐dipping faults in the vicinity of the Golden Mile, including the Abattoir Shear through to Boulder‐Lefroy Fault, appear to be more important than previously thought in controlling the structure of that area. An antiformal thrust stack occurs beneath a triangle zone centred on the Golden Mile. The Black Flag Group was deposited in a probable extensional setting, and late extension was also probably more important than previously thought. The granite‐gneiss domes were uplifted by the formation of antiformal thrust stacks at depth beneath them.     

Geochemical characteristics and organic carbon sources within the upper reaches of the Xi River,southwest China during high flow

Carbon (POC, DOC) and carbon isotopes (δ¹³C) within two headwater tributaries to the Xi River Basin, southwest China were analyzed to document the geochemical characteristics and sources of organic carbon (C) within basins characterized by a monsoonal climate and karst landforms. δ¹³ C _POC value and C/N ratio data indicate that suspended soil organic carbon (SOC) was an important source of POC in both the Nanpan and Beipan rivers (i.e., the studied tributaries). However, differences in C sources exist between the Nanpan and Beipan River Basins. Higher terrestrial plants supplied a portion of the POC within the Beipan River. In contrast, the Nanpan River was characterized by an inverse correlation between POC and DOC, and a positive relationship between the δ¹³C values. These trends indicate that DOC within the Nanpan River was partly derived from the degradation of soil C within the water column. In addition, the interception of C by hydrological projects (e.g., dams) positioned along the Nanpan River led to higher DOC/POC ratios. In contrast, within the Beipan River δ¹³C _DOC values range from ?20 to ?25.2 ‰ and are consistent with ratios associated with soil C, suggesting that leaching of C from catchment soil was the dominant source of DOC. Organic C in tributaries to the Beipan River may also have been derived from intense upland soil erosion, a process that resulted in the lowest DOC/POC ratios. The collected data indicate that land-use changes have potentially influenced regional- to local-scale organic C budgets within subtropical basins subjected to karstification.     

Structural evolution of the Bayanhongor region, west-central Mongolia

Most of previous models suggest that the Central Asia Orogenic Belt grew southward in the Phanerozoic. However, in the Bayanhongor region in west-central Mongolia, volcanic arc, accretionary prism, ophiolite, and passive margin complexes accreted northeastward away from the Baydrag micro-continent, and hence the region constitutes the southwestern part of a crustal-scale syntaxis close to the west. The syntaxis should be original, because presumably reorientation due to strike-slip faulting can be ignored. It is reconfirmed that the Baydrag eventually collided with another micro-continent (the Hangai) to the northeast. A thick sedimentary basin developed along the southern passive margin of the Hangai micro-continent. This region is also characterized by an exhumed metamorphosed accretionary complex and a passive margin complex, which are both bounded by detachment faults as well as basal reverse faults which formed simultaneously as extrusion wedges. This part of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt lacks exhumed crystalline rocks as observed in the Himalayas and other major collisional orogenic belts. In addition, we identified two phases of deformation, which occurred at each phase of zonal accretion as D1 through Cambrian and Devonian, and a synchronous phase of final micro-continental collision of Devonian as D2. The pre-collisional ocean was wide enough to be characterized by a mid-ocean ridge and ocean islands. Two different structural trends of D1 and D2 are observed in accretionary complexes formed to the southwest of the late Cambrian mid-ocean ridge. That is, the relative plate motions on both sides of the mid-ocean ridge were different. Accretionary complexes and passive margin sediments to the northeast of the mid-ocean ridge also experienced two periods of deformation but show the same structural trend. Unmetamorphosed cover sediments on the accretionary prism and on the Hangai micro-continent experienced only the D2 event due to micro-continental collision. These unmetamorphosed sediments form the hanging walls of the detachment faults. Moreover, they were at least partly derived from an active volcanic arc formed at the margin of the Baydrag micro-continent.     

Sedimentological study of the Chernobyl NPP site to schematise radionuclide migration conditions

The approach, methods and results of a sedimentological study of a near-surface stratum of Late Pleistocene-Holocene deposits in the near-zone (5–10 km radius) of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant are presented. Sedimentological analyses are carried out at three levels of detail: regional-, local- and object-scale. The unsaturated zone and unconfined aquifer at the site are composed of two main genetic types of deposits, aeolian and alluvial, including several dynamic facies. Consideration of lithological properties leads to following ranking of the main genetic sediments facies with respect to radionuclide migration retardation potential: aeolian <alluvial channel <alluvial overbank <alluvial abandoned channel. Based on sedimentological interpretations, the geological environment is schematised into a set of typical geological sections possessing different radionuclide retardation potential.     

