scholarly journals Middle and late Badenian palaeoenvironments in the northern Vienna Basin and their potential link to the Badenian Salinity Crisis

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Harzhauser ◽  
Patrick Grunert ◽  
Oleg Mandic ◽  
Petra Lukeneder ◽  
Ángela García Gallardo ◽  
...  

AbstractHydrocarbon exploration in the Bernhardsthal and Bernhardsthal-Sued oil fields documents an up to 2000 m thick succession of middle and upper Badenian deposits in this part of the northern Vienna Basin (Austria). Based on palaeontological analyses of core-samples, well-log data and seismic surveys we propose an integrated stratigraphy and describe the depositional environments. As the middle/late Badenian boundary is correlated with the Langhian/Serravallian boundary, the cores capture the crucial phase of the Middle Miocene Climate Transition. The middle Badenian starts with a major transgression leading to outer neritic to upper bathyal conditions in the northern Vienna Basin, indicated byBathysiphon-assemblages and glass-sponges. A strong palaeo-relief and rapid synsedimentary subsidence accentuated sedimentation during this phase. The middle/late Badenian boundary coincides with a major drop of relative sea level by about 200 m, resulting in a rapid shift from deeper marine depositional environments to coastal and freshwater swamps. In coeval marine settings, a more than 100 m thick unit of anhydrite-bearing clay formed. This is the first evidence of evaporite precipitation during the Badenian Salinity Crisis in the Vienna Basin. Shallow lagoonal environments with diverse and fully marine mollusc and fish assemblages were established during the subsequent late Badenian re-flooding. In composition, the mollusc fauna differs considerably from older ones and is characterized by the sudden appearance of species with eastern Paratethyan affinities.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Borzi ◽  
Werner E. Piller ◽  
Mathias Harzhauser ◽  
Wolfgang Siedl ◽  
Philipp Strauss

<p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p>The Vienna Basin is a rhombohedral SSW-NNE oriented Neogene extensional basin that formed along sinistral fault systems during Miocene lateral extrusion of the Eastern Alps. The basin fill consists of shallow marine and terrestrial sediments of early to late Miocene age reaching a thickness of 5500 m in the central part of the basin. The early Pannonian was a crucial time in the development of the Vienna Basin, as It coincided with the formation of Lake Pannon. The lake formed at 11.6 Ma when a significant regressive event isolated Lake Pannon from the Paratethys Sea, creating lacustrine depositional environments. At that time the delta of the Paleo-Danube started shedding its sediments into the central Vienna Basin. Based on an existing age model delta deposition commenced around 11.5 Ma and continued until 11.1 Ma. These subsurface deltaic deposits of the Hollabrunn-Mistelbach Formation represent the coeval fluvial deposits of the Paleo-Danube in the eastern plains of the North Alpine Foreland Basin. Therefore, the Palaeo-Danube represents an extraordinary case in where coeval fluvial and deltaic deposits of a Miocene river are continuously captured.</p><p>This study provides an interpretation of depositional architecture and depositional environments of this delta in the Austrian part of the central Vienna Basin based on the integration of 3D seismic surveys and well data. The mapped delta has an area of about 580 km<sup>2</sup>, and solely based on the geometry we classify the delta as a mostly river – dominated delta with significant influence of wave – reworking processes. For seven time slices paleogeographic maps are created, showing the interplay between the lacustrine environments of Lake Pannon, delta evolution and fluvial systems incising in the abandoned deltaplain. Onlaps between single deltalobes indicate a northward-movement of the main distributary channel. Approximate water-depth estimates are carried out with in-seismic measurements of the true vertical depth between the topset deposits of the delta and the base of the bottomset deposits. These data suggest a decrease of lake water depth from about 170 m during the initial phase of delta formation at 11.5 Ma to about 100 m during its terminal phase at 11.1 Ma. A major lake level rise of Lake Pannon around 11.1 Ma caused a flooding of the margins of the Vienna Basin, resulting in a back stepping of riverine deposits and termination of delta deposition in the study area.</p><p> </p>


1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Philip J. Lawry ◽  
Paul A. Carter

Offshore exploration in the Exmouth Gulf commenced with seismic surveys during the early 1960s and resulted in the first well Bundegi-1 being drilled in 1978. This well, situated on the Rivoli-Bundegi Trend, encountered an interpreted residual hydrocarbon zone in the Birdrong Sandstone, an 18 m untested hydrocarbon zone in the Learmonth Formation, and tight, possibly gas bearing sandstones in the Mungaroo Formation.Modern shallow-water marine seismic data acquired by the EP 325 Joint Venture during surveys in 1987 and 1988 allowed accurate mapping of the basal Cretaceous section and the distribution of the Birdrong Sandstone. Complex structuring in the Jurassic and Triassic section was also resolved with the modern data.The Rivoli gas discovery, approximately 4.5 km northeast of Bundegi-1, was made in August 1989, with the intersection of a 10.5 m hydrocarbon column consisting mainly of gas but with a very thin oil leg (0.2 m). The Birdrong Sandstone reservoir comprises 10 m of fluvial sandstones overlain by 7 m of marginal marine sandstones and provides an important calibration point for depositional environments in this unit. The Rivoli gas pool occurs in a simple, downthrown anticline sealed by Winning Group shales. Geochemical analysis of oil extracted from core, suggests an earlier charge of 'Rough Range-type' oil, possibly generated from pre-Jurassic source rocks.Several prospects and a variety of play types are recognised and considerable exploration potential remains to be tested along the Rivoli-Bundegi Trend.


