The Deliberate Search for the Stratigraphic Trap

Twenty-four years have elapsed since the publication of Halbouty’s AAPG Memoir of 1982, The Deliberate Search for the Subtle Trap. Since then, the technologies employed in hydrocarbon exploration have become extraordinarily sophisticated, yet current exploration for stratigraphic traps is to some extent restricted to areas where seismic data simplifies exploration by allowing direct inference of fluid fill and reservoir development. This Special Publication draws upon contributions that examine current industry perceptions of stratigraphic trap exploration and the technologies, tools and philosophies employed in such exploration, given the changing industry environment.
This book contains a collection of papers examining a number of themes related to exploration for stratigraphic traps, ranging from play and risk assessment, through regional assessments of stratigraphic trapping potential, specific exploration programmes targeted at stratigraphic traps to specific working traps and plays where stratigraphic trapping is prevalent.
The deliberate search for stratigraphic and subtle combination traps: where are we now?
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Published:January 01, 2006
Abstract
Stratigraphic and subtle combination traps have a well-documented track record as significant producing hydrocarbon resources. The majority of these success cases come from onshore USA where unprecedented drilling densities combined with a long history of hydrocarbon exploration provide a large portfolio of stratigraphic and subtle combination traps. By comparing USA-based examples with other global cases it is evident that numerous basins still have the potential for exploration success associated with these traps. This paper attempts to raise the awareness of the exploration potential of stratigraphic and subtle combination traps through four approaches. Firstly, a summary of key global statistics...