Abstract: Mississippi Shallow Salt Domes

H. E. Karges

Since 1936, when Sun Oil Company drilled into Midway dome, there have been 48 shallow salt domes discovered in Mississippi. These structures are found in an area extending across south-central Mississippi, in the heart of the Interior Salt basin. Oil and gas production has been found on the faulted crests of five of these domes, although none of the accumulations were of significant size. Many of these domes have been explored unsuccessfully for sulfur.

Most of the shallow domes are roughly circular in shape, about 1 mi in diameter, and have very steep sides and narrow flanks. Where there is sufficient well control, the crests appear to be complexly faulted. Overhang has been observed on several domes, and one dome covering an unusually large area may be teardrop shape. A large reverse fault has been observed on the flank of one of these domes.

Tests have been drilled on the flanks of many of the shallow salt domes and very asphaltic accumulations were in sands abutting the salt. Most of these asphaltic shows were noncommercial. However, in 1973 a test drilled on the Camp Shelby salt dome found production in deep flank beds, as well as in a shallow zone beneath the overhang.

There appears to be a close relation between the growth of shallow salt domes and interdomal features and deep production is being found on them. Future drilling should establish significant reserves on shallow salt domes, as well as on related interdomal features.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90978©1975 GCAGS-GC Section SEPM Annual Meeting, Jackson, Mississippi