Factors controlling reservoir quality in tertiary sandstones and their significance to geopressured geothermal production
Variable intensity of diagenesis is the factor primarily responsible for contrasting regional reservoir quality of Tertiary sandstones from the upper and lower Texas coast. Detailed comparison of Frio sandstone from the Chocolate Bayou/Danbury Dome area, Brazoria County, and Vicksburg sandstones from the McAllen Ranch Field area, Hidalgo County, reveals that extent of diagenetic modification is most strongly influenced by (1) detrital mineralogy and (2) regional geothermal gradients. The regional reservoir quality of Frio sandstones from Brazoria County is far better than that characterizing Vicksburg sandstones from Hidalgo County, especially at depths suitable for geopressured geothermal energy production. However, in predicting reservoir quality on a site-specific basis, locally variable factors such as relative proportions for porosity types, pore geometry as related to permeability, and local depositional environment must also be considered. Even in an area of regionally favorable reservoir quality, such local factors can significantly affect reservoir quality and, hence, the geothermal production potential of a specific sandstone unit.
- Research Organization:
- Texas Univ., Austin (US). Bureau of Economic Geology (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Not Available (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC08-79ET27111
- OSTI ID:
- 5097180
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/27111-T3; ON: DE84010481; TRN: US200508%%50
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Report of Investigations No. 111; PBD: 1 Jan 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
DIAGENESIS
GEOMETRY
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
MODIFICATIONS
PERMEABILITY
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
RESERVOIR ROCK
SANDSTONES
FELDSPARS
KAOLINITE
MINERALOGY
POROSITY
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
PRODUCTION
QUARTZ
ROCKS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
TEXAS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM SILICATES
CHALCOGENIDES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SILICATE MINERALS
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
USA
GEOTHERMAL LEGACY
150201* - Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems- USA- (-1989)