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Stratigraphy and facies analysis of upper Kaibab and lower Moenkopi formations in southwest Washington County, Utah

Conference · · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5462545

Pre-Moenkopi karst topography formed on the nonresistant gypsum beds of the Harrisburg Member in the Beaver Dam Mountains of southwestern Utah. Local relief on the erosional surface may be more than 140 m (450 ft), forming potential unconformity traps with substantial closure. High-displacement Basin and Range normal faults have uplifted the rocks, forming good exposures of the Permian and Triassic strata in the Beaver Dam Mountains and perhaps forming structural traps to the east. Stratigraphic traps may also occur throughout the Harrisburg and Shnabkaib members. Thick anhydrite beds form the cap. Grainstone, packstone, and dolomite units may be effective reservoir rocks. Source rocks include algal-rich wackestone and dolomite beds, fossiliferous units, including the underlying Fossil Mountain Member, and organic-rich mudstone units. Though trapping mechanisms are abundant in the Beaver Dam Mountains, oil exploration has not been very successful to date; this may be due, in part, to the difficulty of locating suitable traps.

Research Organization:
Brigham Young Univ, Provo, UT
OSTI ID:
5462545
Report Number(s):
CONF-8408161-
Journal Information:
Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 68:7; ISSN AAPGB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English