Integrated Geohistory Analysis (IGA)

Integrated Geohistory Analysis (IGA)

We have recently launched Integrated Geohistory Analysis (IGA), a technology that focuses on extracting maximum information from Eustatic Geohistory Plots, which are geohistory plots that use present-day sea level as the datum. We call IGA “integrated” because the geohistory plots can and should utilize data, concepts, and models from all sub-disciplines within sedimentary geology; and because the immediate goal of IGA work is to create the strongest possible historical narrative about each location being investigated. Our minds create narratives continuously, and via IGA we can control and focus those narratives to tell the geological story in more detail than ever before. These narratives and the insights we obtain from them will in turn help us achieve a deeper understanding, and will thus generate new exploration ideas.

The figures below show regular and zoomed views of an annotated eustatic geohistory plot from our Powder River Basin study, in which the upper cyan horizon represents paleosea level; the red line is tectonic subsidence; and the overlays represent a mix of our ideas about relevant tectonic events during the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic, with Wheeler sequences shown during the more-placid Paleozoic and most of the Mesozoic.

IGA differs from other types of basin modeling and petroleum-systems modeling in that it focuses first and foremost on understanding the geological history, and seeks to derive maximum benefit from looking at the newly created historical narrative with fresh eyes. IGA can be easily extended to include full 1D maturity modeling, and can also be linked to 2D or 3D migration modeling.

Sirius Exploration Geochemistry provides various types of training for IGA, as well as software designed specifically for IGA applications (Novva, from which the figures were generated). We also do consultancy work utilizing IGA and Novva.