--> ABSTRACT: Reexamination of Late Jurassic Reef Building in the East Texas Basin; A Maturing Gas Play, by Edward M. Norwood and Lisa Brinton; #90913(2000).

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ABSTRACT: Reexamination of Late Jurassic reef building in the East Texas Basin; a maturing gas play

Norwood, Edward M.1, Lisa Brinton2 (1) Clayton Williams Energy, Inc, Midland, TX (2) Geological Consultant, Denver, CO

A depositional model for Late Jurassic reef building in the East Texas Basin was developed for Marathon Oil Company before drilling the MOC Poth #1 in 1993. This outstanding gas well discovery, drilled in a 'pinnacle' reef, kicked off a new gas play in an extensively explored basin. The original model was reexamined, integrating information from new wells drilled by other operators. After reevaluation of deposition models, the authors discuss several settings for reef growth during Upper Jurassic, upper Gilmer Limestone through lower Bossier Formations. Uniquely generated paleogeographic maps underscore the importance of sediment traps in promoting coral reef growth. Development of these thick microbial bound reefal buildups are positioned near the western margin of the East Texas Basin.

In 1998 Clayton Williams Energy reinvigorated and expanded the Jurassic Reef play by stepping out 35 miles southwest to drill a successful reef wildcat. Limits of the play have yet to be defined.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90913©2000 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Bali, Indonesia