Analysis of reservoir heterogeneities due to shallowing-upward cycles in carbonate rocks of the Pennsylvanian Wahoo Limestone of Northeastern Alaska. Annual report, October 1990--September 1991

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:10174735

Watts, K

The primary objective of this project is to develop an integrated database to characterize reservoir heterogeneities resulting from numerous small-scale shallowing-upward cycles (parasequences) comprising the carboniferous Pennsylvanian Wahoo Limestone. The Wahoo Limestone is the upper formation of an extensive carbonate platform sequence of the Carboniferous Lisburne Group which is widely exposed in the Brooks Range and is a widespread hydrocarbon reservoir unit in the subsurface of the North Slope of Alaska. A principal goal is to determine lateral and vertical variations in the complex mosaic of carbonate facies comprising the Wahoo Limestone. This report presents the preliminary results of research accomplished by a team of specialists in carbonate petrology, biostratigraphy, and diagenesis during the 1990--1991 fiscal year.It includes a summary of regional geological framework studies, a discussion conodont analyses, an overview of diagenetic studies, a brief description of progress in computerized database development, and appendices containing some of the new data on petrographic analyses, conodont analyses, and locality and sample information. Our correlation scheme, which uses cyclic stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and cement stratigraphy, will allow interpretation of the depositional history and paleogeographic evolution of the region. We have developed predictive facies models and will make paleogeographic maps to illustrate different stages in the history of the Wahoo carbonate ramp. Our detailed analyses of the Wahoo Limestone will provide a basis for interpreting correlative rocks in the adjacent subsurface of the coastal plain of ANWR, a potential hydrocarbon lease-sale area. In a broader sense, our work will provide an excellent generic example of carbonate shallowing-upward cycles which typify carbonate sediments.

• Research Organization: Alaska Univ., Fairbanks, AK (United States). Geophysical Inst.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-89BC14471
• OSTI ID: 10174735
• Report Number(s): DOE/BC/14471--12; ON: DE92001065
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000
ALASKA
CARBONATE ROCKS
CARBONIFEROUS PERIOD
CORRELATIONS
DATA BASE MANAGEMENT
DIAGENESIS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOSCIENCES
HETEROGENEOUS EFFECTS
LIMESTONE
PETROGRAPHY
PROGRESS REPORT
RESERVES, GEOLOGY, AND EXPLORATION
RESERVOIR ROCK
STRATIGRAPHY