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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 31 (1947)

Issue: 12. (December)

First Page: 2239

Last Page: 2240

Title: The Nature of the Basement Complex Oil Reservoir, Edison Oil Field, California: ABSTRACT

Author(s): J. C. May, R. L. Hewitt

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The completion of the H. H. Magee and Independent Exploration Company's "Brockman" well No. 3, Sec. 13, T. 30 S., R. 29 E., MDB & M, in the Edison field, Kern County, initiated commercial production from basement complex rocks in the San Joaquin Valley. At the present time about 1,500 acres of these rocks are oil productive in this field. The geologic structure of the field at basement complex depth is a faulted, dome-like fold with extensive south and west flanks, but with the north and east flanks shortened by faulting. The basement complex rocks are divisible into two groups: metamorphic rocks derived from sediments and igneous intrusives, and a younger igneous rock (Sierra Nevada) which was the chief cause of metamorphism in the older rocks. The metamorphic rocks n order of their probable age are (1) McCowan schist, (2) Hershey schist, (3) Dougherty schist, and (4) felsites. The McCowan schists are satiny, lead-gray, laminar rocks of sedimentary origin which occupy the eastern part of the field. The Hershey schists of doubtful sedimentary origin, are pistachio green, poorly laminated rocks. The Dougherty schists are variously metamorphosed fine-grained igneous rocks of probable malachite or diorite-aplite composition which comprise the west half of the basement producing area. The felsites are fresh, fine-grained igneous rocks, mineralogically akin to the Dougherty schists, which occur as segregations throughout the field. The quartz diorite of the Sierra Nevada batholith bounds the east edge of the oil field. Metamorphism is regional,

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characteristic of the epizone, and its effects increase as the quartz diorite is approached. The oil originated in the westerly extending Tertiary sedimentary basin and migrated into the pore and fracture spaces of the structurally higher schist. Its accumulation apparently is unaffected by the type of schist, but is governed by the degree of metamorphism, fracturing, and the control of several large faults.

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