Although the Bryan field has existed as a producing structure since 1958, this is the first published data detailing the geologic history and origin of the structure. Drilling of the discovery well for the Jurassic (Cotton Valley) sediments was preceded by a detailed seismic program, which outlined an anticlinal feature corresponding to the shallow (Cretaceous) production.

On the assumption that the structure was a salt-cored anticline, the discovery well was permitted for 17,000 ft but was drilled to 21,105 ft before reaching salt. A reevaluation of the data reveals the Bryan field as a classic example of the sediment-cored anticline or turtleback structure. An unusual thickness of Haynesville sediments and a continued outward flow of salt into nearby salt-cored anticlines combined to produce the sedimentary structure which is the subject of this study.

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