Porosity enhancement from chert dissolution beneath Neocomian unconformity: Ivishak Formation, North Slope, Alaska: Discussion

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:7158011

Bloch, S; McGowen, J H ^[1]; Duncan, J R ^[2]

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1. ARCO Oil and Gas Co., Plano, TX (USA)
2. ARCO Oil and Gas Co., Midland, TX (USA)

Shanmugam and Higgins (1988) concluded that chert dissolution was the dominant control of porosity and permeability trends in the fluvial facies of the Ivishak Formation in the Prudhoe Bay field. Chert dissolution, in turn, was interpreted to be a function of proximity to the Lower Cretaceous unconformity. In their opinion, the data presented by Shanmugam and Higgins are not sufficient to justify their conclusions. The authors apparently neglected to consider the effects of fundamental geological parameters (grain size and sorting) and processes (burial history) on porosity and permeability. In this discussion, the authors specifically address the effects of grain size, sorting, and burial history on porosity and permeability, to provide an alternative explanation of reservoir quality trends in the Ivishak reservoir. 3 figs.

• OSTI ID: 7158011
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA) Vol. 74:1; ISSN AABUD; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALASKA
ALASKAN NORTH SLOPE
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DISSOLUTION
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
OIL FIELDS
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POROSITY
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
USA