Abstract Laser ranging is extremely accurate and efficient. Terrestrial scanning lidar (light detection ranging) applied to outcrop stratigraphic mapping enables researchers capture laser range data at a rate of thousands individual X, Y, Z laser-intensity points per second. These data, in conjunction with complementary remotely directly sampled are used conduct high-precision facies characterization construct 3D geological computer models. Outcrop presented here explain our workflow discuss...

Petroleum production from restricted shelf carbonates of the Lower Ordovician Ellenburger Group is commonly considered to have been a result pervasive, relatively homogeneous tectonic fracture system within reservoir rock. However, regional facies and diagenetic (paleokarst) studies strata, based on cores wireline logs, demonstrated that significant compartmentalization was caused by karst modification in upper part unit. carbonates, which attain thickness over 1,700 ft (520 m), record...

Abstract An integrated sequence stratigraphic study based on outcrop, core and wireline log data documents the combined impact of Cretaceous eustacy oceanic anoxic events carbonate shelf morphology facies distributions in northern Gulf Mexico. The diverse abundant Comanche platform serve as a nearly complete global reference section provide sensitive record external processes affecting development. Regional cross‐sections across shoreline to shelf‐margin profile detailed mixed...

The San Andres Formation (Permian, Guadalupian) of the Permian basin is representative carbonate ramp reservoirs in that it has highly stratified character, complex facies and permeability structure, generally low recovery efficiencies 30% original oil place. approach used here to describe such as produces detailed reservoir models based on integration sequence stratigraphic analysis, petrophysical quantification through definition rock fabric flow units, fluid simulation. Synthesis these...

Technology Today Series articles are general, descriptive representations that summarize the state of art in an area technology by describing recent developments for readers who not specialists topics discussed. Written individuals recognized as experts area, these provide key references to more definitive work and present specific details only illustrate technology. Purpose: inform general readership advances various areas petroleum engineering. During past 15 years, methods predicting...

Abstract Severe global climate change led to the deterioration of environmental conditions in oceans during Toarcian Stage Jurassic. Carbonate platforms Western Tethys Ocean exposed Alpine Tethyan mountain ranges today offer insight into this period upheaval. In addition informing understanding deep time, effect ancient carbon cycle perturbations on carbonate has important implications for anthropogenic change; patterns early are similar those occurring modern oceans. This study focuses...

The Permian basin of west Texas and southeast New Mexico remains an important oil-producing province, accounting for 17% United States production (327 million bbl) in 2002. With a resource base such size, increased understanding reservoir geology improved use enhanced-recovery practices the can have substantial impact on oil production. Thirty-two plays covering both portions were defined basis stratigraphy, lithology, depositional environment, structural tectonic setting. One thousand three...

The Lower Permian outcrops of Victorio Canyon, in the Sierra Diablo Mountains west Texas, show undisturbed stratigraphy carbonate toe-of-slope and basinal deposits. These rocks consist a vertical stack debris-flow deposits hyperconcentrated density-flow deposits, thick skeletal-ooid grainstone deposited as basin-floor fans, various reworked muddy fine siliciclastic siltstones. This succession was within five sequences that include upper Hueco Formation (late Wolfcampian) through Bone Spring...

Two three-dimensional seismic data sets over the Albian western Golden Lane margin and time-equivalent basinal deposits of Poza Rica field allowed us to investigate linked architecture a steep-sided carbonate platform (El Abra Formation) thick accumulation redeposited sediment at toe slope in area (Tamabra Formation). Regional cross sections show that most aggrading has an eroded top, scalloped margin, channelized are equivalent 20-km (12.4-mi)-wide, westward-thinning, toe-of-slope apron...

Conceptual models and real three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data show that in progradational carbonate platform margin slope deposits of the Kingdom Abo reservoir Permian basin, west Texas, primary reflection events do not necessarily follow clinoformal geologic-time surfaces. The frequency content controls dip architecture events. High-frequency tend to thinner, time-bounded clinoform depositional elements (time-stratigraphic units), whereas low-frequency image thicker, low-angle lithofacies...

Abstract A mathematical model of carbonate platform evolution is presented in which depth‐dependent growth rates determine platform‐top accumulation patterns response to rising relative sea‐level. This predicts that controlled primarily by the water depth and sediment rate conditions at onset sea‐level rise. The long‐standing ‘paradox a drowned platform’ arose from observation maximum potentials healthy platforms are faster than those here demonstrates could be during constant rise whose...

The Lower Cretaceous stratigraphic section in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) comprises several well-documented carbonate systems that have prominent shelf-margin buildups, including Berriasian Knowles Limestone ramp and shelf system, Barremian Sligo Formation Aptian Pearsall Albian Glen Rose, Edwards, Stuart City Formations systems. Two lesser known but large-scale Valanginian to are documented this investigation using core, wireline-log, regional 2D seismic data. platform-margin...

Abstract Late Palaeozoic‐age strata from the Capitan Reef in west Texas show facies‐dependent heterogeneity sulphur isotopic composition of carbonate‐associated sulphate, which is trace sulphate incorporated into carbonate minerals that often used to reconstruct ancient seawater. However, diagenetic pore fluid processes may influence sulphate. These variously modify syndepositional seawater shelf crest, outer shelf, margin and slope depositional settings. This study a new multicollector...

Abstract Syndepositional fractures are an important feature of high-relief, reef-rimmed carbonate systems and exert a profound control on many facets platform evolution including: the timing frequency platform-margin collapse events, generation early diagenetic fluid flow system, subsequent karst enhanced-permeability development. In Devonian Reef Complexes Canning Basin, syndepositional fracturing increases significantly with progradation, twofold increase in fracture intensity observed...

Our hydrogeologic model tests the effectiveness of brine reflux as mechanism for early dolomitization Permian San Andres Formation. Brine circulation is constrained by sequence-stratigraphic parameters and a heterogeneous distribution petrophysical properties based on outcrop data. The simulates accumulation platform calculates fluid flow solute transport in response to relative sea level fluctuations. It tracks porosity loss caused compaction concomitant permeability feedback. amount...

Active carbonate platforms provide modern analogs to study microbial-mat development and taphonomy in the sedimentary record.Microbial-mat descriptions classifications for tropical tidal-flat environments have focused predominantly on morphological observations.This is exemplified by flat biscuit-shaped mats, where mat morphotypes are postulated reflect different Cyanobacteria communities as main mat-building taxa.To compare total microbial of these two types test this hypothesis, we applied...