Potential petroleum source rocks in the Late Proterozoic Chuar Group, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Basin-centered gas systems of the U.S.

“…Figure 1 depicts a map of the regional extent and outcrop locations of the Chuar rocks. Exposures in the Grand Canyon reach a thickness of approximately 5,370 ft, and the rocks consist of organic-rich gray-black shale and siltstone interbedded with sandstones and cryptalgal and stromatolitic carbonates (Reynolds et al, 1988;Palacas, 1992). The Chuar Group contains the lower Galeros Formation and the overlying Kwagunt Formation (Figure 2).…”

“…The lithologies indicate various cyclical depositional environments, including a sediment-starved basin rich in organic material, coastal and alluvial plains, paludal swamp, and nearshore aqueous. Deposition of the Chuar Group occurred on a marine embayment on the passive edge of a continent (Reynolds et al, 1988).…”

Basin-Centered Gas Systems of the U.S.

“…Figure 17 depicts a map of the regional extent and outcrop locations of the Chuar rocks. Exposures in the Grand Canyon reach a thickness of approximately 5,370 ft, and the rocks consist of organic-rich gray-black shale and siltstone interbedded with sandstones and cryptalgal and stromatolitic carbonates (Reynolds et al, 1988;Palacas, 1992). The Chuar Group contains the Galeros Formation and the overlying Kwagunt Formation (Figure 18).…”

“…The lithologies indicate various cyclical depositional environments, including a sediment-starved basin rich in organic material, coastal and alluvial plains, paludal swamp, and nearshore marine. Deposition of the Chuar Group occurred on a marine embayment on the passive edge of a continent (Reynolds et al, 1988).…”

Investigations on the Structure Tectonics, Geophysics, Geochemistry, and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Black Mesa Basin, Northeastern Arizona

“…New studies and sampling, conducted in the late 1980s-early 1990s, led by Reynolds and/or l?alacas, along with Elston and other assoaates (Re~olds and Elston 1986;Reynolds, I?alacas and Elston 1988;Reynolds, Palacas and Elston 1989;Palacas and Reynolds 1989;Chidsey, Allison, and Palacas 1990;Palacas 1992;Pawlewicz and Palacas1992;' Palacas 1993;Lillis, Palacas, and Warden 1995) have demonstrated that the Chuar includes potential hydrocarbon source beds in both Arizona and Utah, finally attracting the attention of the petroleum industry.…”