Hydrogeology of a Large Oil-and-Gas Basin in Central Patagonia: San Jorge Gulf Basin, Argentina (SpringerBriefs in Latin American Studies)

This book analyzes the most important geohydrological aspects of the San Jorge Gulf Basin (Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces, Argentine Patagonia), with a particular focus on the physical and hydrodynamic characteristics of the system. Discovered in 1907, the San Jorge Gulf Basin was the first petroleum and gas-producing basin in Argentina. It is also one of the most important areas with real prospects for non-conventional exploitation (shale oil-gas). After characterizing the hydroclimatic background (hydrometeorological parameters and water balance), the book describes the main physical aspects: geomorphology, soils and surface as well as subsoil geology, especially lithology, structures, stratigraphy and hydrogeology. Acknowledgements 7 Contents 8 Abstract 9 1 Introduction 10 Abstract 10 References 15 2 Methodology 17 Abstract 17 References 20 3 San Jorge Gulf Basin 22 Abstract 22 3.1 Hydrometeorology and Climate 23 3.2 Geological History 28 3.3 Geomorphology, Surface Hydrology and Soils 29 3.4 Geology 38 References 45 4 Geohydrology 48 Abstract 48 4.1 Hydrogeological Research 49 4.2 Physical Component of the Local Geohydrological System 50 4.3 Hydrodynamics 56 4.4 Hydrochemistry 63 References 69 5 Conceptual Model 72 Abstract 72 5.1 Model Outline 73 5.2 Vulnerability 74 References 76 6 Hydrogeology in Oil and Gas Production 78 Abstract 78 6.1 Exploitation of Conventional Oil and Gas 79 6.2 Exploitation of Unconventional Oil and Gas 81 References 82 7 Management and Governance 84 Abstract 84 References 87 8 Concluding Remarks 89 Abstract 89 Index 93 Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-7 Methodology....Pages 9-13 San Jorge Gulf Basin....Pages 15-40 Geohydrology....Pages 41-64 Conceptual Model....Pages 65-70 Hydrogeology in Oil and Gas Production....Pages 71-76 Management and Governance....Pages 77-81 Concluding Remarks....Pages 83-86 Back Matter....Pages 87-95