--> ABSTRACT: Subsidence at Boling Salt Dome: Results of Multiple Resource Production, by William F. Mullican III; #91030 (2010)

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Subsidence at Boling Salt Dome: Results of Multiple Resource Production

William F. Mullican III

Removal of oil, gas, sulfur, ground water, and cap rock has caused extensive subsidence and collapse of the land surface over piercement salt domes in the Houston salt basin. Sour Lake, West Columbia, and Webster salt domes exhibit subsidence and collapse produced by the removal of hydrocarbons trapped in supradomal and flanking strata. However, the most pronounced examples of subsidence and collapse exist where two or more resources are produced. Exploitation and multiple resources is characteristic of Boling, Spindletop, and Orchard salt domes.

Boling dome (Wharton and Fort Bend Counties) has experienced more overall subsidence and collapse than any other dome in Texas. These processes are directly related to production of sulfur and hydrocarbons from the southeastern quadrant of the dome. Greatest vertical movement due to subsidence and collapse is 35 ft (based on the Boling 7.5 min. topographic map, last surveyed in 1953). Most of the subsidence (83%) is attributed to sulfur production, whereas only 11 to 12% can be linked to hydrocarbon production.

Reservoir compaction is the dominant mechanism of land subsidence in areas of hydrocarbon production at Boling dome. Trough subsidence, chimneying, plug caving, and piping are the characteristic mechanisms over sulfur fields developed at the salt dome. The structural and hydrologic stability of the surface and subsurface at Boling dome is compromised by these active deformation processes. Damage to pipelines and well-casing strings may result in costly leaks which have the potential of being uncontrollable and catastrophic. Reduction in hydrologic stability may result if natural aquitards are breached and fresh water mixes with saline water or if hydrologic conduits to the diapir are opened, allowing unrestricted dissolution of the salt stock.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91030©1988 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, 20-23 March 1988.