Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Giant oil fields of North America

Journal Article · · Mem. - Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5916772
Forty-five oil fields with recognized ultimate recoveries larger than 500 million bbl have been found in 7 provinces in North America. The earliest find was in 1865 and the latest in 1962. Recognition of more recent discoveries as giants will probably increase the population to 51 fields. Examination of reservoir age, lithology, trap, and depositional environment leads to the conclusion that there are no diagnostic characteristics common to all of the giants; however, Paleozoic age, shallow-marine environment, sandstone lithology, and structural traps which have surface expressions are the preferred modes. Uncommonly thick reservoir rock or unusual development of porosity and permeability are not required. Twenty-five to 28 more giant oil fields remain to be found, based upon current projections. Under present, or slightly improved exploration economics, the twenty-fifth future giant may not be found until 2060. (10 refs.)
Research Organization:
Mobil Oil Corp.
OSTI ID:
5916772
Journal Information:
Mem. - Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.; (United States), Journal Name: Mem. - Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.; (United States) Vol. 14; ISSN MAPGA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Giant oil fields of the world
Journal Article · Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1971 · Proc. 24th Int. Gel. Congr. Session; (United States) · OSTI ID:5144253

World's giant oil and gas fields, geologic factors affecting their formation, and basin classification. Pt. 1. giant oil and gas fields
Journal Article · Sat Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1970 · Mem. - Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.; (United States) · OSTI ID:5964778

First oilfields of the Central and Northern North Sea
Conference · Thu Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1991 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) · OSTI ID:7079514