A regional micro-seep survey of the Wyoming-Utah overthrust belt

Conference · Thu Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1991 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:5682142

Dickinson, R G ^[1]; Matthews, M D ^[2]

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1. Texaco USA, Denver, CO (United States)
2. Texaco E and P Technology, Houston, TX (United States)

A regional micro-seep survey of 1,280 mi{sup 2} of the Wyoming-Utah overthrust belt clearly identified anomalously high surface occurrences of light hydrocarbons associated with Clear Creek, Ryckman Creek, and Whitney Canyon-Carter Creek fields. The ethane to propane ratios of these anomalies are very similar to those of the hydrocarbons produced from the associated fields. Ethane, propane, and butane were well correlated on a per-sample basis, suggesting that they came from a single subsurface source (Lower Cretaceous). The poor correlation of methane with the other light hydrocarbons suggest that multiple sources of methane exist (Upper Cretaceous, higher maturity Lower Cretaceous, Phosphoria, and perhaps recent biogenic activity). This use of micro-seep data emphasizes the identification of broad areas of interest, rather than the direct identification of drilling locations often associated with surface geochemical surveys. These broad surface patterns must then be combined with available subsurface data to develop play possibilities. This technique is one of the few tools that looked directly at hydrocarbons. It provides the explorationist unique information to help reduce risk. An example of this occurs in the Crawford thrust. Unexpectedly anomalous concentrations of ethane and propane in the micro-seep data along this thrust suggests the presence of a source of wet hydrocarbons.

• OSTI ID: 5682142
• Report Number(s): CONF-910403--
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Vol. 75:3; ISSN AABUD; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
ALKANES
BUTANE
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ETHANE
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROCARBONS
MESOZOIC ERA
METHANE
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PROPANE
RESOURCES
SOURCE ROCKS
SURVEYS
USA
UTAH
WESTERN US OVERTHRUST BELT
WYOMING