Three main genetically related classes of salt domes can be recognized relative to the regional structures in the East Texas basin--anticlinal, synclinal, and flank domes. The anticlinal domes are deep seated while the synclinal and flank domes occur at shallow and intermediate depths. High dome maturity and associated flank bed configurations were achieved in the synclinal domes such as Hainesville and Bethel, only partly achieved in some flank domes such as Grand Saline, while other flank domes such as Keechi and presumably the anticlinal domes are immature.

The largest oil and gas accumulations in the east Texas dome region occur in crestal anticlines of the deep-seated anticlinal domes. The shallow domes on the regional flanks and synclines have all been nonproductive from their crestal anticlines probably because they do not uplift adequate sedimentary sections. The synclinal and flank domes therefore appear to have poor potentials except for entrapment beneath overhangs and porosity pinch-outs on the flanks when the evolution of the domes promotes these features. Patchy carbonate porosity and sandstone pinch-outs may develop around elevated dome flanks during the immature earlier history of the mature synclinal domes and throughout the history of the immature flank and anticlinal domes. Salt overhangs appear to be better developed in he more mature domes.

This model highlights the potential targets around salt domes in east Texas and can be used to reevaluate both the producing and nonproducing domes in the basin. The genetic basis for the model also underscores its applicability in other halokinetic basins.

End_of_Article - Last_Page 668------------