--> Abstract: Petroleum Source Rocks of the Onshore Interior Salt Basins, North Central and Northeastern Gulf of Mexico
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Petroleum Source Rocks of the Onshore Interior Salt Basins, North Central and Northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Ernest A. Mancini1, Peng Li1, Donald A. Goddard2, and Ronald K. Zimmerman3
1Center for Sedimentary Basin Studies and Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Box 870338, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0338
2Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803
3Louisiana Geological Survey, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

Understanding the burial and thermal maturation histories of the strata in the onshore interior salt basins of the north central and northeastern Gulf of Mexico area is critical in petroleum source rock identification and characterization. The burial and thermal maturation histories of the strata in these basins and subbasins are consistent with the rift-related geohistory of these features. Source rock analysis and thermal maturity modeling indicate that lime mudstone of the Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation served as an Previous HiteffectiveNext Hit regional petroleum source rock in the North Louisiana Salt Basin, Mississippi Interior Salt Basin, Manila Subbasin and Conecuh Subbasin. The Upper Cretaceous marine shale was an Previous HiteffectiveNext Hit local petroleum source rock in the Mississippi Interior Salt Basin and a possible local source bed in the North Louisiana Salt Basin given the proper organic facies. Lower Cretaceous lime mudstone was an Previous HiteffectiveNext Hit local petroleum source rock in the South Florida Basin, and these rocks were possible local source beds in the North Louisiana Salt Basin and Mississippi Interior Salt Basin given the proper organic facies. Uppermost Jurassic strata were Previous HiteffectiveTop source rocks in Mexico, and therefore, were possible source beds in the North Louisiana Salt Basin given the proper organic facies. Lower Tertiary shale and lignite have been reported to have been source beds in south Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi, but these beds have not been subjected to favorable burial and thermal maturation histories required for petroleum generation in the North Louisiana Salt Basin, Mississippi Interior Salt Basin, Manila Subbasin, and Conecuh Subbasin.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90080©2005 GCAGS 55th Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana