New lines of geological evidence strongly suggest that the main period of hydrocarbon maturation within Assistência Formation should be Permian-Triassic, stimulated by a high geothermal gradient that also sustained various manifestations of hydrothermal activity. Three main stages of fluid/hydrocarbonmigration can also be inferred on the basis of multiscaleobservations: confined flow in late Permian to Triassic times, depending on the local build-up of fluid pressures; heterogeneous flow in Lower Cretaceous, triggered by a rejuvenated temperature gradient assisted by the early developed permeability conditions; and a late flow possibly driven by local pressure gradients, after complete cooling of dolerite dykes/sills. The early maturation and multistage migration of hydrocarbons have significant consequences in the design of exploration models to be applied in Paraná Basin.
António Mateus [Departamento de Geologia e CeGUL, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa,] | Claudio Riccomini [Instituto de Energia e Ambiente e Instituto de Geociências, Universidade de São Paulo USP,] | Ezequiel J. E. C. B. Ferreira [Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica e Geotectônica, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade de São Paulo USP] | Colombo C. G. Tassinari [Instituto de Energia e Ambiente e Instituto de Geociências, Universidade de São Paulo USP,]
