Depositional architecture and reservoir characterization of late Paleozoic submarine slope and basin depositional systems: Midland and Delaware basins, Texas

Conference · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6326551

Galloway, W E

Upper Pennsylvanian and Lower Permian slope sandstones of the Eastern shelf (Midland basin), Permian Spraberry and Dean fan sandstones and siltstones (Midland basin), and Delaware Group basinal sandstones (Delaware basin) were deposited by slope-accelerated density currents and illustrate a spectrum of intracratonic submarine slope and basin depositional styles. Each depositional system also contains several large reservoirs (cumulative production exceeding 10 million bbl) and numerous smaller reservoirs constituting three prolific oil plays. The Eastern shelf submarine-slope fan systems was deposited along the margin of an actively prograding clastic shelf. Downslope sediment transport was by turbidity currents, and deposits are scale-models of larger oceanic submarine fans. Spraberry/Dean reservoirs were largely deposited by relatively nonturbid, saline density currents flowing off of shallow, restricted shelves and platforms. Reservoir geometries reflect the increasing importance of channelized flow across the basin floor. Delaware sandstones were deposited by saline density currents originating on surrounding broad, evaporitic reef-barred platforms. Elongate, lenticular geometry and textural maturity characterize Delaware Sand reservoirs. Despite the variations in specific sand-body genesis, reservoirs of each system display numerous similarities. Because of the internal and external stratigraphic complexity of these slope system reservoirs, the potential remains for discovery of new reserves and significant improvement in recovery of the 12 billion bbl of known oil-in-place.

• OSTI ID: 6326551
• Report Number(s): CONF-8304200-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 67:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
DEPOSITION
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOZOIC ERA
POROSITY
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TEXAS
USA