Organic facies and hydrocarbon potential in the Gulf of California.

Abstract

The sediments from the Gulf of California are potentially good sources for oil and gas. They are rich in organic carbon (av equals 1.9%). Sediments from the margins of the Gulf are rich in oil- prone marine-amorphous organic matter. Sediments from Guaymas Basin contain the same material plus abundant subordinate amounts of gas-prone terrestrially derived organic matter. The enrichment of all of these sediments in marine-amorphous components reflects deposition in a highly productive and oxygen-poor water mass. The sediments are thermally immature, except for those altered by hydrothermal activity or by the intrusion of sills. These sediments are extensively cooked and may have lost their potential for hydrocarbon generation. -Authors