Geology and seismic modeling of an Aneth-Type Desert Creek mound trend, Paradox basin, southwest Colorado

Conference · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5864182

Edwards, D L; Grove, K W

In the Paradox basin of southwest Colorado, a major facies change from thick, porous algal dolomite to thin, tight anhydrite occurs within the Desert Creek zone of the Pennsylvanian Paradox Formation. This northwest-trending algal mound belt is subparallel to and separated from the ancestral Uncompaghre mountain front by lagoonal anhydrite and nearshore arkosic fanglomerates. In the belt, carbonate rocks attain a gross thickness of 200 ft, which can include 100 ft of reservoir quality dolomite. These rocks have an updip and abrupt eastward facies change to thin evaporites that form a regional master trap for potentially significant hydrocarbon accumulations. Reservoir parameters and trapping mechanisms are similar to Utah's Aneth field, where oil production exceeds 340 million bbl. The subsurface stratigraphic changes have been seismically modeled with a microcomputer for the purpose of defining the extent of each facies. The modeling is based on sonic logs from two wells that exhibit the end-member facies of thick, porous dolomite versus thin, tight evaporite. An interpolation routine creates intermediate logs between these end-members, thereby defining the geometry of the model. The depth model is convolved with a zero-phase wavelet of 10/20-40-60 hz, and the result is an extra seismic cycle where reservoir thickness exceeds 40 ft. Updip loss of the cycle defines the transition from reservoir dolomite to trap anhydrite. The modeling demonstrates that this major facies change can be detected at frequencies reasonably attainable by modern seismic methods. Regional subsurface stratigraphic analysis and modern seismic data provide an integrated approach to hydrocarbon prospecting in the Pennsylvanian Desert Creek zone.

• OSTI ID: 5864182
• Report Number(s): CONF-870915-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 71:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
COLORADO
DOLOMITE
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MAGNESIUM CARBONATES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALEOZOIC ERA
PARADOX BASIN
PENNSYLVANIAN PERIOD
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SURVEYS
USA