The seafloor geometry and its variation during the geologic history of a sedimentary basin can influence the deposition of source and reservoir rocks, the direction of hydrocarbon pathways and, consequently, the distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations. Quantitative 3D reconstruction of palaeo-waterdepth is therefore a crucial input to basin models.

We started research on palaeobathymetry and palaeo-basin shape in 1996. Our presently used 3D bathymetry reconstruction method integrates relevant information from

• depositional geometries
• sedimentological indicators
• micropalaeontological interpretations
• corrections of isostasy and flexure
• decompaction

and is performed by using the software SEMI Palaeowater.