ABSTRACT

A new model is presented (Model III) which considers the effects of the sandiness of sand/shale systems on the migration efficiencies and estimates of potential hydrocarbon reservoirs in Gulf Coast Tertiary strata. Model III builds upon two earlier models in which we described: Model I, geo-genetic relationships among salt structures, euxinic intraslope basins, enhanced preservation of marine organic matter, the origin of Gulf Coast source rocks, and the modification of regional thermal gradients by salt structures; Model II, the dynamic range of potential hydrocarbon generation from intraslope basin source rocks using parameters of time, temperature, organic content and generation efficiencies. Model III is used to high-grade the estimates of oil generation potential from Model II by considering the accumulation potential of oil in the Gulf Coast region as influenced primarily by the sandiness of sand/shale complexes and lateral and vertical migration efficiencies. Model III provides a new perspective on geo-genetic linkages and hydrocarbon exploration in elastic basins underlain, and structurally deformed by, mobile salt structures.