Depositional systems and Karst geology of the Ellenburger group (lower ordovician), subsurface West Texas
The Ellenburger Group of Texas contains estimated reserves of 1.15 billion barrels of oil and 2.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Despite its economic significance, comparatively little is known about the subsurface Ellenburger in West Texas; thus, this book presents a regional model of Ellenburger deposition and diagenesis. Using associations of lithologies and sedimentary structures observed in core, the author identified six depositional systems in the Ellenburger: fan delta-marginal marine, lower tidal flat, high-energy restricted shelf, low-energy restricted shelf, upper tidal flat, and open shallow water shelf. Diagenesis was dominated by three major styles of dolomitization: very fine crystalline dolomite (5-20 {mu}m), in tidal-flat facies; fine to medium crystalline dolomite (20-100 {mu}m), widespread in all facies; and coarse crystalline replacement mosaic dolomite and saddle dolomite cement, which formed in a burial setting after pre-Simpson karst formation and before Pennsylvanian faulting, uplift, and erosion. Other diagenetic events were karst-related dissolution episodes associated with repeated uplift and exposure and subsequent dedolomitization of the Ellenburger platform.
- OSTI ID:
- 5000085
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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