Use and Validation of the Digital Elevation Model for Offshore Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Region of Habana–Matanzas, Cuba

Abstract

The use of the DEM to a sampling of 90 × 90 m for the detection of positive residual geomorphic anomalies possibly related to hydrocarbon microseepage on known oil and gas fields or production areas is validated in the North Cuban Oil Strip (NCOS) of the Habana–Matanzas region, Cuba. The data of the residual DEM at 500 m are integrated with the information of the exploitation wells and the mapped seismic structures. Sixty percent of the known offshore oil fields or production areas of the NCOS have positive residual anomalies; of them, 55% have amplitudes between 10 and 25 m and 22% are of amplitude >50 m. All fields in operation are characterized by seismic structures. Seventy-nine percent of the mapped seismic structures intercept positive residual geomorphic anomalies, of which 53% have amplitudes between 10 and 25 m and 27% are >50 m. Mapped seismic structures (and deposits) that do not correspond to positive residual anomalies are located within a strip of increased positive values observed from land up to 1–2 km offshore in the Mariel–Matanzas Bay sector, where, because of the character of the residual DEM, it is impossible to detect isolated anomalies within it. The results allow establishing that DEMs provide a rapid form of preliminary offshore oil and gas exploration.