Land 3D-Seismic Data: Preprocessing Quality Control Utilizing Survey Design Specifications, Noise Properties, Normal Moveout, First Breaks, and Offset

The recent proliferation of the 3D reflection seismic method into the near-surface area of geophysical applications, especially in response to the emergence of the need to comprehensively characterize and monitor near-surface carbon dioxide sequestration in shallow saline aquifers around the world, Justifies the emphasis on cost-effective and robust quality control and assurance (QC/QA) workflow of 3D seismic data preprocessing that is suitable for near-surface applications. The main purpose of our seismic data preprocessing QC is to enable the use of appropriate header information, data that are free of noise-dominated traces, and/or flawed vertical stacking in subsequent processing steps. In this article, I provide an account of utilizing survey design specifications, noise properties, first breaks, and normal moveout for rapid and thorough graphical QC/QA diagnostics, which are easy to apply and efficient in the diagnosis of inconsistencies. A correlated vibroseis time-lapse 3D-seismic data set from n CO2-flood monitoring survey is used for demonstrating QC dlagnostles. An Important by-product of the QC workflow is establishing the number of layers for n refraction statics model in a data-driven graphical manner that capitalizes on the spatial coverage of the 3D seismic data.     

天津市热储规划分区和地热井审批系统研发

为解决天津市地热工作中大量地热地质专业数据处理工作周期长与管理决策快速、科学要求相矛盾的问题,满足地热开发利用科学规划发展的要求,为资源的可持续开发利用提供操作简单、智能的工具和手段;在过去天津地热工作的基础上,提出了"两线一面"三维动态分区方法,利用MapGIS SDK及Visual Basic开发了地热工程热储规划分区及地热井审批查询系统。该系统的开发为规划的制定和落实提供了快速、全面、直观的规划分区,并且具有动态跟踪功能。在规划期间内,每年根据热储动态观测数据,利用该系统制作一套年度规划分区图,供管理部门掌握规划情况和动态审批。     

煤炭地下气化区高密度三维地震勘探技术研究

地下煤层气化的燃烧范围,气化燃烧热力影响边界、形态、方向,气化区冒落带的发展高度及气化煤层裂隙发育程度,是开展煤炭地下气化工程迫切需要解决的问题。基于煤炭地下气化工程试验区地震地质情况,从地震响应入手,在分析煤炭地下气化后地震波场响应特征的基础上,提出了运用高密度三维地震采集技术结合全三维地震属性解释技术,高精度识别煤炭地下气化燃烧范围、气化热力影响边界的方法。实际勘探成果表明,本方法地震成像清晰,预测精度高,与钻探结果吻合较好。     

Invisible gold in arsenian pyrite and arsenopyrite from a multistage Archaean gold deposit: Sunrise Dam,Eastern Goldfields Province,Western Australia

The Sunrise Dam gold mine (11.1 Moz Au) is the largest deposit in the Archaean Laverton Greenstone Belt (Eastern Goldfields Province, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia). The deposit is characterized by multiple events of fluid flow leading to repeated alteration and mineralization next to a major crustal-scale structure. The Au content of arsenian pyrite and arsenopyrite from four mineralizing stages (D₁, D₃, D_4a, and D_4b) and from different structural and lithostratigraphic environments was measured using in situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Pyrite contains up to 3,067 ppm Au (n = 224), whereas arsenopyrite contains up to 5,767 ppm (n = 19). Gold in arsenopyrite (D_4a stage) was coprecipitated and remained as “invisible gold” (nanoparticles and/or lattice-bound) during subsequent deformation events. In contrast, gold in pyrite is present not only as “invisible gold” but also as micrometer-size inclusions of native gold, electrum, and Au(Ag)–tellurides. Pristine D₁ and D₃ arsenian pyrite contains relatively low Au concentrations (≤26 ppm). The highest Au concentrations occur in D_4a arsenian-rich pyrite that has recrystallized from D₃ pyrite. Textures show that this recrystallization proceeded via a coupled dissolution–reprecipitation process, and this process may have contributed to upgrading Au grades during D_4a. In contrast, Au in D_4b pyrite shows grain-scale redistribution of “invisible” gold resulting in the formation of micrometer-scale inclusions of Au minerals. The speciation of Au at Sunrise Dam and the exceptional size of the deposit at province scale result from multiple fluid flow and multiple Au-precipitating mechanisms within a single plumbing system.     

