--> Abstract: Restoration and Structural Interpretation of Seismic Lines in Southern Louisiana - Implications for Undiscovered Hydrocarbon Accumulations, by Ofori N. Pearson, Janet K. Pitman, and Russell F. Dubiel; #90078 (2008)

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Restoration and Structural Interpretation of Seismic Lines in Southern Louisiana - Implications for Undiscovered Hydrocarbon Accumulations

Ofori N. Pearson, Janet K. Pitman, and Russell F. Dubiel
Central Energy Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO

The U.S. Geological Survey recently completed an assessment of undiscovered hydrocarbon resources in Tertiary strata of the onshore coastal plain and State waters of the U.S. Gulf Coast. The assessment incorporated sequence-stratigraphic analysis, burial history and thermal modeling, as well as seismic interpretation, structural analysis, and modeling of key seismic lines in southern Louisiana. The interpreted seismic lines indicate that, in addition to stratigraphic traps, a wide variety of structural traps may be present at numerous stratigraphic levels. Structural restoration of these interpreted seismic lines suggests that most of these structures are genetically related to the movement of the Jurassic Louann Salt. The structural models further show that potential traps formed within the Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene strata soon after sediments of each age were deposited. Kinetic and thermal models for the Wilcox and Eagleford source rocks in the vicinity of the seismic lines indicate that oil generation may have occurred at depths between approximately 8,000 and 14,000 ft. If so, the structural restorations imply that Paleogene and Neogene traps formed early enough to receive petroleum charge from Wilcox and Eagleford sources. Seismic interpretation and structural models show that undiscovered gas accumulations from cracking of oil may be present in southern Louisiana at depths below some existing fields.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas