Professional Documents
Culture Documents
THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL
FACIES ARCHITECTURE OF
TERRIGENOUS CLASTIC SEDIMENTS
AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR
HYDROCARBON DISCOVERY
AND RECOVERY
Edited by
Copyright © 1991 by
SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology)
Barbara H. Lidz, Editor of Special Publications
Concepts in Sedimentology and Paleontology, Volume 3
Tulsa Oklahoma, U.S.A. ISBN: 0-918985-94-3 November 1991
Contents Architeclural-facien aralyuis of normunine depositiosal systems in the SHELF ENVIRONMENTS
Upper Triassic Chinlo Fonuatian, noutheastem Utah
PREFACE Dubiel. R. F. 153 Archilecutre uf moslorn subridal dunes (sand warm),
PREFA Bay of Bnargneaf, Pounce
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Variations io alluvial architecture ocrera the Gligo-Miocone Huesca flusial Berné, S., Darund, J., and Weber, 0. 245
This hook is the outcome of a SEPM Research Symposium held ut Ihr Aenual system, Ebro Basin, Spain
Meeting of the society in Sao Antonio, Tesas, April 1989. Tho intent of tho mooring Hirer, J. F. P. 111 Suad bank and dune facies architecture ata wide inlracratunic seaway:
was lo bring together modem research on facies architecture, and tu apply thu roseurch to Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceoas Raakelv Furmalson. Jameson Land. bunt Greenland
tho invostigatioo of ersorvuir heterogeneities and production problems. Facies architecture uf a Dovonian noft.sedimrus-defrnsnted ullaviul Jurtyh, F., und Nae-Nygaard, N. 261
INTRODUCTION sequence, Broken River Province, northeastern Aunnaliu
While there has boos much ioterost in recent years in concepts of sequesce Lang, S. C., and Fielding. C. R. 122 Facies chasoctorieation and architecture of u maddy shelf-sandstone
Architecoseal controls un the recovesy of hydroearbossn loom sandstone reservoirs cumplen: Mancos B interval uf Upper Croraceoun Mancos Shale, nerthweut
suuligruphy, this book focuses on soutigeuphic toits that are, in general, un order of
magnitude smatter sIsan sequences. A knowledge of auch architectural dotait is of Tyler, N., asdFinloy. R. J. Three-dimensional reservoir arvhitecsarn eta valloy-fill sequence Cnlorudn-northeasl Utah
considerable significance in the development of detailed. scaled facies models for anda delluic aggsudutionul sequence: influences uf minor relative nra-level variations Cule, R. D., und Yzang. B. G. 277
Hierarchies of architectural units in terrigonuss elastic reeks, and their (Scalby Formation, England)
deponitional environments, and is of paramount isnportaace in the officions design of
mlatiemhip to sedimentation rate Eochard, R.. Racen,ro. C., ¡Jarret, F., and Knira. R. 133 DEEP.WATER ENVIRONMENTS
udsaecrd petroleum ercuvety pmjecrs.
Miatt, A. D. 6
The atlas format has hoes selected in order tu pennit authors tu present derailed Ceneeuic fluvial-facies architecture and aquifer heterogeneity, Contrasrog styles of Lute Neogene deep-waler sandstone deposition,
documentatioa of surface and subsurface architectural details without Ihr usual Facies heterogeneity, puy continuity, and iahll potential in barrier-island. Groville, California. Super Fand site und vicinity nffnhrxe Tesas
fluvial, and submaeirr.fan mnervoirn: esamples form the Tesas Gato Blair, T. C., Bu/arr, F. G., and Turner, J. B.
illasoalive distortions necessitated by the conventional page dimensions. 148 Morses, R. A. 285
CausI and Midland Basin
Andrew D. Mialt Ardo'oee, W. A.. Tyler, N., and Puruley, M. J. 13
Constnsteling a three-dimensional rock-properly model of Anehileelnee of the Winters submarine fan, Sacramento Basis. Califumia
Noel Tyler fluvial sandstones io the Found Field, Colorado Cherces, V. B. 296
Fhuromosaien of outcrops: useful photographie techniques
Chopin, M. A.. and Mayor, D. F. 160
Wiaovich. M. C. 22
Flsvial-sandntene reservoirs of the Travis Peak Formation,
ROLlAN ENVIRONMENTS East Tesas Basis
Tye, R. S. 172
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Outcrop und semi-regional three-dimeasioral architecture und
twconslraction of a petisos of the rutian Page Sandstone (Jurassic) DELTAS AND OTHER COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
The editors would like to acknowledge the following isdividaaln who acted as Kooarek, G., Knight, J., and Hacholsn. K. 25
critical readers of the papers is this book: Regional to subregional facies architectore of river-domiruled deltas
Inside Ask- the anatomy of an rutian oil reservoir indio Alberla subsurface, Upper Crelacruas Danvegan Formation
W. Ambrom, K. Barrow, R. Blakey, R. Brenner, D. Cant, i. Diner, P. Ethridgr, R. Howard, A. F. 44 B/rattachaeya,J. P. 189
Finley. W. Galloway. M. Gibling, D. Hasoilton, S. Hasnliu, A. Howard, J. Hubert. S.
Johnson, W. Kaiser, D. Kerr, J. Knight, G. Kocnrek, D. Leckie, M. Leedor, J. FLUVIAL ENVIRONMENTS Aechitectural peltems isa large-wale Gilbert-type delta complesen,
Lusemaser, J. McFheevon, W. Nemoc, D. Nummedul, G. Dei, G. Flint. H. Posamenlier, Pleistoceno, Gulf nf Curioth, Greece
W. Psyor, A. Ramos, D. Smith, K. Soeguard, D. Swift. B. Turner, R. WnighL Subsurface cbaeacterieution uf Mesavrede rotervoirn in Colorado: Ori, GG.. Rocen, M., and NichoIr, G. 207
geophysical and renrrvuir-rngireering checks ne predictive
One uf as (NT.) gratefully acknowledges lIte logistical support in thr sedimentolrgy Architectaml elements of fan-della rumples in Pennnylvasian
preparation of this colume of the Burras of Economic Geology, The University of Tosas Larme. J. C., Wurpinoki, N. R.. and th'ansagan. P. T. 57 Sasdin Formation, Taos Treugh, northern New Mesico
at Austin. Editorial assistanCe wan precided by M. E. Johunsen. Photographie Seegaar-d, K. 217
reproduction of the cover illustration mas by David Stephens. Desk.lup publishing man The large-wale archirectare of the fluvial Weslwator Canyon Member.
by D. Ruote and L. Tyler. The editors thank L. Tyler and M. Evans for the design and Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic). San Jans Basin, New Mcsico Sedisuentology of a sequence boundary within the nonmarine
pasteap of the volume. Cowan, E. J. 80 Tennivin Member, Gallap Sandstone (Cretaceoun). San Juan Basin, New Mesico
Miall, A. D 224
Cuver illustration, courtesy of Michael Bromley, represents architectural Variations in fluvial style an revealed by architectural elements,
elemrots in the Kayenta Pormurion, Colorado. See Bromley's papee brgirnirg osp. 94. Kayenta Frrmatiun, Mena Creeh, Colorado. USA: Evidence foe both Evolution of Middle berre tide-dominated deltaic sandstones,
ephemoed and perenuial fluvial procosms Laganitlas Field, Maracaibo Basin, western Venezuela
Brenne,, M. H. 94 Magaregai, J., and Tyler, N. 233
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROLS ON smponanceofthemtemalreseroniofoamrwork,therebyfailingtoenpiain internatresorvnir
THE RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS comparmsrrertlalsrattnn mu conootonhyilrocuebnorocovory. Cnaventdopositional models 10e
encompuss too targn a scale for tho nords of reservoir exploitation and do not provide the
FROM SANDSTONE RESERVOIRS quantttattve etement caiticat so the onginrerirsg component nf hydrocarban onnsction on Coneexsioxalifeeoeery Efficiency
the interwott acute. Without an understanding of tho iotonnal hutniern ta effective
NOEL TYLER hydrocarbon deutstagr, rnunvory factors cannot be reatisticatty assignod on a gontogic, A well-defused reliman between reservoir architecture and conventional (primary and
ROBERT J. FINLEY reservotr-specsficbusiawithnnpticitconniderationofdepositionat synlom,andmuchofthe secondary) recovery efficiency has bees enlabtished uxing a subset of 451) major Texan to no
Bureau of Economic Geology hydrocarbon ronmarco witt ermain untapped. reservons. The tiara base for thin anutyuiu includes only those reservoirs staat had produced
Ths Uoiceroify of Trous at Auosin Reservotr geotogssss are now developing lochniqum ta norecome the complesity nf mnredsan lOmtilinnbarerlsnfnulannf 1981 (Gallowayandothem, 1983). Tlrenereservcirx
Austin, Tesas 78713-7508 soternaleoseevoirgeosnetsy. Newseconil.g000mssionmodets,whichdencribecharacteoisfic have occeunird for almost 75 percent of Tenm productiox (us of 1983) and dons previde u * sneniny
facses thmenssons and mutual relations with surrounding farios, are omoeging. Facim representatrve sample nf the doponitiorsat complexity and recovery efficiency of Tesar
Annwuoo Donolopmera of tho 330-billion-boost oilresomc000maingioUoitrdSsntonamoe000i
sEso cormontional tyrmasy and aocondary oac000 y willho depend son thu wtnaarced uoderatnodiog
damonxsons, oesontataonn, and dorio vertical and talora! relations define the architociure of
the oeuem'con, and srdtmesls deposited in different systems diaptay cantrnvtisg msorveir
ne
\\. \\
\
A coons-plot nf reservoir genesis and dove mechanism againvt convenlionat recovery e MoBbed br
nf inner onlatoms nod compnosoontaliontioo irrIteront in roaoavoio dnpostsronal systems. Stylo of
dopositiort roflsctod irs itoeroal omrrvoio sochitocttnrt dofmon Bono units thon dor000ino hown
ooaot-ooir donoso, wherohydeocariroro romain 000m00000d at tho iotoowoil (ma000acopic) acato, md
wharappooschoswtllhonffactivoinamoaniogtnnm0000adoh Aatsbarataialpa000fthemreocovnood
archstecttsres. Failure to determine rrservnir urchitectam usiag innovative concepts and
nophrsttcased tocirnalogy wilt constrain stltinrate hydrncurban-reoovery effacienciex.
Thn mtesnat aechtteottsre of rouerooirs results from the styte nfsedianentancnmutation,
efficiency for them mujer reservoirs yields a lmxd of declining secnvery with weakening
natural dove mechunixm and, more importunity, iocrraxed reservoir complevisy (Fig. t).
Prolecseduttimatereooveryrfficiencicsinsandsto5000srrvnirs npanannrderofmagnuiadc
S
\.
\\
\I I' rsntneg
oUreroominoroeajdoalojlthaalthoughmobioithom-nofrramemem000downigto
poor 000tacs by aniarirrg wella nod oortical or aoosl bypasaiog by tho waterilood f0001
whrch ins stngle roservoir (for example, a dettaic sandstone) muy iuctude progradation
(dotta front), aggsnilatioa (crevasse splays in the associated intoodistaibumary bay), and
and mango frema high of over 80 percent in don wane-dominated dellaic reservoir in East
Texan fieldtoalow of 8 percent in the mud-rich submarine-fm reservoirs in the Spruheroy
41-
N
\\ . 'Ouv
tatorutuecrotion (mrandesingrtivtribntarychunnol). Thechaeacterefcompononmresrrneir Trend. in carbonase reneroniox, Use vunatira in reconnaint is noi ax broad, rujrging from 2g N
N
Bocaoao hororogonooy atylo in a poodoct of dopoaitional aystoOr, it in prodictahio and caro ho
chnoactericrd io tonno from low to high io a latoral and conical rororo. For sasdaronon, tho wavo.
fanion, whsch is the product nf these thffering dopasitionat processes, will be markedly
diverse. Although broadly similar io iotemal geometry, pregeadatiortal facies and luterai-
toSO percent nf Ihe original odio placa (001F).
