Permeability patterns related to cyclicity and depositional/diagenetic fabric within fusulinid-rich facies, San Andres Formation, New Mexico

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:5909791

Eisenberg, R A; Harris, P M; Conner, F C ^[1]

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1. Chevron Oil Field Research Co., La Habra, CA (United States)

Superb exposures of variably cyclic, fusulinid-rich, outer ramp facies of the middle San Andres Formation in the Guadeloupe Mountains, NM provide a unique opportunity to evaluate spatial variability of permeability and its relationship to depositional and diagenetic fabric. Detailed geologic description and extensive permeability measurements have been utilized to decipher reservoir-analog flow units and the spatial variability of observed permeability patterns. Thin bedded, poorly developed cycles consisting of alternating fusulinid-peloid dolopackstones and dolowackestones occur within the middle portion of the middle San Andres. Four well developed cycles or parasequences containing dolomudstone bases and fusulinoid-peloid dolopackstone tops comprise the upper portion of the middle San Andres. Upward increasing trends in permeability are evident within each of the well developed cycles whereas a distinct 30 foot thick zone of highly variable but higher mean permeability occurs within the poorly developed thin bedded cycles. Textural characteristics were compared with conventional air permeabilities. Statistically different mean permeabilities are related to variation of grain, matrix, fusulinid mold, and vug content. Permeability is also related to the abundance of white sucrosic dolomite, which appears to have inhibited the development of fusulinid moldic porosity. Based on these relationships, more accurate permeability transforms may be developed and used to map permeability distribution in similar facies within reservoirs. Geostatistical analysis of the permeability populations and within-cycle permeability trends indicate an association to facies and diagenetic-zone dimensions both vertically and laterally. Ranges of correlation support a nearly uncorrelated and highly-variable permeability model within fusulinid-rich cycles of a ramp-carbonate setting.

• OSTI ID: 5909791
• Report Number(s): CONF-921058--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 24:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
CORRELATIONS
DEPOSITION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIAGENESIS
DISTRIBUTION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POROSITY
RESOURCES
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
USA