The Anadarko basin is one of the most outstanding hydrocarbon producers in the North American continent. Examination of more than 50 cores from the Pennsylvanian Morrow sandstones reveals a complex diagenetic history. Although quartzarenite is the major lithology, shell fragments, glauconites, and clayey matrix occur in significant amounts throughout the section. This diagenetic complexity is a function of depositional environment, burial, and thermal history of the basin.

Porosity in the Morrowan sandstones throughout the Anadarko basin is chiefly secondary. Such porosity results from the dissolution of clayey matrix, carbonate fragments and cement, glauconite, and quartz grains and their overgrowth.

Evolution of secondary porosity is related directly to the generation of hydrocarbons. CO₂ gas, with concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 4.7% by volume, was detected in more than 150 natural gas wells examined in the basin. Based on geothermal and geopressure gradients, and on experimental investigations of the solubility potential of CO₂ in formation fluids under elevated temperatures and pressures, a good estimate of solubility of CO₂ in the Morrow Formation water may be attained. Because the concentration of CO₂ appears to increase with depth in the basin, secondary porosity should not be restricted to a particular zone or to particular depths, but definitely would persist with depth. Organic acids at shallow depths and H₂S in d eper zones may be important in enhancement of secondary porosity.

Amounts of porosity and the geometry of pore space are directly related to original lithology. A better understanding of lithofacies is critical in evaluating reservoir quality.

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