ABSTRACT

The Goodland Formation is a carbonate unit that was depostied on a broad, shallow-marine platform during the Early Cretaceous in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The Goodland is divided into four zones, "A" - "D", based on lateral distribution and vertical succession. The "C" zone depositional environment was an open platform. The facies from the base to the top are (1) oyster-gastropod wackestone/packstone, (2) mollusk wackstone, (3) dasyclad-mollusk wackestone, and (4) oyster wackestone/packstone.

The "A" zone depositional environment was a protected platform. The facies from the base to the top are (1) mollusk wackestone/packstone, (2) oyster mudstone/wackestone, (3) mollusk mudstone, and (4) mollusk wackestone.

Gryphaea, the common Lower Cretaceous oyster, is the dominant allochem in the "C" and "A" zones. Environmental conditions determined oyster growth and faunal diversity show variations between the "C" and "A" zones.

There were three gradational phases of "C" and "A" zone diagenesis: (1) early marine, (2) meteoric-phreatic, and (3) deep burial. Most diagenetic processes were porosity-destroying, either by cementation or compaction.

Permeability and porosity remain low except where associated with fractures. Fracture production is implied when there is production from a zone whose porosity and permeability fluctuate from high to low.

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