Chapter 7 Structural Analysis of Sedimentary Basins
7.1 Introduction
At this stage of the book, all the aspects of imagery
interpretation of different structural features have
been covered and methods for constraining the
analysis with surface and subsurface controls have
been illustrated. The next step is to introduce meth-
ods to integrate the analysis of the imagery data into
a conventional exploration program. Presented
here is a systematic approach which begins with the
analysis of the entire sedimentary basin and pro-
gresses towards the recognition of regional-scale
features and their associated hydrocarbon leads.
This process often leads to the recognition of new
concepts and leads in both frontier and mature ar-
eas. As emphasized throughout this book, the analy-
sis is limited to the recognition of geological features
that can be constrained with other surface and sub-
surface exploration tools {seismic, gravity, magnet-
ic, etc.}. An additional step in this approach may in-
elude the analysis of small-scale linear features that
cannot be constrained with subsurface data. This
step is not illustrated here for the sake of brevity and
the lack of encouraging results experienced by the
author in this endeavor.
EXPOSED STRUCTURES
OBSCURED
Z. Berger, Satellite Hydrocarbon Exploration
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1994
7.2 Approach
The basic concept of the approach promoted here is
illustrated in Fig. 7.1. First, from a satellite imagery
point of view, a basin is divided into two categories:
• The basin's margins, which consist predominant-
ly of exposed structures, can be mapped and ana-
lyzed in detail from surface data {satellite, aerial
photography and geological maps}. Basin margin
structures are represented on the interpreted
data by solid lines.
• Basin interior structures are either obscured by
vegetation and soil cover or are completely
buried under unconsolidated sediments. These
structures are recognized on imagery by their
geomorphic expressions and are further con-
strained by other available subsurface data.
These structures are represented by dashed lines
or arrows at each end of the element.
The analysis starts in the basin's margins and then
extends into the central parts. It proceeds in seven
steps which are illustrated in Fig. 7.2.
Fig. 7.1. Conceptual Model
Showing spatial relationships among
structures exposed in the basin's mar-
gins and buried and obscured struc-
tures in the basin's interior
172 Chapter 7 Structural Analysis of Sedimentary Basins

Fig. 7.2. Procedures for integration

of imagery data

...
REGIONAL
INTERPRETATION

ANALYSIS OF
KEY AREAS INPUT FROM
INTEGRATED
LANDSAT STUDY

DEVELOPMENT OF
STRUCTURAL I
GEOMORPHIC
MODELS
'+
INPUT FROM
CONVENTIONAL
EXPLORATION

DELINEATION OF

~. ~
PROSPECTIVE
LEADS

REVISION OF PROSPECT
PLAY CONCEPT MAPPING

~ MODEL
TESTING
The first four steps are based on the integration
of satellite imagery with other available data sets.
The remaining three steps consist of conventional
exploration programs including mapping prospects
with new seismic data and testing and revising the
new concepts and leads with a drilling program.
Note, however, that after the first round of drilling
has been completed and the structural models have
been revised, the process of identifying leads with
imagery data should also be reexamined.
At the outset of such studies, it is recommended
to compile a regional data set which includes the fol-
lowing:
• selected structural and isopach maps
• a location map of seismic lines
• potential field data
• pool and show maps
• surface geological data, particularly surface
structures and tectonic element maps.
These data can be prepared as a series of overlays
which are at the same scale as the interpreted im-
agery or they may be digitized and superimposed
with an image processing system. The latter choice,
~
however, leads to increases in expense and effort
which should be weighed against its usefulness. The
analytical procedures involved in the integration
of image data and the resulting products of such
studies are briefly demonstrated in this chapter
with two examples; a fracture play study in the Mo-
lasse Basin, Switzerland, and an investigation of
buried Mesozoic basins in the Coastal Plain region
of the eastern United States.
7.3 Analysis of Fractured Reservoir
Trends in the Swiss Molasse Basin
7.3.1 Objectives
There are several areas within the sedimentary ba-
sins of western Germany and Switzerland where
conventional exploration has had limited success so
far. In these areas, the lack of commercial discover-
ies has been attributed to the overall tightness ofthe
sedimentary section which limited the ability of
hydrocarbons to migrate and accumulate in poten-
tial traps. Within these areas, however, a few com-