Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Petroleum geology of Reforma area, southeast Mexico, and exploratory effort in Baja California, northwest Mexico

Journal Article · · Stud. Geol. (Tulsa, Okla.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6487168

New reservoirs in SE Mexico are mainly Cretaceous and Jurassic dolomites and microfractured limestones, at an average depth of 12,500 ft (3810 m). Trapping is in complexly faulted rocks and overthrusted anticlines covered by a thick Tertiary shale and sandstone sequence. Salt tectonics also are involved. Miocene sandstones have produced in the area since 1960, but Mesozoic discoveries had to await development of more sophisticated geophysical and drilling techniques. The Baja California peninsula area has received renewed interest with the establishment of dry gas production from upper Cretaceous marine clastic rocks in the Sebastian Vizcaino Basin. Between 1944 and 1960, geologic, gravity, and seismic surveys led to the drilling of 11 unsuccessful wildcats. In 1972, more modern geophysical and geologic studies justified the drilling of 6 additional wells, 2 of which are gas producers. At present, 2 rigs, one onshore and one offshore, are continuing exploration.

OSTI ID:
6487168
Journal Information:
Stud. Geol. (Tulsa, Okla.); (United States), Journal Name: Stud. Geol. (Tulsa, Okla.); (United States) Vol. 12; ISSN ASGED
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English