Structural and Sedimentological Evolution of the Ultra-Deep Gas Play Fairway-Gulf of Mexico Shelf, Texas and Louisiana

摘要

Ultra-deep drilling activity on the Gulf of Mexico shelf is targeting a new deep gas play fairway below established older production. The fairway extends from the Mississippi delta across the Texas shelf in the section below 25,000 feet. Large relatively simple anticlines with inverted Paleogene and Cretaceous sediment packages have been identified. These packages have been mapped regionally and locally to identify isopach thicks that should be favorable for the accumulation of reservoir sandstone. The main exploration risks identified for the ultra-deep fairway are reservoir presence and quality.