Structural and Stratigraphic Correlations Across the Northwestern Flank of the Venezuelan Andes: Implications for the Exploration of Gas Plays (Spanish Presentation)

Authors: Jose Nicanor Mendez (presenter), Johanny Chacon, Hugo Govea, China University of Petroleum

Several thrust fronts along hundreds of kms of the northwestern flank in Venezuelan Andes, still represent interesting plays for hydrocarbon exploration. These southeastward-dipping thrusts formed after the Paleocene-Eocene foreland basin subsidence following the oblique collision of Caribbean plate with the South American passive margin, contain extensive correlatives Cretaceous units essentially to the southwest, between the limits of Venezuela and Colombia. So far, only one well has drilled a thrust nappe in this area, discovering the region’s gas potential (around 8 MMcf). The main reservoir is lithologically composed of tight calcareous sandstones and shales from the Aptian Aguardiente Formation. These rock packages are stacking in progradational parasequence sets related to an extensive shoreface that cropped out along Cretaceous carbonate platform during the passive margin deposition. Despite its potential, this area has been abandoned for almost 30 years after its discovery. In order to mature this area, we have integrated around 150 km of 2D seismic data, 3 wells, and outcropping sections to provide an improved structural interpretation and stratigraphic of the flank within an assigned area. In which an updated geological model is obtained, to guide tectonic interpretations and exploration programs in the region. In addition, these hydrocarbon plays formed by compressive tectonic are similar to those visualized in the deep Pirital thrust, eastern Venezuela, which are also significant oil and gas reservoirs

Bio:

Jose Nicanor Mendez, China University of Petroleum

Jose Nicanor is a Doctor with 13 years of experience in the industry. He recently concluded his PhD in China University of Petroleum (East China), where he characterized a fractured and karsted carbonate reservoir from the Sinopec company.

He has previous work experience in South American with Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), and currently is Independent Consultant at Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.

Jose is a member of SPE.