Differential compaction influences on structure in West Cameron Block 225 field

Conference · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:5922287

Finley, W R ^[1]

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1. Forest Oil Corp., Lafayette, LA (USA)

The concept to be illustrated here is the influence on structural configuration of differential compaction caused by lateral variations in stratigraphy, specifically, changes from sand to shale within the same stratigraphic interval, The example chosen to illustrate this concept is West Cameron Block 225 field. As seen in structural stratigraphic cross sections as well as net sand maps constructed in the example field, several channel sands are seen to strongly influence the structural configuration. The basic structure within the field as defined by well and seismic data consists of a gentle, southerly dipping, north south-oriented ridge, bounded by a down-to-the-east fault on the west flank and a down-to-the-south fault to the north. Gentle roll into these faults closes the north flank of the structure. The stratigraphic section consists of alternating sands and shales of Miocene and Pliocene age. Several of these sands map out as linear sand bodies interpreted to be channels. These channels, representing thickened sand bodies that grade laterally into predominantly shale facies, are oriented in a general east-west direction. The juxtaposition of the basic structural orientation with the orientation of the channel sand(s) sets up a crossing point(s) on the southern flank of the structure. With the advent of differential compaction between the channel sands and the bounding shale faces, a stratigraphic structure is generated. This resulting compaction structure maps out as a double-lobed or saddled high. This effect is amplified as channels in the shallower section stack out over the southern flank of the structure until the southern crest dominates over the northern one. The overall result is one of migrating structural crests caused by variations in compactibility within the stratigraphic section.

• OSTI ID: 5922287
• Report Number(s): CONF-9010204-; CODEN: AABUD
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Vol. 74:9; Conference: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies and Gulf Coast Section of SEPM (Society of Economics, Paleontologists, and Mineralogist) meeting, Lafayette, LA (USA), 17-19 Oct 1990; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
58 GEOSCIENCES
LOUISIANA
STRATIGRAPHY
CROSS SECTIONS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
SANDSTONES
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SHALES
TERTIARY PERIOD
CENOZOIC ERA
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
NORTH AMERICA
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SURVEYS
USA
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
580000 - Geosciences