# McClosky Limestone Mineral Rights in the Illinois Basin

**TL;DR:** The McClosky Limestone is a Mississippian-age carbonate oil reservoir producing across southeastern Illinois and Western Kentucky in the Illinois Basin. Sitting at depths of 1,800–2,800 feet, it supports active waterflood operations and is frequently co-developed with the Aux Vases and Cypress formations. Productivity varies significantly based on local porosity development through dolomitization and karstification processes.

## Key Takeaways

- The McClosky Limestone is a Mississippian-age carbonate interval (Valmeyeran/Chesterian series) producing oil at 1,800–2,800 feet depth across the Illinois Basin
- Productivity depends heavily on local porosity development through dolomitization and karstification, leading to highly variable reservoir quality over short geographic distances
- The formation is frequently co-developed with the Aux Vases and Cypress formations in stacked pay scenarios
- Active waterflood operations are ongoing across southeastern Illinois and Western Kentucky fields
- Top producing fields include Clay City Consolidated, Salem Consolidated, Loudon, Lawrence, Olney Consolidated, and New Harmony Consolidated
- Mineral and royalty owners can sell their McClosky interests to direct buyers without broker commissions or auction premiums
- The McClosky is sometimes called the McClosky "sand" by older operators despite being a carbonate lithology

## Page Highlights

**Formation Overview:** The McClosky Limestone is a long-established Mississippian-age carbonate reservoir in the Illinois Basin, producing oil across the central and southeastern portions of the basin with highly variable productivity based on local porosity development.

**Geological Characteristics:** The formation is Mississippian in age (Valmeyeran/Chesterian), consists of limestone with dolomitic and karstic porosity, and sits stratigraphically below the Renault Limestone and Aux Vases formations.

**Production Context:** The McClosky typically occurs at 1,800–2,800 feet true vertical depth and is commonly developed alongside the Aux Vases and Cypress in multi-zone completions supporting waterflood enhanced recovery.

**Major Producing Fields:** Clay City Consolidated Field, Salem Consolidated Field, Loudon Field, Lawrence Field, Olney Consolidated Field, and New Harmony Consolidated Field represent the top producing areas for McClosky production.

**Selling Mineral Rights:** Mineral and royalty owners holding interests in McClosky production can obtain free written offers from direct buyers who purchase with their own capital rather than through brokers or auctions.

## Related Topics

- [Illinois Basin Definitive Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/illinois-basin) — comprehensive resource on Illinois Basin geology and production
- [How to Sell Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/how-to-sell-mineral-rights) — process overview for mineral rights sales
- [What Are My Minerals Worth?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/what-are-my-minerals-worth) — valuation fundamentals
- [Should I Sell?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/should-i-sell) — decision framework for mineral owners
- [Getting a Fair Price](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/getting-a-fair-price) — guidance on mineral rights valuations
- [US Drilling Activity Index](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/us-drilling-activity-index) — current drilling metrics
- [Oil & Gas Market Data Hub](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/oil-gas-market-data-hub) — market information and trends

---

**About Buckhead Energy:** Buckhead Energy is a BBB-accredited mineral rights acquisition company serving mineral owners across 33 states since 2007, purchasing mineral and royalty interests with company capital as a direct buyer.

**Ready to sell?** Get your free mineral rights valuation at https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell