ABSTRACT

The Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation is a prolific oil and gas reservoir in the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain. To date, over 838 million barrels of oil and condensate and 2.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas have been produced from 157 Smackover fields located in the area. The tectonic setting and depositional and postdepositional history of the Smackover carbonates and associated strata have been conducive to the formation of numerous petroleum traps, the accumulation and preservation of substantial organic matter, the thermogenic generation and preservation of large quantities of hydrocarbons, the formation of extensive porous and permeable reservoirs, the subsequent enhancement of reservoir quality, and the formation of a regional impervious seal rock. In addition, the timing of trap formation and hydrocarbon generation and migration have been important to oil and gas entrapment and preservation. An understanding of the factors that contribute to the hydrocarbon productivity of the Smackover will assist with improving the recovery of oil and gas from these limestones and dolostones.