Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Kirkland, Brenda L.

Committee Member

Schmitz, Darrel W.

Committee Member

Skarke, Adam

Date of Degree

12-13-2014

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Geology

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Geosciences

Abstract

Though the Cotton Valley Group is productive in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, little is known about production potential of the Bossier Formation (Lower Cotton Valley Shale) in southwest Mississippi. The Bossier Formation in Jefferson County, Mississippi is an organic-poor, carbonate-rich mudrock with siliciclastic intervals. Examination of cuttings by petrographic and scanning electron microscopy revealed fractures that have been filled by calcite and poreilling pyrite. Porosity exists within and around pyrite framboids, in unfilled fractures, and within peloid grains. Organic matter is rare in Lower Cotton Valley samples suggesting it is not self-sourcing. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) values are low (0.86-1.1% TOC) compared to the productive Haynesville Shale Formation (2.8% TOC). Porosity of the Lower Cotton Valley Shale is low (2.5- 4.2%) compared to productive Haynesville Shale Formations (8-12%). With current technology and gas prices, the Lower Cotton Valley Shale in Jefferson County, Mississippi does not have production potential.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/19528

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