Abstract

The Barmer Basin is home to some of India’s most prolific oil-producing fields, supported by high-quality Paleocene–Eocene lacustrine source rocks, multi-darcy Cretaceous–Paleocene fluvial reservoirs, and numerous fault-bounded structural traps. Despite these favorable geological conditions, commercial hydrocarbon discoveries have been limited to select structures. A critical factor influencing this uneven distribution is the complex evolution of the structure-bounding faults. This paper investigates the structural architecture and tectonic evolution of the Barmer Basin, highlighting the role of fault system development in controlling hydrocarbon accumulation. The basin has undergone multiple tectonic phases, beginning with early extensional rifting and later overprinted by compressional forces associated with the Himalayan orogeny. These events have significantly influenced trap formation, seal integrity, and the preservation of hydrocarbons. An integrated interpretation of 3D seismic data, well logs, and geochemical analyses is presented to reconstruct the basin’s tectonic history. Structural features such as fault reactivation, gravity-induced collapse, flower structures, and inversion geometries provide evidence for episodic tectonic reworking. Additionally, geochemical signatures and burial history models indicate phases of uplift and erosion, further impacting hydrocarbon migration and preservation. The findings offer critical insights into the controls on hydrocarbon prospectivity in structurally complex rift basins and enhance the broader geological understanding of similar tectonic settings.