Analysis of regional tectono-sedimentary controls on reservoir quality in mature basins: A high-resolution stratigraphic and geochemical study (Geology)

Project Abstract

This study integrates high-resolution stratigraphy, sedimentology, geochemistry, and tectonic analysis to unravel how regional tectono-sedimentary processes govern reservoir quality in mature basins. By combining detailed outcrop measurements, core logging, and wireline log interpretation with rock- and mineral-scale geochemical signatures, we establish a hierarchical framework linking tectonic evolution to sediment distribution, diagenetic pathways, and pore-network development. The research focuses on a well-exposed mature foreland-basin system, where prolonged tectonic loading, uplift, and subsequent basin remodeling have created complex stratigraphic architectures and variable diagenetic histories. We first reconstruct a chronology of tectonic events using structural mapping, stratigraphic correlations, and fault-slip data to identify episodes of thrusting, subsidence, and unconformity development that controlled accommodation space and sediment supply. Sedimentological analyses identify sheet-like vs. channelized sand bodies, grain-size distributions, sorting, permeability indicators, and cementation patterns, which are then integrated with sequence stratigraphy to delineate systems tracts and their lateral heterogeneity. Geochemical investigations—including whole-rock major and trace elements, stable isotopes, clay mineralogy, illitization potential, and diagenetic mineral phases—provide insights into fluid–rock interactions, meteoric versus burial diagenesis, silica and carbonate cementation, and mineral transformations that alter porosity and permeability. The study employs quantitative methods such as porosity-permeability relationships, capillary pressure estimations, and reservoir-quality scoring to evaluate reservoir potential across stratigraphic intervals, complemented by basin-scale geochemical modeling to predict fluid migration pathways and sealing effectiveness. IODP-like proxy data and digital rock physics are used to simulate pore-network evolution under varying diagenetic paradigms and tectonic stresses. A key objective is to disentangle the relative influence of tectono-sedimentary controls from depositional facies architecture and diagenetic overprint on effective porosity, connectivity, and reservoir deliverability. Outcomes will establish predictive indicators for reservoir quality tied to specific tectono-sedimentary scenarios, such as periods of rapid subsidence with high sand influx versus tectonically quiescent intervals favoring carbonate or clay cementation. The research also assesses how compaction, overpressure, and fracture networks modify permeability anisotropy and fluid-flow behavior in mature basins, with implications for exploration strategies and production optimization. By comparing multiple stratigraphic sections across the basin, the study identifies spatial heterogeneity patterns and develops a regional reservoir-quality map used to forecast sweet spots and risk, informing sustainable development and enhanced oil recovery planning. The integrated dataset and methodological framework offer transferable insights to other mature basins experiencing similar tectono-sedimentary regimes, advancing understanding of how deep-time tectonics imprint modern reservoir architecture and performance.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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This project looks at how the rocks and their buried history in mature basins affect how easily fluids like oil or gas can be stored and moved. It combines a careful look at layering (stratigraphy) and chemistry (geochemistry) with big-picture tectonic forces that shape basin development. The goal is to understand why some areas in a basin hold more reservoir quality than others, and how to predict where good reservoirs might be found.

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The Problem It Addresses

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Mature basins often show uneven reservoir quality that standard models can’t fully explain. Gaps exist in linking large-scale tectonic events with small-scale rock properties and fluid behavior. This project aims to close that gap by tying together structural history, sediment deposition patterns, and chemical signatures of rocks to improve prediction of productive zones.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Identify key tectonic and sedimentary factors that influence reservoir quality.
2. Misinterpretations or gaps in existing basin models and how to fix them.
3. Map how mineral content and pore structure relate to storage and flow of fluids.
4. Develop a workflow combining stratigraphy and geochemistry for better predictions.
5. Provide recommendations for exploration strategies in mature basins.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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1. Review literature on basin tectonics, stratigraphy, and geochemistry.
2. Compile regional seismic, well log, and outcrop data to establish a basin history.
3. Collect rock samples and analyze mineralogy, geochemistry, and porosity.
4. Link stratigraphic units to tectonic events and reservoir properties.
5. Model fluid flow potential using integrated data.
6. Identify zones with high reservoir quality and their controls.
7. Evaluate uncertainties and test alternative hypotheses.
8. Prepare a practical framework for predicting reservoir quality in similar basins.

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Expected Outcome

An integrated understanding of how regional tectonics and sediment history control reservoir quality, with a practical method for predicting favorable zones in mature basins, enhancing exploration efficiency and decision-making.