toToum,almostattofthomajnrresrrvnirxtltathaoeweujcreservnirenorgy(nolutiongan
m \\ "u
d000mared dallas, hamm coma, and rand-rich sourd plaira show atom dogooc nf hotoaog000iry in
both diotonsiorn, whroass thohigbly aggoadutiooal bachharriao fars, flaoially domirratoddolrsn, md
uccmflos facies are chaencmeeized by, enspectivoly, upward-coaesenirg and upward-fming drive mechanisms) have been nabjected ta secondary recoverymostly mater flooding. \\
tenktresthaturnlypicattyreflrctedinvnrticaltrendsinpetrophynicalproperties Asarosult The effects of u weak doce mechanism bane thus bren addeenued by engineering and
flun-ganoodmoaodoohalu show abig)rnoirornairyofhnrnroganoiry. Othnoayar000a caahn aiooilariy
of cosunsttatg vorlicat pemnseahihty profiles of these two classes of facies types, fluid dovelopmenl practice. Vol the trend 0f doconasing recovery efficiency with increasing
olaasdind. Tho roaulrirrg muoio loada to delineation of targotod appmachos to incoemoorsl oil
000o000y spncrftoally railooad to the disroibstion of rootaioing oil aaruoarioo. Such ap100achm, (indigenousorinjroted)behavinrwillhemomallydivorgont, Furtheamnoro.intomonneemrdnrun, renrrvotr complrsssy persists. Evaluation of them dota lead ssmo the conclusion that in a
optsooiznd to the cbaoactor of tho deponiriooal ayat000c may motado geologically rargotod infili and cannequentiy Buid communication, between the nun facies can br poor if located vanety of depnuitimnal sestingr, the dominant factor controlling recovery efficiency ti
dadlmg, roleocco oscompletion, hooiaontal drdliog, nod anarogic cooaa.00an000io Bonding udjacent tonno another in the reservoir. ooservnirgenesin,includingbolssdepositionstprocoxsrsanddiagoneticl.5stary. Reservoirs
i000lomg flood ondnaigo and pooflla modification. Such tocboiquoa ma heroin reamad Moa000d Our abdity In predict the disteibulion of rock fabrics and to deienrsisr hnw thnm fabrics mtth relatively high continuity and nimpto aechiteclurex, uuch ax vvave-ilrmisaled deltas, a
Smoodaoy Rmooary )ASR) and rnposaont adoaocnrnants in toctmology doso will lanitonrar and conlrni 11usd gem through resorvoiss is related te oso knowledge of the physioat and nand.nch utrand piains, and barrier cores, display high secnneay efficiencies, More
md-atam oop0000monm in oflïcinocy that aotiloo stngnfor later approachor ro Enhanced Oil cltensacat processes of sedimentation and of the processes of diugenesin after burial. Thr comptes suasilstonen, such an those characterized by channelizatian and mpid facies
Roconory FOR).
geologie frumrwnrkofeaeh reservoircontistsofdiscsete volamos nf rook (that in, facies). vanatton, aro loss efficient. Lowest recovery efficieseirn (weighted avemge of 8 percent)
euch of which basa distinctive intorral composition, estemat geometry, sedimentary and typify fmr-grained. nr muddy bnsin-llooring laabithses.
btogomc sustenter. tithrlogy,00gaaic content, and muociated rock types. Superimposed on Hrghentr000veriesincarbosratrreservoirsarefrutsdincartyjnaiebuilttnps (alolts,eecfn,
depostliosal facies ix adiagonohc ooerpoiatl that modiftes the prtinuay pore structure nf don platform msrgtnn), particularly if they have nndoegone leaching, and in open-xbelf and
R000voay of osI foom oosoevoins nalionwido utilizing ouroonl lochnology has rook. Oingenetically mortified dopositional facies compose discrete uohelemnnt,v within ramp depontts (Fig. i). Dopooitiooaliy and diugenetiealiy comples Falearoic restricted-
avemgcd 3d porconl, moarrang tirai of the woof than 508 bdhoas haroolo of oil discovered don reservoir sisal either foncer or inbibit fluid flow in tho muervoir. Facies arr the platfoow ilepossts and equally enriablo unconfonnity-retated carbonate reservoirs display
thon fao m Untoid States oose000ios some 330 bubon barrots oomgin oneocovesod, mo fandamentat building blocks of resornoirs, md they provide the pathways by which the the lowest recovery efficiencies.
iwmodtate economic vitality of otre domestic nit industry depends on tonrsstnlion of mom reservoir dasins. tntrrconneetednrss with adjacent faeim promotes effective reservoir The relation nf recovery efficiency ronds In votomes of ait coxtainod in key xatodxlone
of ihn known mt000ce into acttsal iw-lïold reserve growth through application of advancod drainage; intcrconnectrdnesn inhibited because of permeability differences results in eeuervoirtypex inTesm isdsewninFigsee2. Fluvial doltaic (farsdettauandclosrlyrelated
gooscronco and eagineoring teclsaology. Reserve appoeciation through stratogic resorvosecompaesmentalizasion and taltinsatety in inefficient eruoovoirdeuioagr. Facien,or ixsoeheddrd fluviat and deisaic dopnnitx). drttoic, and nubmarine-fan reservoirs contain
placement of infili wells, secondary flooding and pressare maintenance, and tertiary, or aasatgumated groupx of facies, compose the fundamental flow unite (}iearn and ntheos, similar psxpmlions nf 001F, ranging belmnes 3d and 30 percent of the resource bane
enhanced, omovoay bus aloeady contoibated to renoove growth. Vol nne of don greatest 1904; Ehanku, 1987) mttrmngh which the reservoir drains. (Fig. 2A). However, deitaic reservoirs mill account for utmost half nf the productiun from
snadeslluoctes so advanced oocovoey is the timilod undeosizrrding of the gmtogic oesorvoie in tlus paper we examine the relation betwoen reserveir architecture and hydrocarbon sandstone reservoirs in Texas andas machan 75 perenni of tho production if Ihr guvual
framowook and of the contents tIsai the framework elements osarios hydrocarbon flow in recovery md propose an architocuarat-otesnent ctusvilication matois that can be used to dellaic group of reservoirs ti aggregated with ileltaic reservuiev (in contrasl 1059 percent loss, l.Cross'pisi nf rrcovery'rfficirncy rango vrrnan depovilinnal syntom and
the subsurface. This impediment constrains nao access ta the full votomo nf ia- pordsct doe sature and distribution of ormairsing oit saturations. From this matrix, oftheresoarce). Sebmaoino-fanreservoien,ontheothrrhand,arrprojected inproducojust drive meehuninm for major nundninase und carhnnatr rexorvoirn s'n Tenas shnwing
piace hydrocarbonn. appropriato eroovery strategies dont aim torneammo the adverse effects cf heterogeneity 5 percenl of the tomaI estintaled ultimato recovery at current development levels (Pig. 2B). decreasing rrcnvrry rffictrncy with increasing renorvoir onmplevity, Dricr
The tant 20 years of nodïmorrtotogic rovoarch baco primarily yielded a set of goologic onhydroearhonrocovosymaybeimplemrntro.i. Tlsispapeefocnsenonsondssoeon,atthough Tholthe8-pnrcrai,wrigjtted-aveesgr-mnceceryefftciexcyofshrnemud-richbasin-fltesring mruhanismst W . muter) GCE . gan cup axpanninn; GD . gm'uvtiy drainage;
models that sappnrt nil atril gavenploration. Thesoftesl-gemseratioonetiimestologic models thecyclicnaiuoeandvooticatsequoneexnfsorrsecarbonuteoeservnnitype maybeanalyred turbidites occurs in a syxtem thai cossains an 51-biltinn-buerot onsanece base clearly SG . uaintinn gm; M . misad (enmbinatinn nf W, GCEr and SG), Madtftrd from
fanon on ontema] temgennas c)astic and carbnaaln-hody geataretay und anderstate ihr and esploilad an the mane may. hightïghts the need far reevaluation nf recovery strategies in thin depositional syutem. Tyler and nthrex (1984).
Carbnnaio plarferms
Waoo-demiratrd delios
Rosorveirgeologisrvaedrogisseersrecogoiae fear levels of heterogeneity caogiog from Fan dulia (and nand-rieb submarinc tans)
Deli o microwopic so megascepic (Atpuy, 1972) (Fig. 4): 1) Microscopic heterogeneity is u
Fluoial sosiams
47 / funcliec of variability ut the scale of poem and pore throats (juars) arsd is the wale of vari-
Flovially-dosrnieaind douas
ohihly thasgovensn the outareofoil satueatiocandreleotionofrevidualoil. 2) Mesoscopic
hrsreegeaeily reflects variability al the ripple-lamiourier to cross-bed wale (cm ro m). Rcstnieind.pinifonm vanhonninS
Macroscopic heterogeneity in defined by the dopotilional patlem of tithofacies and Ftc, 3,Unreeovreed mebite uit an a functien nr
Platform-margie varhenainx-
subsequent modification doriog burial and is manifested as welt-lu-well variability (mro drpnnitiunal nnigin und dnivr mechanism. In
Estimated ultimate recovery 000aw Turbidsins -
lOOn of or). 4) Megascopic heterogeneity isa product of variabilisy acenso depesitional nnnheterngeneous simple systems (such an wave.
Mod-rieb nubmarino-infl turbidiins - dnminated deltas and shore Innen) mebtle nil in
Flu. 2Pie diagrams illustrating the relalien between reterveir genesis and (A) systems mrd in eefiecicd av fleldwido and tseswrno-held variations (more thur 1,000 re).
tt is at the macsoecale that bounduries enist between lithogenetic and diagenetic facies. effectively flashed fram the resersele, In contraslr
distribution ef angina! eli in place und (B) estimated ultimotr recovery from mejer 25 40 st en ret
Texas sandstone reservoirs. From Tyler and others (1984). Fluviat/deltaic reservoirs For esasssple, a simple point-bar sandstone (Fig. 4) iscorpomirs coliche layers or mud mobile-nit reenseny is inoflicient in highly chunneliord
drapes deposited on lateral accretion surfaces daring charnel migration mrd a clay plug Unrocovered mebile nil (percent) reservuiex, Modified frem Tyler (1988).
will account fer three-quarters of the production from sandstones in Texas.
Ccssasaed vs puge 4
Mesoscopic Microscopic
heterogeneity heterogeneity
EXPLANATION
Direction at increasing permeability
(J 'nv Permeability barriers
Permeability buffle
Producing well
o::
Injection well
-O- Dry hole
LI Perforation intervol
Macroscopic heterogeneity
Contacted,
EXPLANATION flooded 0A15676
Drained reservoir
E::: comportment
Untapped mobile oil Introreservoir seals Fig. 5.Schematic floviotty dominated detta IA) drilled on 40-acre spacing. Conventionat
devetopment practice (B) allows onty parlial contact and floodiog of rmervoir compartments.
Non-reservoir Residual oil between
and around groins 00 9301
ssssS
Tyler and Finley Architectural gOnIrOls un hydrncarbon recovery
R..SS*ø*e*S* .*.S..SSØ*SS
4
a.................
a a 000vovvces
Aaesrauoe ynoopiog nl anOhitrCtaeat amis has hear tonatosotod. based pomartly or the sqtlaee confimotorn in area of Ihe smallosl scale of ripple formel, Io the loes of shell doposils, inclading small-scale facies packages, shotf sand ridges, ridge fields,
ioaernatofrhedepoatooeslene,lo:Groop I depoaaras,erhependscnofeoeerorahiagressofsemada Ihousandn of square kilemelors of a major sodamonlary basm. and shell-wide sandsheols and lithosomes. Multi and Normark (1987) propasad a
aoafe,sminsrrs,anohasthobar,t-sad-s,aeepaortaiayofaflntdhOo,dsoyfayer.OteOapddepnattssne This papee is offered as an rnempl al a systematic osploralion of these mido similne Iypo of broakdonvu of the scales of dopositional elements in Iraebidito
ahoao f0001,0 io s fa, ttnistttea to a feas hotos, asd iaolnde flppiea oSa dIeto deposiatosal ascrOt,tesm rangos in scalrs. The ways by which earlb scientists study sodimenfaey p0000snrs syslems.
