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

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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.