DENMAN, H.E., and JOHN A. ADAMICK , TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company, Houston, TX
The eastern Gulf of Mexico contains attractive exploration opportunities. Recent activity in Mississippi Canyon, Main Pass, Viosca Knoll and Mobile areas (Central Gulf OCS) has produced successes identifying significant hydrocarbon accumulations. The focal point in the Eastern Gulf OCS is comprised of areas nominated for Lease Sale 181, scheduled for December 2001.
Areas within the Eastern Gulf OCS are under-explored. Fewer lease sales, more diverse geology and absence of producing infrastructure have led to sporadic development Only eight previous lease offerings have occurred.
Analyses of new seismic data and well control indicate interesting play opportunities. Areas of interest include: allochthonous salt related features, autochthonous salt related features, and Mesozoic shelf carbonate features. Allochthonous salt related plays are of lower Pliocene to middleupper Miocene age and occur in proximity to horizontal salt features. Discoveries associated with allochthonous salt include Mississippi Canyon 211, 292 and 778. Autochthonous salt related plays are characterized by lower Pliocene to middle Miocene slope fans and their channel levee and fan deposits. Discoveries associated with autochthonous salt include Mississippi Canyon 84, 305, and 657. Deep Cretaceous age section also represents a play pending confirmation of reservoir section.
Mesozoic shelf plays consisting of grain shoal carbonates have been made recently in the Viosca Knoll and Mobile areas. Shelfal Cretaceous section is productive for gas from Aptian James and possibly Albian Andrew formations. Discoveries within this trend include Viosca Knoll 68, 114, 252 and Mobile 991. Additional opportunities may be available from Jurassic age Norphlet beneath the shelfal areas.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90908©2000 GCAGS, Houston, Texas