The effects of tectonism and eustasy on sequence stratigraphic framework and the distribution of play elements, Upper Cretaceous Foreland basin, southwestern Wyoming

Conference · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:5800572

Devlin, W J; Rudolph, K W ^[1]

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1. Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX (United States)

Larger scale ('second-order') stratal patterns in the Upper Cretaceous foreland succession record the alternation of active thrusting and relative quiescence in the adjacent thrust belt. Periods of active thrusting are characterized by a rapid increase in subsidence-related accommodation. During these times, proximal foreland strata consist of aggradation deposits with poor preservation potential. Sediments in medial to distal parts of the basin are relatively starved, display an abruptly deepening to retrogradational stacking pattern, and become more source- and seal-prone further from the mountain belt. Periods of tectonic quiescence are characterized by a decrease in subsidence-related accommodation. Accommodation space in proximal regions is quickly filled by sediment, and the locus of coarser grained sedimentation shifts with the basin through progradation. Consequently, strata in medial portions of the basin display a progradational stacking pattern and become more reservoir-prone. Smaller scale, third- and fourth-order sequences are interpreted as eustatic, but their expression is controlled by the larger scale (tectonic) patterns. In general, transgressive and highstand systems tracts tend to be enhanced during rapid subsidence. Lithofacies are source- and seal-prone, and condensed sections will be enhanced; valley incision and lowstand reservoir development (including deepwater sand deposition) will be inhibited. Intra-foreland, basement-involved movements further affect the distribution of play elements. Such effects include deposition of widespread, reservoir-prone, nonmarine facies, development of localized, depositional shelf edges, and the creation of subbasins that serve as depocenters for basinally restricted reservoir deposits.

• OSTI ID: 5800572
• Report Number(s): CONF-910403--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 75:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SOURCE ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
TECTONICS
USA
WYOMING