Superposition of basement involved structures and a detached thrust system: A model for existing and potential production in the San Emigdio Mountains, San Joaquin Valley, California

Conference · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:6104874

Medwedeff, D A ^[1]; Carr, T R; Stafford, J M ^[2]

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1. ARCO Exploration and Production Technologies, Plano, TX (United States)
2. ARCO Oil and Gas Company, Bakersfield, CA (United States)

Seven balanced cross sections document the structural fabric of the San Emigdio Mountains and the adjacent San Joaquin Valley. Major tectonic elements are (1) the Los Lobos normal fault (LLF), (2) the White Wolf reverse fault (WWF), and (3) the Pleito fold-and-thrust belt (PTFB). The Oligo-Miocene LLF system created the distinction between the San Joaquin basin to the north and the Tejon platform to the south. Superposed on the LLF is the younger WWF which has further uplifted the Tejon platform. Along strike, the WWF alternately rotates, truncates, and overrides the LU. The even younger low-angle PTFB is primarily developed on the Tejon platform, but locally interferes both the LLF and WWf. Super position of these structures control the hydrocarbon traps. Wheeler Ridge field (73+MMBOE) is created by the superposition of the PFTB atop of pre-existing basement structures. The field produces from Eocene to late Miocene sands. Some sands are structurally controlled. Due to the complex structural setting, this 1922 field has been extended by discovery of additional reservoirs including a 1989 gas and condensate find in the Oligocene section. This success triggered our comprehensive structural reevaluation. Other fields along and south of the WWF trend are North Tejon (basement involved anticline; 56 MMBOE), Tejon (stratigraphic trap; 36 MMBOE) and Pleito (fault trap; 12 MMBOE) fields. The new structural model suggests two play types for exploration potential: (1) additional fault traps along the WWF trend; and (2) subthrust plays beneath the Pleito thrust. The prolific production history of the WWF trend and large structures mapped beneath the Pleito thrust bode well for future exploration in the San Emigdio Mountains area.

• OSTI ID: 6104874
• Report Number(s): CONF-930306--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 77:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
BASEMENT ROCK
CALIFORNIA
CENOZOIC ERA
DEFORMATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EXPLORATION
EXPLORATORY WELLS
GAS CONDENSATE WELLS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
GEOLOGY
HYDROCARBONS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MOUNTAINS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTION
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
STRATIGRAPHY
TERTIARY PERIOD
USA
WELLS