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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions
Vol. 18 (1968), Pages 56-80

Differential Pressures a Trapping Mechanism in Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Fields

John D. Myers

ABSTRACT

The term, differential pressures, as used in this paper, refers primarily to lateral changes in subsurface fluid pressures. These pressures changes usually take place across faults or across lithologic barriers. The magnitude of these differential pressures can be quite large, and the changes can occur over a very short distance.

A systematic study of the subsurface fluid pressures in several Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Fields indicates that differential pressures strongly influence the accumulation of oil and gas. The influence that pressures were found to have on the accumulations of hydrocarbons in the Gulf Coast seems to conform with the hydrodynamic principles as developed and outlined by M. King Hubbert (1953).

More specifically, this paper illustrates some practical examples of fault and stratigraphic entrapment of hydrocarbons under hydrodynamic conditions. The application of the principles demonstrated by these examples to subsurface studies should prove useful in the geological evaluation of oil and gas prospects. Subsurface pressure studies are recommended as a routine function of exploration geology.


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