Structure and salt tectonics of the Gulf of Mexico

This one-day course is designed to give participants an overview of the structural geometries and evolution of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) since the Triassic. This includes the opening of the GoM basin, deposition of Middle Jurassic salt, gravitational failure above the salt, and the emplacement and development of salt canopies. Although the emphasis is on the northern GoM, the southern GoM will be addressed as well.

The topics will generally be covered from the bottom up. Thus, we will first examine the history of crustal rifting and oceanic spreading, and the consequent control on salt distribution. Second, we will review salt tectonics at the autochthonous (depositional) level, which was dominated by gravitational failure comprising proximal extension, translation, and distal contraction. Third, we will discuss the development and evolution of allochthonous salt sheets and canopies. Fourth, we will briefly address some aspects of shale tectonics in the basin. And finally, we will summarize the influences of salt-related deformation on various aspects of the petroleum systems, from trap development to reservoir distribution to hydrocarbon maturation and migration.