Application of outcrop studies to aid facies interpretation, establish high-resolution correlations, and map reservoir compartments
- Institut Francais du Petrole, Paris (France)
- Universite de Rennes (France)
As part of a project designed to use stratigraphically identified fluid-flow units as input for reservoir simulation, we have used surface correlations to aid subsurface correlations of strata within the Mesa Verde Group, San Juan basin, Colorado. Surface correlations show changes in symmetry of stratigraphic cycles and changes in facies types and associations within different parts of stratigraphic cycles. A knowledge of these changes in facies within a stratigraphic context is an invaluable aid in high-resolution subsurface correlation and in mapping fluid-flow compartments. In miles-long continuous exposures in Mancos Canyon, we have identified very low-angle (0.12{degrees}) clinoforms in shoreface strata of the Point Lookout Formations. Strata within groups of clinoforms of base-level fall hemicycles show shallowing-up vertical profiles in shelf through upper shoreface facies. The shallowest facies of the most seaward (youngest) shoreface clinoform package is overlain either by a thin deepening-up facies succession or by a transgressive surface of starvation followed by another shallowing-upward facies succession. Farther landward base-level hemicycles are recognized by alternations in types of channelbelt sandstones and lake and floodplain mudstones. Base-level rise strata generally show increasing aggradation and sediment preservation in a landward direction for a few miles. The most continuous, and often the thickest, mud-rich strata occur at the base-level rise to fall turn-around positions in all environments. These continuous, low-permeability strata follow the topography of clinoforms and divide the reservoir quality sandstones of the shoreface, tidally influenced estuary and bay, and channelbelts into reservoir compartments. Sandstones of the compartments average 10-15 m thick, dip at 0.12{degrees} through the shoreface, extend an average of 13 km in the dip direction, and at least 10 km in strike directions.
- OSTI ID:
- 127665
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950995-; ISSN 0149-1423; TRN: 95:005942-0220
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 79, Issue 8; Conference: International conference and exhibition of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Inc.: managing change at the turn of the century, Nice (France), 10-13 Sep 1995; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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