ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some rough rules-of-thumb by which approximate estimates can be made of factors influencing the dynamical, thermal, and hydrocarbon maturity aspects of a basin influenced by salt. A slight edge effect is to be seen as the transition is made from shale to salt but is of little dynamical consequence. If the salt is in dynamic equilibrium with the sediments then the pressure at the base of the total salt column must be the same as the pressure of the sediments to the same depth. Salt has a thermal conductivity two to three times higher than that of sedimentary material. Several components suggest that sediments around the top of the salt will be an attractive place for hydrocarbon accumulations. The top of the salt stock will maintain its mudline position until either a competent layer is superimposed or a sedimentary facies change occurs whose density at deposition is less than that of salt.