Geottp 3 depoalls ato those foasttog a a feas booS, tos day to anon. tsolsdasg alIteRai tidal boadtes and the rosullanl depcssilioaal peodncls vary acoording lo the scale of inl000sI. Al the scalo of individual bedforms und sequnnoesof bedf onus, Jackson's (1975)
Grnctp a depoatra Item in days IO, fear mo,aths. and incitado aSCII penoeaaos as ecosp-apaiag t,dsl lodI ornas in flames aeo stodied during onporimenfal runs of, al mml, few days woek is noteworthy. Building on Russian work, ha defined theoo classes of brdf oros:
oynles,genep 4 depoairs aise eeonmpaaao che allAtiagOf maso StoRte eTesio Genap 5 dopoaals eepreaOel microfoems (e.g., ripples), mesoforms (e.g., dnmos, sand waves, produced by
duraliom. Nnnmnrino and marginal-macinc nodimenls and petwosses beve been
onernafe.cyeanLsnthasaaasooateneeIa(ap,angennOff.gl5oaato5eRos),sndntOaaaOOatsInlet mach analyzod in modem onvieoumeuts, usiasg stadaos of sarfaco prooesnes, and by "dynamic ovenln", such as floods) and macroforms (longer form geomoephic
arornna.Geoaptiafnnaodimeeraeyp,coraaeanfahla,daedtothottssodaofyescsdctaricnhinottcdtsg sampling the sedimenls lhomselvcs mlrenches and shallow cores. The use of old prodnacls, such as paint bars). Allen (1980) developed a theoretical model of sand.
che 000hafinr nf 5mai51 macenlnanrh oRlan dasca Sad tidal aard-an0 fields. Gencp 7 aepaesosta losg-
rormgeomoaptaiopeoeesaoa.onenrhnmaadsloteaaofthOtaSsndaofyaaes.asohaachaRselasddraa
maps and aerial phologeaphs eslend, thr recoed as far back as abRuf 100 years, and
lac dales may add several thousand years lo the record Slrahigraphio slndios
wave sedimonfalioo, which inclnded the definition of a three-fold hierarchy of
dopositional unito and bounding surfaces. refloolinf depositional rhythms imposed
2
naigaarins. ttnoatp h pemoasas essend Roen ceta an hs,rdnOda of aboBaRas of erses, asO aepaeaotat snob typically deaf with much langor limo periods, ah ropeesenled by the doposils of by diarual tidal cycles Vissce (1980) demonstrated tho Osislence of longer 10cm
depomhonal elements as channel beim, oega sed asnd-aidge fi,tda. Ftfth-oedee arratigeaphac aetj0000ns. basin fills, which may bevo taken hundreds of thousands In mil ions of years lo rhyfhms in sand waves general ed by neap-spriug variations io tidal-vircnhalion
many geoensaed by Mitsskoanlch cateas, sse alan of chia aank. Gensp t pemoaann are nf hsndreds nl
o a
aecnamadalo. lalfoemodiaf e scales, eoprosouled by snob major dopovalioual elemenls pallcens. Dolt and Bourgeois (1982) devoloped an idrahizod sborm cycle coutaiaaieg
thotaaeda se s fo., RilIcon yea,, dn,atins, aaoh as fnnaah.cnedoe aaealigeaphtc ystles (e.g., Rapta as large channels and bars, della lobos, deaas, coastal barriers and shell sand radges, hummocky cross-stratification, which contains a thom-fold hierarchy of inlOeual
oyocnthoms. shall cnaasanieg.op.rand cycles d,icacs by thetma-loadt,g 0000m. ecc.(, Depoacta asatgead ro bounding snrfaoes.
which ma y coproseol thousands lo hens of thomands of years of accamalalion, aro
gacnp tore chose Iskieg s io,t smillions to cana of millie,, nf yes,,. caolnding ahind-o,OOa amattgeaphto particularly difficrall In documenf in the amdieul ee000d and lo aaafyoo in modem A more comprehensive archileofsaral subdivision of fluvial deposits was proponed
cycles environments. The limo scales of the relevant sedimentary procossos aro diffacull lo by Miall (l988a,b), the pneposo of which was fo facthtate tho documentation of
Inaaarnsaeocta aodtmencartoe saes sae of s aaeailsa ondee nf eoagsialado .5111cc, each gennp. Beging comples bar and channel formo onpvsed in large ouforops. A sin-fold classification
resolve, und the physical soale of the deposils falls belweer the normal size of largo
femes il5 m/ka foe 1go smallest acAte nl deposil. to hTt lo IT2 m/tta Ion genspa Osad Il. Dopoatta nf oulcrops sad the drilling deusif y or the scalo of geophysical resolunon In Ibo of bounding sorf aces was proposed (Fig. 1). Case sludira in which ibis scheme has
each geoop c,cay ho defi,ed, in same casos, by eaoloacng hosadiasgasehaces. Haeea,chlas of alten acolacas subsuaf ace. Yol ills this scale of drposil thaf is of parhicolar inleeesl Io economso boon used have appeared elsewhere (e.g. Mlall, 1988a,c). If was noled thaI other
hace hoes enecned foe Iltotaf asO enlias depnalm and fOrmase asiles of aaatcanise and shell hodfoema, channolized deposito, snob as thosr in tidal, canyon and sabmarino-fan sollings,
goologislo, representing as il does the scale of many slealigraphoc peleoloum
lsoostagaaioaa of osch grmnp eoqsire dcffee,nl reolreiqnea Deposim sp lo gennp 7 rd poasabty 8 could probably ha subdivided in a very similar way, umd an archilectural subdivision
resgrvoies and llaeie internal hnlerogeuoifies.
mayhed000ccseetadan eaceplinaollygnodnnaoenp.Scsdaeaofmodemdopoaitsnfg000llaolobneaybe of some deep-sea fan und channel deponils was illnslraled by Mmli (1989a). Tho
caaeaed oca mang higb-maolnlioe ganphyaicat tocicstqsea (inncpa 7 am IO naqstne lanealigatims md enistonco of a nagnrol classification of channel, bar and othor deposito according to
EAnI.lEe APPROACHES TO THE ANALYSIS OF DEPOSITIONAL HIEnAnCHIE5
eermrsaaeaotimn mang hasi,-nsappteg ioohsiaoa lraaod mo osnofot coanelaain,. Sabam,faca .cot ScIa facies assemblages and nail goomefay has also been suggosled ("archilecbaral
aommto dala may be employed Time scales and areal scales have bren tackled by geologasls in a vanely of ways elomenhs" of Miall, 1983) bnl this is an idea thaI, op fo tho presonl timo, has only
and for differout reasons. convoefioral slnaligraphic torminology, feom the basf and
TIME SCALES AND PHYSICAL SCALES IN SEDIMENTATION
longnae to the group aatd sapergeoup, is a tong-established method of formaltasng
physical scales of depotitional nails for mapping puapvsos. Resorvose
hotorogoneities vary according lo the scale oser mhich they are measured, and have
Pto. 1.Sosies nf doponiglonal elemenhs lar a fluvial nyslnm, showing u
II has become a geolegical thuisec Ocal many ootliaaaentaay noifa accumalalo ab himrueehy of bnmadirrg surfaces. Circled numbers imdioute ranks of bormdiarg
a aeSnIl nf sfIorI imlorvals of aapid sodimeofalioaa separslrsl by long ielnrvaln of lime boon slodlietl by peteoloom ongineors and othors as an aid fo msprovnmg reservoir surfaens. In (C) IWO-letter casina are used f nr arehltentueul-olenrenl types:
peefonuanca (1{aldorsan and Lake. 1984; Weber, 1986; Miall, 19884). Ctaslic thnpernai CHnbunnnl-fihh, DA. downsteeum-accrnggd macrof nr,,, LA=ialerui
when hIlf o ea no bedimelnf is deposilod (Ages 1981). II in ales anse widely aealïood
Ihal calos of sodiaaaeslalioo meanseed in modem deposilinalal esaviennmoals cre Ore patloms, as determined by paleoccaaeesl aoalynis, display differml vsriancm according Io urernlann dnponit (muaenfor.n)(Minll, 1988u, b). lar (D) sand fIaI ja shows, as
ancient eneRo] vary ist ympoelion lo the lione scale Roce which ùaoy are meassood. the areal scale repaeseoled by the dala sela, AlITa (1966) und Miall (1974) allempled lo bmia.g built np by migruhiaag aunad wuens. FornacI leran'matinns of tlrosn urn
classify thmso leales md established a hierarchical omi-fold groaping of finsiat-deltaic shown on top nf tire diagram, bnl rnsfrllanl internal crOs5-seruhifieatinn bus
Sndloe (1981) docamenlrd this in delail. and showed thaI meansreal hedimonlalioa
esITo vary b y cloven ordeon of mafnilsdo, from 10a lo l0 mflaa. Thas wade paleancarernl palfomn. been omiftml for clarity.
Galveston Island
seo
tetre!
tog
AI
head of pasSes. m
0
seo A.0
level
1977; Misil, 1984, 1990), in a nmuboriag systom shot uses lower group numbees for review of this topic. (erosional, geadational), their shape (flat, irregular, concave- or conves-np), areal wide range of sedimentary enviconrneuls. These are group 1 and 2 deposits,
cycles of Increasing duealion (the reverse of that oscd here). Second- and lirsl-ordor cycles, in the loeminology of Vail and others (1977) and estent, and she nature of associated facies (e.g., they overlie mud drapes, or are respectively. The superimposition of trains of ripples may geneeale saetases of
Group Ill deposiss are basin-fill complexes (deposilionol systems trocls), repro- Miall (1990), may be designated stealigraphic groups lt and 12, if required (nel followed by poorly-sorted lag deposits). However, sets of field criteria are not ycl bodform climb, er may b e reprn sentad by virtaaily flat bounding surfaces. These
scetiog limo spans of millions io tens of millions of years. They correspond lo shown in Table 1). available thaI can provide unambiguous inteeprosatioas of the time scalo of the ace set boundaries, in the Iceminology of McKee and Weir (1953). Those dual occur
'third-order cycles" in earlice syntheses. There is ample evidence for such cyclm in sedimentary processes for every field case. Many deposits, therefore, cannot readily in fluvial sediments were classified as liest-order surfaces by Mind (1988a, b). This
the ssraligraphic recueil, including Cambrian grand cycles (Ailkes, 1966, 1978; DEFINITION OF SEDIMENT onoups BY BOUNDING SURFACES be classified into the groups lisled in Table t, bnl could fall inlo any one of Iwo or type el surface is one where 11181e orne erosion is apparent, and the surface records
Chow osd James. 1987), Carbenifreons mrgacyclolbems (Heckel, 1986) and three of Ilse groups. For example, diurnal, seasonal and random meteorological the vieutally continuons sedimentation ol trains ef similar bedforms (Fig. 1).
mesoltoems (Ramsb000ns, 1979), and the Csntacoona mosotheass of Ilse Western lu- Foe same elastic deposits, as noted rachee, allempos have bren modelo recognize processes may predare sinsileresalts in eoliaa (G. Kocurek, pers. common., 1989) Changes in flow characteristics may lead to changes io Ihn type of bedfoem, with
leiser (Wnisoer, 1960; Kauffman, 1969, 1984). Regional or global sea-level changos the types of facies composition, vertical succession, geumeley, scale and boanding and fluvial strata, particularly if preservation of she graduels is incomplele. For resulting changes in cross-bed style. Bouediug surfaces separallug different
caused by regional leclunism, or by glotul changea in san-flanc spreading mlos. may sarlaces that characterize the deposits of particular sets of processes. Where this can these reasons il is aol yet possible (and may never be) to estabbsh an all- assembla ges of cross-bed vIradores are roseI boundaries (Mckee and Weie, 1953),
be the main mechanism leading to the development of Ibis typo of cyclicity. Au- be done it permits the deposits to be subdivided empirically into a hiorarehy of encompossing classification of the archileetucal subdivisions and bounding surfaces and were classified as second-oeder surfaces by Misil (t9tt8o, b)(Ftg. 2). Dynamic
06cv promising idea regarding the origin of third-order cycles is that of plato-mar- architectural units. Characiceislies of the boostding surfaces UsaI enclose those tsnits of ail lerrigenons elastic deposits. A discussion of the pregonas lo daly in this superimposition of bedlorms, such as the migration of inegaripples ever sand waves
gin tilling as a result of in-plane stress eansoined across plate inleriors from exten- may also inclnde features useful lee dislingaishing the deyositiottal smits themselves, direction is the subject of the remainder of this section. (Jackson, 1975), may also lead te the development of second-order surfaces.
sional or compeessional plato margins (Cloetiogh, 1988). Miall (1990) provided u sods av the relationship of the surlaces lo overlying and underlying strata Lamination and small-scale ripples develop rapidly beneath traction currents ina
-..uS*.*
FACIES HETEROGENEITY, PAY CONTINUITY, AND Mud-nchsobsnrrins-fsndspoaitssrsnnnnmslyhntraogrnsoor sodmsyhsnothr greatEst
INFILL POTENTIAL IN BARRIER-ISLAND, FLUVIAL, potontral for infili thun1 mo sup isolstnd compartments mclasttceosnrnnira. TAo Sprahorry loo
AND SUBMARINE-FAN RESERVOIRS: EXAMPLES TrsndioWraLTsnasnonnainathinaincontinoousrrrrenoiesandstonsa dopositsdinacomplsn
mallas ctonnnrl- Lad lsvss-syatrns. Although facies relationships ìn Sprsberry ressrrcoims ano
FROM THE TEXAS GULF COAST to Loso in flunial ssanrnojoa irs La Gloris held, indinidual psy minar, me thinner sod
AND MIDLAND BASIN' moos complrmnly sncad ir lomn.pormeability snndntono facies. Driue
Ambrose, Tyler, and Parsley Hrlerogeneiuy, coelinoity, and infilI potential in Tenas reservoirs 13
of 450 major Tesas oil rosorvoirs that hove each produced >10 MMbbl an of 1981 continuity curve io estimule the percentage of pay contacted at the canent well coslinauty was nui applied io eesrrvairs in La Gloria field because whole-core
(Galloway and others, 1983). Those reservoirs account for almost 75% of Tosas spacing compared wilh the peeconlage that would br contacted at a denser welt permeability data are scarce. inslead, Ihr Stiles (1976) method was employed Io
production and provido oxamples ofoilproduction from a wido caeirtyofdepositional spacing. estimate the cootiauiiy of th cerneen oir furies in the field. Alhhough the Stiles (1976)
Barbe and Sehnorheten (1987) analyzed pay cousinuity in the Robertson North method was originally developed for eesirictrd-plalform, carbonate frainslone
Homogoneous bonier-island and wave-damisated doltaic reservoirs in rho Tosan D E (Clear Fork) reneevoir, alvo located in the Midland Butin. As io the Fullerton (Clear reservoirs, in which pay zanca occur al numerous thin stringers, ihn application
A
Gulf Coast typically have strong water drives and eshibit high mobile-oil recovery
(Fig. I). Reservoirs of increasing complexity hace weaker deive mechanisms and
.
