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5. TRAPS ASSOCIATED WITH SALT DOMES

The traps associated with salt domes are called combination traps or diapair traps due to the
double combined effect of trapping of the hydrocarbons. Both of the structural element and
stratigraphic effect are indicated in such types of traps, hence the name.

Two main types of traps that are associated with the intrusion of salt domes. These traps are:

5.1 Autochthonous salt traps

This type of traps is usually represented by the intrusion of the deep-seated mobile salt mass
into the overlying sediments. These salt masses are mobile in nature and never deposited in a
solid form before being introduced.

This family of traps was consistently tested in Angola and Gulf Coast. It can be illustrated by
two typical cross-sections (Figs. 1 and 2).

Fig. 1. Autochthonous salt traps associated with petroleum subsystem that composed by
Paleocene-Eocene organic rich clays located in the core of the turtle back(coast of Angola).
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Fig. 2.Autochthonous salt traps where several oil fields have been found in stratigraphic
traps mainly associated with Jurassic organic build-ups.

5.1.2 Structures associated with Autochthonous salt traps

a. Depocenters Rafts (Fig. 3)

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b. Salt ridges (Fig. 4):

c. Overhangs Turtle Backs (Figs. 5 and 6)

Fig. 5.

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Fig. 6. Overhang turtle back salt dome trap indicated at the middle of the section.

5.2 Allochthonous salt traps

This type is represented by intrusion of salt sediments that are principally deposited in a
solid stratigraphic form. Then due to change in the geologic setting of the area (T & P; due
to tectonic movement), these sediments changed to a mobile viscous form and intruded into
the overlying sediments.

Good example of this type of traps is the cross-sections of the deep offshore Angola and
Gulf of Mexico (Figs. 7 and 8).

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Fig. 7.Allochthonous salt and the more likely associated potential traps can be recognized on
this geological interpretation of a regional seismic line located on the southern offshore
Angola.

From figure 7, we can recognize the following points:

(iii) A fold belt is developed on the overlying sediments.

(iv) In the central part, the allochthonous salt is clearly separated from of the autochthonous
salt.

(v) Within the allochthonous salt nappe, a small salt expulsion basin was developed.

(vi) Potential traps associated with the allochthonous salt are easily discernible from the
geometry of the seismic reflectors of the overburden.

Similarly, on the time cross section of the Gulf Coast illustrated in Fig. 8, the traps
associated with the allochthonous salt are easy to distinguish using:

a) The geometry of the overburden reflectors.

b) The limits of the allochthonous salt.
c) The cartography of the fault planes.

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Fig. 8.Allochthonoussalt traps, Gulf of Mexico.

5.2.1 Structures associated with Autochthonous salt traps

The most important structure that is usually occurs with the Autochthonous salt domes is
the Nappe structure.

a. Nappe Structure:

Two types of Nappe structure are indicated in Figures 9 and 10.

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Fig. 9. Traps associated with Nappe structure.

Fig. 10. Traps associated with Nappe structure.

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5.3 Comparison between autochthonous salt and allochthonous salt

The main differences between autochthonous salt and allochthonous salt, can be shortly
listed below,

- With autochthonous salt, the more frequent traps are:

(i) Morphological by juxtaposition induced by normal faulting;

(ii) Stratigraphic (pinchout, facies changes, etc.).

- With allochthonous salt, the more frequent traps are:

(i) Morphological by juxtaposition against allochthonous salt;

(ii) Morphological (turdidite depositional systems);

(iii) Stratigraphic (pinchouts);

(iv) Structural (fold belts).

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5.4 Composition of Salt domes& Mechanism of Migration

Salt domes are geologic structures that grow and develop as sediments are being
deposited around them. The salt originally formed bedded evaporite deposits in the ancestral
Gulf of Mexico during the Jurassic period. A thick (greater than 20,000 feet) sequence of
sedimentary rocks now overlies the salt source layer. Salt, which is a low-density, ductile
mineral, is gravitationally mobilized by sediment loading, forming a variety of upwelling
structures, one of which is the cylindrical salt dome.

The growth of salt structures, in turn, influences the structure and stratigraphy of
surrounding sediments and sedimentary rocks. Uplift and upward drag occur against the salt
stock and over its crest. Steeply dipping strata terminate against the salt stock, and shallower
layers arch over the dome crest (Figure 12). The zone of uplift near the dome is surrounded by
areas of subsidence and downwarping (Figure 12). Faults and fractures are also common features
of salt dome growth.

Salt dome growth also influences the topography of the overlying land surface. Positive
topographic relief is linked to uplift, whereas subsidence of the topographic surface is linked to
dissolution of the dome crest. Of the shallow domes along the upper Texas Gulf Coast, 63
percent have positive topographic relief over their crests (Seni and others, 1984d). Warping of
the depositional surface, either on the coastal plain or in the shallow marine environment,
influences sedimentation patterns. Muddy sediments tend to be deposited over dome crests, and
sandy sediments tend to be deposited in surrounding downwarped areas.

Salt dome cap rock is composed mainly of anhydrite, gypsum, and calcite arranged in
heterogeneous layers (Figure 11). Cap rock formation results from salt dissolution. Anhydrite
(calcium sulfate), the main impurity in the salt stock, forms a residual accumulation at the dome
crest. Other geochemical processes convert the anhydrite to gypsum (hydrous calcium
sulfate),calcite (calcium carbonate), and to a lesser extent, native sulfur and metallic sulfides.
Cap rock layering is irregular and varies greatly from dome to dome. Structural deformation and
fracturing are common, as are cavernous voids. Gulf Coast cap rocks range in thickness from 0
to 2,000 feet. Cap rocks are direct evidence for dissolution of salt by groundwater.

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Fig. 11.Composition of salt Domes.

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5.4 Exploration of Salt domes

Salt domes can be explored in the subsurface from seismic reflection data. It is indicated by
the folding and the curvature it causes in the overlaying sections.

Another type of salt dome intrusion is clearly indicated in the seismic sections. It forms what
is called “Gas Chimney” which is one of the direct hydrocarbon indicators.

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