Tectonics of Eastern Mexico Gulf of Mexico and its Hydrocarbon Potential*

Tectonics of Eastern Mexico Gulf of Mexico and its Hydrocarbon Potential* Ricardo J. Padilla y Sánchez 1 Search and Discovery Article #10622 (2014)** Posted August 11, 2014 *Adapted from oral presentation at AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, April 6-9, 2014, and the Geoscience Technology Workshop Sixth Deepwater and Shelf Reservoir, Houston, Texas, January 27-28, 2015 **Datapages 2014 Serial rights given by author. For all other rights contact author directly. 1 División de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, Distrito Federal, Mexico (ricardojpadilla@gmail.com; rpadilla@unam.mx) Abstract Major oil and gas reservoirs occur in Mexico in seven main basins, from northwest to southeast: Sabinas, Burgos, Tampico- Misantla, Chicontepec, Veracruz, Salina del Istmo, and Macuspana y Comalcalco; over, or around carbonate build-ups, of buried basement horsts like the Golden Lane and Akal Horst, as well as in salt-related structures. These features are located along the Gulf Coastal Plain, onshore and offshore, between the Sierra Madre Oriental on the west, and the Perdido Fold Belt, the Mexican Ridges, and the Yucatan Platform, on the east. The age of the source rocks for these conventional reservoirs is Tithonian, but could be even Kimmeridgian or Oxfordian. The regional migration trend for the hydrocarbons, generated by these sources and accumulated in the conventional known reservoirs, came most probably from east to west, from the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, upward to the final traps, in different times. A series of chronological paleogeographic maps are presented in order to try to understand the regional facies distribution and the orogenic events resulting from a combination of gravitydriven, passive margin, near-field stress-driven type 1 systems and a continuous transpressional state of stress due to the fastest movement of the northern portion of the North American Plate respect to Mexico, since the Mesozoic to the present. An additional evidence for the proposed routes of migration and today's activity of the petroleum system are the numerous oil-gas seeps in the Gulf of Mexico. A reliable estimate of the undiscovered recoverable conventional petroleum resources is presented.

Selected References Blakey, R., 2013, North American Paleogeography Key time Slices: Present (0 Ma), http://cpgeosystems.com/images/nam_key_present-sm.jpg (website accessed July 5, 2014) Escalera Alcocer, J.A., 2013, Hydrocarbon exploration challenges and perspectives in Mexico: Search and Discovery Article #10539 (2013) http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/pdfz/documents/2013/10539escalera/ndx_escalera.pdf.html (website accessed July 8, 2014) González, G.R., and Q.N. Holguín, 1991, Geology of the source rocks of Mexico. Source rock geology, in XIII World Petroleum Congress, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Topic 2, Forum with Posters, p. 1-10. González Garcia, R., and N. Holguín Quiñones (González, G.R., and Q.N. Holguín), 1992, Las Rocas generadoras de Mexico: Bol. AMGP, articulo reeditado del v. XLII, no. 1, p. 16-30. Hudec, M.R., I.O. Norton, M.P.A. Jackson, and F.J. Peel, 2013, Jurassic evolution of the Gulf of Mexico salt basin: AAPG Bulletin, v. 97, p. 1683-1710. Padilla y Sánchez, R., 1986, Post-Paleozoic tectonics of northeast Mexico and its role on the evolution of the Gulf of Mexico: Revista Geofísica Internacional, Instituto de Geofísica, v. 25/1, p.157-206. Padilla y Sanchez, R., 2007, Evolucion geologica del sureste mexicano desde el Mezosoico al presente en el context regional del Golfo de Mexico: Boletin de la Sociedad Geologica Mexicana. Tomo LIX, Num. 1, p.19-42. Padilla y Sánchez, R.J., I. Domínguez Trejo, A.G. López Azcárraga, J. Mota Nieto, A.O. Fuentes Menes, F. Rosique Naranjo, E.A. Germán Castelán, and S.E. Campos Arriola, 2013, National Autonomous University of Mexico Tectonic Map of Mexico GIS Project, American Association of Petroleum Geologists GIS Open Files series, http://www.datapages.com/associatedwebsites/gisopenfiles.aspx (website accessed July 7, 2014)..

