Interpretative mapping techniques provide the basis for an environmental analysis of the Upper Devonian Kane sandstone in part of central western Pennsylvania.

Stratigraphically, the Kane sandstone is defined as the basal marine sandstone unit of the Upper Devonian Bradford Group. It represents the initial stages of clastic influx accommodated by the prograding Catskill delta complex. In eastern parts of the Appalachian Plateau, it most commonly exhibits an elongate lenticular geometry with long axes oriented normal to subnormal to regional strike.

The study area spans the three-county junction of Cambria, Clearfield, and Indiana Counties, where the Kane sandstone has been the target of intense drilling activity. Kane completions in this area are characterized by high initial potentials (up to 20 MMCFGD) and correspondingly high recoverable gas reserves.

Gross interval isopachs (G.S.S. and G.I.S.), net sand isopachs, sand percentage, and structure contour maps show that Kane sediments were emplaced as part of a small-scale submarine-fan environment, with a long axis trending west-northwest.

A complex suite of subenvironments ranges from submarine channel (proximal) to a radiating complex of small channels at the fan apex, which become broad flat channels and sheetlike sands in a downfan direction. These environments ultimately give way to distal mud facies away from the fan area.

Gross interval isopachs of the lower third of the Bradford Group interval show that increased thicknesses of sediment were emplaced along an inferred structural boundary trending west-northwest. This boundary very nearly coincides with a zone of cross strike structural discontinuity observed in the Valley and Ridge province.

The interpretations used in this analysis provide useful methods for evaluating future Devonian reservoirs.

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