B C
s s s Fork) reservoir, pay occurs in numerous thin, laterally diacentinuoun eones. Barbo
and Seheoebelen used a pay-continuity technique similar to that of ShIes (1976), but
uppearn equally appmpriate fee fluvial reservoirs in La Gloria eield, where the facies
architecture is equally cemples and is characterized by muliiple, discontinuous
contain a turf e percentage of unrecovered mobile oil. For esamplo, fluvial and uno hourdis parten prensure continuity between iojecter and producer well pairs. A stringer sandstones.
tinvial-dominated delsaic roseevoirs, which have moderase drive energies, typically history match of production dala indicated thaI the pay-cootinaity values were a The kb-ratio method wan also asedio esiimate pay continuity io two representative
contain >40% of unrecovered mobile oil; mud-rich sabmaeine-fun reservoirs in Tosas reasonable indication of the facies heteregeneily and that they could be used in deep-sea fan reservoirs in the Spraberry Flay. Thin melhod yielded meaningful results
have weak saladen-gas drives and contain >80% anrecovered mobile oil. estimating percentages of uncontacted mobile oil is the reservoir. Their study fer individual retors air stringers, where the laierai reservoir heterogeneity is great.
Luogo volumen of mobiln oilcan be added to the reserve bane by selective infilI concluded that even at 1g-acre well spacing (200m), 151028% of dr erosonoir wvald However, Ihe kb-ratio method wax less useful in quantifying the noi vertical
drilling that tops undeaised reseeceir compartments, yaeticulacly in helerogencoas be undrained ut the end of primuey production. helerogeneily of multiple reservoir stringers over hundreds offert of seclies io Ihn
deep-sea fon and platform-margin carbonate deposilional systems. More than two- In ceutoast lo carbonate retrevoies, three have been few q000titulise pay-continuity Spraberry because pay-continuity data were combined from differenl genetic
thirds of the 35-Bbbl mobile-oil veneno bannis Tesan iv locotrd in thick, samples stadies of cluntic reservoirs. Although a pay-continuity method bused en ceets- sandbodies in several reservoirs.
carbonate eeservoiru and submarine-fan eeseeceies in the Fennion Basin (Tyler, sectional gevmetry, such as thai described by Slurs (1976), cus be successfully Finally, perceotagos of uncentacted mobile ail were compared for the three elastic
1988). The set potentiel foe retorve growth through infili drilling is demonstrated by applied to heterogeneous elastic reservoirs, where multiple pu y rouet cocue as thin, rrnervoirtypns (barrier-island, fluvial, and deep-sea fan). Percentages of uncontacted
the fact that of theO Bbbl of reserven added in Tesan from 1973 to 1983, 73% came 3 dinconlinnous layers, many homogeneous cluslic reservoirs (barrier-island, wave- mobile nil were also compared with those of one of the most common carbosate
from infili and ostension deillirg in old fields, rather dran through new field discovery dominated deltaic) tend to contain ouly one main pay zone. Application of the Stiles reservoir types (platform-carbonate gralostose) in the Permise Basin of West Tesas.
III
(Fisher, 1987). Addtlions to domestic revenos from conventional field development (1976) method nf puy continuity lo homogeneous types of clastic reservoirs may
nationwide hose averaged -'2 Bbbl annually since 1979. result in valuen vg greater puy conlinuity with increasing distance between well pirro,
which is not is accordance with geologically based espectationu. In reservoirs in
which dro puy cocues io only one laterally continuo us roue, the effect of the Stiles Rzorreesr Arctiitecbure and Rrrovery Efficiency
(1976) method (Fig. 2) tu to increase the numerator (continuent pay only) and the
Iv denominator (continuous and discunti000un pay) by the auree amount, thereby Barrier-island reservoirs are relatively limpie and peodoce hydrocarhons mainly
The inflaesce of facies heterogeneity on reservoir architecture and hydrocarbon
recovery has been demonstrated in several key papees. LoBlanc (1977) provided increasing the pay-continuity ratio as distance between the well pairs irerrases. from well-sorted, laterally continuous barrier-core and shoreface sandslonen, as well
numerous esnmples of how the distribution, continuity, sed intemal characteristics of as from tidal.inlel depouils, which cas he volumetrically significasl in tome
sandstone rrvervOtis are primarily controlled by original environments of deposition. reservoirs. Ranier-island reservoirs typically eshibit high-recovery efficiencies; ihe
Weber (1982) compared coastol-barrier, delta-fringe, delta.plaln, distributary- EXPLANATION average recovery efficiercy for the major barrice-strandpbain oil plays in Tesas,
channel, and point-bar depositional environments in terms of the continuity of their Thin paper demonstrates that reservoir archileclure and continuity io several types weighted by original oil in place, il >50% (Tyler and ethers, 1984). These reservoirs
Fey roves I, , ID, nod ID commonly contain oniy au oddilional 15 lo 25% of remaining mobile oil after
shale intercalations and concluded that barrier-island systems arr very continuout, of reservoirs can be qasntified by gevtogically bused methods of pay cenlisaity. Wo
Not pey (PhiH) istredace a new method of estimating pay c006euiiy, based on differences in conventional primary und secondary recovery (Fig. I).
whereas fluvial systems arr discontinuous. Important case hintories of hydrocarbon betweev odjetevt wells
recovery in elastic reservoirs controlled by facies heterogeneity were presented by retrrvuir quality, esprensed as kh eolios (permeability multiplied by puy-zone Barrier-core and related shoreface facies are the main framework facies in homier-
S Well thieknesn( between wells. Tals pay-continuity method, culled the kh-eutio method, ialand reservoirs. They typically c000isl of laterally continuous and homogeneous
Borg (1968) for Lower Cretaceous fluvial reservoirs in the Powder River Basis, by
Weber and others (1978) foe lower Tertiary batnier-inlund reservoirs is Nigeria, by Well speerg 400cres (1,32091 0612412 was specifically designed for mlalivety homogeneous buerier-islasd reservoirs in strike-parallel wedges; is costeast, lidal-inlet faciet form cresu-cutting pods that
Dannose and Fayoter 0979) for Miocene deltaic reservoirs in offshore Louisiana, and which the puy zone occurs in one main, laterally coulinuoun baud. disrupi the continuily of the burri er core. Tidal-delta facies ace genetically related so
by Tyler and Gholvlon (1988) for Peemian deep-sea fun reservoirs in the Syraberry Faycentinuity in the4l-AeeservoimnWestRanchfield, located in theprolific Frio tidal channels and c005ial of lobato sandhodies pinching nui into muddy backbaerier
Trend io the Midland Basin. Similar caso historien for carbonate reservoirs, mainly Baerier-Straudplaiu Gil Flay in the Central Tenus GulfCoast, was characterized by the lagoon deposits. The hackbazrier is net considered as part of the saudy barrier
platforw-geainst050types in WestTevan, were presided by Barberondothees (1983), Feu. 2.Modified illustration of the Stiles (1976) method nf calculating pay kh-ratio method. Details of the kb-ratio pay-continuity method anditi application io framework because of ito high-mud content.
Barbe and Sebnoobelen (1987). Rebout and others (1987), and Rappel and Candor nontinuity in compten rrnrrvni'rs that eontat'n namernus vertically isolated the 41-A reservoir are furnished isa luter section on barrier-island reservoirs. Pay- Although barrier-island roserveirs exhibit high.recosery efficiencies and tilde
(1988). stringers. Pay continuity, indicated by the shaded poltern, is defined by this cootinaily curves were constructed foe each major facies in the4l-A reservoir. These helerogeseity iu the hunier-coco and shoreface facies, limited struligraphic
Different methods of quantifying the continuity nf hydrocarbon-bearing 000es method at the turn nf eontiranas pay, divided by the sum of all pay (enntinuous carves were used io the entimatien of Ihn percentage of mobile oil contacted by wells enlrupmoni cocues in ether facies cemparonentn. Fer example, uncontacted mobile
(pay continuity) in reservoirs have been presented mainly foe carbonate reservoirs. and discortinunox) between meli pairs. Pay valuen are hypothetical bui in each facies in the reservoir, with the remainder representing uneecovered mobile ed commonly occurs within lenticular tidal-mId deposito, or along the boundary
Stiles (1976) described a method of pay contiouity for heterogeneous, stratified representative of those in piaiform.carhouate grainstone ersernoirs in the oil in each facies. The volume of unrecovered mobile oil as current well spacing n, between barrier-care and tidal.islel facies. where therein cextrasl in reservoir qualily
platform-carbonate reservoirs in Fullerton (Clear Fork) field in the Midland Basin in Premian Basin, For example, pay couiinotty hrtweefl wells A and B, separated estimated from the kh-ratio method, compared closely with Ihr volume estimaird andpermeability. Gthrr stratigraphie trapa are foundinfloed-tidal-deltoandwanhoree-
West Tenas. Pay continuity wan defined by Stiles av the percentage of pry in a well by 402 rn ix 85%, defined ax the sum of pay in nones I, Ill, and IV (7>8>8 = from an engineering-based method utilizing production data from dr e reservoir fan sendatosca pinching out buodward into lagoonal mudslenet.
thai is conli000us to another well (Fig. 2). A value of pay continuity was calculated 17 PhiH) divided by the sam of pay in all aunes (I, II, III, and LV, which is (Godec and others, 1989b). A geologically based infili strategy forthedi-Aresersoir
for each of several well pairs in the firld, andacurve of pay continuity versus distance 703>5>5 = 20 FhiH). Pay esutiuuity declines with increasing distance betwrrn was based on comparison of separate pay-continuity carves for each facies anden the Weos Ranch (41-A) Rererrzir, Frio Bui'i'ier-Ssrandptain Play
between well pairs was drawn lhrongh a sculler of data points. Stiles (1976) well pairs; Por example, the pay enntivaity between wells A and C, separated by mapping of areas of low pay continuity belween adjacent weIb on closely spaced
concluded Ihat 22 MMbbl of oil, in addition lo the 148 MMbbl already produced to 804 m, is 74%, calculated un the Sam uf pay in annrn I and III (7+15x5+5 Geologic Srsnng.Tbo Weul Ranch (41-A) reservoir is ene of 46 major reservoirs
1971, could be recovered through infili drilling and improved wutorflood techniques 32 PhiH), disided by the sam of pay its all rones (1, tI, ttl, and IV, which in Pay continoily waa estimated io two elbee lypes of mservoiea: i) coarse-gained located in Ihr Frio Barriee-Strundplain Play, which is ose of Ihe most productive oil
in Fullerton (Clear Fork) field. This entimatr 0f 22 Mthlbbl of recoverable mobile oil 7.15>3.5>8>5>3 = 43 PhiH). Pay eonlinaity between wells A and E in erro meander bell reservoirs in La Gloria field in Soulh Texas, and 2) mad-rich submarine- plays in Tesua (Galloway and ethers, 1983). These Gligocene eeservoizs occur in
was made by calculating the amount of pay in the reservoir and thon applying the pay- because there arr na nentinuous pay asneo between these wells, fan reservoirs in the Spraberry Flay in Wosi Tonna. The kh-ratio method of pay barrier-island sandstones thai were deposited er abroad, low-relief plaiform located
..........Sa
Ambrose, Tyler, and Parsley 14
U.....
between two deltaic depocenters in the Tenas Gulf Coast (Fig. 3). Additionally, the kb-ratio methed requires that the spacing between wells be cluse
Recovery efficiencies in reservoirs of the Frio Baeriee-Steandplaio Play are high, rod relattvely uniform. Fry'centinuityculculutions between two widely spaced wells
averaging 53% of expected ultimate recovery nf the original oil in place. Of the will not capture the cumulative rffects uf multiple lateral reservoir heterogeneities
4.2 Bbbl of oil originally distnibatod in the 46 reservoirs nsaking ap the play, -2.2 Bbhl that entend ever shorter distances.
will be recoverrd at current levels of development (Galloway ucd others, 1983). Finally, r subtle limttrtion uf the kb-rabio method of pay contmnaity that must be
Hydrocarbons in thick, sabalar, and laterally continnoas bamer-corn nandbodies in eecognieed is that discontinuoun zones of permeability occurring at gerally thffeneui
these retorvoirs have becs drained efficiently at 2g-acre well spacing, which in the stratigraphie levels in the reservoir may br interpreted as complelety laterally
average carrent well spacing for the play. centixueas if the kh of the pay zone in each weil in ihn same. This is especially tesse
formell pairs in which use we li penetrates abaerier.cene deposit, where the manimum
Reoercoir ArchitectureMany reservoir properties in the West Ranch (41-A), permeability occurs at the top of the reservoir, sud the ether well penetrates a tidal.
