OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION IN ALABAMA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA

Abstract

The discovery of the Pollard oil field in southern Alabama early in 1952 sparked a campaign of leasing and exploration which spread quickly into Georgia and Florida. Three fields in southwestern Alabama and one in southern Florida account for all the oil production in the three states. Some aspects of the general geology and geophysics of the area, illustrated with maps, cross sections, and correlation charts, suggest the presence of geologic conditions favorable for the possible trapping and accumulation of oil and gas. Early seismograph exploration in much of the area was not effective, but in recent months the tempo of seismic activity has been accelerating, and improvements in instrumental and interpretive techniques are being achieved through current experimental work. The use of the various geophysical methods contributed to the discovery of the four oil fields located in the area. The structural traps indicated by the contour maps of the four fields are of the type sought by the reflection seismic method. Examples of representative reflection records indicate the presence of usable and correlatable seismic events. A seismic cross section prepared from data of this type shows the fault zone associated with the Pollard field. The existence of favorable geologic conditions in the southeastern states and the recent oil field successes at Pollard and South Carlton indicate the continuing of active development and exploration throughout the area.