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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Williston Basin Symposium

Abstract

SKGS-AAPG

Fifth International Williston Basin Symposium, June 14, 1987 (SP9)

Pages 147 - 156

STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE NESSON ANTICLINE, NORTH DAKOTA

JULIE A. LEFEVER, North Dakota Geological Survey, University Station, Grand Forks, N.D. 58202
RICHARD D. LEFEVER, Department of Geology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D. 58202
SIDNEY B. ANDERSON, North Dakota Geological Survey, University Station, Grand Forks, N.D. 58202

ABSTRACT

The Nesson Anticline is the largest producing structural feature in the North Dakota portion of the Williston Basin. It extends for approximately 110 miles (175 km) along a north-south line from just south of the Canadian border to the Killdeer Mountains. All of the Paleozoic formations which occur in the Williston Basin are present along at least part of the anticline and, of these, 14 produce in a total of 54 fields.

Data were collected from oil well wireline logs along the portion of the anticline from Beaver Lodge Field to its southernmost extension in Rattlesnake Point Field. A total of 45 formation tops were picked from about 1300 well logs. From these data, isopach maps and structure contour maps were constructed for each of the formations. Where there were enough control points away from the structure, structural relief was determined.

The Nesson Anticline in the study area is predominantly a north-south trending structure with slight irregularities in direction along the hinge trace. The fold opens up to the south, where it splits into several smaller secondary folds. Two faults are apparent from the structure maps: the main western Nesson fault which extends the length of the structure, and a fault on the northeast side of the Antelope Anticline.

There are nine recognizable areas on the Nesson Anticline in the study area. Structural activity in each area seems to have been essentially independent of the other areas. In most of the areas, the greatest movement along the anticline occurred during Devonian or Early Mississippian time, although there are some exceptions. Significant movement may have occurred prior to deposition of the Ashern Formation, but the available data are too few to allow that interpretation. Structural activity in most areas appears to have been episodic, with few instances of prolonged movement.

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