Structural evolution of three geopressured-geothermal areas in the Texas Gulf Coast

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6206598

Winker, C D; Morton, R A; Garcia, D D

Detailed analysis of geological and seismic data from several geopressured geothermal areas (Cuero, Blessing, Pleasant Bayou) reveals similarities in structural-stratigraphic relationships that form geopressured aquifers as well as differences in structural complexity and evolution that characterize the different areas. In these examples, geopressured sandstones are isolated on the updip side by downfaulting against shelf-slope shales, and on the downdip side by upfaulting against transgressive marine shales. Moreover, they are isolated above and below by thick sequences of transgressive shale or interbedded sandstone and shale. Prospective reservoirs are found where delatic and associated sandstones (distributary channel, delta front, barrie-strandplain) were deposited seaward of major growth faults and near the shelf margin. Structural development in these areas began with rapid movement of relatively straight to sinuous down-to-the basin growth faults with narrow to wide spacings and varying amounts of rollover. Later structural movement was characterized by continued but slower movement of most growth faults. In the Pleasant Bayou area, late salt diapirism superimposed a dome-and-withdrawal-basin pattern on the earlier growth-fault style.

• Research Organization: Texas Univ., Austin (USA). Bureau of Economic Geology
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-79ET27111
• OSTI ID: 6206598
• Report Number(s): CONF-811026-9; ON: DE81029799
• Resource Relation: Conference: 5. geopressured-geothermal energy conference, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, 13 Oct 1981
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
GEOLOGY
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GULF COAST
RESERVOIR ROCK
SEISMIC SURVEYS
STRATIGRAPHY
TEXAS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
NORTH AMERICA
SOUTHWEST REGION
SURVEYS
USA
Geothermal Legacy
150201* - Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems- USA- (-1989)