Abstract: Preliminary Analysis of the Source Rock Potential within the Perdido Fold Belt, Northwestern Deep Gulf of Mexico

FIDUK, JOSEPH C., PAUL WEIMER, BRUCE D. TRUDGILL, and MARK G. ROWAN, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO; BARRY C. McBRIDE
HS Resources Inc., 1999 Broadway, Suite 3600, Denver, CO

One-dimensional, steady state, thermal maturation modeling was conducted at sixteen pseudo-well locations along two profiles in the Perdido fold belt, Alaminos Canyon OCS protraction area. Modeling results apply to strata basinward of the Sigsbee Escarpment; models were not conducted for subsalt areas.

Geochemical fingerprinting of oil seeps in the Perdido area indicate possible source intervals of Upper Jurassic and Eocene age. The initial results of thermal maturation modeling suggests that Upper Jurassic to middle Eocene strata presently lie within the oil generation window. Potential Oxfordian, Tithonian, Barremian, and Turonian source rocks each lie within the pea oil generation window but at different locations in the fold belt. Possible Eocene source rocks lie within the early oil generation window in the basinward half of the fold belt. Differences in depth of burial, structural uplift, and thickness of underlying autochthonous salt at each location account for much of the variability observed in the maturity modeling.

Burial history charts for each location relate the timing of source bed maturation to fold belt (trap) formation. At most locations, the possible Oxfordian source passed through peak oil generation during the Eocene, prior to fold belt formation. Potential Tithonian, Barremian, and Turonian age source rocks did not enter peak oil generation until the Oligocene, during or after fold belt formation. Possible Eocene source rocks have yet reach peak oil generation.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90932©1998 GCAGS/GCS-SEPM Meeting, Corpus Christi, Texas