A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO MODEL BASIN EVOLUTION AND COMPARE BETWEEN RIFT AND FORELAND BASIN SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE PERMO-CARBONIFEROUS

Lateral distribution of lithologic formations, as well as facies associated with them in sedimentary basins, have been a topic of intricacy due to the lack of detailed study and availability of data in most of the understudied basins. But it is possible, even with minimum available data to generate basin models which can reasonably help understand the evolution of such basins as well can further be extrapolated into understanding characteristics such as basin subsidence history and structures intricate within such basins.

Here we present a simplified approach using vertical lithological logs from drill holes along with ArcGIS and Surfer software platform to model basin structure and possible lateral distribution of Permo-Carboniferous formations of three rift basins from the Indian platform (Barapukuria, Khalashpir, and Koel-Damodar) and then compare with a foreland basin from North America (Cahaba). Initially, an ArcGIS model was generated that identified the target formations from the lithological logs drilled in different locations within these four basins, which, then was used to map the extent of each formation throughout the Permo-Carboniferous. Following, isopach maps were generated using Surfer for each of the formations from each of the basins based on the formation thickness available from the vertical lithological logs. Once thickness was assigned for each formation, it was extrapolated using both nearest neighbor and random distribution method to generate a possible three-dimensional model for each targeted formation, and finally combining all the formations together, provided information regarding possible lateral distribution of the formations. For the rift basins, it was also possible to identify multiple normal faults based on the extrapolated lateral distribution models whereas for the foreland basins thrust fault was identified.

Furthermore, based on the modeling performed and structures identified, provided information indicating basin evolution history throughout the Permo-Carboniferous and help understand how two different basin systems (rift and foreland) behaved and evolved during the same time in geologic history.