Abstract Many ancient carbonate build-ups are impacted by meteoric diagenetic processes, including karstification. However, very little is known about the acoustic properties and seismic expression of karstified reservoirs. This paper investigates potential seismic expressions of karstified build-ups by means of synthetic seismic modelling. The overall stratigraphic architecture and physical properties of rock are derived from published examples of SE Asian carbonate build-ups. Various karst systems, corresponding to distinct stages of karstification of varying intensity, have been superimposed to the background facies-related acoustic model. Three-dimensional synthetic seismic cubes have been computed from the karst-bearing acoustic model and by testing various wavelet frequencies. The proposed approach allowed several types of palaeokarst to be reproduced, from dendritic karst and flank-margin caves to cave networks, in amplitude sections. However, geometrical seismic attributes, like coherency, cannot be accurately reproduced with modelling based on the available literature. In addition, the exploration of this synthetic seismic data shows that non-stratiform diagenetic bodies (i.e. leached carbonate wedges in a mixing zone) appear as stratiform even in very-high-resolution seismic. Thus, their detection and characterization require advanced techniques or prior knowledge, such as borehole data.

ABSTRACT The Madre de Dios Basin, located in the northern sub-Andean zone of Bolivia is an underexplored sub-Andean basin. A complete stratigraphic revision, including biostratigraphy, core description, and sismo-stratigraphy, has been carried out; it suggests some changes in the historical sedimentary models and allows the identification of several reservoir and seal pairs. This revision not only integrates the results of previous studies but also provides new and original interpretations of the existing data set. The geochemical study indicates the existence of an Upper Devonian world-class source rock, in which, the Frasnian interval is characterized with a type I-II kerogen and a source potential index (SPI) higher than 6 ton/m 2 ; the Famennian interval has a type II kerogen and its SPI reaches 3 t/m 2 . The Carboniferous and Permian formations have levels with notable content of organic matter but do not classify as source rock in this area because of their low SPI. To evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the basin, a 3-D dynamic model has been built. The thermal calibration of the temperature and maturity data is only possible taking into account an increase of the heat flow during Triassic–Jurassic time. As a consequence, 90% of the hydrocarbons are expelled before Cretaceous times by the identified kitchen in the center of the basin. The remaining 10% were expelled between the Oligocene and present time. Considering a petroleum system yield of 1%, the yet to find (mean) of the studied area is evaluated at 7 Gbbl of oil equivalent. The main challenge of the basin remains in finding traps.

Abstract A regional sequence stratigraphic model is proposed for the Oligo-Miocene Asmari and Pabdeh Formations in the Dezful Embayment of SW Iran. The model is based on both new detailed sedimentological observations in outcrops, core and well logs, and an improved high-resolution chronostratigraphic framework constrained by Sr isotope stratigraphy and biostratigraphy. A better understanding of the stratigraphic architecture distinguishes four, geographically separated types of Asmari reservoirs. Three Oligocene sequences (of Rupelian, early Chattian and late Chattian age) and three Miocene sequences (of early Aquitanian, late Aquitanian and early Burdigalian age) have been distinguished, representing a period of 15.4 Ma. The stratigraphic architecture of these sequences is primarily controlled by glacio-eustatic sea-level fluctuations, which determined the distribution of carbonates, sandstones and anhydrites in this sedimentary system. Tectonic control became important in the Burdigalian with a regional tilt down towards the NE. The lithological heterogeneity, the complex geometries, and both early and late diagenetic alterations are the basis for a classification of four main stratigraphic reference types for the Asmari Reservoirs: Type 1, sandstone dominated; Type 2, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic; Type 3, mixed carbonate-anhydrite; and Type 4, carbonate dominated. The sequence stratigraphic model predicts how and when these types change laterally from one to another.

Abstract Deep-water sedimentation is currently a major focus of both academic research and industrial interest. Recent studies have emphasized the fundamental influence of seafloor topography on the growth and morphology of submarine ‘fans’: in many turbidite systems and turbidite hydrocarbon reservoirs, depositional system development has been moderately to strongly confined by pre-existing bounding slopes. This publication examines aspects of sediment dispersal and accumulation in deepwater systems where basin-floor topography has profoundly affected deposition, and the associated controls on hydrocarbon reservoir architecture and heterogeneity. The papers herein offer a global perspective which is wide-ranging in terms of both approach and location, including contrasting case studies of outcrop, subsurface, modern and experimental systems.

Abstract Napoleon Bonaparte was, in 1798, the first general to include geologists as such on a military operation. Within the UK, the following century saw geology taught, and national geological mapping initiated, as a military science. Nevertheless, military geologists were not deployed on a battlefield until World War I, first by the German and Austro-Hungarian armies and later and less intensively those of the UK and USA. Geologists were used primarily to guide abstraction of groundwater, construction of ‘mine’ tunnels and dug-outs, development of fortifications and quarrying of natural resources to enhance or repair supply routes. Only the USSR and Germany entered World War II with organized military geological expertise, but the UK and later the USA made significant use of military geologists, albeit far fewer than the c . 400 in total used by German forces. Military geologist roles in World War II included most of those of World War I, but were extended to other aspects of terrain evaluation, notably the rapid construction of temporary airfields and factors affecting cross-country vehicular movement (‘going’). After 1945, more military geologists were used in the USA than Germany or the UK, in these and wider roles, but mostly as civilians or reservists.

Abstract Potential military applications of geology became apparent in Europe by the late eighteenth century, notably to Napoleon Bonaparte. In the United Kingdom, nineteenth-century practice was commonly to teach elementary geology to army officer cadets, and in twentieth-century conflicts to deploy a single uniformed geologist as a staff officer within each major regional headquarters, initially leaving terrain analysis to geographers. In Germany, considerably greater use was made of uniformed geologists serving as teams within all theaters of military operation in both world wars, generating a wealth of data now published or accessible in national archives. In the United States, a few military geologists were appointed to serve in uniform in France during World War I, but during World War II, a far greater number were civilians, based within a Military Geology Unit of the U.S. Geological Survey at Washington, D.C. Despite different organizational backgrounds, and irrespective of nationality, military geologists have addressed similar geoscience problems.

Abstract In science and engineering, including engineering geology and geotechnical engineering, initial investigations can be particularly cost-effective for early evaluation and the planning of subsequent investigations: ‘time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted’ (purportedly said by Napoleon Bonaparte). But the work needs to be well planned and executed if its findings are to be used properly and their potential benefits are to be realized. Clients and their professional advisors are frequently exhorted to carry out desk studies and other investigations early in the design of a project (e.g. among many publications: Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists 2006 ; BS EN 1997-2). Unfortunately, such advice is sometimes ignored. This chapter contains advice on desk studies and field evaluation for projects in hot deserts. Much of the advice also applies to other geographical and geological environments. However, some is specific to hot deserts, and it is this advice that is emphasized. Hot deserts are defined by their climate. In addition to their aridity, high temperature and large daily range in temperature, four other attributes make deserts distinctively challenging for engineering projects. Wind – the effects of wind on the bare desert surface; the movement of sand and dust. Groundwater – the general absence of groundwater at shallow depths. Surface water – the erosive and inundating effects of storms: flash flooding in wadis and sheet flooding on the desert surface. Chemistry – desert temperatures and aridity result in the development of minerals and materials that are not present (or are much less familiar) in other climatic zones.