Distribution and Hydrocarbon Prospectivity of Gondwana Basin in India
ABSRACT: Hydrocarbon occurrence and commercial production from worldwide Gondwana basins have emboldened its exploration in geologically analogous sedimentary basin of India in order to probe their hydrocarbon prospectivity. Preliminary exploration efforts carried out in these basins viz. South Rewa, Satpura and Jharia basins have yielded valuable exploration leads for pursuing the yet to find hydrocarbon resources. The Gondwana distribution in India falls in three categories.1) the E-W Narmada,Satpura,South Rewa and Damodar valley, the NW-SE trending Son—Mahanadi and Pranita Godavari basin. 2) Extra- Peninsular area of Purea –Malda and partly Upper Assam. 3)East Coast basins of Cauvery ,Palar , Krishna Godavari and Bengal basin. Triggered by discoveries in North sea, China , and Australia, the Gondwana basin received continued attention for hydrocarbon exploration. Huge Natural gas occurrences are envisaged in Gondwana basin. In this context detailed evaluation of major coal bearing strata of these basins have attained priority and emerged as potential source rock for hydrocarbon generation and act as a prime exploration target in view of their closed proximity with global basins. Occurrence of oil and gas in analogous basins in the world has further strengthened the possibility of existence of rich petroleum systems in similar stratigraphic arena within the Indian Gondwana basins. In addition, the contributions of coal as major source for coal bed methane exploration / exploitation is also an aided feather in cap to widen the scope of exploration.
Permo-Carboniferous (Classic Gondwana) Basins and Reservoirs
2006 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, (November 5-8, 2006) Technical Program