Automation-Assisted and Signal-Driven Relative Geological Time Model Toward Sequence Stratigraphy and Identification of Sand Fairways in a Turbidite System: Case Study, Neuquén Basin, Onshore Argentina

Summary The Neuquén Basin is proven to be a hydrocarbon resource rich onshore region with several petroleum systems. Its depositional history was primarily influenced by changes in relative sea-level from the Triassic to the late Jurassic, leading to the occurrence of submarine and subaerial deposits (Brinkworth et al., 2018). In the study area, located in the Neuquén Embayment province, the authors performed a comprehensive seismic interpretation, focusing on the Cuyo Group (spanning from middle Lias to late Dogger Epochs). The work illustrates the benefits of using a signal driven Relative Geological Time (RGT) model (Pauget et al., 2009) to enhance the understanding of regional scale stratigraphic features, revealing a complex turbidite system. It ultimately offers the ability to draw new perspectives and insights in the evaluation of legacy data and further demonstrate the potential prospectivity of understudied deep stratigraphic traps.