Integrated structural analysis of fractured basement reservoir in the South Assam Shelf, India

Abstract

Hydrocarbon potential of fractured basement in South Assam shelf has a complex geological history related to episodic evolution of the basin. In the complex tectonic evolution processes from passive margin to active margin, Precambrian Basement has experienced severe fracturing up to deep level. In the highly fractured Basement, where overlying sedimentary column is thicker with the presence of other favourable components of entrapment model, chances of hydrocarbon success is high. The Borholla Field in the north eastern edge of the study area is fully developed for its hydrocarbon commerciality from Basement in last three decades while recent oil find within fractured Basement in southern part in Khoraghat area has also opened up rest of the Basin for Basement exploration. Application of conventional seismic methods for mapping of natural fracture distribution cannot be conducted directly due to dimension of fracture lying below the seismic resolution (sub-seismic). This paper presents an integrated structural analysis of the prospectivity of basement exploration in the study area.