Group Name

Analysis of Core by: Connor Faccone,

Christopher Hall, Robert Petzold, and Bethany Royce

Core Data- Why is it useful?

Understanding geologic history and events

Geologic/Mineral exploration
Data analysis before drilling
Determine the mineral composition and rock type, sedimentary structures if
any, and past depositional environments

Goals involved in project

Correlate lithofacies in two stratigraphic cross-sections.

Predict past depositional environments.
Determine which area on the property has the best reservoir for natural gas
storage.
Identify preferable locations for Frackers R Us to put their shale gas well
pad.

Tools used

Hand lens

Ruler

Colored pencils

Wentworth Classification chart

Logging sheets

SedLog 3.0 software

Procedures We Followed

Hand drew graphical log of core observations

Photo documented features of core

Identified sedimentary lithofacies

Digitized our logs using SedLog 3.0 software

Correlated lithofacies in core logs

Constructed interpretations of past depositional environments

Identify preferable drilling and reservoir sites

Identify modern analog to past depositional environments

Lithofacies found in Wells

Conglomerate

Siltstone

Fine Sandstone

Lithofacies

Bedding Style

1. Fine
Sandstone

Gradational and
sharp contacts

Medium to very
thick bedding

2. Siltstone

Gradational and
sharp contacts

Thin to Very Thick

bedding

3.
Gradational and
Conglomerat Sharp contacts
e

Medium to very
thick bedding

Graded bedding of
pebbles

Lithology &
Textural
Properties
Fine grained

Well sorted

Well rounded

Erosional, Primary and

Secondary Sedimentary
Structures
Massive
No fossils

Grain
Composition/Min
eralogy
Well sorted quartz
grains

Ranged from tan

to grey in color

Silt sized grains

Well sorted

Massive

No fossils, no marks

Too small to tell

Fine grained
sandstone and
granule to
pebble sized
grains

Poorly sorted

Rounded
granules/ lo-

Bands of pebble in fine grain

sandstone.

No visible structures.

White, green,
brown, &black
granules/pebbles

Matrix supported

Hydrodynamic conditions

Subaerial/Subaqueous

Oxic

Low flow regime

Suspended Load

Low settling velocity

Subaqueous

Anoxic

Low flow regime

Suspended load

Low settling velocity

Subaerial

Oxic

High energy deposition

High flow regime

Base Load

Property Map of Wells

Siltstone

Massive
Low flow regime
Suspended load

Fine Sandstone

Massive
Low flow regime
Suspended load
Well sorted and rounded

Sedimentary Structures Observed in Fine Sandstone

Hummocky cross
stratification- indicated
combined flow. Only
observed in Well 2 and 4.

Mudclasts

Planar Lamination

Structures were observed but not able to be correlated throughout entire

lithofacies

Conglomerate

High

energy deposition
High flow regime
Base load
Matrix supported

What did the property possibly look

like?

Tucker:
2011
Blue- Ocean
Yellow- Beach
Brown- Tidal Channel
Green- Floodplain

Modern Analog

Prograding shoreline
with tidal channels

Google Earth 2015

How Did Flow Conditions Change

Over Time?

Well 4

4 and 5 both start at a

low flow regime then
quickly turn to a high
flow regime and
continues until almost
2 feet from the top of
the core.

Well 5

How Did Flow Conditions Change

Over Time?

Well 3 is a low flow regime until

approximately 8 feet to the top and
then flow regime increases. Its position
on the property decreases the impact
of the increased flow regime, unlike 4
and 5.

How Did Flow Conditions Change

Over Time?

Well 1

Wells 1 and 2 both start out at a low

flow regime then increase in flow over a
short duration, then decreases back to
original low flow regime.

Only wells 1 and 2 had shale.

Well 2

What Sedimentary Lithofacies could be above and

below the cores?

Based on observations, a low flow regime with finer sediment would come
next. Either silt or fine sandstone.

Now, down to business..

Preferable locations on property

for Frackers R Us
shale gas well pad.

Well 1 and 2
were the
only wells
with shale,
however Well
1 would be
ideal for
shale gas
well pad.

Where on the property has the best reservoir for

natural gas storage?

Fine grained sandstones

have great porosity and
would be ideal for
natural gas storage.
Wells 1,2, and 3 have
fine sandstone for the
reservoir. However, well
2 should be the
reservoir since it has a
confining layer.

Summary

Cross-section of Wells 1, 2, & 4 were easier to correlate and was more

productive.

Cross section of Wells 3, 4, & 5 were difficult to correlate.

Past depositional environment was a prograding shoreline with tidal

channels.

Wells 1 would be the area Frackers R Us should set up their shale gas well
pads.

Well 2 was ideal for natural gas reservoir.

All sediment was well rounded.

3 lithofacies in common; Siltstone, Fine Sandstone, and Conglomerate.

Thank you for your time.

Any further questions?