1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. J. Messent ◽  
C.M. Yacopetti

This paper outlines the contribution borehole resistivity images can make in a frontier exploration program when they are integrated with all available geological data. Specific examples are given from the Duntroon Basin.Dipmeter data and borehole resistivity images can be used to validate seismic structural interpretations. An example is given to show the comparison in interpretation of the different methods.Faults are identified on the borehole images and in addition, qualitative assessment of sealing potential can be made by determining the occurrence and extent of mineralisation. In Greenly-1 the hydrocarbon shows, which are interpreted as migrated hydrocarbons, are found In close proximity to faults identified on borehole images. It is postulated that the faults acted as a conduit for the migrating hydrocarbons. However, these fault planes are now mineralised and interpreted to be sealing. This interpretation is supported by the presence of isolated, over-pressured sandstones.Resistivity images readily identify the orientation of present day horizontal stresses with its implications for fault-trap integrity. However, this is not deemed to be an issue in the Duntroon Basin as there is evidence that at least some of the faults are sealing. Borehole images can also be used to assess caprock integrity by determining the presence or absence of fractures.Within potential reservoir units, borehole resistivity images assist in the interpretation of depositional environments, reservoir geometries and post-depositional changes which affect reservoir quality.Borehole resistivity images provide qualitative interpretations of permeability. It is therefore possible to use the images in the selection of pre-test seats and sampling points in poor quality boreholes or low permeability reservoirs.


2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
W. Ringhofer ◽  
H. Sperl

From the early 1940s until the mid-1980s, hydrocarbon exploration within Austria was focussed upon Tertiary clastic reservoirs within the Vienna Basin. From 1980 to the early 1990s, an increasing number of exploration wells were drilled for carbonate reservoirs within deep thrust anticlines in the Alpine overthrust belt. These were typically high pressure-high temperature wells, and as a result, technically challenging and expensive.In the early 1990s, after little success within the Alpine overthrust belt, the focus of Austrian exploration was switched back to the 'maturely' explored Vienna Basin. During this period, the integration of historical well data, reprocessed 2D seismic and newly acquired 3D seismic data, evaluated within a sequence stratigraphic framework, has facilitated the accurate placement of multi-target wells. Together with the application of new drilling technology, the result has been a dramatic increase in new field discoveries. The reserves size of exploration and appraisal targets, in accordance with the maturity of the basin, have been relatively small, but, as a result of well-developed infrastructure and low drilling costs, highly profitable.The drive for increased drilling success and cost reduction and the application of 'new' technology has demanded an even closer integration of disciplines including exploration, reservoir engineering, drilling and production engineering. This integration in turn has necessitated process driven management. Multi- disciplinary teams, working with key contractors in an incentivised environment, achieved risk reduction, increased exploration success and budget reductions. As a result successful exploration has revived the mature Vienna Basin.


2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Hohenegger ◽  
Stjepan Ćorić ◽  
Michael Wagreich

Abstract A new and precisely defined chronometric subdivision of the Badenian (Middle Miocene, regional stage of Central Paratethys) is proposed. This uses global events, mainly geomagnetic polarity reversals as correlated chronometric boundaries, supported by climatic and sea-level changes in addition to isotope events and biostratigraphic data. The Karpatian/ Badenian boundary lies at 16.303 Ma, at the top of Chron C5Cn.2n, which is near the base of the Praeorbulina sicana Lowest-occurrence Zone (LOZ). The Badenian/Sarmatian boundary is placed at the top of polarity Chron C5Ar.2n, thus at 12.829 Ma. In relation to three sea level cycles TB 2.3, TB 2.4 and TB 2.5 and astronomically confirmed data, the Badenian can be divided into three parts of nearly equivalent duration. The Early Badenian as newly defined here ranges from 16.303 to 15.032 Ma (top of polarity Chron C5Bn.2n). The younger boundary correlates roughly to the base of the planktonic foraminifera Orbulina suturalis LOZ at 15.10 Ma, the HO (Highest Occurrence) of the nannofossil Helicosphaera ampliaperta at 14.91 Ma (NN4/NN5 boundary) and the Lan2/Ser1 sequence boundary at 14.80 Ma. The subsequent Mid Badenian ranges from 15.032 Ma to 13.82 Ma; the latter datum correlates with the base of the Serravallian, characterized by a strong global cooling event reflected in the oxygen isotope event Mi3b. The main part of cycle TB 2.4 falls into the Mid Badenian, which can be subdivided by a short cooling event at 14.24 Ma during the Middle Miocene Climate Transition (14.70 to 13.82 Ma). The HCO (Highest common occurrence) of the nannofossil Helicosphaera waltrans at 14.357 Ma supports this division, also seen in the tropical plankton Zones M6 Orbulina suturalis LOZ and M7 Fohsella peripheroacuta LOZ that correspond roughly to the lower and upper Lagenidae zones in the Vienna Basin, respectively. The Late Badenian is delimited in time at the base to 13.82 Ma by the Langhian/Serravallian boundary and at the top by the top of polarity Chron C5Ar.2n at 12.829 Ma. The Mediterranean Langhian/Serravallian boundary can be equated with the Mid/Late Badenian boundary at 13.82 Ma. However, the Karpatian/Badenian boundary at 16.303 Ma, a significant event easily recognizable in biostratigraphy, paleoclimate evolution and sequence stratigraphy, cannot be equated with the proposed global Burdigalian/Langhian, and thus Early/Middle Miocene boundary, at 15.974 Ma


