Summary report on the regional geology, petroleum potential, environmental consideration for development, and estimates of undiscovered recoverable oil and gas resources of the United States Gulf of Mexico Continental Margin in the area of proposed oil and gas lease sales nos. 81 and 84

Abstract

84 0 to 200 m in 20-m isobaths; greater than 200 m in 200-ra isobaths. From Martin and Bouma (1982). CHAPTER I REGIONAL GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK: CENTRAL AND WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGIONS by Ray G. Martin GENERAL Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales Nos. 81 and 84 are proposed for the central and western Gulf of Mexico regions lying principally off the states of Texas and Louisiana. These regions include the continental shelf and adjacent continental slope and the deep seabed of the north central and northwestern Gulf of Mexico generally west of longitude 88°W and north of latitude 26°N (Fig.

The Northern Gulf Coast Basin: a classic petroleum province

“…Renewed uplift of the Cordilleran System plus easterly tilting during the Miocene provided a vast, continuing supply of derital materials to (1962), Roberts (1982), Foote (1984), Murray, el al (1985), Peorcy and Roy (1986)) Petroleum Frontiers v 4) n2 (1987) Fig. 12.…”

“…Significant papers on Pliocene production include Braunstein (1965), Braunstein et al (1973, Foote (1984), Frey & Grimes (1970), Lafayette & New Orleans Geological Societies (1968), Martin (1969), McCormick & Kline (1983), Pearcy & Ray (1986), Perkins & Martin (1985), Rainwater (1968), Roberts (1982), Sacks (1973), Shinn (1971), Winker (1982 and Woodbury et al (1973).…”

“…Significant papers on Pleistocene production include Braunstein et al (1973), Foote (1984), Fig. 15.…”

A comprehensive petrochemical vulnerability index for marine fishes in the Gulf of Mexico

“…(Foote 1984;Grace 2007;Hine et al 2013). The compacted carbonate banks were saturated with water, and over time petroleum rose throughout the permeable, buried sediment until "trapped" in under an impermeable layer, forming an oil reservoir, which oil rigs like Ixtoc I and Deepwater Horizon mined prior to the spill (Foote 1984;Macdonald 1998;Grace 2007;Hine et al 2013). The Gulf of Mexico's basin is perfect for hydrocarbon deposition, given its irregular basin floor from folding, slumping, salt diapirism, etc.…”

“…The Gulf of Mexico's basin is perfect for hydrocarbon deposition, given its irregular basin floor from folding, slumping, salt diapirism, etc. which act as pocket-like traps (Foote 1984;MacDonald 1998;Grace 2007) where natural oil slick can be observed on the sea-surface have been identified . This natural seepage is even a boon to some species of marine life, providing chemical energy like that found at hydrothermal vents, nourishing species that wouldn't typically thrive at such depth (MacDonald 1998).…”