Pemex, 2013a, Provincia Petrolera Sureste (Salina del Istmo, Reforma-Akal y Macuspana): Pemex Exploración y Producción Subdirección de Exploración, Versión 2.0, 2013, 57p. (www.cnh.gob.mx/rig/pdf/cuencas/sureste.pdf) (website accessed July 5, 2014). Pemex, 2013b, Provincia Petrolera Tampico-Misantla: Pemex Exploración y Producción Subdirección de Exploración, Versión 2.0, 2013, 48p. http://www.cnh.gob.mx/rig/pdf/cuencas/tampico-misantla.pdf Pindell, J., and L. Kennan, 2001, Kinematic evolution of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean: GCSSEPM Foundation 21st Annual Research Conference Transactions, Petroleum Systems of Deep-Water Basins, December 2-5, 2001, p. 193-220. Rangel-German, E., 2014, The new role of the Mexican upstream regulator: SSIII La Jolla 2014 Energy Conference, Institute of the Americas: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ujyw6rctvqij:www.iamericas.org/lajolla/presentation/doc_download /9-edgar-rangel+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us (website accessed July 7, 2014). Robin, C., 1982. Relations volcanologie magmatologie-geodynamique: Application au passage entre volcanismes alcalin et andesitique dans le sud Mexicain (Axe Trans-mexicain et Province Alcaline Oriental): Ph.D. Thesis, Annales Scientifiques de l Universite de Clermont-Ferrand II France, 503 p. Tari, G., and A.W. Bally, 2004, Interpretation of seismic data in a regional context: Developing frontier exploration opportunities: AAPG Winter Education Conference, lecture notes. Vázquezde la Certa, A.M., R.O. Reid, S.F. DiMarco, and A.E. Jochens, 2005, Bay of Campeche circulation: An update, in Circulation of the Gulf of Mexico: Observations and Models: Geophysical Monograph Series 161, American Geophysical Union, p. 279-293.

Tectonics of Eastern Mexico - Gulf of Mexico and its Hydrocarbon Potential Ricardo José Padilla y Sánchez División de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México AAPG-ACE-HOUSTON, April 2014

Tectonics of Eastern Mexico - Gulf of Mexico and its Hydrocarbon Potential Contents: Major oil & gas reservoirs in Mexico - GOM Petroleum basins of Mexico Source rocks Petroleum systems Late Paleozoic Cenozoic tectonic evolution Undiscovered recoverable resources

Major oil & gas reservoirs in Mexico Burgos Padilla y Sánchez et.al., 2013, AAPG Datapages

Major oil & gas reservoirs in Mexico Ébano, Pánuco, Faja de Oro Padilla y Sánchez et.al., 2013, AAPG Datapages

Major oil & gas reservoirs in Mexico Veracruz Padilla y Sánchez et.al., 2013, AAPG Datapages

Major oil & gas reservoirs in Mexico Sureste Padilla y Sánchez et.al., 2013, AAPG Datapages

Major oil & gas reservoirs in Mexico Región Marina Padilla y Sánchez et.al., 2013, AAPG Datapages

Petroleum basins of Mexico Chihuahua Burgos Sabinas Oil Gas Tampico-Misantla Chicontepec Veracruz Salina del Istmo- Comalcalco Macuspana Pilar de Akal Padilla y Sánchez et.al., 2013, AAPG Datapages

Source rocks Regional stratigraphic and geochemical characteristics of the Burgos Basin (Tomada de González y Holguin, 1991). González y Holguín, 1992

Source rocks Regional stratigraphic and geochemical characteristics of the Tampico-Misantla Basin (Tomada de González y Holguin, 1991). González y Holguín, 1992

Source rocks Regional stratigraphic and geochemical characteristics of the Veracruz Basin (Tomada de González y Holguin, 1991). González y Holguín, 1992

Source rocks Simplified cross section and maturity of the Sureste Basin (Tomada de González y Holguin, 1991). González y Holguín, 1992

Petroleum systems Diagram of the events of the Tithonian-Kimmeridgian-Cretaceous-Paleogene-Neogene petroleum systems. PEMEX, 2013a

Petroleum system Diagram of the events of the Oxfordian petroleum system, representative of the terrestrial and marine parts of the Sureste petroleum province. PEMEX, 2013a

