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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Oklahoma City Geological Society

Abstract


The Shale Shaker
Vol. 70 (2019), No. 2. (March/April), Pages 50-79

Regional Stratigraphy and Organic Richness of the Mississippian Meramec and Associated Strata, Anadarko Basin, Central Oklahoma

Joshua C. Miller, Matthew J. Pranter, Andrew B. Cullen

Abstract

The Mississippian Meramecian Series in the STACK (Sooner Trend Anadarko [Basin] Canadian Kingfisher counties) and laterally equivalent units within the Caney Shale and Sycamore Limestone in the Arbuckle Mountains and Ardmore Basin (SCOOP: South Central Oklahoma Oil Province) consist of a succession of interbedded silty limestones, quartz-rich calcareous siltstones, argillaceous siltstones, and organic-rich mudstones that form conventional and unconventional reservoirs. Core, well-log, and outcrop data are integrated to develop a regional stratigraphic framework from the STACK to SCOOP, characterize the depositional environments, and map the distribution of organic-rich facies within the Meramecian Series.

In the STACK , the Meramec was divided into 7 shallowing-upward sequence-stratigraphic cycles or zones. The cycles are capped by shales interpreted as marine-flooding surfaces. In the STACK area, the Meramec sediments were deposited on a gentle ramp and are interpreted to record offshore shore-face depositional environments within or below storm wave base with probable reworking by tides, storms, and/or bottom currents. In the SCOOP, the Sycamore Formation was deposited downdip of the Meramec ramp and was divided into 6 zones. Turbidites are observed in Sycamore outcrops and deeper water depositional environments are inferred. Surface to subsurface and regional subsurface correlations demonstrate the uppermost Sycamore Formation in the Arbuckle Mountains is correlative with the lowermost Meramec in Blaine County and that the upper Meramec is correlative with the “Ahloso Member” of the lower Caney Formation. However, direct linkage of these lithostratigraphic units as connected depositional environments cannot be established.

Three-dimensional petrophysically derived shale volume and porosity models indicate stratigraphic control on petrophysical properties within the Meramec Series. Transgressive zones are richer in shale and exhibit higher porosity than regressive zones. Δlog R-derived estimates of total organic carbon (TOC) content (wt %) show a basinward increase in TOC. TOC values north of the border between Canadian and Grady counties are typically <1%. TOC values to the south range from 0 to 8% with source-rock thickness as high as 167 ft (51 m) using a >3% cutoff. Discrete source beds observed in the up-dip ramp setting correlate with flooding surfaces of the Meramec sequence-stratigraphic framework. The Caney interval shows strong development of organic-rich mudrock towards the south into the Ardmore basin.


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