such as recovery efficiency, average porosity, and water satttnation, arr similar to the inlet deposit, where the masimam permeability uccars at the base. For Ibis reason,
play average, suggesting that this reservoir in representalive of the Fein Basnien- the kb-ratio method is imperfect in describing the pay continuity between facies that
Strandplaio Play. Additionally, Ehe 41-A reservoir contains a wide diversity of have greatly dissimilar peeweabilily pmfiles.
haeeiee-islaed deponitionol environments present in ether reservoirs in the play. Io adj acnnl w clin on the cress sections in ihn 41-A reservoir, tite estimated pay
The 41-A reservoir was described by Galloway and Cheng (1985) and Galloway continuity is defined mike smallenkh valse icone weil divided by the Iargerkh value
(1986) asaprogeading, microtidalbaeriee-ïsland system,consintingofstrike-rlongate in the other well. Fee example, un cross section A-A' (Fig. 7), the pay rootisoity
barrier-core deposits, 91021 m thick, eroded by a 1.6-km-wide belt of dip-elongatr betwens wells 2 and Sis 96% because the tower kb (37,000 md fI) in well 3, divided
tidal-inlet deposits, 9 to 27 m thick (Fig. 4). Both the barrier-core and tidal-inlel by the higher kh (30.500 md fI) is well 2, is 0.96. The pay continuity beiween the nest
deposits merge landward (noetlswest) mb mnddy backbaerier Isgoonal deposits that well pair lathe right, wells 3 and 4, is the lower kh (31,860 md fI) in weil 4, divided
contain v9 m of sand. I i
Facies architecsuee strongly controls the average penneabilily distribution and
lateral and vertical continuity uf pay zones in the 41-A reservoir (Fig. 5). A strike-
elongate band of high aseeage penmeabilities (2,000-4,000 nd), which typically
occurs at the top of upward-coarsening sandstones in Ihr barrier-core facies in the
sonthwest Foal of the reservoir, is nitncated by a dip-elongate band of lower Pttc. 3.Frin (Oligucene) depositional nystems in the Tesan Galf Coant,
penneabilities (500-1,500 md) in the tidal-inlet facien in the southeast part nf the nhnwing the mention of West Bunch finid in the Fris Burrier.Strandpluit. Oil
reservoir. Permeability variation in the tidal-inlet drpositn in the 41-A reservoir Play in nootheast Tenas, and La Gloria field, located in the Fris Flnsial/Dettaic
reflects the complen natare of the channel-fill material. Highest peemeabilities Sandstone along the Vicksbnrg Fault Zone Play itt South Texan. Modified from
typically occur at the base of the tidal-inlet deposits, which consist of scour snrfaces Gullawny (1977), Galloway and others (1983), and Kosters and others (1989). EXPLANATION
and coarse-graised shell lags. Lower peemeahilitien toward the lop of tidal-inlet
depesits reflect an upward decrease in grain vice and sorting. Lowest permeabilitien
(<500 md) in Ehe 41-A reservoir occur in maddy, abandoned-inlet and backbaenier
deposits. Ateroge Corn Plug Porweabiliry
Kh-Ratia Meshed <f Pay Conrinsisy.A nemiquautitusive method of estimating rnntsneily were transformed mb saloon uf permeability from Ihr cross plot in
pay conlinaity was developed ta describe facies variability is the4l-A reservoir. This Figure 6. A lutai kh value for each well was then derivad by multiplying
method in an analysis of lateral and vertical variations in permeability in the puy rene. peemeabtlity valuen by net-pay thickness of the reservoir.
These variations worn espressed as the ratio of kh between well pairs on closely To achieve coovinteet and salid estimates of puy coutinaily, several important
spaced crest sections in the reservoir. Kb-rutio data were used lo constencl pay- Ismitattous in the kb-ratio method were observed. First, a reliable correlation had re Suo lxxx SOOn
continuity curves (see lalcr section) that relate wuervoir pay continuity lo distance exist between measured perme.abilities and log respooses so thai pay-continuity o 000 ccOo sOxurr
between the well pairs. Permeability valuen from the ancored wells in the 41-A ca]cuiatsosn cauld be made fer other well pairs io the reservoir whren core canted did 0412411
reservoir were extrapolated from an empirical relationship observed by Galloway and nel cymE. Dragenetic effects sachas calcite cement would hose rendered invalid the
Cheng (1985) between measured permeability valuen and deep-resistivity responsen correlation of log response to permeability by indicating misleading, high valses of Ftc. 0.Average permeability in the West Ranch (4t.A) reservoir, nlrongly
from cored wohn in the hydrocarbon-saturated roue (Fig.6). They deleesoined that the deep nexisttvtsy. Fon enample, the West Ranch (Glasscuck) reservoir contains more eontroBed by the facies distrihotian, is greatest in harrier.uore (BC), moderate
wide range of measured deep resintivitien in lhe4l-A reservoir is net correlated with calcite cement than does the 41-A reservoir as a consequence of having been hut variable in tidai.inmnt (TI), and law in backbarrirr (BR) facies. Madifird
variations inporosisy, butnatheewith permeability ardhydeocacbun saturation, based depostted rs shell-rich washever fans io a traangressive barrier-island netting from Galloway and Cheng (1985).
os a regrets ion analysis nf iog k plotted agiront log resistivity. (GallowayandCheng, 1985). Thekh'ealiemethodcansotberpplird to the Glauwack
Data from 41 welts on five cross sections, shown in Figure 4, were nsed in Ihn reservuir because the high values nf deep resistivity in the calcite-cemented eones in FIn. 4.Nrt.sandttnne and facies map uf the West Ranch (41.A) eesrrvair, by Ihr bigherkh (37,000 md ft) in well 3. andin therefore 0.86. Because the lower kh
pay-cunlinaity analysis of the 41-A reservoir. The deep-resistivity curve within the this reservoir will erroneously indicate greater permeability and oit saturation. Continuity in strikr.riongale hnrrier.eorr freien is interrupted by thick, dip. iv always divided by the higher kh in each adjacent weil, the pay cuntinuity is never
pay rune (defined rs 2 oe more ohm-m) was broken into fice separate eones of Consequently, kh valuen extrapolated feem these log responses in the Glusscock einngute tidal.inlet facies. Thin mashnver.fun and flnod.tidai-drita sandstones greater than 1.0(100%) beiween wells. Fon adjacent wells with identical kh values.
resistivity, each ranging 2 ohm-m in value. The zone of greatest resistivity wm reservoir are tan high. By centrant, the 41-A reservoir is mlamisely ancemeoted; in thrse facies pinch nul irodward into lagoonal mudstonrs. A.A', one uf five Ihr Mt ratio for the well pair in 1.0, and therefore the pay continuity is 100%.
defisedas lllohm-m ormone. Galloway and Cheng (1985) nriginally correlated these therefore, the log responses for this eruerveir are reasonable foe esteapolatiun 10kb crans sections by Cailuway and Cheng (1980) analyzed in this study, in shawn in Fon well pairs en the crest section sepsraled by large distances and intervening
deep-nevivlivity eones across the 41-A reservoir. Values of each zone of deep values in the reservoir. Figure 7. Mudifind from Gattuway and Cheng (1980). wella. ihr kh ration beiwern each ietervesing weil pain arr multiplied legeiher,
Ambrose, Tyler. red Parsley Helecogeneily, conhixuily, axd infili potealial in Tevus reservoirs 15
delennine whether the kh-eatio method of pay continuity could be supported by actual
I 1111111 111111± reservoir behavior. The material balance is simply u volumetric balance performed
on the fluids in the reservoir. With this approach, the original oit in place in the
reservoir in commuoicatiau with production and injection welts wan estimated from
the production, injection, pressure response, and phase behavior of the reservoir A A'
fluids. The production asalysis in each major facies (barrier core, ttdal soles, and beck East
We st
barrier) in the 41-A reservoir by Godec and others (1909b) showed thatprodsction in
each facies was slighdy higher Iban that estimated by the pay-canlinnily curven from 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 IO
the kb-rutio method. Theeefore, the pup-continuity carves were adjnsled slightly
upward to accounl foe Ibis higher production. The pay-continuity curves so Ftguee 8a <055>
reflect these adjsntments, which were diffeeenl for each facies and welt spacing. The <095> <096> <0.86> <0 99> <0 86> <0.7)> <0.92> <0 36>
umounl of odjuotment for each common well spacisg is summaneed in Figure 8h.
The pay-continuity curve for the barrier-core facies in ahe4l-A reservoir indicates
that continuity in thin facies is high, reflecting interval homogenesty and high
sandhody contiouity. Zones of maximum mnervoie quality and permeability in
harrier-core deposita in the reservoir, which sypically occur at the top of upward-
coarsening sandstones, have good laierai continuity, an displayed is wells I throogh
Son cross section A-A' (Fig. 7). The pay-continuily carve for she baerier-core facies 36,500 38.50-) 37000 31,0-0 31,320
indicaten 89% pay continuity at the current 20-acre spacing (pointA, Fig. Sa), und thut 36.650 51,620 47,490 17,1 00 31,090
ouly un additional 4% of the reservoir can be contacted by infili detlling 10 10-acre
spacing, where the pop continuity would he 93% (point B, Fig. 8a).
EXPLANATION
In castrant. pay continuily in tidal-inlet facies in the 41-A reservoir is lower, C> ch- ratio between adjacent wells
reflecting gmater islemal heterogeneity. Zonen of high permeability in Ihn ssdol-snlet
facies are segmented into lenticular inlet-fill compaeuneols (wells 6 so IO, Fig. 7). Kb DEEP RESISTIVITY (ohm-m) ft re
ration between adjaceot tidal-inlet wells show enoemo variolion; foe enample, the kh '00,-so
ratio between the sandstone-filled chaonrl in well 8 ond the sillstone- and mndntonr-
filled channel in well 9is only 0.36. Thrpay.conlinuity curse for the tidal-inlet facses
<2
indicates that only 74% of the reservoir in this facies wan contacted at 20-acre well 37,000 inferred kin (md.ft)
I J î'i i i i I I liii i I I III spacing (point C, Fig. Ou), and au additional 8% of mobile oil could have been
2-6 300es
Deer l"P)), OvO-r, contacted by infilI drilling an 10-acre spacing (point D, Fig. 8a). o
Pay continuity in the backbareier facies io the 41-A reservoir is enteemely tow. 1000f,
50
estimated for each of these facies under three isfill-drillisg scenarios: 1) 80- to
40-oece well spacing; 2) 40- to 20-acre well spacing; aud 3) 20- to 10-acer well
sporing. Although sobstantial infill deilliog had already occuerod is the 41-A
n which puy eones accoras comerous this stringers, ii ccc also be applied so flusial
reservoirs in La Glorio field. whore ihe facies architeclurn is equally cumplen and
characterized by multiple, diucootisuoun sandslone stringees.
reneevoir by 1988-to almost 10 ocres pee peoducee io tise tidal-inlet facies. 20 ocres in Lu Gloria field, only the erlatinely permeable chancel-fili and splay facies were
Co w b irr e O per yrodocer io the homier-core facies, and 30 acres per producee in the backbaeeier
50 included on cross neclions, in accordance with thu Stilert (1976> method of pay
p' facies-Ibis modeling enereise demonstrates the potential of geologically targeted coolinuity, which analyzes the continnity of Ihe reservoir facies only. The Stiles
40 - infilI drilling in other barriee.strandpluin rescrnoirs in the Fein Boeriee-Strandplain (1976) method wan oppiivd to Ihe Brooks reservoir in the field (Fig. Il). Dip und
Play that ore still at widen well spacings. strike sections (Fig. 12) were constructed through elonely spaced wells is the middle
30 - Table i shows that the lidal-iolet facies has the greatest economic polentiol in each stringeesand in Ibis reservoir. Results ofthisacalysisindicatethaccontinniiy of these
infill-deilling nceoueio io she 41-A reuervoiv. Foe example, with infilI drilling of reservoir facies at 160-acre well spacing is 72% along depositi000l dip but only 27%
20 - IS wells per year feom 401020 aceesperprodocer io the tidal-inlet facies, 6.5 MMhbl along deposttionul strike (Fig. 13). The resorvoir-facirn conlionnily indicates thai the
of inceemental reserven were estimated au producible ata minimum economic price width of Ihr uvera ge chano nl sysiem in La Gloeia field iu considerably less Iban she
50
of $4.28/bbl. Under the same iofill-daillling scenario,unly I.) MMbblaeerecoveroble 160- and 320-arre well spacings in many gas fields ïn the South Tenas Gorydan
in the hoarier-eeoc facies at a minimum peice of $12.92/bbt and 2.1 MMbbt are fluvial system. Traditional views bave held that these well spacings cao efftcieotiy
recoverable in thobackbarriee facies ut $lO.9l/bbt. From 201010 acres porprvdùcee, drasn mont gas reservoirs because Ihey are composed of only one or two
only the tidal-inlet facies is economic foe infili drilling al recent (1988) oil-price Flu. 9.-Areas of low pay eonlinuity (kh catin nO,75) that nccnr between homogenoons sandstone loyees. However, the complex reservoir-facies architocture
tenets. This facies could peodoce 4.8 MMbbl of additional mobile oil ata minimum adjacent well pairs on cross sections in the 41-A reservoir. Facies distribution in the Pris Flasial/Deltaic Sasdutone along the Vickubueg Fault Zone Play has
oil price of $7.37/bbl by infili drilling. and net-sandstone cuntours also arr shown. These areas uf low pay continuity resulled in incomplete drainage at these well spacings.
¿ tnterwefl Distance (fi)
These eenuiiss demonsteate thai pay-continuity studies can be entremoly valuable in
moximiziog the economic life of heterogeneous resnevoirs. Moss of the mobile oil in
may enntain discontinnons pay in puorly drained intrareseevoir compartments
that could br targeted by infili wells in Ihr heterogeneous tidal-inlet facies and
the harrier-core facies has already been voulucted and peodaced al canent 20-acre along the seaward margin of the baekbarrier facies.
(b) welt spacing. By conleast, the tidal-inlet facies will continuo to be economic down to Tant,e 1.-Minimum economic pricer required for recovery of remaining s,sobile
Pay continuity (percenti 10-acre well spacing, primarily because of Ihe relatively large incoemental increases oil In each major facies in the 41-A reoervoir, Wert RanchJteld. Development
Acre- Adirusled by eressrnre and io nel pay that are encoonlnoed wilh euch new infilI woll. The helerogeneoos La Gloria Field. Fr'io Flaniul/Dettaic Sandstone along ehe Vickoburg Fault utrategy baoed onl5 infilI welts/yr and a minimum ofter-tax real rute of return
snuving Kh-ralio method prodrrclion arralysro backbarriee facies also contains relatively urge percentages of uocontucted puy, Zone Flay of 10%.
Q I! B although this pay is restricted io the sand-rich bell on the seaward (sontheasi) margin
80 79 42 13 80 49 20 of this facies. Huweser, because the pay concis the hOckbureior facies is thin, ihe Geologic Setting and Rerervoir Architectare.-Coorse-geained measderholl gas
40 04 56 22 05 63 29 potential for addilional mobile vii recovery 1010-acre well spacing is uneconomic at reservoirn in La Gloeia field aro locosed in the Frio Finvial/Deltaic Sandstone along InfilI Strolegy
20 88 67 32 89 74 39 coerenl (1990) oil prices. the Vicksbueg FaultZone Play (Fig. 3), the second most peoductise nonossociated gas (ucees/producer>
10 93 75 43 94 02 50 play in Tenas (Konteen and others. 1989). The Frio F000ation in Soulh Tusos man
95 81 54 96 08 61 dvposited by the Gueydan fluvial system, a major riser system 1h01 occupied the Rio
Grande Embayment during the Gligocene. The Gseydan fluvial system contains 80-40 40-20 25-lS
00 1243 Facies
Reoervoir Architecture und Recovery Efficiency coarse-gruined channei.fiil and point-bar sandslone flanked by eervasso-nptoy
sandstone and floodplain modstone and siltsiooe (Galloway, 1977). Gueydas fluvial
Fluvial reservoirs display lam to moderate oil-recovery efficiencies (Fig. i). In the sequences may contai n noverai depositi000l units, or ntringorn. In La Glorio field, Tidal tnlr,1
barrier-island 41-A renorvote, compartments ace mainly defined by lateral shone steingreu consist of3to6m of channel-fill aod splay sandstone and repreuent Minimum Economic Price (jhbl) $3.37 $4.28 S7.37
Fac. S.-(a) Pay-continuity curves for the major harrier-istand facies and a hrterogeneily; by contrast, the facies architecture in flonial systems is moro comptes, dopositionat episodes 0f temporary occupation of ihr floodplain by a choosel system incremental Oil (MMbbt) 8.3 6.5 4.8
combined-fades pay-continuity curve in the West Ranch (41-A) reservoir. At and reservoir compartmenlu are consirainod by both vertical und lateral (Ambrote andJacknon, 1989). Stringers io La Glorio field arepartly isolated laterally
current 20-acre well spacing, 89% of the reservoir has Seen contacted in the heierogeneity. For example, concevoir compartments in coarse-grained meanderbeit Sorcier Come
ond vertically by modsiones and aro commonly stacked mb aggregate sandstone
harrier-core facies. However, only 74 and 39% of the reservoir have been systems mainly occur in dip-elongole, channel-fill pods and lobale-splay deposits Minimum Economic Price (/bbl) $7.86 $12.92 $50.00
bodies 15 to 3Ons thick thai form belts 30010 900 m wide (Fig. 10).
contacted in the tidal-inlet and hackbarrier facies, respectively. (h) Comparison Incremental Oil (MMbbl) 1.9 1.5 1.5
(Fig. 10). Sandstones in these resersoir facies are bounded laterally by low-
between pay-continuity values obtained from the 6h-ratio method and values pvotneability, muddy lesee, distal-splay. and floodplain deposits. These channel-fill
8Cv Barrier core, T1= Tidal inlet, and BB= Reserceir-Facies Cvntinuity.-Chaonel-fill and splay sandstones constitute she Bock Bornee
from production analysis. and splay deposits are also bounded serlicully by mudstoses deposited during porinds mois reservoir facies in the Gueydan fluvial spstrm. Whole-core data from chonuel-
Backhaerier, From Godeo and others (1909h). Minimum Economic Pnce (Jbbl) $8.40 $10.91 $25.46
of stream avulsion and eccupation of othor purin of she coastal plain. Localized fail and pronamal-splay deposits in other fields in ihr Sonth Tesas Feio Pluvial- Incremental Oil (MMbhl) 1.9 2.1 2.3
occurrences of muddy abandoned channel-fill deposits farihee isolate ihese Streamplain Play indicute that permeubitiiies in she reservoir facies range from 1010
hydrecacbos-beaeisg oeils into separate cowpaetmrnts. 900 md (Ambrose und Jackxoo, 1989). Nonreseesoir 000dplain and distal-spIny
Ambrose, Tyler, aud Parsley Heterogeneity, continuity, und infill potential io Tecas reservoirs 17
J
Geologically Based InfilI Polesisial.Poorly drained or uncontacted reservoir
compartmenls in La Gloria field maInly occur in crevasse-splay sandstones dsat pinch
out into distal-splay siltososes. These splay comparonents are almost totally encased
in floodplain mudstones. They have a limited lateral estesI und pinch ouI <460 m
along deposilional strike from channel-fill deposits. At Ihr vorerst well spacing of
16010320 acres per welt, mosy have yet to be contacted. Anomalously high reservoir
pressures rotative to uvera go reservoir pressare have heen meanured in some
recompleted crevasse-splay compartments (1.300 psi versus an ancrage erservoir
pressure of 300 psi; Ambrose and Jackson, 1909). They typically exhibit a cupid
decline in pressure and can have low ultimate recoveries uf 50 MMcf, suggesting the
presence of small, semi-isolated leaps is the reservoir. However, the total production
polrntial in La Gloria field is substantial because maoy splay compaesustests mist
in each eoseevoie. Foe example, infili drilling from 640 to 160 acres pee well
and recompletion of existing wenn io the Brook s reservese, which is only I of /
oppeoximately 30 reservoirs in La Gloria field, could result in addilional gas recovery
of 23% of the post-cycling gas is place (Jackson and Ambrose, 1989).
Ambrose, Tyler, and Parsley Heleeogencily, cootinuily, und infili poleolia( in Texas rcseevoirs 18
....._....a__.M..
(a) (b)
(a) L
NORTHERN
P5bd1bO, SInIsa seamen SHELF
B B'
West East
DAT U M S HAL E
MARKER SEO
40 loo 40 x160
AOOVE O STRINGER
I,
Distance (tI stOOD) Dinlarco 1001000)
(b)
Frs, 13.Conlinaity of channel-fill and xplay sandstone badiet parallel In
depoxitional dip (a) and strike (b) in Ihr middle Brooks stringer in La Glorio A EASTERN
C C, field. Continnity of these reservoir facies is high (>70%) in Ihr dip direction, Cs canson sccrr,
South North even at 160'aere spacing. Honever, continuity decreases ahroptty along strike; -4
wells offset along strike are nnlikely to contact the name reservoir compartment,
DATUM SHALE braided orl-xandslone patterns that grado bosiowaed into a meandering pattern SHELF
MARKER BES associated with a single Iruok avis.
ABOVE B STHINGEB Maximum hydrocarbon saturation, extrapolated from the dcep-eesistivity curvo, is
xtrongly confioed to chaooel-fill aod levee compoetusests (Fig. 16). Saodstoses and cisne
stltslooex Io these resercoir facies have maximum peemeabilities of 10 md aod are as
500ff
CHANNEL- FILL Itmited production date io this soit did 001 allow o comparison between pay continuity rF
from the kb-ratio method versos pay continuity from production analysis; therefore.
PERFORATED INTERVAL the pay-continuity curves preseoled here for the Speaberry are considered to be
0 150m
ilteorelteot oniy. However, recent pressere teso io this and other Opraberep eeservoirs
(Tyler aod others, 1907) support the steep decline in pay coolinuily suggested by Ihr
pay-continuity curve (Fig. 17), which iodicutes 20% reservoir continuity at the
carrent 160-acre welt spuciog. This pay-cootinaily curse also indicates that infili
FIc. 12.(a) Stratigraphie dip section it-B' in the middle stringer of the Brooks drilling to 10-acre o pacing would be required lo contact 50% of 1h e reservoir in
4
reservoir in La Gloría field, exhibiting channel-fill and optay facies. Individual UniI l-b. In contrast, iohll drilling te 10-acre Ipueisg io Ihr West Rasch (41-A)
channel-fill sandstone bodies extend 450 to 900 m along depoxilional dip. reservoir would contact 79% of the reservoir (combined-facies curve in Fig. 8).
Collectively, they exhibit good taleraI continuity is. the dip direction. InfilI Potential and Reeoeerable Mobile Oil. Because Spraberry reservoirs are
(b) Sleatigraphic xteike section C-C' in the middle Brooks stringer. Channel-fill heterngeseous, 1 is critical that infili wells are soulegically located sa contad and
sandstone bodiex pinch Out obropttp along strike and are flanked laterally by produce Ihr rrmatniog mobile oil efficieotly. Pradudlive Speaberry infilI wells
thin splay deposits. These ohannel.fill and splay deposito exhibit onty moderate
continaity along strike. Cross xeutiono located in Figore lt.
vr,,sn,,y beur ut 101Os
Pro. 14,Location of nnbmarinr.fan nil fields in the Spraherry Play, Midland
Basin, West Texas, From Tyler and Gholslon (1988); modified from Silver and
Todd (1969). *
Ambrose, Tyler, and Parsley
Heterogeneity, ceutiuuity, aod infilI poteelial io Texas reservoirs 19
conlacl sand.rich axial oreas; by contrast, interaxial areas contain less rcsercole
quality material, and iofili wells drilled in these arras would br poorer prodacees. D D,
The potential foe recovery of additional mobile oil to the Spraberry inconsiderable
West East
because of the complex depositionol architeclare und cootcast in permeability
between reservoir and eonrenervoie facies. Extreme vertical heterogeneity in the
Spraborry has resulted from fan-lobe switching und shifting of channel ones
lhroughoal the deponitioral history of the submarine fas. Duriog periods of charnel. -
axis shifting, sand was deposited away from Ihr malo axial 00000es of olden fan
deposits, thereby creating opportunities for seleclive recomplelion of wells drilled 10
deeper targelu. Many lower Spruberey wollt have not breo perforated in the appen
Spraberry,resultingirbypassi010feamer005erurevoircomparttssenlx. The Spmhcrry
play contains >4 Bbbt of unrecovered mobile oil in poorly drained or totally p,
uncoolacted reservoir comparlmonln. Becauso of the extremely low peemeabiltty of
1hr reservoirs, only I Bbbl is considered Ihr potential resource baso (Tyler aod others.
p,
1984). However, oven 6% recovery (the curreol recovery efficiency of the Spruberey)
of this eonsrrxatixe estimate of remuiniog mobile oil will double the estimated Channel Sand -filled channel Levee
remoining conventional Spraberry reserves of 60 MMbbl (Tyler aed Gholsloo, 1988).
Mad-filled Leoee
channel
EX PLANATION 20-_6
The amours of oncontucted mobile oil in a ma leer revrrvoir iv largely o function of DEEP RESISTIVITY (ohm-m)
compartmentaliealion and well spacing. Reservoir compartments ore prsmarity
defined by the large-scale fucios archileclaro inheriled from the depontuonal system. <5 (8)1199)111; 15-19
Puy ix relatively conlinuous in homogeneous barrier-inland and wave-domsoaled
deltoic erureveirs, moderately continuons in relatively hotrrogosrous nuotaI and 800011
fluxially dominalod deltaic n0500voirs. and irregularly distributed and dtncoots0000n 5-9 20-25
o
io comptes deep-sea fan eeveevoirs. Even io diagenetically altered reservoirs, rdoo
depoxilional fuciru have considerable influence on fluid msgrasson and purostty
10-14 00 5949
enhancement.
