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
- ARCO Exploration and Production Technologies, Plano, TX (United States)
- 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-; CODEN: AABUD2
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Vol. 77:2; Conference: International congress of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Caracas (Venezuela), 14-17 Mar 1993; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Thermal and structural history of the San Emigdio Mountains, southern San Joaquin basin, California, based on fission-track analysis
Provenance of Middle Tertiary sandstones of the San Emigdio and Tehachapi Mountains, southern California
Related Subjects
BASEMENT ROCK
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
CALIFORNIA
EXPLORATORY WELLS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
DEFORMATION
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
STRATIGRAPHY
EXPLORATION
GAS CONDENSATE WELLS
HYDROCARBONS
MOUNTAINS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PRODUCTION
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
TERTIARY PERIOD
CENOZOIC ERA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGY
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
USA
WELLS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration