Itajaí-Açu Formation Explained

Itajaí-Açu Formation should not be confused with Açu Formation.

Itajaí-Açu Formation
Period:Maastrichtian
Age:Cenomanian-Maastrichtian
~
Type:Geological formation
Prilithology:Shale
Otherlithology:Sandstone
Unitof:Frade Group
Underlies:Marambaia Formation
Overlies:Itanhaém Formation
Thickness:up to 2000m (7,000feet)
Map:Santos basin map.png
Coordinates:-26.1°N -86°W
Region:Santos Basin, South Atlantic
Namedfor:Itajaí-Açu River

The Itajaí-Açu Formation (Portuguese: Formacão Itajaí-Açu) is a geological formation of the Santos Basin offshore of the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina. The predominantly shale with interbedded turbiditic sandstones formation dates to the Late Cretaceous period; Cenomanian-Maastrichtian epochs and has a maximum thickness of 2000m (7,000feet). The formation is a reservoir rock of the fields in the Santos Basin.

Etymology

The formation is named after the Itajaí-Açu River, Santa Catarina.

Description

The Itajaí-Açu Formation is 1545mto2000mm (5,069feetto7,000feetm) thick,[1] and comprises a thick interval of dark grey clayey rocks, interbedded with the clastics of the Santos and Juréia Formations. Within this formation, the Ilhabela Member includes the turbiditic sandstones occurring along the section. The sedimentary environment is thought to be marine talus to open basin. Biostratigraphic data from palynomorphs, calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera indicate a Late Cretaceous age (Cenomanian-Maastrichtian).[2]

Petroleum geology

The formation, mainly its Ilhabela Member, is the main post-salt reservoir rock of the Santos Basin.[3] [4] The formation also is the main post-salt source rock and a seal for the post-salt reservoirs.[5]

Fields with Itajaí-Açu reservoirs

FieldYearOperatorReserves (in place)class=unsortable
Notes
Panoramix 2009 176abbr=unitNaNabbr=unit
Piracucá 2009 321.4abbr=unitNaNabbr=unit
Cedro 2005 95.76abbr=unitNaNabbr=unit
2003 0.173abbr=unitNaNabbr=unit
Uruguá 2003 174.27abbr=unitNaNabbr=unit
1e12cuft
Carapiá 2002 63.52abbr=unitNaNabbr=unit
2001 532.23abbr=unitNaNabbr=unit
3.4e12cuft
Tambuatá 1999 212.8abbr=unitNaNabbr=unit

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Kiang Chang et al., 2008, p.32
  2. Clemente, 2013, p.23
  3. Web site: Santos Basin Fields . 2017-09-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170907123836/http://www.karoon.com.br/en/index.php/proyecto-brasil/?img=6&id=38 . 2017-09-07 . dead .
  4. Juarez, 2013, p.7
  5. Contreras, 2011, p.77