Subsurface Glen Rose reef trend of east Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Two major episodes of shelf-margin reefing that occurred during the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian-Cenomanian) are represented by the transgressive Hosston-Sligo complex and the regressive Glen Rose-Edwards complex. The Glen Rose-Edwards sequence can be broken up into 3 distinct carbonate buildups: middle Glen Rose, upper Glen Rose, and Edwards. Eustatic sea level rise, subsidence, and reef growth or sediment accumulation were dominant influences on shelf-margin deposition. The respective reef trends thicken eastward from east Texas into central Louisiana and southern Mississippi due to increased rate of subsidence and sea level rise in that direction. Well cores and cuttings indicate that similar lithofacies occur throughout the Lower Cretaceous shelf margin. However, lithologic and diagenetic factors combined to produce extraordinary sections of facies-controlled porosity within the middle Glen Rose reef buildup. Although both hydrodynamic and organic processes were important factors in growth and maintenance of the middle Glen Rose reef buildup, the buildup is best described as an ecologic (organic) reef. A regional meteoric hydrologic system was responsible for extensive secondary moldic porosity in the skeletal-supported and grain-supported sediments. Algal binding within the reef interval contributed to the development of fenestral-moldic porosity. Extensive dolomitization is common and acted to create or destroy porosity.
- Research Organization:
- Pennzoil Exploration and Production Co., Corpus Christi, TX
- OSTI ID:
- 5756905
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-850322-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 69:2; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Early-mid-Cretaceous evolution in Tethyan reef communities and sea level
Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DIAGENESIS
DOLOMITE
FEDERAL REGION IV
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
LOUISIANA
MAGNESIUM CARBONATES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERALS
MISSISSIPPI
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POROSITY
REEFS
RESERVOIR ROCK
TEXAS
USA