(A) Anticlinal Trap

TRAP
A trap is a geological structure affecting the reservoir rock and caprock of a

petroleum system allowing the accumulation of hydrocarbons in a reservoir.
There are two types of trap-
(I) STRUCTURAL TRAP-
Structural trap is a type of geological trap that forms as a result of changes in the structure of the
subsurface, due to tectonic, diapiric, gravitational and compactional processes. These changes block
the upward migration of hydrocarbons and can lead to the formation of a petroleum reservoir.
Structural traps are the most important type of trap as they represent the majority of the world’s
discovered petroleum resources. The three basic forms of structural traps are the anticline trap, the
fault trap and the salt dome trap.
(a) ANTICLINAL TRAP
An anticline is an area of the subsurface where the strata have been pushed into forming a domed
shape. If there is a layer of impermeable rock present in this dome shape, then hydrocarbons can
accumulate at the crest until the anticline is filled to the spill point – the highest point where
hydrocarbons can escape the anticline. This type of trap is by far the most significant to the
hydrocarbon industry. Anticline traps are usually long oval domes of land that can often be seen by
looking at a geological map or by flying over the land.
Fig-Anticlinal trap
(b) Fault Trap
This trap is formed by the movement of permeable and impermeable layers of rock along a
fault line. The permeable reservoir rock faults such that it is now adjacent to an impermeable
rock, preventing hydrocarbons from further migration. In some cases, there can be an
impermeable substance smeared along the fault line (such as clay) that also acts to prevent
migration. This is known as clay smear.
Fig-Fault trap
(c) Salt dome Trap

Masses of salt are pushed up through clastic rocks due to their greater buoyancy, eventually
breaking through and rising towards the surface (see salt dome). This salt is impermeable and
when it crosses a layer of permeable rock, in which hydrocarbons are migrating, it blocks the
pathway in much the same manner as a fault trap.
Fig-Salt dome trap
(II) Stratigraphic Traps

A second major class of oil traps is the stratigraphic trap. It is related to sediment deposition or
erosion and is bounded on one or more sides by zones of low permeability. Because tectonics
ultimately control deposition and erosion, however, few stratigraphic traps are completely
without structural influence. The geologic history of most sedimentary basins contains the
prerequisites for the formation of stratigraphic traps. Typical examples are fossil carbonate
reefs, marine sandstone bars, and deltaic distributary channel sandstones. When buried, each
of these geomorphic features provides a potential reservoir, which is often surrounded by finer-
grained sediments that may act as source or cap rocks. Sediments eroded from a landmass and
deposited in an adjacent sea change from coarse- to fine-grained with increasing depth of
water and distance from shore. Permeable sediments thus grade into impermeable sediments,
forming a permeability barrier that eventually could trap migrating petroleum.There are many
other types of stratigraphic traps. Some are associated with the many transgressions and
regressions of the sea that have occurred over geologic time and the resulting deposits of
differing porosities. Others are caused by processes that increase secondary porosity, such as
the dolomitization of limestones or the weathering of strata once located at the Earth’s surface.
Two main groups can be recognized :
Examples of stratigraphic traps.

Primary
stratigraphic traps result from variations in facies that developed during sedimentation. These
include features such as lenses, pinch-outs, and appropriate facies changes.
Secondary
stratigraphic traps result from variations that developed after sedimentation, mainly because of
diagenesis. These include variations due to porosity enhancement by dissolution or loss by
cementation.
Paleogeomorphic traps are controlled by buried landscape. Some are associated with

prominences (hills); others with depressions (valleys). Many are also partly controlled by
unconformities so are also termed unconformity traps.
Fig-Oil trap beow unconformity in papaleotopographic high below transgressive

shales

(A) Anticlinal Trap

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TRAP

A trap is a geological structure affecting the reservoir rock and caprock of a

There are two types of trap-

(I) STRUCTURAL TRAP-

(a) ANTICLINAL TRAP

(c) Salt dome Trap

(II) Stratigraphic Traps

Examples of stratigraphic traps.

Paleogeomorphic traps are controlled by buried landscape. Some are associated with

Fig-Oil trap beow unconformity in papaleotopographic high below transgressive

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