Petroleum system Table of the elements and events of the Lower-Middle Jurassic petroleum system of the Tampico- Misantla petroleum province. PEMEX, 2013b

Petroleum system Table of the elements and events of the petroleum system associated with Upper Jurassic source rocks. PEMEX, 2013b

Paleogeographic evolution of NA Ronald Blakey, 2013

Late Triassic paleogeography D D SEA LAND Red Beds o 500 Km

Callovian paleogeography D D SEA LAND o 500 Km

Oxfordian paleogeography D D SEA LAND o 500 Km

Kimmeridgian paleogeography D D SEA LAND 500 Km

Tithonian paleogeography SEA LAND o 500 Km

Early Cretaceous paleogeography SEA LAND o 500 Km

Barremian paleogeography SEA LAND o 500 Km

Albian paleogeography SEA LAND o 500 Km

Late Cretaceous paleogeography SEA LAND o 500 Km

Early Paleocene paleogeography D D SEA LAND J r' ) r ~.J.. ~ '-'I "' '>.- o 500 Km

Late Eocene paleogeography, ) D D SEA LAND 'I ( ) o 500 Km

Miocene paleogeography SEA LAND ( o 500 Km

Late Miocene paleogeography SEA LAND l (f/!~ I o 500 Km

Oligocene paleogeography SEA LAND 1If/; I/( o 500 Km

Plio-pleistocene paleogeography SEA LAND l tf/l~ I o 500 Km

Holocene paleogeography o o 500 Km

Today I \, 4\~~~~;~1~~1~J. c,r-t'"'nic Map 6f Mexico ' 013 ~~ i\\,-i';-"-l\.\lc---=---+---\~- --I- I I Compiler: Fl.ICHdo J. Fadi la y ~nchel I Colab"atcrs \ DO r1 lnquez Tre lo, L. Lopez Az cmraga, AG.. Mota Nieto, J.,, F ~en :es lii enes, A.O.. Ac aiqu e N ~ r~ nio, F.. C" m,; n C8steh; n, ::.A". i I. S,E. Divis ion de Ingen\erja en C i~nd a s ce la n,m a, II I de Ingenieria Un,vor:;id"d N"c i ~ n,, 1 i\ u t6, om~ de M6,;oo I ) I I +-t_ -=r= \ \ \ --1 \, \ \ ----\ \ \ \ 750 I i I 1.000 1250 1,5?O ~"'''''~ '':'_I'"'... ooiol'"''''''''''''' Kilometers Padilla y Sánchez et.al., 2013, AAPG Datapages

Today

Opening of the Gulf of Mexico (A) 210 Ma-Norian, start of rifting (8) 163 Ma-Callovian, start of salt deposition I 200-250 km North America North America extension -<--"'T"t: Yucatan block Yucatan block ~ ~ 1 /; / South America <, 1 South America Hudec et al., 2013

Opening of the Gulf of Mexico (C) 161 Ma-Caliovian, r- end of salt deposition Salt-restoration lines superimposed n (0) 155 Ma-Oxfordian, just before sea-floor spreading Salt-restoration lines ~.~~~~~ Hudec et al., 2013

Opening of the Gulf of Mexico (E) 149 Ma-Tithonian, sea-floor spreading I (F) Present ~----- f---4-- 100-250 km postsalt stretchin~ ij" ~~~~d.... -.. Salt-restoration lines Hudec et al., 2013

Opening of the Gulf of Mexico Limited stretching of thick upper plate NOlthern limit of detachment faulting Main GOM Thin or absent upper plate above detachment leads to high heat flow As Chiapas moves to SE Tamaulipas Arch is unroofed Middle Grounds Fault Bahamas Sonora A Mojave Megashear SE, opening Tampa Enlbayment pull-apart Successive positions of Chuacus (8) and Chiapas (1\') blocks 8th. Am. coast at 1 6oMa~ Successive positions of Yucatan - note how SE Yuc. always nestles in elbow between M8 Megashear and Maracaibo Transform Pindell and Kennan, 2001

Opening of the Gulf of Mexico Vazquez, 2005

Mayor tectonic features of Mexico + N lr t. 'U" 'U' /- -l +,,,. In- m,. 1IIi',.. nja Vol...:. ~ ~1,...;C... ~ Tran"" ic:.". (Pllo-Pl... toc... ol "'''' '... "' ",,'...,. -\.L.j +.,. oj.j ".!.' t t- nu' I"'" 10Ct " fill' Ill' Padilla y Sánchez, 2007

