Evaluation of hydrocarbon potential, Task 8
- Univ. of Nevada, Reno (United States)
Task 8 is responsible for assessing the hydrocarbon potential of the Yucca Mountain vicinity. Our main focus is source rock stratigraphy in the Nevada Test Site (NTS) area in southern Nevada. In order to reconstruct the Paleozoic stratigraphy, we are also studying the geometry and kinematics of deformation at NTS. A thorough understanding of the structure will also be essential to predicting the nature of the Late Paleozoic rocks under Yucca Mountain. Our stratigraphic studies continue to support the interpretation that rocks mapped as the {open_quotes}Eleana Formation{close_quotes} are in fact parts of two different Mississippian units. We are now provisionally limiting the name {open_quotes}Eleana Formation{close_quotes} to the rocks that make up the Eleana Range - i.e., the rocks that we have been calling {open_quotes}western Eleana{close_quotes}. The mudstone section (which we have until now called {open_quotes}eastern Eleana{close_quotes}) we are provisionally calling the {open_quotes}Chainman Shale{close_quotes}, in keeping with regional lithostratigraphic nomenclature. We continue to work out the internal stratigraphies and basin histories of both units; XRD (r-ray diffraction) determinations of clay mineralogy are an addition to our understanding of the Chainman. The basin histories place important constraints on regional paleogeographic and tectonic reconstructions. This year we have hired a consulting petroleum geologist for two jobs: (1) to review drillhole data from southern Nevada on file at NBMG and make recommendations about more detailed study of any interesting drillholes; and (2) to log the UE17e core (in the Chainman) and evaluate source rock potential. The results of these studies have been incorporated into this report, and the consultant`s reports.
- Research Organization:
- Technology and Resource Assessment Corp., Boulder, CO (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 227029
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NV/10461-T43; ON: DE96007227; TRN: 96:001998-0006
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 30 Sep 1993; Related Information: Is Part Of Evaluation of the geologic relations and seismotectonic stability of the Yucca Mountain area Nevada Nuclear Waste Site investigation (NNWSI). Progress report, October 1, 1992--September 30, 1993; PB: 350 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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