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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Tulsa Geological Society

Abstract


Tulsa Geological Society Digest
Vol. 36 (1968), Pages 97-98

Basis for Red Fork Sandstone Exploration in Northwest Oklahoma: Abstract

Phil C. Withrow1

Abstract

The Red Fork Sandstone produces oil and gas over a large area of north central Oklahoma. There are indications that several oil fields comparable to the Burbank Field (one-half billion barrels) can be found in northwestern Oklahoma during the next few years by using available well control for detailed reconstruction of the depositional environments of the Red Fork Sandstone.

The Red Fork Sandstone was deposited west of the Nemaha Ridge during "Cherokee" (Des Moinesian) time in a large embayment called the Enid embayment. There were four fairly distinct phases of sand deposition: an early phase where channel sand was deposited; two phases of offshore bar deposition, followed by a brief period when seas receded from the area and channel sand was deposited. Using this interpretation, several unusual problems can be explained.

The Oakdale Field in southeastern Woods County has oil reserves of nearly 30 million barrels from the Red Fork Sandstone. The sandstone in this field is in two separate linear bands which include sand deposited during the first 3 phases. The Southwest Wakita Field in Grant County produces from two fairly distinct Red Fork Sandstone bodies that were deposited during phase 2. The Wakita Trend (Phase 3) in Grant County produces from a thin Red Fork Sandstone body slightly higher stratigraphically than that at Oakdale and Southwest Wakita. In the Cheyenne Valley Field in Major County, the Red Fork is interpreted as being a channel sand deposited during Phase 4, and it is higher stratigraphically than sandstone in the previously-mentioned fields. This channel-type deposit is productive and fairly widespread over the Enid embayment, and it has several distinguishing characteristics.

By reconstructing the depositional environments of the Red Fork Sandstone and by interpreting this interval as representing four fairly distinct phases, the Red Fork is seen to be a reservoir with great potential in the Anadarko basin. There are several good indications where undiscovered major producing areas are located, and they can be found by basing an exploration program on detailed reconstruction of depositional environments to explain the problems that arise, and to make interpretations necessary to find prospective Red Fork Sandstone trends.


 

Acknowledgments and Associated Footnotes

1 Consulting geologist, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Copyright © 2006 by the Tulsa Geological Society