Cenozoic volcanism in Mexico Padilla y Sánchez (1986) Padilla y Sánchez (1986)

Crustal model of eastern Mexico ; : ; : ~ c v o f 4.0, 1 '0 - " " ~ " " J.,.I... 0. I \. 01 I l. U l MEXICO CONTINENTAL I RIFTED MANTLE TAMAULIPA$-OAXACA FAULT CRUST ----~.--~. " l,ul' COU111L 'LAlli,; 100 I...! CONT. l. U t." 1.lit 1.10 I ~ ~ -z. t' ~, y. r. t, _0. o CRUS T ABNORMAL OCEANI~ I.. ----b---- CRUST----,.. 0.1-4 0.1-5,, ".,. 1 ~-~=:,:,,-=!~!!.=~= :::0= == = = = ~"~:~'~"~==1~ ~'!i:... '- 00-,, >., ~ TO ). 0 S 1.1,.. -, 11 1.0 ' ".0 1.1-10.'.f... '.0 ~?~ ---M-A"N~T~L~E7"--------~ -10... t.f - : / I. ' Numb~rs in Punla Jerel tolumn indicat e densities i., glee. othe rwise :ndicole PWQve ve locities in Km/uc - Abnormal rneofls on o'ceonic crusl covered by a It'I ;e k packo90 of sedimenls -- '-~~ n-.o~.,. Padilla y Sánchez (1986)

Tamaulipas-Oaxaca Fault Figur. 2. sat basi.. in the Gilt 01 MeR<o ''l!''''. our iott'1"ettd lini 01 "",mol ",earo<_ o in the basin. SIr",,,.. all,"ures lrom Mar'n (1980); Simm<>1' (l'l'l2); 11~. (19OS); L_ (I'1'lS); GoI<t\'''''''' and 'oiu>oo _~=~_=,,;50:.::q,~Km Lawton d al. (2001); Podi. Y s.ln<hez (2013). Ie< Hude< et a. (20n, 1I'is.,u.', '0<..iden<.1or lilc Boat'".""'" '.ul Hudec et al., 2013

Gravity Map of the GOM o 500 Km Hudec et al., 2013

Yucatan Block path (183-164 ma) 39 16 33 5.26 cm/year = 1,000 km/19 ma Padilla y Sánchez (1986)

Regional migration trends Geologic provinces of the Mexican part of the deep Gulf of Mexico. The section is an example of the structural styles of some of the provinces. A A The regional migration trend for the hydrocarbons generated by these sources came most probably from east to west, from the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, upward to the final traps, in different times. Escalera, 2010

Regional migration trends A A A A The regional migration trend for the hydrocarbons generated by these sources came most probably from east to west, from the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, upward to the final traps, in different times. Vazquez, 2005

Regional migration trends D D D D The regional migration trend for the hydrocarbons generated by these sources came most probably from east to west, from the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, upward to the final traps, in different times. Bally and Tari, 2004, AAPG Winter Education Conference

Reserves in Mexico Thousands of billions of barrels of oil equivalent Basin Prospective Reserves Cum. Resources Prod 1P 2P 3P Unco Conv. (90%) (50%) (1 0%) nv. Southeast 45.4 12.1 18.0 24.4 20.1 Tampico Misantla 6.5 1.2 7.0 17.4 2.5 34.8 Burgos 2.3 0.4 0.5 0.7 2.9 15.0 Veracruz 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.3 1.6 0.6 Sabinas 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.4 9.8 Deep waters 0.0 0.1 0.4 1.7 26.6 Yucatan plattform 0.5 Total 55.0 13.9 26.2 44.5 28.0 86.8 Mexico's culllulative production, 1 P, 2P and 3P reserves, and conventional and unconventional resources. There are 1II0re than 200 billion barrels of oil equivalent associated to the 44.5 billion boe of 3P, as the h;storic cumulative p roduction is just 55 billion boe, (Source. PEME)(, 2013). Rangel, 2014

Ricardo J. Padilla y Sánchez rpadilla@unam.mx Thanks