Diagenesis, fracturing, and production from Monterey Formation, offshore California
Diagenesis of the Monterey Formation includes the opal-A opal-CT microcrystalline-quartz transformation, dolomitization, and in some places the formation of brittle, vitreous cherts. These diagenetic transformations produce a more brittle rock. Diagenesis is thus considered a major control on the fracture potential of Monterey rocks. Once formed, fractures become excellent fluid migration paths. Fluid migration along fractures creates vuggy porosity adjacent to the fracture and may promote the generation of secondary matrix porosity, primarily in carbonate-rich lithologies. The Monterey is characterized by high matrix porosity but very low matrix permeability. The vast quantities of hydrocarbons produced from this formation require production from matrix porosity in addition to production from fracture porosity. A model is suggested in which matrix-bound hydrocarbons migrate into fractures that intersect high porosity-low permeability beds. These fractures either intersect high porosity-low permeability beds. These fractures either intersect other fractures, the borehole, or stratigraphic breccias; any or all of these conditions should enhance productivity. This model diminishes the problems associated with fluids migrating long distances through a low-permeability matrix. Implications of the model include the following: (1) fracturing carbonate-rich rocks with matrix porosity should yield the best production; (2) chert-rich lithologies with no matrix porosity will produce primarily from fractures; (3) high-porosity shales with few fractures are candidates for hydrofracture treatments to enhance productivity.
- Research Organization:
- ARCO Oil and Gas Co., Dallas, TX
- OSTI ID:
- 5921800
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-850322-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 69:2; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists annual meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA, 25 Mar 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Chertification in the Monterey Formation of California
Monterey fractured reservoir, Santa Barbara Channel, California
Related Subjects
CALIFORNIA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
CARBONATE ROCKS
DIAGENESIS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
LITHOLOGY
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
PRODUCTION
COMMINUTION
FEDERAL REGION IX
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USA
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration