Field Trip

Conjugate Margin of the South Atlantic Austral segment: from deep offshore Namibian discoveries to Pelotas Basin new perspectives

Monday, 29 September 2025, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.  |  Brazil

Course Content

After recent hydrocarbon discoveries in the deep offshore of the Orange Basin (Venus, Graff, Mopane) off the coast of Namibia, the Austral segment of the South Atlantic has become a focal point for attention and discussion within the oil industry. These discoveries have demonstrated the ability of an Aptian-aged (?) source rock to generate hydrocarbons interbedded or closely associated with siliciclastic turbidites, in a regional context recognized as a magma-rich margin. The key question arising from these discoveries is how the new knowledge gained from Namibia's offshore can enhance hydrocarbon predictions for various sedimentary basins in the southern segment. In this context, the distal region of the Pelotas Basin (Brazil and Uruguay) stands out as the next oil frontier to be explored in this segment of the South Atlantic.

This short course will explore the regional context and tectonic evolution of the South Atlantic, with an emphasis on the Austral segment. It will identify key structural features that can facilitate the correlation of various basins, accompanied by a discussion on tectonic evolution and palinspastic reconstructions. We will utilize and interpret gravimetric and magnetometric maps, and several structural maps as working tools. The course aims to provide theoretical insights and practical exercises into the key regional elements of petroleum systems (specifically source rocks and reservoir rocks), as well as their evolution over geological time. Finally, we expect to produce a draft map of provinces and an associated play chart, with special emphasis on the potential for siliciclastic (turbiditic) reservoir rock sedimentation.

Who Should Attend: Geologists, Geophysicists, Petroleum Engineers, and other professionals and students in the geosciences.

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of geology

Instructor(s)

Felipe is having bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP - 2007), Specialization in Carbonate rocks from the University São Paulo State (UNESP - 2013), M.Sc in Natural Sciences (Tectonics & Sedimentation) from the University of Ouro Preto (UFOP – 2018). Senior Geophysicist at E&P/Exploration Team, currently serving as internal consultant for structural geology, tectonics & sedimentation, and basin analysis. More than 15 years of experience in hydrocarbon exploration projects, with a primary focus on the regional scale. Fieldtrip leader for tectonics and sedimentation on carbonates and siliciclastic turbidites of Bambui Group and Salinas Formation, (Brazil) and South-Central part of Pyrenees (Spain).

Vinicius is having bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Rio de Janeiro State (UERJ - 2007), Specialization in Carbonate rocks from the University São Paulo State (UNESP - 2009), M.Sc in Basin Analysis and Mobile Belts (Tectonic Geology, Petrography and Natural Resources) from UERJ -2013. Senior Geologist in the Petrobras production team (2007-2022), specializing in the management and characterization of carbonate and siliciclastic reservoirs. Proficient in structural geology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy, with expertise in fractured reservoir characterization. Currently (2022-present) employed as a Basin Modeler on Petrobras exploration team, focusing on the integration of tectonic evolution with sedimentary basin infill impacts using advanced forward modeling and geostatistical techniques.

Fee:

$380 USD

Attendee Limit:

12

Venue

Windsor Barra

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

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