Comparison of offshore and onshore gas occurrences, Eel River basin, northern California

Lorenson, T. D.; McLaughlin, Robert J.; Kvenvolden, Keith A.; Orange, Daniel L.; Davisson, M. Lee; Brewer, Peter G.; Martin, J.B.

doi:10.3133/ofr98781

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…In addition to gas, oil droplets were observed rising from the seafloor when the gas vents were disturbed with the robotic arm of the ROV. Prior work on the adjacent Eel River Basin also found similar minor oil and gas occurrences scattered along the shoreline and inland (Lorenson et al 1998;Lillis et al 1999) suggesting these hydrocarbon occurrences are linked and widespread. Preliminary biomarker (steranes and hopanes in the saturate fraction of the oil extract) and isotope results indicate that the oil is likely from source rocks of Late Cretaceous or Eocene age as suggested by the whole oil carbon isotopic composition of À27.44 ‰ (Lillis et al 1999).…”

Section: Bp Bpmentioning

confidence: 72%

Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences

2016

Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research

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Section: Bp Bpmentioning

confidence: 72%

Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences

2016

Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research

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“…During lowstands of sea level, the Little Salmon Anticline separated the discharges of the Eel and Mad rivers, and the Mad probably had a major impact on the northern gullies at these times (Burger et al, 2001). Biogenic and thermogenic gas are common on this portion of the Eel slope (Kvenvolden & Field, 1981;Lorenson et al, 1998). Gas commonly impacts seismic observations (e.g.…”

Section: Eel Margin Stratigraphymentioning

confidence: 99%

Writing a Rosetta Stone: Insights into Continental‐Margin Sedimentary Processes and Strata

Nittrouer

Austin

Field

et al. 2007

Continental Margin Sedimentation

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Continental margins are valuable for many reasons, including the rich record of Earth history that they contain. A comprehensive understanding about the fate of fluvial sediment requires knowledge that transcends time-scales ranging from particle transport to deep burial. Insights are presented for margins in general, with a focus on a tectonically active margin (northern California) and a passive margin (New Jersey). Formation of continental-margin strata begins with sediment delivery to the seabed. Physical and biological reworking alters this sediment before it is preserved by burial, and has an impact upon its dispersal to more distal locations. The seabed develops strength as it consolidates, but failure can occur and lead to sediment redistribution through high-concentration gravity flows. Processes ranging from sediment delivery to gravity flows create morphological features that give shape to continental-margin surfaces. With burial, these surfaces may become seismic reflectors, which are observed in the subsurface as stratigraphy and are used to interpret the history of formative processes. Observations document sedimentary processes and strata on a particular margin, but numerical models and laboratory experimentation are necessary to provide a quantitative basis for extrapolation of these processes and strata in time and space.

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“…The Eel River Basin (Fig. 26) has potential for hosting both types of gas (Lorenson et al, 1998). Biogenic gas can be expected to result from the rapid burial of both organic-rich fluvial sediment and marine plankton that flourish in the nutrientrich upwelling waters of the northern California margin (see Leithold & Blair, 2001).…”

Section: Gas In the Sediment Columnmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Limited geochemical analyses of gas from onshore wells and from seeps both onshore and offshore have determined that thermogenic gas is the more common ( Fig. 27; Lorenson et al, 1998).…”

Section: Gas In the Sediment Columnmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Long‐Term Stratigraphic Record on Continental Margins

Mountain

Burger

Delius³

et al. 2007

Continental Margin Sedimentation

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LONG-TERM GOALS My goal within the EuroSTRATAFORM program is to understand the creation of the preserved stratigraphic record on continental shelves and slopes as the product of physical processes acting with spatial and temporal heterogeneities. I have been using numerical models to provide insight into the formation and preservation of stratigraphic sequences at margins. My goal has been to obtain a quantitative understanding of the interactions of environmental parameters and their influence on stratal architecture and facies distribution. I wish to be able decipher the stratigraphy on margins to read the geologic record of the past and predict future stratigraphy. OBJECTIVES EuroSTRATAFORM is an opportunity to extend stratigraphic model applicability to new margins and to expand the capabilities of our products. The Rhône and Adriatic margins are similar to the earlier field areas in that they are mid-latitude clastic margins, but the stratigraphy is highly affected by the 3D geometry of the basins. The forcing provided by these boundary conditions provide a challenge, but are also necessary for modeling realistic systems. My aim is to quantitatively determine the system response of margins to different forcing functions sufficiently to be able to both predict stratigraphy and invert observed sequence architecture for geologic history. APPROACH I have used numerical models as a tool to provide insight into the formation and preservation of stratigraphic sequences at continental margins. To study these margins I will apply a multi-pronged approach. Together with Italian and French colleagues, I have been modifying and apply our existing 2D stratigraphic models to serial sections of the two EuroSTRATAFORM margins. This will test the portability of the models. It will also aid in evaluating the relative along-and across-strike transport and tectonics, and their influences on sequence architecture. John Swenson, with assistance from Chris Paola, Juan Fedele, I and others are jointly developing a 3-D sequence stratigraphic model. Together, we will extend our time-averaged, moving-boundary model for continental-margin sedimentation with its coupling of multiple transport regimes from 2-D to 3-D. The advantage of this modeling approach is that it allows for a systematic exploration of the margin's response to variations in sea level, sediment supply, tectonic subsidence, and wave climate over longer timescales. I am providing flexural component and parameterizations for the field areas. I will also make use of 3D flexural modeling and backstripping being done for a separate project on the Gulf of Lion to recover 1

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Comparison of offshore and onshore gas occurrences, Eel River basin, northern California

Abstract: Branscomb mud volcano Briceland gas well Petrolia oil field Salmon Creek gas seep Mattole River gas seep Eureka C a l i f o r n i a

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences

Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences

Writing a Rosetta Stone: Insights into Continental‐Margin Sedimentary Processes and Strata

The Long‐Term Stratigraphic Record on Continental Margins

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