Geology and petroleum resources of the major oil-impregnated sandstone deposits of Utah

Book · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6670642

Campbell, J A; Ritzma, H R

Near surface, oil-impregnated rock deposits in Utah are estimated to contain as much as 29 billion barrels of petroleum. Over fifty individual deposits have been identified, primarily through field mapping. Over 96% of the oil in place occurs in sandstone host rocks in six giant deposits. Four of the deposits occur in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah, and contain petroleum which probably originated in the Green River Formation (Eocene). Three of these deposits, P.R. Spring, Hill Creek, and Sunnyside, also occur in the Green River Formation, but the Asphalt Ridge deposit occupies only older and younger strata. Two deposits occur in marine and marginal marine strata in the dissected plateau region of southeastern Utah. The Tar Sand Triangle is the largest deposit in the state, and occurs in the White Rim Sandstone (Permian). Circle Cliffs is a giant, low-grade deposit in sandstone and siltstone of the middle Moenkopi Formation (Triassic). The oil-impregnated sandstone bodies of the deposits are of variable number, thickness, and petroleum content, and occur under the influence of a variety of structural and topographic conditions. Tables provide summaries of various characteristics of the petroleum and the reservoir strata.

• OSTI ID: 6670642
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
CENOZOIC ERA
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOZOIC ERA
PERMIAN PERIOD
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
ROCKS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TERTIARY PERIOD
TRIASSIC PERIOD
USA
UTAH