Initiation of diapirs is one of the least understood aspects of salt tectonics. Sedimentary differential loading and erosion are both effective, but not universal, causes of diapir initiation.
Silurian and Devonian carbonate and chert rocks in the Permian Basin constitute a prolific hydrocarbon-bearing succession in West Texas and New Mexico.
The Jackson-Yegua Barrier/Strandplain Sandstone play is a prolific oil-producing trend in South Texas that has high average porosity (31 percent) and permeability (600 md).