Basin Analysis Codes: Strategies for Use Based on Data Availability

Abstract

Based upon many quantitative case histories of basins, evaluated by several basin analysis groups, some general patterns of application of codes are developing. Here we set down some ideas for using quantitative basin analysis codes when minimal, moderate or maximal quantities of high quality data are available. While strategies for each basin have to be tailored to the specific geologic setting of each basin, nevertheless some general patterns of development seem to be of generic validity.

Three stategies are outlined as follows:

• (a)

Minimal data (Table 1 and Section II)

(b)

Moderate data (Table 2 and Section III)

(c)

Maximal data (Table 3 and Section IV)

In addition, comments are provided on using basin analysis codes and seismic sections in an integrated manner (section V); while the quandary between corporate applications versus basic research development is briefly considered in section VI.