New Ideas and Their Diffusion: A Model for Exploration and Production Companies in the 21st Century

Manuel Berumen, Robert Bierley, Howard Feldman, Edward S. Feragen, Douglas Millman, and Shirley Perkins
ExxonMobil, Houston, TX

ExxonMobil recently completed an area-wide evaluation of the South Texas Oligocene Frio and Vicksburg Formations. This evaluation resulted in the identification of new plays and leads within this mature gas producing region.

The foundation of the evaluation was the development of an integrated structural and stratigraphic framework. This framework was developed through integrated interpretation of extensive well, 2D and 3D seismic and biostratigraphic data.

Due to the influence of growth faults during a time of high sedimentation rates, the Frio and Vicksburg stacking patterns generally do not reflect the global sea level curves for most 3rd order assemblages. The extensive use of biostratigraphic data, integrated with well and seismic interpretations, led to this paradigm change in the approach to framework development here.

Growth faults in the early Oligocene (Lower Vicksburg) were initiated by loading and subsequent failure of the Eocene (Jackson) shelf margin. The growth fault systems continued to be a primary control on sedimentation through the Vicksburg and Frio. Mapping indicates that throughout the Frio and Vicksburg, sand-prone delta systems are spatially related to active, age-equivalent fault systems. Additional prospectivity was identified through recognition of sand prone deltaic assemblages associated with growth faults downdip of shaled-out packages, emplaced via bypass over portions of the shelf.

Detailed environment of deposition evaluations led to the identification of Frio upper slope sands, which may offer a new play type in South Texas. These fan deposits appear to be fed by large (>500 ft. deep), up-dip submarine canyons.