--> Abstract: Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Appalachian and Illinois Basins of Kentucky, by Patrick J. Gooding; #90039 (2005)

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Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Appalachian and Illinois Basins of Kentucky

Patrick J. Gooding
Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Hydrocarbons in Kentucky occur throughout much of the Appalachian Basin, along the crest of the Cincinnati Arch, and in the Illinois Basin. Oil and gas are produced from more than 1,500 pools in over 6o different formations throughout the Paleozoic. Most of the oil is produced from Mississippian limestones and sandstones in eastern and western Kentucky or from Ordovician limestones and dolostones in south-central Kentucky. Most natural gas is produced from the Devonian black shales of eastern Kentucky.

The Paleozoic reservoir rocks in which hydrocarbons occur are quite variable in both composition and physical properties across Kentucky. Hydrocarbons commonly occur in a variety of rock types and depositional settings ranging in age from Early Cambrian to Early Pennsylvanian. Geologic research is providing a better understanding of the depositional and digenetic history and geologic controls on reservoir development, porosity, permeability, maturation, generation, migration, and accumulation of hydrocarbons in Kentucky, as well as the influence of structural activity and tectonic events, both regional and local, on the petroleum systems.

New and innovative drilling, stimulation, and completion techniques; new geochemical and geophysical data; and evolving computer modeling make it necessary to re-examine and re-evaluate the basins. Greater understanding leads to new opportunities in the basins, including exploration for unconventional gas in the Pennsylvanian in both basins, and exploration for Mississippian tar sands and Devonian black shale in the Illinois Basin. Many areas remain sparsely drilled, and deeper strata in the Ordovician and Cambrian generally are untested in both basins.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005