Earth Science and Engineering and Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering Graduate Seminar

Abstract

A new model of the thermal structure and secular heat flow evolution of the crust in Eastern Arabia since its Late Proterozoic cratonization is presented. The pronounced asymmetry of the Arabian Plate with the extreme thickness of the Phanerozoic sedimentary basin fill in the east, opposing the buoyant Arabian Shield in the west, gives raise to the question for the endogenic mechanisms of long-lived subsidence in general. A thermal model has been established to resolve several key aspects of the geodynamic evolution of the eastern part of the Arabian Plate. First, new borehole temperature data and geophysical depth interpretations of lithospheric layers have been used to calibrate thermal models with regard to the regional heat flow distribution and the relation with the underlying crustal structure and composition. Second, a heat flow analysis has been performed and we can discern sedimentary, crustal and sub-crustal components of surface heat flow, separating radiogenic from non-radiogenic heat sources. We detect a thermal footprint within the Eastern Arabian craton as a result of Proterozoic terrane amalgamation and subsequent thermal sagging during the Phanerozoic. New regional heat flow maps give evidence that heat flow and crustal composition are related and can be tied to basement terranes. The new thermal model for the eastern Arabian Plate may serve the understanding of other Proterozoic collision zones worldwide and their posterior evolution of subsidence, basin formation and heat flow distribution.

Bio

Personal background:

• Born in 1970, Hammelburg, Germany
• German nationality
• Married, two children (23, 19)

Academic career:

• Diploma in Geology and Applied Geophysics; Technical University of Aachen (RWTH), 1995:

  Thesis: Geothermal Potential of the Lower Rhine Graben

• PhD in Geology; Technical University of Aachen (RWTH), 1998:

  Thesis: Thermal Evolution of the Variscan Orogen and adjacent Foreland Basins in Central Europe.

Professional career: 25 years working in the international Oil & Gas Industry

• 1998 to 2005:

  Frontier Exploration and Field Geology in the Andean Foldbelt, Wintershall Energía,

  Buenos Aires, Argentina

• 2005 to 2007:

  Senior Basin Modeler, Global and Domestic Exploration, Woodside Energy Ltd., Perth, Australia

• 2007 to 2009:

  Basin Modeling consultant and Business Development Manager for Schlumberger in Villahermosa, Mexico

• 2009 to 2016:

  Senior Geological Advisor and Project Manager for Vaca Muerta Unconventional Pilot and Field Development in Buenos Aires, Argentina

• 2016 to 2019:

  Subsurface Technology Manager Wintershall Oil and Gas, Kassel, Germany

• Since 2019:

  Geological Consultant (Basin Modeler) at Saudi Aramco, Dhahran