Recovery potential for reservoirs of different deposilional origin, enpronsrd ana
preceos of. ancoelacled reservoir volames, was calcatated by xebteacttog pay.
eonlioeily values on each carre from 100% (Pig. 18). Cernes sndscated by uolid Itnex Ftc. 16.Strike nection D-D' in Upper Spraberry Unit 1-h, Reservoir
are for rxvrrvoies in which alher pay-continuity valuen were available from analysts compartments in thin mod-rich sobmarine.fan nuit, indicated by high notons nf
of pmvsuer and production data. Corneo are plollod io the upper left part of the deep resistivity (15 to 25 ohm-m) and low watnr-naloralion valuen, orear in
diagram for helerogeneous reservoirs Ihot contain large volumes of usconlacled ott at channel-fill and levee deposits 1h01 pinch ont abruptly 0100g strike. The channel
between Ihn third and fourth wells from the left-hand side of the croon section
P1m
- close well spacings. By contrant, carres for homogeneous roservolru are plotted sr she
lower righl part of she diagram.
Hntrroge000as typex of reservoir, such audrey-sea fan (Spraberry Play) and back
harrier (Fein Barrinr-Strosdplain Play), arr approuiwatrly eqoal in degree of
heterogeneity; yOUth of thron resercoirs arr uncontacted at 40-acre well upucing. By
reprenrnln a poorly drained reservoir comparlment that can be rontacted by a
new infili well, Location of cross section shown in Figure 15.
plotted versas ore dinluoce between well paies, nod thiu plot was used lo establish the nones and can also be used to provide goed, first-order estimates of volumes of
contrusl, homogeneous barrier-c ore reneevoiru coslain only limited uncootacted pay-conlisaitp function for the revervoir. The drainable pay conlinatly at 20-acre usrecavered bydeocarb000 in matare reservoiro. lnfitl-dritling strategies, based on
reservoir volamex. Al Ihr average 20-ocre well spacing in Ihr Frio Barrier- spacing was verified by historicul primary production. Reservoir compaetmevts te Ihr the observation thaI each type of reservoir cootaiss u ueique faciex aechiteclare
Steaodplatn Flay, -90% of the reservoir has already been eonlacled. San Aodren/Grayburg loath-Central Basin Platform Play oc curls lenttcular controlling the distribution of uncoulacled or poorly drained compartments, will
Three other typex of reservoir in Trous contain moderutely high uncootacled grainstose bues eocaucd is low-permeability mudslones and wackrxsoues Ibas were enable produetton geologists to xrlecuvety largel areas for manimow addstt000l
reservoir volumes. These reservoirs are coarte-grained meander boll (Feto Fluvsal/ deposited on a usable platform (Behoat and others. 1987). Ec000mtc anutyvus of mobile oil recovery wilh fewer new infili welts, thereby increasing the productive life
Foc. 19.Log-facies map and typical iog responseo of Unit I-h lopper Spraborry)
Deltaie Saodntone along the Vicksharg F0011 Zone Ploy), tidal iolet (Pria Barrier- Godeo and others (1989a) indicalru 1h01 0S much us 505 MMbbl of mobtiroti at an oil of the reservoir.
reservoir. Unit l-b consists of a dip-oriented channel.00d-tesee system that
eroded into distal, nnconfined fao deposits. Reservoir compartments are located Strandpluio Play), and platform-carbonate grainslone (Sao Andeex/Grayboeg Sooth- pricr of $20/bbl can be recosceed in the play wish geologically bused snfslt drrllsng In
inchoonet-fillantI levee sandstonosandsiltntoneS oncased in ootrr-fao modstonrs. Central Basin Platform Play), located in West Tenas (Galloway and others, 1983). these grainstone bars. This represents recovery of un addilional 18% nf the remaInIng
Cross section D-D' shown in Figore 16. Modified from Tytor and Ghotston The carve for this type of carbooatr reservoir (Fig. 18). added foe Ihr salar of mobile oit in Ihr play.
comparison se elastic reservoirs, wax based on the ShIes (1976) method of pay In conclusion. puy-contioaily und facirs-aechileclure siadtes are nonfat Thin study was cooducled by the Bureau of Economic Geology and ICP Resouccen
(1988). Incorporated, wilh fasding from the U.S. Department of Energy (cuotract nos. DE-
continuity. Permeability and net pay were correlated between wells on croon sectionu rexervoir-dexetopmenl techniques. Pay-continuity mesheds, such as the kb-ratto
io platform-carbonate gruinntone renervoirs in Dune field, eepeeuenlalive of Ihr San method introduced io thixpaper, orthe Stiles (1976) method, can be used to documeni ACOI-85FE60003 and DE-AC19-S6BCI400) und Ihr, Gay Research Inutilale
Anders/Graybarg South-Central Basin Platform Play. Pay-continuity fractions were the control of facies architeclureon distributivo of discootiuuoau or inaluardeeservea )contruclno. 5087-212-1526). We thank Roben Corwin of Mobil Oil Conpoe0000 foe
20
smaaamms.
Ambrove, Tyler, and Porvlry Heterogeneity, coctinaily, and infili poteutial in Texas renervo
.__._.____s..__
providing production data from West Rasch field. The manuscript benefited from Jnvnsov, M. L. W., ayo Asruovse, W. A., 1989, lolSuence nf eeoervoir heterogeneity
reviews by Robert]. Finley, Shirley F. Dotino, Steven J. Seni, and Tucker F. Henlz. on gas-resource potential for geologically based infilI drilling, Brooku and I-92
Mike Roberto provided poy-costinaity curves foe the 41-A erse evoir study. reservoirs, Feto Formation, Sooth Tevau: Gulf Coavi Aosovialios of Geological
100 100 Yves Oberlin, Joel L. Lardon. Tari Weover, Annie Kubeet Kearos, and Societies Transactions, y. 39, p. 127-14g.
Richard L. DilIvo drafted the figures. Word peoceusing was by Melissa SodI and Konecus, E. C., Beuvere D. G., Svss, S. J., Gaeom'r. C. M., Jo., Bnvttia, L. F, Je.,
editing was by Amanda R. Masterson. H.sye.eo. H. S., Deseos, S. P., Ruera, S. C., Peaces. R. J., ava Toten, N., 1989,
Atlas of major Tenas gas reservoirs: The Univernily of Tesas as Austin, Bureau
80 of Ecosvmic Geology Special Publication, 161 p.
80- LeBr.auc, R. J., So., 1977. Distribution and eontiuuity of sandsione reservoirsparto
Cs
Avmnvsc, W. A., ano Jacssuv, M. L. W., 1989, 000logically hated infili potential of laud 2: Journal of Petroleum Technology. v.29. p. 776-804.
fluvial gas ruseevoirs, La Glorio (Feio) finid, South Texas: South Texas Ruera, S.C., ovo Carmen, H. 5., 1988, Effects of facies und diugenevis on reservoir
as Geological Society Bulletin, y. 29, p. 13-2 t. heiemgenrity: Emma San Andree Field. West Tesas: The University of Tenas at
E Bacoc, J. A., ave Scovvvovs.nv, D. J., 1987, Quantitative analysis of infili Ausun, Bureau of Economic Geology Repon of luvestigutions No. 178,67F.
60
o 60- performance: Robvrl000 Clearfork Unit: Josmol ofpetroleum Techovlogy, v.39. So.vco, B. A., .exe Tono. R. G., 1969. Penaban cyclic nlnala, northern Midlund and
A' p. 1593-1601. Delaware Basins, Wesi Tesas and sautheasiem New Menico: American
o Banano, A. H., Jo.. Grenas, C. J., Seo.es, L. H., ovo Tuensesov, B. B., 1983, toStI Anunciution of Fels-nImm Geologiutn Bullrtin, v.93. p. 2223-2251.
drilling io increase reservesactual enperience in nbc fiolds in Tenon, Sru.eu, L. H., 1976, Optimizing watertlood recove.y in a mature waterbed, the
§ 40 s Oklahoma, and Illinois: Journal of Peteoleum Technology, y. 35, p. 1530-1538.
40 Fullerton Clearfork unit: Proceedings, Society of Petroleum Engineers of Ihm
tu BcO0UT, D. G., Leas, F. J., H000n, C. R., Foco, G. E., aros Vavoco Oxyde, G. W., American lnstitutenfMisiogEngireeru SluiAnnual Technical Conference, New
1987, Churucterizudon of the Grayburg rnsnrvoir, Usivertsty Lands Dune field. Orleusu, Louisiana, 12F.
su Crane County, Tesas: The University of Tenar ut Asslin, Bureau of Ee050mic Tyran, N.. 1988. New oil from old tieldu: Genemen, y. 33, p. 8-10.
. o Geology Roport of Investigativot No. 168,98 p.
Bcou, R. iO., 1968, Foist-bar origis of Fall River saodstone ecncevoieu, noetheastem
Gau,owas, W. E., G0000ro, C. M., Jo., ayo Estiran, T. E., 1984, Gil
. 20- Wyoming: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, y. 52,
aecumulalion, production characteristiun, and targein for additional recovery on
major usi renervoiro of Tesas: The University of Tenus al Assoie, Bureau of
s p. 2116-2122. Economic Geology Geological Circulan 04.2.31 p.
Ftsooe. W. L., 1987, Cas the U.S. oil and gas resource base support sustained
s.. production?: Scieuce, v.236. p. 1h31-1636.
Gau.owoy. W. E.. 1977, Dopesitional architecture of Cenazoic Gulf Coastal fluvial
ave Gaotsovv, J. C.. 1988. Heterogeneous deep-sea fan reservoirs,
Shuckelfoed and Preston Wateefland Units, Speuberry Trend, Went Tenus: The
UOidOdOtIy of Texan al Ausliu, Bureau of Economie Geology Report of
11 20001 4000 systems, ir Elhrbdge, F. G., and Flores, R. M., edn., Recent and Aseirot Non- Issestigulionn No. 171, 38F.
6000 8000 1000. : :4500 5000 Macine Depositionul Environments: Models foe Exploration: Society uf Guevara, E. H., ovo Cuaxen.G. R., 1987, Geological churacleriautive and
g Economie Pateoumlogists and Mineralogista Special Publication, p. 127-155. reserve growth poieniial of Sprabeery reservoirs io the Midland Basin, WesI
1986, Reservoir facies aechitectuee of microtidal buff ire systems: Tenas: The University of Tesan at Austin. Bureau of Economic Geology 1986-
American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bsllelio, v.70, p. 787-808. 1987 Annual Repon by the Reservoir Characleniaution Research Laboratory.
ayo Covvo, E. 5., 1985, Reservoir facies architecture is a microtidal 191 p.
Distance between well pairs (E) QA1?943c Well spacing (fI) 0611942e hunier nystemFeiv Formation, Tenus Gulf Coast: The Usivernity of Tenas at Wauuen, R. G., 1978, Deep-water sandstone facies and ancieni submarine fans:
Auvlin, Borcau of Ec000mic Geology Report of Investigations No. 144. 36 p. models for esploration for slealigraphic trapu: Americas Asnyciulios nf
Eaavo, T. E., Gcoorn, C. M., Jo., Tvt.eo, N., ave 8000cv, D. G., 1983, Petroleum Geologisls Bulletin, v.62, p. 932-966.
Atlas of major Tenas oil reservoirs: The Univerviiy of Tenas ut Austis, Bureau of Wnncu, K. J., 1982. Influence of <yermos sedimentary structures ou fluid flow ui
Economic Geology Special Fshlieatios, 139 p. reservoir modelo: Journal vf Peleoleum Technology, y. 34, p. 665-672.
Flu. t8.Cnrves depicting the percent of ancontacted reservoir volumes in the Ks.anowos. P. H., Kovievaex. J., aya vay sen VLyuor, W. R., 1971.
types of reservoirs described io this report. Values on these curves, calculated W. A., l989u, An asseusment of reserve growth poleslial of the Sao Andees/ Simulation of water injection in a barrier.bar-type, oil-dim roneevoir in Nigeria:
Flu. 17.Pay continuity in mud-rich submarine-fan reservuirs represented by subtracting pay-coutinaity values from 100%, show that both mnd.rich Geoybsrg Carbonato (South Contrai Basis Platform) Play in Tenas: prepared by Journal of Petroleum Technology, v.30, p. 1555-1565.
by Upper Spruberry Unit 1-b, shown in Figure 15, The kb-ratio method of nnbmarinr-fan and backharrier reservoirs have high heterogeneity and contain ICE Resources Incoepoeuled 054 the Bureau of Ec000mic Geology for the U.S.
determining pay cnntinnity, unadjusted by production or pressure data was large percentages of uneontacted reservoir volumes. Tidal-inlet, coarve.grainrd Depurtmrot of Energy/Office of Fossil Energy, contract nos. DE-ACGI-
used for metto located on cross section D-D' (Fig. 16). Pay continuity ut the meunderbelt, and platform.carbonate grainstonr resersoirs, whieh are also 85FE60603 and DE-AC19-86BC14000, 147 p.
current well spacing of one welt per 160 acres is only 25% and remains low tightly clustered together, contain moderately large nneontacted reservoir Teten, N., ava A000vse, W. A., 1989b, Au
(<50%) even at 20-acre spacing. volnmrs. In contrast, hydrocarbons are efficiently swept in barrier-core assnsomenlofthereserve growth potential ofiheprio Burriee.Slrandplaio Flay in
reservo,rs, which represent the lowest valor of heterogeneity in the spectrum nf Tenas: prepared by ICP Resources Incorporated und the Burnus of Economic
reservoir types. Geology fortheU.S. DepartmentofEuergy/OffieeofFossil Energy, coutraetnos.
