Structural framework and tectonic evolution of Son Valley sector of Vindhyan Basin, India

The Vindhyan Basin is the largest Proterozoic sedimentary basin located in central India. The extensive sediment volume has attracted petroleum geoscientists to explore the hydrocarbon potential of the basin. A sound understanding of tectonic evolution is necessary to analyze the petroleum system elements. The current study integrates the vintage and newly acquired 2D and 3D seismic and well data, coupled with gravity-magnetic coverage, in pursuance of the exploration strategy by Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC), covering a 53,000 SKM area of Son Valley, Vindhyan Basin. The information generated by the above surveys has a significant bearing on structural style, tectonic history, and associated deformation in the basin, which synergistically led to a better understanding of the evolutionary phases of the basin. The recently acquired data suggest significant deviations from existing perceptions and thus warrant revision of some of the prevailing concepts. This study proposes that the Son Valley sector of the Vindhyan Basin is characterized by several sub-basins with rhombic geometry bounded by east–west faults that exhibit dextral strike-slip movement; each of the depocenters is separated by highs trending northwest-southeast. Structural interpretation, based on available seismic data, delineates the presence of strike-slip-related pull-apart basins and associated structures. Positive and negative flower structures, en-echelon faults along the basin margins, and rhombic geometry of subbasins are adequate evidence to establish the tectonic model of the basin. The current work proposes that the initiation of the basin was a hyper-extended back-arc rift coexistent with the deposition of the Mahakoshal and Bijawar belts, followed by a trans-tensional rift (Lower Vindhyan) to a continental sag basin setting (Upper Vindhyan).