Depositional setting, structural style, and sandstone distribution in three geopressured geothermal areas, Texas Gulf Coast

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dc.contributorWinker, C. D.
dc.coverage.box-97.5,-97.125,29.1269,28.875
dc.coverage.spatialGulf Coast, Texas
dc.creatorWinker, C. D.
dc.date.accessioned2019-10-28T15:11:22Z
dc.date.available2019-10-28T15:11:22Z
dc.date.issued1983
dc.descriptionTo obtain a print version of this publication visit: https://store.beg.utexas.edu/ and search for: RI0134. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Division of Geothermal Energy, under contract nos. DE-AS05-76ET28461 and DE-AC08-79ET27111.
dc.description.abstractThree areas in the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain were studied using electric logs and seismic reflection data to interpret their depositional and structural history and to compare their potential as geopressured-geothermal reservoirs. The Cuero study area, on the lower Wilcox (upper Paleocene) growth-fault trend, is characterized by closely and evenly spaced, subparallel, down-to-the-basin growth faults, relatively small expansion ratios, and minor block rotation. Distributary-channel sandstones in the geopressured lower Wilcox Group of the South Cook fault block appear to be the best geothermal aquifers in the Cuero area. The Blessing study area, on the lower Frio (Oligocene) growth-fault trend, shows wider and more variable fault spacing and much greater expansion ratios and block rotation, particularly during early Frio time. Thick geopressured sandstone aquifers are laterally more extensive in the Blessing area than in the Cuero area. The Pleasant Bayou study area, like the Blessing area, is on the Frio growth-fault trend, and its early structural development was similar; rapid movement of widely spaced faults resulted in large expansion ratios and major block rotation. However, a late-stage pattern of salt uplift and withdrawal complicated the structural style. Thick geopressured lower Frio sandstone aquifers are highly permeable and laterally extensive, as in the Blessing area. In all three areas, geopressured aquifers were created where early, rapid movement along down-to-the-basin growth faults juxtaposed shallow-water sands against older shales, probably deposited in slope environments. Major transgressions followed the deposition of reservoir sands and probably also influenced the hydraulic isolation that allowed the buildup of abnormal pressures. Of the three areas, the Pleasant Bayou area has the best potential for geothermal energy production because of larger fault block area, greater thickness and lateral continuity of individual sandstones, and higher formation temperatures and pressures.
dc.description.departmentUT Libraries
dc.description.departmentBureau of Economic Geology
dc.format.dimensionsiv, 60 p. : ill., maps ; 28 cm.
dc.identifierRI0134
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2152/77502
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26153/tsw/4591
dc.publisherUniversity of Texas at Austin. Bureau of Economic Geology
dc.relation.ispartofVirtual Landscapes of Texas
dc.relation.ispartofReport of Investigations
dc.relation.ispartofseriesReport of Investigations (University of Texas at Austin. Bureau of Economic Geology), no. 134
dc.rights.restrictionOpen
dc.subjectGeology -- Texas -- Gulf Region
dc.subjectGeothermal resources -- Texas -- Gulf Region
dc.subjectSandstone -- Texas -- Gulf Region
dc.titleDepositional setting, structural style, and sandstone distribution in three geopressured geothermal areas, Texas Gulf Coast
dc.typeOther

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