Implications of Inversion Tectonics for Hydrocarbon Exploration

Mark Cooper1 and Marian J. Warren2

1Sherwood Geoconsulting Inc., Calgary, Alberta
2Jenner GeoConsulting, Calgary, Alberta

12 noon to 1pm
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Location: Conference Centre Room A, +30 level, Western Canadian Place (Husky Energy), 707-8th Avenue S.W.

Inversion structures are now recognized in most orogenic belts and in many other tectonic settings, however, this has not always been the case. For many years the thin-skinned paradigm dominated the interpretation of thrust belts which resulted in many inversion structures being erroneously interpreted as thin-skinned thrusts. In rift basins, intra-cratonic basins and on passive margins inversion structures were often interpreted as having alternative origins, for example, strike-slip deformation. The classic paper of Bally described the geometric characteristics of inversion structures, in which he identified the extensional fault geometry and its subsequent compressional reactivation as essential requirements of an inversion structure. The increased recognition of inversion structures in a wide variety of tectonic settings is illustrated by four hydrocarbon exploration case studies. The geometric characteristics of inversion structures are remarkably consistent irrespective of the tectonic setting and by applying a few simple criteria they can easily be identified. The impact of inversion on hydrocarbon prospectivity is a function of the control on the petroleum system elements from the initial extensional tectonic history and of the later compressional tectonic history which commonly creates new, or modifies old trap configurations.

Information:
Structural Division talks are monthly and cover a diversity of structural themes. All are welcome and no registration is required. For additional information, to be placed on the Division e-mail list or to present a talk, please contact Darcie Greggs, Darcie.Greggs@Huskyenergy.com