Fluvial depositional systems of Carrizo-Upper Wilcox in south Texas
In the Rio Grande embayment of south Texas, the Carrizo-upper Wilcox interval (Eocene) consists of two sand-rich coastal plain fluvial depositional systems that grade basinward into several deltaic complexes. The bedload channel system is dominated by multi-story, multi-lateral, fluvial, channel-fill sandstones. This system is typically > 90% sandstone. Shales are thin and laterally discontinuous, the remnants of abandoned channel fills. Bedload channel sandstones dominate the major fluvial axes and form the depositional framework of the interval. The mixed alluvial system consists of a more typical suite of coastal plain facies. Mixed-load channel-fill sandstones tend to be isolated and surrounded by overbank shales and thin sandstones. Crevasse splay and lacustrine facies occur in the flood-plain area. Total-interval isopach patterns, sandstone geometries, and depositional systems distributions indicate that fluvial sediment input was converging upon the embayment from the west, northwest, and north. Economically, the Carrizo-upper Wilcox of south Texas has a three-fold significance. The updip Carrizo sandstone is a major source of fresh groundwater, includes several large oil fields, and also contains deposits of uranium minerals. The downdip upper Wilcox trend is an area of active hydrocarbon exploration.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Texas, Austin
- OSTI ID:
- 6570709
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8310301-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 67:9; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
CENOZOIC ERA
DEPOSITION
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL FIELDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TERTIARY PERIOD
TEXAS
USA
WATER