STRUCTURAL CONTROL OF SI-RICH HYDROTHERMAL VENTS: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION FROM OUTCROP TO AUTOMATIZED SEISMIC ANALYSIS
Hydrothermal vent complexes; Fault networks; Hydrothermal silicification; Seismic interpretation; Deep learning; DNN
Hydrothermal vent complexes are vertical to subvertical structures formed by the focused ascent of hot, mineralized fluids through sedimentary successions. They play a critical role in modifying reservoir properties, controlling fluid migration, and influencing sealing properties in hydrocarbon reservoies. Fault networks exert strong influence on vent nucleation, morphology, and spatial distribution, while hydrothermal diagenesis – especially silicification – modifies fluid pathways and reservoir quality. Despite their significance, the detailed characterization of vent systems and its correlation with fault systems remains challenging due to limited seismic resolution, complex structural control, and the scarcity of outcrop studies. This PhD project integrates field-based outcrop observations, 2D and 3D seismic interpretation, and deep learning-based fault and hydrothermal vents detection to investigate the correlation between these features in Potiguar Basin, Brazil. The research aims to elucidate the lithological expression of hydrothermal vents, evaluate structural and tectonic controls on fluid ascent, and enhance the identification of subtle features in low-resolution seismic data. The expected outcomes include improved understanding of vent-fault-fluid interactions, enhanced mapping of hydrothermal systems, and contributions to reservoir characterization sedimentary basins with hydrothermal vents complexes.