U.S.-New Zealand Cooperative Research: Thermal History of the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

该奖项将支持犹他大学的David S.Chapman博士和新西兰科学与工业研究部地球物理部的R.Allis博士之间的合作研究。新西兰塔拉纳基盆地是全球裂谷盆地演化的一个重要例子，但该盆地的热史相对鲜为人知。这项研究是利用最近发展起来的技术来建立塔拉纳基盆地的热史，该技术将详细的热史模拟与定量的生烃动力学模型相结合。热历史将基于井底温度、导热系数测量和石油勘探钻孔的埋藏史数据。油气生成的动力学理论将被用来预测油气生成。所产生的热史应能回答与塔拉纳基和其他裂谷盆地的构造演化有关的生烃时间的重大问题。该项目体现了新西兰集团在热过程和地热系统方面的专业知识，特别是在塔拉纳基盆地的专业知识，以及美国在将生烃动力学模型与热史模拟相结合方面的专业知识之间的出色合作。这是推进盆地分析技术的重要基础性工作，也具有辅助油气勘探的潜力。

This award will support collaborative research between Dr. David S. Chapman of the University of Utah and Dr. R. Allis of the Geophysics Division of the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). The New Zealand Taranaki Basin is an important global example of an evolving rift basin, yet the thermal history of the basin is relatively unknown. This research is to develop a thermal history of the Taranaki Basin using recently-developed techniques which combine detailed thermal history modeling with quantitative kinetic models of hydrocarbon generation. The thermal history will be based on bottom-hole temperature, thermal conductivity measurements, and burial history data from petroleum exploration drillholes. Kinetic theories of oil/gas generation will be used to predict hydrocarbon generation. the thermal history generated should result in answering significant questions about the timing of hydrocarbon generation relative to the structural evolution of the Taranaki and other rift basins. The project represents excellent collaboration between the New Zealand group with its expertise in thermal processes and geothermal systems, in particular, in the Taranaki Basin and the U.S. expertise in combining kinetic models of hydrocarbon generation with thermal history modeling. This is important fundamental work in advancing techniques of basin analysis, as well as having potential for aiding exploration for hydrocarbons.