ABSTRACT

Statistical studies based on the mapping of paleoecologic zones, sand conditions and production in offshore Louisiana indicate a positive correlation among these parameters. Oil and gas production for any given depth is associated with a narrow range of preferred environments of deposition and sand development. For example, in the depth range 10,000-12,000 feet in the eastern offshore area (Ship Shoal through Main Pass), about 70 percent of all oil completions occur where the section contains 10 to 30 percent sand and is in the inner neritic environment.

An IBM 1130 computer with attached Calcomp plotter was used to prepare: 1) structure and environment maps of various biostratigraphic zones, 2) environment maps of the interval between biostratigraphic tops, and 3) environment maps at constant depth slices. To aid in statistical comparisons, the following maps were constructed in 2,000 foot-thick depth intervals: 1) average weighted environment, 2) sand percentage, net sand, sand-shale ratio, and number of discrete sand bodies, and 3) oil and gas completions.