The Rough Creek graben of western Kentucky: Some structures and hydrocarbon occurrences near the eastern terminus

Conference · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:7123331

Kuehn, K W ^[1]

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1. Western Kentucky Univ., Bowling Green, KY (United States). Dept. of Geography and Geology

The southeastern flank of the Illinois Basin in western kentucky contains numerous structures of interest both for their tectonic history and hydrocarbon potential. Recent research and exploration has been focused upon relations between Illinois Basin structures and basement structures in a region known as the Rough Creek Graben (RCG). The RCG extends eastward from the Illinois-Kentucky border approximately 140 miles and is about 30 miles at its widest point north-to-south. It is a wedge-shaped aulacogen attributed to opening of the proto-Atlantic Ocean near the start of the Cambrian Period. Mixed clastic and carbonate basin-fill sequences accumulated as much as 16,000 feet within the RCG before deposition of the Cambro-Ordovician Knox Group platform carbonates. Though most of the Paleozoic permitted quiescent, epeirogenic adjustments within the RCG, post-Knox tectonic episodes caused the reactivation of older faults. Today, surface expression of the northern RCG boundary is marked by the rough Creek Fault System, a complex zone up to five miles wide comprising numerous normal, reverse, and wrench faults which have potential as hydrocarbon traps. Only nine wells have tested sub-Knox sequences within the RCG including two recently completed deep tests (TD about 14,000[prime]) in McLean and Grayson counties. Most oil and gas production in the region is from wells less than 3,000 feet completed in Devonian through Pennsylvanian strata. This paper contributes structure sections from portions of Edmonson and Grayson counties near the eastern terminus of the fault system which illustrate stratigraphic throw, trapping mechanisms, and the influence of fractures on shallow hydrocarbon production in this area.

• OSTI ID: 7123331
• Report Number(s): CONF-9404217--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 26:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200 -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
KENTUCKY
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
STRATIGRAPHY
USA