The aim of this paper is to present an integrated onshore Bouguer gravity anomaly map of Uruguay and a correlation with geological data. The Bouguer map is composed by data of stations acquired from 1950 to 2014 by several institutions. Moreover, using this gravity map and the crustal model CRUST1.0 (validated comparing the grid with the Moho recognized in long offset and long record length PSDM seismic profiles), several crustal domains are recognized and characterized. A previous attempt to integrate geophysical and geological data is shown in Hallinan et al. (1993).

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Natural gas hydrates are crystalline solids formed by natural gas (mainly methane) and water that are stable under thermobaric conditions of high pressure and low temperature. Methane hydrate is found in polar areas of permafrost and in offshore basins of continental margins. These accumulations may represent an enormous source of methane. Based on global estimations of methane concentration in natural gas hydrates, the methane content may be several times greater than those of technically recoverable, conventional natural gas resources. In the continental margin of Uruguay, seismic evidence for the occurrence of gas hydrate is based on the presence of (bottom simulating reflectors) BSRs in 2D seismic reflection sections. Here we present results regarding gas hydrates and associated free gas distribution assessment offshore Uruguay, based on BSR mapping and applying a probabilistic approach. A mean value of 25,890 km2 for the area of occurrence shows a great potential for this nonconventional resource, encouraging further research.

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