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Environments of deposition and petroleum geology of Tuscaloosa group (upper Cretaceous), South Carlton and Pollard fields, southwestern Alabama

Journal Article · · AAPG Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7181646
In southwestern Alabama, the lower Tuscaloosa Group (Upper Cretaceous) consists of two informally defined units, the Massive and Pilot sand intervals. The Massive sand interval accumulated principally as sands in a wave-dominated, high-destructive delta system. These sandstones are structureless, well sorted, micaceous, locally fossiliferous, calcareous, glauconitic, fine grained, and quartz rich, containing angular to subangular quartz grains. The Massive sand interval unconformably overlies fluvial-deltaic sediments of Lower Cretaceous strata. Petroleum traps in the Tuscaloosa are structural traps involving salt anticlines (South Carlton field) and extensional fault traps associated with salt movement (Pollard field). Reservoir-grade porosity occurs in the Massive and Pilot sandstone units as primary intergranular porosity. Although Tuscaloosa marine claystones contain significant amounts of organic carbon, these rocks are thermally too immature to be the petroleum source rocks for the Tuscaloosa crude oils in South Carlton and Pollard fields. 17 figures, 2 tables.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
OSTI ID:
7181646
Journal Information:
AAPG Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: AAPG Bull.; (United States) Vol. 71:10; ISSN AABUD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English