Stratigraphy of Upper Miocene Potter sands, Midway-Sunset field, Kern County, California
Upper Miocene Potter sands in the northern part of the Midway-Sunset field were analyzed extensively using detailed electric-log correlations. Structural and stratigraphic cross sections and subsurface mapping demonstrate variations across four general areas in T31S, R22E, referred to as west (parts of Secs. 16, 17, 21), north (parts of Secs. 15, 16), east (part of sec. 14), and south (within Sec. 27). Potter sands deposited in the west area represent the oldest strata of the Potter sequence because they unconformably overlie older silts, diatomaceous shales, and isolated sand channels believed to be part of the Antelope Shale Member. These sands are interpreted to represent massive debris flow/grain flows deposited in a proximal channel-trough system that carried sediments from west to east, toward the low point of the Midway syncline. In the north area, Potter sands change abruptly from massive sands in the eastern part of Sec. 16 to thinner sand channels with more correlative and continuous silt interbeds in Sec. 15. The massive sands are stratigraphically equivalent, if not slightly younger than, sands in the west. However, at the base, these sands depositionally onlap onto the southwest flank of the globe anticline. The Potter sand channel packages thin in Sec. 15, which represents lateral facies changes within the system as the sand to silt ratios become lower and the silts become more continuous. Potter sands in the east area are the uppermost and youngest strata encountered in the study area. Although massive sand channel packages are common, they show better lateral continuity and exhibit lower sand to silt ratios than the north sequences. In the south area, Potter sands are interbedded with continuous silt units that can be mapped over much of the section.
- Research Organization:
- Sun Exploration and Production Co., Valencia, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 6931732
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8604187-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 70:4; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Multi-well subsurface study of the stratigraphic sequence of the Potter Formation in the Midway-Sunset Field, Kern County, California
Reservoir description of a sand-rich submarine fan complex for a steamflood project: upper Miocene Potter sandstone, North Midway Sunset field, California
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020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
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