A regional study, particularly of Late Mesozoic facies development in Venezuela and the northeastern cornter of Colombia, is of material assistance in outlining the continental framework bordering the Guiana Shield in the general Caribbean area. An analysis of this framework leads to the conclusion that in Late Mesozoic time the epi-continental shelf extended in northwestern Venezuela and north, eastern Colombia, compared with central and eastern Venezuela, considerably fnrther out from the Guiana Shield. It is suggested that this extension of the epi-continental shelf is bordered in the northeast by a deepseated disturbance in the nature of a geofracture. This postulated disturbance would roughly run. from the northern Goajira Peninsula in a southeasterly direction, approximately via Barquisimeto, towards th.e Guiana Shield. It would appear to have influenced the primary configuration of sedimentation conditions in part of the Late Mesozoic orthogeosyncline and its recognition is of great economic importance since it separates two wide areas of contrasting production potential. The outer part of the shelf is most significant in that it represents the principal area which during Cretaceous times provided conditions favourable for the formation of oil source rock. In northwestern Venezuela and northeastern Colombia this part of the shelf area is characterized, during Cretaceous times, by the presence of troughs and highs. Mainly post-Cretaceous tectonics are responsible in this area for the fomning of a momie of major blocks (containing the afore-mentioned troughs and highs) which are distinct from one another in respect of orogenic deformation and removal of Cretaceous rocks by erosion in a varying degree. Particularly favourable conditions with regard to the preservation of Cretaceous oil source rock are noticed in the Maracaibo Block; this block is further characterized by its outstanding tectonic rigidity. Some aspects of regional migration of Cretaceous oil are discussed and the general regularity in the geographical distribution of the oil, worked out on the basis of its specific gravity, is illustrated both in the Llanos Basin and in that of Ma, racaibo. RESUMIO. L'Ptude du développement, en particulier des faciès de la dernière période du mésozoïque au. Venezuela et dans l'angle nord-est de la Colombie, peut servir à esquisser la structure contournant le Bouclier de la Guyane, dans le cadre général de la zone des Caraïbes. L'analyse de cette structure permet d'arriver à la conclusion que pendant la dernière période du mésozoïque la plateforme épicontinentale s'étendait, dans le nord-ouest du Venezuela et le nord-est de la Colombie, U une distance beaucoup plus grande du Bouclier de la Guyane que dans le Venezuela central et oriental. L'Auteur avance l'hypothèse suivant laquelle cette e
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1. Some Oil - Geological Characteristics of Venezuela (Netherlands)
J. Dufour
J. Dufour
N. V. De Bataafsche Petroleum Mij., The Hague
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Paper presented at the 4th World Petroleum Congress, Rome, Italy, June 1955.
Paper Number:
WPC-6003
Published:
June 06 1955
Citation
Dufour, J. "1. Some Oil - Geological Characteristics of Venezuela (Netherlands)." Paper presented at the 4th World Petroleum Congress, Rome, Italy, June 1955.
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