Types and origin of porosity in St. Peter Sandstone of Michigan basin
Recent deep drilling for natural gas has demonstrated the widespread existence of a quartzarenite sand body stratigraphically below the Glenwood Formation in the central and northern parts of the Michigan basin. This unit has been called the Prairie du Chien, Jordan, massive sandstone, and Bruggers. Based on stratigraphic position and mineralogy, they believe the proper formation name is the St. Peter sandstone. Analysis of resin-impregnated thin sections of core and cuttings samples reveals the major porosity types. Scanning electron microscopy also details the pore and grain geometries. Because of burial depth and chemistry of migrating pore fluids, most of the porosity is secondary. Types of secondary porosity include: (1) dissolution of carbonate cement, (2) dissolution of framework grains, and (3) fracturing. The porosity distribution is mostly related to the original depositional facies, which controls the grain size, sorting, and clay content. Porous zones are vertically interbedded with tight zones as a result of repetition of facies sequences. Porosity-occluding processes are dominated by lithostatic compaction and quartz overgrowth cements.
- Research Organization:
- Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo
- OSTI ID:
- 7052022
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8610158-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 70:8; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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