The interaction of three factors results in several different predictable patterns of wrench-fault-related petroleum traps: (1) the evolutionary stage or magnitude of the wrench faulting; (2) the configurations of the laterally moving plates and their orientations to regional movement vectors; and (3) the structural response of the deformed terrane. In the more common fold and fault responses small strike-slip displacements develop narrow trends of en echelon anticlinal culminations which straddle an incipient or underlying wrench fault. Traps commonly are structurally complex. Wrenches with intermediate strike-slip displacement have offset-truncated half-fold culminations and structural bowings closed upplunge by the wrench fault, and less complex intact en echelon antic inal-culmination traps away from the fault. Folds adjacent to many large-displacement wrench faults often are adversely disrupted structurally, or deeply eroded. Potential hydrocarbon traps form downstructure where basinward-plunging en echelon folds cross sedimentary wedges associated with basin margins, and where large anticlinal culminations are preserved.

Fault responses to wrenching deformation result in various patterns of en echelon fault traps. Degrees of regional-plate convergence or divergence enhance compressive or extensional structuring, respectively, and further modify prospective structures.