In the present scenario, low oil prices and explorations shave triggered energy industries to look into cost depression of supply chains vibrantly. Advanced and new technology had been identified and experimentally considered for new hydrocarbon exploration prevailing data mining. Geoscience and geophysical problems are dominated as data obtained for mining process is enforced for geology and reservoir issues and properties. Our present research deals about understanding the geological problems clearly analysed in the literature and with few experiments, a variety of data mining methods for the outcome has been concluded, which provides solution for a betterment understanding about gas and oil exploration with that of data miners and the geoscientists. Collection of data for various hydrocarbon wells has been addressed with seismic surveys, for identification of source, segregating and forecasting using iteration methods and neural networks had been discussed for betterment exploration of new wells without any constraints.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Šujan ◽  
Régis Braucher ◽  
Michal Kováč ◽  
Kishan Aherwar ◽  
Imre Magyar ◽  
...  

<p>Bourlès et al. (1989:<em> Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta</em>) suggested that authigenic <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be ratio could provide a geochronological tool to date deposition of clay-bearing sediment settled in a water column up to 14 Ma old. It is based on ratio of atmospheric cosmogenic radionuclide <sup>10</sup>Be delivered to depositional environments by precipitation and stable <sup>9</sup>Be extracted from rock massifs by chemical weathering. Determination of the initial <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be ratio is essential for efficient application of the dating and may vary spatially as well as in time due to changes in drainage basins, depositional environments, climate, and other factors. The potential of the authigenic <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be dating was evaluated during last years in the Pannonian Basin realm, located in Central Europe. This contribution summarizes successful applications as well as discovered problems and challenges, which motivate the ongoing research.</p><p>Two initial <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be ratios were established from Holocene alluvial and lacustrine clays in the Danube Basin (Šujan et al., 2016: <em>Glob. Planet. Change</em>). The dating was applied to shallow to deep-water sediments deposited in Lake Pannon within the Danube Basin, and helped to constrain paleogeographic changes in the age range of 11.6–3 Ma. Application of the method to the post-rift alluvial succession with high subsidence rates of 50–400 m/Ma in the range of ~9.5–6.0 Ma yielded data consistent with other geochronological proxies (Šujan et al., 2020: <em>Sed. Geol.</em>; Joniak et al., 2020: <em>Palaeo<sup>3</sup></em>). The fast accumulation and tectonic quiescence likely provided stable environmental conditions favorable for the dating method applicability.</p><p>Lacustrine and deltaic deposits of Lake Pannon were analyzed from cores of Paks boreholes in the central part of the Pannonian Basin. The resulting authigenic <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be ages are generally in agreement with magnetostratigraphic age constraints correlated using seismic stratigraphy (Magyar et al., 2019: <em>Földt. Közl.</em>). Outliers with relative enrichment of <sup>10</sup>Be appear in most distal facies, where low terrestrial <sup>9</sup>Be input is expected.</p><p>A study of turbidite deposits from the Transylvanian Basin allowed to compare the established lacustrine initial <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be with a ratio independently calculated from Ar/Ar dated horizon (Botka et al., 2019: <em>Austrian J. Earth. Sci.</em>). Majority of samples provided a good fit with other age proxies, while one sedimentary interval exhibits twofold increase of <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be probably indicating variability in the environmental conditions (Baranyi et al., 2021: <em>Rev. Palaeobot. Palyn.</em>).</p><p>An order of magnitude higher authigenic <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be comparing to the established initial ratios were obtained from supposed early Pleistocene sediments from the locality Sollenau in the Vienna Basin. The visual appearance implies, that secondary pedogenic processes might be responsible for a post-depositional input of <sup>10</sup>Be (Willenbring, von Blanckenburg, 2010: <em>Earth. Sci. Rev.</em>). Another case of high <sup>10</sup>Be/<sup>9</sup>Be preventing age calculation was observed in a Pleistocene alluvial environment with intense loess input.</p><p>An ongoing research aims to determine the effects of changes in depositional process, sediment source proximity and provenance on the applicability of the dating method. This research was financially supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under contract APVV-16-0121 and by the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office under contract NKFIH-116618.</p>


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