Syn-depositional Faulting, Reservoir Characterization, and Depositional System: Early Pennsylvanic Morrowan Strata, Arkoma Basin, Arkansas

The Arkoma basin, a typical foreland basin, was formed during the late Mississippian and Pennsylvanian time associated with the Ouachita orogenic belt. The basin is characterized by an asymmetrical sediment fill thinning from a further edge in northern Arkansas to over 20,000 feet adjacent to the frontal thrust of the Ouachita fold belt, superimposed by several regional east trending normal faults (Atoka). However, recent studies suggest that two earlier phases of faulting (Morrowan). Preliminary results suggest these early phase faulting controls the deposition of the Morrowan series strata, one of potential reservoir sandstone units in Arkoma basin. In this project, I propose to utilize both outcrop and subsurface data to document the timing of the earlier phase faulting, regional tectonics and its impact to basin development and depositional system. Regional scale well log correlation, subsurface mapping, and sedimetological/stratigraphic studies will help identify a newer, more robust outlook towards the Arkoma’s basin depositional history. Detailed petrographic study will be used to study diagenesis history and potential reservoir rock characterization, therefore, to compare and evaluate those earlier phase faulting impact to reservoir quality between down-thrown vs. up-thrown side. All results will have important implications to Late Mississippian and early Pennsylvanian natural exploration and production in the Arkoma basin.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90142 © 2012 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 22-25, 2012, Long Beach, California