Clay identification and diagenesis in the updip section of the Norphlet Formation in Alabama

The Norphlet Formation in Alabama was deposited in an arid environment between the Appalachian Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico, during Late Jurassic time. The Norphlet is a clastic sequence composed mainly of red subarkoses and conglomeratic red sandstones. The clastics are porous and permeable materials, have been faulted and fractured by both tectonic forces and halokinesis of the underlying Louann Formation, and therefore make excellent hydrocarbons reservoirs. Post burial diagenesis of authigenic clays occurred within the pore spaces of the strata material. Authigenic clay occurrence within the Norphlet formation has been studied in downdip sections of the formation and at its westernmost extent. Identification of the clays taken from updip core samples may aid in understanding and establishing the diagenetic processes for this section of the Norphlet.; Scanning electron imagery (S.E.I.) techniques identified authigenic illite, chlorite, smectite, and kaolinite within the clastic units of the Norphlet formation. These authigenic clays formed pore-lining and pore-filling morphologies and exhibited webby or crenulated, platy, and filamentous characteristics. X-ray diffraction (X.R.D.) was used to identify clay types in detail. The authigenic clays seem to be widespread in the study area. Development appears to be a late stage, deep burial diagenetic event.