ABSTRACT

This study is concerned with documenting the importance of the Upper Mississippian Britt sandstones of southwestern Canadian and northern Caddo Counties of Oklahoma. Specific objectives include: 1) characterizing Upper Mississippian and Lower Pennsylvanian stratigraphy, 2) defining the setting in which Britt strata were deposited, 3) analyzing the petrography of sandstones, 4) describing diagenetic events that affected the sandstones, and 5) relating the diagenetic history of the sandstones to the preservation of primary porosity and the formation of secondary porosity. Techniques included structural and isopach mapping, thin-section analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction.

Britt sandstones record regressive-transgressive couplets in response to deltaic progradation, abandonment, and subsidence in the southeastern Anadarko Basin, during the Late Mississippian. Four principle facies compose the sequence: 1) deltaic bar-finger sands, 2) delta-destructional sand bars, 3) shelf sand ridges, and 4) storm deposits. These facies record the transition from the deltaic to the shelf regime. Except for storm deposits, sandstones are quartzitic with fossils and ooids abundant locally. Detrital clay matrix is a major constituent of some sands. Numerous episodes of diagenetic activity have altered extensively the mineralogical character of these sands. Chlorite, silica, and carbonates are the primary authigenic minerals.