Inner margin of Baltimore Canyon trough: future exploration play
A structure contour map derived from interpretation of offshore seismic reflection profiles and onshore well control shows the configuration of the pre-Mesozoic age (crystalline) basement of the inner margin of the Baltimore Canyon trough (coastal plain and near offshore) from the Long Island platform to Cape Hatteras. Major structural features are north-south aligned grabens and half-grabens (rift basins) that contain probable Triassic-Jurassic age continental and lacustrine sedimentary fill of the Baltimore Canyon trough. Other fault structures appear to be associated with the hinge zone of the Baltimore Canyon trough and its landward structural sag called the Chesapeake-Delaware embayment. Many of the structural features of the basement are at depths shallow enough (< 20,000-25,000 ft, 6100-7500 m) to be tested by drilling. Closely spaced seismic-reflection profiling would be required to provide detail for locating petroleum prospects. Likely petroleum source beds are the lacustrine shales of the rift basins and, farther offshore, the more deeply buried organic carbon-rich shales in the sedimentary fill of the Baltimore Canyon trough. Potential structural-stratigraphic traps might be found within the rift basins. Petroleum prospects in the overlying section might include drape over basement highs, pinch-outs against basement, and growth fault structures controlled by basement faults.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Delaware, Newark
- OSTI ID:
- 6609175
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8405216-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 68:4; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
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Geology
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Geology
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ATLANTIC OCEAN
BALTIMORE CANYON
DEPTH
DEPTH 6-9 KM
DIMENSIONS
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
JURASSIC PERIOD
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
OFFSHORE SITES
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
SEAS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SOURCE ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
TRIASSIC PERIOD