BMT (Basin Modeling Toolbox)

Basin modelling aims at reconstructing the evolution of a sedimentary basin in order to make quantitative predictions of hydrocarbons accumulations. The most important factors behind the generation of hydrocarbons in sedimentary basins are temperature and time. The temperature regime in a basin is affected by the various geological processes taking place throughout the basin evolution. These include processes related to basin geometry, such as basin formation (extensional tectonics), deposition/erosion of sediments and faulting, and physical processes related to compaction, heat flow and fluid flow.

Our in-house and non-commercial basin modelling software BMTTM (Basin Modelling Toolbox, trademark of Tectonor AS) is an advanced 2D basin modelling system with high resolution and built-in structural reconstruction capabilities. This makes it a strong tool for modelling complex basin geometries, and for analyzing the effects of complex geological processes on petroleum systems.

BMT - SPECIFICATIONS

BMT is a 2D system built up of 5 modelling modules:

• Geohistory module. In this module the basin geometry is reconstructed through time, by removing one-by-one layer and decompacting the sediments underneath, and by restoring the faults.
• Isostasy module. This module calculates the response to sediment loading or unloading (erosion) and fault movements.
• Tectonic module. In this module, the subsidence/uplift of extensional is calculated
• Temperature module. This module calculates the temperature history of the basin, which is dependent on the thermal conductivity and heat capacity of rocks, porosity, and heat flow during lithospheric thinning. The resulting present day temperature is calibrated to temperature measurements from well data.
• Maturation module. Temperature history is the basis for the calculation of the thermal maturation of organic matter. The result is calibrated to well data of vitrinite reflectance or apatite fission tracks.

In addition, BMT also has a diagenesis module that calculates chemical compaction by quartz diagenesis.

BMT - APPLICATIONS

BMT has since early 1990s been used in a number of studies of sedimentary worldwide; Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea, North Sea, Greenland, Gulf of Mexico, South America, Asia and Africa.

In addition to standard basin modelling studies, BMT also applies for studies including:

• Validating the seismic interpretation across the transect
• Modelling the thermal effects of magmatic intrusions
• Modelling the thermal effects and uplift due to underplating
• Modelling the effect of compressional regime
• Restoration of salt geometries during time
• Modelling the temperature influence of distribution and timing of salt diapirs