--> Abstract: Petroleum Potential of Antelope Valley, Eureka County, Nevada, by J. B. Hersch and D. P. Hazlett; #91017 (1992).

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ABSTRACT: Petroleum Potential of Antelope Valley, Eureka County, Nevada

HERSCH, JAMES B. and DOUGLAS P. HAZLETT, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Houston, TX

Antelope Valley is located on the eastern edge of the central Nevada Roberts Mountain thrust system. Devonian oil production in Nevada is controlled by extensional fault blocks, fractured reservoir rocks, and Tertiary or Mississippian top seals, and have Paleozoic or lower Tertiary source rocks.

Gravity and seismic data from Antelope Valley show that numerous extensional structures exist. These Basin-and-Range-age (approximately 17 m.y.) structures are areally limited (< 2 sq mi) and are morphologically similar to the Blackburn and Grant Canyon structures.

The most elusive element of any prospect in Nevada is reservoir seal. Detailed study of outcrops bounding Antelope Valley reveals that Tertiary water-lain tuffs, air-fall tuffs, and debris flows should be excellent top seals. Paleozoic shales should be adequate seals.

Reservoir rocks are abundant in outcrops surrounding Antelope Valley and range from Silurian to Tertiary in age. Paleozoic carbonate outcrops at Lone Mountain have abundant open, interconnecting fractures. Western Antelope Valley has fractured Tertiary hypabyssal vesiculated quartz monzonites, which have excellent reservoir potential.

Geochemical data indicate that the Ordovician Vinini Formation and the Mississippian Chainman Formation are adequate source rocks. Total organic content ranges up to 5%, with maturity values ranging from moderate to immature. Free oil shows in the Paleozoic and Tertiary from one well penetration confirms this conclusion. The Chainman Formation is within the oil window (11,000-12,000 ft), but the Vinini Formation may only be in the oil window to a depth of 4000 ft.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91017©1992 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Casper, Wyoming, September 13-16, 1992 (2009)