Marine and nonmarine gas-bearing rocks in Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk and Neslen Formations, eastern Uinta basin, Utah: sedimentology, diagenesis, and source rock potential

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6436498

Pitman, J K; Franczyk, K J; Anders, D E

The Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk and Neslen Formations in the eastern Uinta basin contain large amounts of thermogenic gas that was generated from interbedded humic-rich source rocks. The geometry and distribution of hydrocarbon source and reservoir rocks are controlled by depositional environment. Potential reservoir sandstones are composed dominantly of monocrystalline quartz grains and sedimentary lithic fragments. Mechanical compaction during early burial was followed by the precipitation of quartz, carbonate, and barite later in the burial history. Variations in porosity and permeability (2-10%; < 1 md) reflects the presence of authigenic clay, mineral cements, and dissolved lithic grains. Natural fractures, cemented with carbonate, barite, and kaolinite, occur locally. Active hydrocarbon generation occurred in the Neslen and Blackhawk during the Oligocene and Miocene when these units were near their maximum burial depth and temperature. The rate of hydrocarbon generation decreased from the late Miocene to the present, owing to widespread cooling that occurred in response to regional uplift and erosion associated with the development of the Colorado Plateau. Temporally equivalent rocks in other areas of the basin may have experienced similar diagenetic and hydrocarbon generation histories. 9 figures, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Reston, VA
• OSTI ID: 6436498
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 71:1; ISSN AAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030200* -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
&amp; Exploration
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DIAGENESIS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTATION
SOURCE ROCKS
UINTA BASIN
USA
UTAH