Structural geology

Abstract

This is the conclusion of a two-part issue on the southern Arkoma basin. The material included should provide a general background for a solid understanding of the geologic thinking and significance related to ongoing plays in this area. As indicated, a substantial amount of 're-thinking' has taken place with respect to the Arkoma during the last few years. Much of this has concerned the relationship between the basin - or rather its preserved portion - and the frontal Ouachita province. Another advance in understanding has focused on a series of deep-seated basement faults, presumably related to a Late Precambrian rift episode, that had crucial effects on patterns of sedimentation, ramping of thrust structures, juxtaposition of reservoir and source rocks, and trends of fracturing and thermal maturation. The present issue discusses ideas related to structural geology, the character of certain reservoir intervals, and patterns of thermal maturity. Some topics discussed are these: structural geology of the Arkoma Basin; and thermal maturity and preservation of reservoir quality.