Identifier

etd-07102017-142949

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geology and Geophysics

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The Alaska Peninsula has been the target of oil and gas exploration throughout much of the 20th century. Although most exploration efforts have focused on the Cook Inlet area, the geological setting of the Alaskan Peninsula suggests that economically viable resources may be located further south on the northern side bordering Bristol Bay (Port Moller area). This study investigates the relation of petroleum system elements between the northern and southern section of the Alaskan Peninsula with a particular focus on the potential for petroleum accumulation on the southern section close to Herendeen Bay. The analysis included the integration of a variety of geological and geophysical data from well logs, cores, and seismic profiles. I reconstructed the accumulation of sediment in the basin north of the peninsula and used backstripping subsidence analysis to identify periods of accelerated basement subsidence linked to regional tectonic extension. This analysis was then used to predict thermal history that was compared with thermal indicators from the wells. Basin inversion up to ~900 m since the Pliocene was predicted along the southern edge of the basin, resulting in peak temperatures being reached before the present day.

Date

2017

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Wicks, Carol

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.4445

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