Tectonic evolution and division of structural units of Sureste Basin in the continental margin of Mexico

The Sureste Basin in Mexico bears great potential of oil and gas resources. However, comparing to the north of the country, the exploration level of the Sureste Basin is not so high as expected since bidding, due to the influence of data quality and the salty cover, although there have found many oil and gas discoveries. No clear conclusions have been acquired so far with regard to the tectonic evolution and structural unit division of the basin. In this paper, based on the seismic, gravity, magnetic and geological research data and using 2D Move software, tectonic evolution characteristics, subsalt and suprasalt structural unit divisions as well as structural styles of the basin were clarified and revealed. Faults are mainly developed in three directions in the basin, i.e., NE, NW and EW directions. Controlled by the earlier basement morphology, the subsalt structures are characterized by "two depressions and one uplift" in cross shape. While the formation of supersalt structures is mainly controlled by gravity slipping which is earlier in the east and later in the west in time, and with the characteristics of "south-north zoning and east-west differentiation". This study has provided not only a reference for future directions of oil and gas exploration in the Sureste Basin, but also a reference case for structural research of marginal basins in China.