煤田三维地震勘探在西部戈壁地区的应用

煤田三维地震勘探技术首次应用于西部戈壁地区,针对勘探区浅表砂砾层干燥疏松和煤层埋深及其倾角变化大的不利因素,首先,通过试验选取适合本区的激发与接收因素,并确定合理的观测系统及施工方法。其次,对获得的信噪比较高的原始资料,做好资料处理与解释。通过采取一系列有效技术措施,查明了勘探区褶曲、断层构造特征,控制了主要煤层的空间分布范围。取得的这些地质成果,将成为矿井建设和生产的可靠地质依据。     

永夏城郊矿三维地震资料解释方法应用实例

以永夏矿区城郊矿三维地震资料解释为例,论述了利用方差体解释技术、道积分解释技术、三维可视化解释技术、地震反演技术及断层解释方法与沿层地震属性分析技术等三维地震资料解释技术在煤矿采区三维地震资料解释中的应用,明显提高了地震地质的解释精度,丰富了地质资料的信息,为采矿工作面的合理布置提供了可靠的依据。     

成矿区三维可视化与立体定量预测——以钦-杭成矿带庞西垌地区下园垌铅锌矿区为例

矿产资源是人类生存与社会进步的根本物质保障。近年来,随着地表矿、浅部矿产资源的日益枯竭,采用新技术、新方法的深部矿产资源预测成为地质勘查的主要研究方向。基于数字化、三维可视化及矿产定量预测为主的三维地质建模技术,为当前矿产资源远景预测与找矿工作提供了有力的工具。本文在现代成矿预测理论研究基础上,运用三维地质建模技术建立了钦杭成矿带下园垌矿区地质、地球物理、地球化学、钻孔等三维模型,揭示了区内构造地质特征、地球化学异常表征及地层岩体要素,据此探讨了矿床的成因及矿体分布特征。并在此基础上,采用证据权方法对研究区地质、地球物理、地球化学等多源信息进行融合,运用断裂缓冲区、地球化学异常、东岗岭组沉积岩地层等为证据因子来计算单位体积成矿后验概率,进行立体成矿预测,并圈定出铁锰矿、方铅闪锌矿、铅锌银综合矿等3处找矿有利靶区及估算出预测区内矿产资源储量总量为88710吨。研究结果表明:综合分析地质、地球物理、地球化学及钻孔数据进行矿区的三维地质空间定位、定量预测研究,可以有效的识别矿致异常信息,圈定找矿远景区,为成矿预测研究领域提供了新方向,可以将此方法应用至其他矿山。     

盆地构造图三维可视化系统开发的实例介绍

传统的二维构造图难于直观地描述地质构造的空间形态。综合利用VB、VC和OPENGL环境设计的盆地构造图三维可视化系统将构造图上涉及的要素分成点、线、面、区等不同类型,每个类型数据又都由空间数据和属性数据两部分组成,并用数据库方式管理这些数据。系统除了可将各构造要素以三维方式显示外,还可以利用测井数据和剖面图恢复三维地层;同时允许用户与屏幕图形进行交互,从而实现对图形的切割操作。显示成果可以以栅格图形或AVI录像形式输出。通过几个用该系统输出的三维构造图的实例说明该系统基本能满足盆地构造图三维显示的需要。     

Velocity and Structural Modeling of Mesozoic Chiltan Limestone and Goru Formation for Hydrocarbon Evaluation in the Bitrisim Area, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

The present study focuses on building a workflow for structural interpretation and velocity modeling and implementing to Jurassic-Cretaceous succession (Chiltan Limestone and Massive sand of the Lower Goru Formation). 2D-Migrated seismic sections of the area are used as data set and in order to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in the study area, P and S-wave seismic velocities are estimated from single-component seismic data. Some specific issues in the use of seismic data for modeling and hydrocarbon evaluation need to deal with including distinguishing the reservoir and cap rocks, and the effects of faults, folds and presence of hydrocarbons on these rocks. This study has carried out the structural interpretation and modeling of the seismic data for the identification of traps. The results demonstrate existence of appropriate structural traps in the form of horst and grabens in the area. 2D and 3D velocity modeling of the horizons indicates the presence of high velocity zones in the eastern half of the study while relatively low velocity zones are encountered in the western half of the area. Two wells were drilled in the study area (i.e. Fateh-01 and Ichhri-01) and both are dry. Immature hydrocarbons migration is considered as a failure reason for Fateh-01 and Ichhri-01 well.