Paleocurrent analysis of Cretaceous Mitchell Formation, north-central Oregon

Conference · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6132373

Sandefur, C A; Fisk, L H

Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in north-central Oregon contain both potential petroleum source rocks and reservoir rocks. Thus, determining their extent under the cover of Tertiary volcanics is of great importance to future petroleum exploration in the southern portion of the Columbia basin. Limited studies of sediment transport direction have been previously reported by several workers; however, no conclusive evidence was obtained. This study was undertaken to resolve the differences in the previously presented interpretations. The outcropping sedimentary sequence represents part of a subsea fan complex consisting of fan-apron facies turbidites and mudstones (Hudspeth mudstone facies) and channel-facies conglomerates and sandstones (Gable Creek conglomerate facies). Paleocurrent data derived from sole marks, flute casts, clast imbrication, and alignment of elongate plant fragments document that sediment transport was primarily from the south-southeast toward the north-northwest. Thus, the greatest potential for petroleum production from Cretaceous sediments in north-central Oregon lies to the west and northwest of the Mitchell area in northeast-southwest elongated rift basins. These basins, presumably containing thick accumulations of Cretaceous marine sediment fill, are now evidenced by large gravity and magnetic lows.

• Research Organization: Loma Linda Univ., Riverside, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6132373
• Report Number(s): CONF-890404-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 73:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
CENOZOIC ERA
CONGLOMERATES
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SOURCE ROCKS
TERTIARY PERIOD
USA