Offshore Exploration Of Oil And Gas In Cuba Using Digital Elevation Models Dems

This book provides an overview of the major changes induced by hydrocarbons (HCs) affecting rocks and surface sediments and their implications for non-seismic exploration methods, particularly for marine territories near Cuba. It examines the use of a digital elevation model (DEM) at 90x90m resolution for the detection of subtle, positive geomorphic anomalies related to hydrocarbon microseepage (vertical migration) on possible oil and gas targets. The results support the conclusion that the DEM data provides a low cost and fast offshore oil and gas preliminary exploration strategy. This data is useful serving to focus prospective areas with supplementary unconventional methods such as magnetic-induced polarization (MIP), useful to propose more expensive volumes for detailed 2D–3D seismic surveys.

This book assesses the use of various non-seismic and non-conventional oil and gas exploration methods in Cuba. In addition to discussing the benefits of these methods, the book demonstrates how they can be combined with geological data and conventional methods, leading to a better evaluation of prospects and exploration risks. The authors describe how potential new gaso-petroleum sites in the Pina-Ceballos and Sancti Spiritus regions can be effectively mapped. The geophysical-geochemical exploration techniques combined in the Redox Complex method are used to identify and evaluate these sites. Areas of interest are mapped based on the presence of a combination of indicator anomalies, mainly derived using gravimetric, aeromagnetic and airborne gamma spectrometry. The geochemical study concentrates on two petroleum-rich regions, one in northern and one in southern Cuba. The scope also includes the seas to the south of Cuba, which are studied with non-seismic exploration tools such as the Digital Elevation Model, which employs morphotectonic regionalization.

This book assesses the use of various non-seismic and non-conventional oil and gas exploration methods in Cuba. In addition to discussing the benefits of these methods, the book demonstrates how they can be combined with geological data and conventional methods, leading to a better evaluation of prospects and exploration risks. The authors describe how potential new gaso-petroleum sites in the Pina-Ceballos and Sancti Spiritus regions can be effectively mapped. The geophysical-geochemical exploration techniques combined in the Redox Complex method are used to identify and evaluate these sites. Areas of interest are mapped based on the presence of a combination of indicator anomalies, mainly derived using gravimetric, aeromagnetic and airborne gamma spectrometry. The geochemical study concentrates on two petroleum-rich regions, one in northern and one in southern Cuba. The scope also includes the seas to the south of Cuba, which are studied with non-seismic exploration tools such as the Digital Elevation Model, which employs morphotectonic regionalization.

The evolution of geological cartography in Cuba in its more than 135 years of history has been possible through the consultation of numerous archival reports, publications, maps and personal interviews with different authors and geologists of vast experience. A brief critical analysis is made of the increase in the degree of geological knowledge of the country since the elaboration of the Geological Sketch of the Cuban Island at a scale of 1: 2 000 000 (Fernández de Castro, 1883), first of Cuba and of Ibero-America, until the most recent Digital Geological Map of Cuba at scale 1: 100 000 (Pérez Aragón, 2016). Cuba and its surroundings are a geological mosaic in the southeast corner of the North American plate with rocks from many different origins, from Proterozoic to Quaternary, extended along the southern border of the plate. From the Eocene, this belt has been dissected by several great faults, related to the development of some great oceanic depressions (Cayman trough and Yucatan basin). The fossil record of Cuba, which covers approximately the last 200 million years of life on Earth, is rich in very varied fossils, witnessing a wide diversity of organisms, both animals and plants, that inhabited the Antillean and Caribbean region; and that constitute the inheritance of the biological diversity that the current Cuban archipelago exhibits. As a result of the preparation of the Cuban Metallogenic Map at scale 1: 250 000, forty-one models and eight sub-models of metallic mineral deposits were identified. These models, of descriptive–genetic type, together with the analysis of their spatial distribution and their relationship with geology, allowed the identification and mapping of ten mineral systems, linked to the geodynamic environments present in the Cuban territory. Cuba has large deposits of limestone, loam, dolomite, kaolin, gypsum and anhydrite, rock salt, marbles, sands and clays of different types, zeolites, peat, therapeutic peloids and many more. There are manifestations of decorative and precious rocks such as jasper, jadeite, different varieties of quartz and even xylopals. A compilation of geochemical data of oceanic basalt samples from previous works, together with data of analyzed samples during this study in order to discuss geochemical criteria based on immobile element (proxies for fractionation indices, alkalinity, mantle flow and subduction addition), provide a comprehensive ophiolite classification according to their tectonic setting. This book addresses different facets of the geological knowledge of Cuba: history of its cartography, marine geology, fossil record, stratigraphy, tectonics, classification of its ophiolites, quaternary deposits, metallogeny and minerageny.

Cuba is moving toward development of its offshore oil resources. While the country has proven oil reserves of just 0.1 billion barrels, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that offshore reserves in the North Cuba Basin could contain an additional 4.6 billion barrels of undiscovered technically recoverable crude oil. The Spanish oil company Repsol, in a consortium with Norway's Statoil and India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, is expected to begin offshore exploratory drilling in late 2011, and a number of other companies are considering exploratory drilling. At present, Cuba has six offshore projects with foreign oil companies. While it is unclear whether offshore oil production could result in Cuba becoming a net oil exporter, it could reduce Cuba's current dependence on Venezuela for oil supplies. Some Members of Congress and others have expressed concern about Cuba's development of its deepwater petroleum reserves so close to the U.S. They are concerned about oil spill risks and about the status of disaster preparedness and coordination with the U.S. in the event of an oil spill. Dealing with these challenges is made more difficult because of the longstanding poor state of relations between Cuba and the U.S. Contents of this report: Introduction; Cuba's Oil Sector; Implications and Considerations for U.S. Policy; Legislative Initiatives; Conclusion. Figures. This is a print on demand report.

This report first examines Cuba’s oil sector, including current production and consumption levels. It then looks at Cuba’s offshore development, including the Repsol project, other offshore projects involving state-owed foreign oil companies, and the outlook for Cuba’s offshore oil production. The report then analyzes considerations for the United States raised by Cuba’s offshore oil development, examining oil spill risks and environmental dangers if spilled oil reaches U.S. waters, the status of disaster coordination between the United States and Cuba, and potential approaches on the issue. The report then examines the debate over broader U.S. involvement in Cuba’s offshore oil development, and touches on two outstanding boundary issues related to Cuba’s offshore oil development. Finally, the report examines legislative initiatives that have been advanced to deal with Cuba’s offshore oil development.