DE-ACOI-85FE60603 and DE-ACI9-86BC14000, 128 p.
licoreras, J. A., ayo Favsscu, D.D., 1979, Drainoge anomalies is Gulf Count Tertiary
sandstones: Joursal of Feteoleom Technology, v.31, p.1313-1322.
Ambrose. Tyler, and Parsley Helerogeneily, conlinnity, and infili poleelial is Texas reservoirs 21
PHOTOMOSAICS OF OUTCROPS: first two factors aro self osptuuatory; the odian four are diwussed below.
Depth of field refers to the anarest and farthest parte of the smbjecl that can be
USEFUL PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES rendered sharp at a givom mus setting (Hcdgccan, 1910). Depth of field increases
with decreased aperture asad is ateo groaner loe a lens with shorter fanal length. To
obtain o sharp imago of a scbjocn that has consideruble relict aloug the liar of sight,
MICHAEL C. WIZEVICH minimsm apretare opening is uccossary. To maximize the depth of held for o
Dnparfoeoset of Gpologietaf Scirs000, Vltgierrta Tech,
particular situation, it ix importaml to kanp in mind that depth of field extends
Blackobraig, Vitgirtio 24061
farther behimd (about 3/5 of toed depth of fteld) the distunco for which a lens is
focused than in leoul.
ABSTRACT Photomomatta oan be tuofat tania foe ardnrataodaf and tomcnnioattrg goologit feat,ocs FOCAL PLANE
Correction
Eqnipmrut Recoures, J., 19ll0, The Photographer's Handbook: Alfred Koopf, New York, 352 p.
Knuic Peorvsu,osec Poeevocnin, 1986, Kodak Publication No. R-28. Rochester, Nrw
Although any camera is adequate to photograph a rock outcrop, a 35-mm single- York. 40 p.
lens rvfleu (SLR) camera with interchangeable lens capabi 'uy is recommended. The Miau.. A. O., 1988. Pecios architecture inelastic reeks: io Klcinspehu, K. L., and Paola,
SLR camera is best because of its versatility, durabthty, ovaifabthty, and relatively C., otis., New Perspectives in llasio Analysis. Spriufer-Verlug. New York, p. 67-
low vest. To minimize distortion, a 50-mm lens is preferred, but eithve wide-angie 81.
or telepheto lenses can be utilized. To correct perspective distortion, a PC lese caa
be used with this system. Black-and-white film can savc moncy and provides
additieuu] versatility. A sturdy tripod with a there-way adjustable head and bubble
Ivvel is aise suggested, and a cable release for the camera shutter is necessary, to
miniwiev camera movement. A 50-m-long string and field compass may also be
useful in properly erienting the camera relative tedie outcrop lacy.
Methods
ausmsss
dvpends on the detail of the study and practical limitations.
EXPLANATION
SURFACE SET FEATURES
FEATURES
Wind-ripple ___-_First-ordet surface 5S7
o Siliceous conCrefiOnS -
larninae -<- C---c--C--- -Second-order surface
-e Calcite concretions
1h d- d SS 6--
Grainflow strata
Polygonal fractures SSS
Fractures Prom inert
SS surface
Red bed
Drape
rl
----.--*it__=i
Suruey poinf
Breccia
SS4
SS3
re5
JOin
SS2.-
SSS
TIÌ-Ij - A7-c
. - ----- - -
r r
u
NAVAJO SANDSTONE
T___________________
Frs. 2.Oe.tcrep weil drewiegs for the seedy kreole coeetrwsted as ea (A) also applies to (B) to (E). Fornoot dip orneareIs rapresrat opperrat
described irr the trat. (A) eorthwrst weil. (B) southwest weil. (C) soeth dip eagles le the treed of the gearceellood wail.
weil. (D) soethoest weil. (E) martheast welL Symbol rxpleeotiee. ered colr
Ssà winds that deposited coarser grinned sediment, and pericufs of weaker winds when
only finer grained sediment was transported. Annnal cycles posenlaled here are
compatible with the paleorlimatic wedel et the Middle lurassie by Parrish and
Peterson (1988), in which a bimodal wind regime is ssggested. They mdicate that
81-s stronger sammer winds were Inward she sonth-snuthwest to south-southeast, and
weaker winter winds were towaed the southwest.
Oar overall scenario for the deposition of the 'A' comples is intimately related to
the J-2 surface. The J-2 event was one of widespread deflation with development of
relief. Within this net deflationary setting, deposstson was not tavoeed, although the
y r surface was probably marked in places by sand in transit as blowing sand, cand
sheets, zibars, und isolated barehan dunes. The coarser narice of the sediment of
NAVAJO SANDSTONE the 'A' comples in comparison to the rest of the overlying Page indicates that the
balk of the saud represents a lag associated with deflation of the Navajo.
Within this overall scenario, however, the 'A' complex can be vtewed w two
different ways. The 'A' cemples may herald the renewal of net depositional
conditions that inoardiately preceded the Page ergs and done fields per or.
Fig. 2,Continard. Deposition was first locally possible only io depressions where deceleration of the
wind occnrred, and depressions on the J-2 surface acted as 'sand traps'. Alternately,
the 'A' comples may be a sequence of deposits that are totally separate genetically
from the later Page deposits. In descase, she sequence represents a 'J-2' evrnt, and
consists of sporadic deposits in depressions on tho surface. Clearly, regional data are
Coosisaed os page 34
__.._________
D. SOUTHEAST WALL
(N41 E)
F2
" Z"_,
'Z
SS2
NAVAJO SANDSTONE
Fig. 2.CrnOinud.
FE- o
- - _- - _-
- - -_- e-
D7
--' -_- - -- !'-
-
-- - - -
-
- P..- _- - - __- - '- __- '- ,.-
i-
J2\
Al-b
NAVAJO SANDSTONE
Fig. 2.Co.tirned.
..a a..s......
Kocurek, Knight. und Flavholm Architecture of the Page Sandstone 30
*U........*.*...*. aa
!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlII,IpiJiiii
EXPLANATION
Exposed
Covered
Fo. 3.Somi-rcg,o,I tnnig of compIoon of oroo-stnt d promot
Inferred bodig nfco from tho tiody o,tcrop (oostio 1) wcttwrd for 93 km.
All .cctiom. moro morrorod .0mg th Lioto SDM3E olcctromc tchromotor.
Eopoocd choco (tolid lioco) moro wolked. Corrolotlo.. o tord foo covorod
totorvolo (dottol li..ro) m.d whcro th rook km bomt removod (.hsbod boot).
Pro. 5.Solo ill the 'A' eompleo showing internal parallel, low-angle,
wind.ripple laminan, and gentle truncating bounding snofacea (arrowe). J.2
surface with polygonal tractoreo also shows. Photo from erar southwestern
port of sorthwrat well. Total thickness of seetion shown is about 10m.
O SOns
S WALL (E-w)
litt erpretariois
Thr two dissimilar set styles composing the 'B' complex can reasonably be
produced by one type of dma (a dune with superimposed small dunes, see Havhotm
and Kocutek, 1988), This interpretation recognizes that only small segments of the
Ire-face strata tif very large dunes aro preserved in the 'B' cumplen, and that
changes in tee-face configuration are expected where crestline sinuosity occurs
(Havhotm and Kocurek, 1988).
Figure 11 shows a reconstruction al the 'B' complex 'type' dma foamed by
compiling all outcrop data. Platting the range of forecrt dip directians for the simple
trough seta accesa a line drawn perpendicsmtar to she trough axis (177') defines in
plan view o segment of a crescendo bedlorm with a canstanl radies of curvature. A
plot of strata types shows that this concave-downwind segment wax a slipfuce
Fig, 8,Continued, marked by geainflow processes, andas the angle of repase (abonl 32' reduced here
ta 24' by compaction). This segment was transverso to the primary dnne-forsssing
winds and experienced no siguificanl alongulope transport (Kocurok, 1986). Sllpface
width was about 150 m. The change in strata type alaug the arc within set 82-e
needed on the age, oature of the deposits, and whether or not evidence exists that J-2 snefaea, the lower set surface (J-Z) isptanar (Bl-a on south and southeast waits; Unfortunatety, the outcrop on the northeast wall iv beveled and it was not teem grainflow to wind-ripple cross-strata with a corresponding decrease is foreset
shows a break rn sedimentation between the 'A' complex-type deposits and the 824 on sontheast wall). Plotting of the foreset orientations (Fig. 9) reveals segments possible to measuec bounding-surface orientations accuratnly. However, ocing paies dip amount shows the curvucire of the leo face from transverse to oblique with
overlying amts of the Page, of ceesceattc shapes, wtth loeeset dip directions ranging from south-southwest to of apparent dip directions from the northwest to the northeast walls, and from the respect to the primary winds, and the site of the onset of dgoificaat alougotope
southeast The foresets arr dominated by grainflow cross-strata, with 'asdividuat northeast to the southeast walls, dip directions for the bounding surfaces could be secondary airflow, as evidenced by the wind-ripple strata (sae t(ocuerk, 1986).
ir COMPLEX strata being 5 ta 6,5 cm thick. Typically, grainflow layers extend to the baso of the determined. These range tram 16' na 112' direction in the northwest, te 12' in a The tendency foe trough-shaped tower bounding surfaces, where the bedfoem
set or a thin boftomsat of wind-ripple laminac occurs (Fig. 10). A poorly defined 144' direction in the southeast, a tlireetional variation of 52'. Figure 9 shows a plat was scouring into otder 'A' or 'B' complex deposits suggests that the drnas were
Deocriptiox cychcsty occurs in whwh packages up toSi to 70cm thick of a few to as many as 15 of dicte bounding surfaces with interpolations made in bath amount and direction roughly out of phase with respect to crostline sinuosity (Robin, t957a, Fig. 34).
grainflow foyers are separated by thin units of wind-ripple laminar (Ftg. 10). A few of dip foe the middle segment on the northeast wall. Trough scouring was largely prevented where dowucuttiag reached the J-2 surface
The 'B' complex ranges in thickness from Oto 9m around the seedy outcrop, and surfaces show eshumeif lee-faca wind ripples, and these show alougxfope migration Sets composing the coset vary in size from bring as thick ax the coset to being because this surface was cemented by cvapontes (seo previous J-2 discussion). The
occurs as teougho downcntting into the 'A' complex on the northwest and southwest toward the west, In set BZ-e, a lateral change from grainflaw strata to wind-ripple only a fraction of the count thickness. Simitarty, ax measured in the general relationship between grainflow-layer thickness and dipfacr bcighs (Hunier, 1981;
walls (Figs. 2A, B) to the level of she J-2 surface, upon which the 'B' complex rents strata occurs fram the southwest ta the south walls; this is accompanied by n migration direction, sets range from thin slivers io fees of meters t ong. Koesirek and Daft, 1.981; Kocurek, Andcrsou and Nielson, unpublished data)
on the S, southeast and northeast wails (Figs. 2C, D, E), A toed of 29 sets can be decrease in foresal dip amount from 24' to 19' (Fig. 9). Set B24 differs frein the Sets composing the count show a type of cydicity with respect to stratification indicales a deaa slipfare height of 60 to 80 m without accounting for compaction,
recognized (Bl-a to 824). above description by having a maaunuin grainflow-fayer thickness of onty about 4 type (Fig. 2A, D, E). Oct stytcs consist of 1. nearly ail gruinflaw strata dipping at and up la tilO m with compaction eernoved (24% compaction is based on presumed
Sets of the 'B' complex consist of two distinct typest (1) forge, simple trough sets cm and by showing a more tightly curved shape as defined by foreset thp directions 24' with a very small, if any, boftomset of wind-ripple laininae (Bt-b, B3, 88, B12, angle of repose of grainftaw strata at 32', now measuring 24' in the ouserap). 824
(Bl-a, BZ-o, B24); and (2) scalloped sots foaming a count (Bi-b, 82-d, B3 lo B23). (Fig. 9). BiS, B19, 822, B23), 2. grainflow strata passing into accumulations of tangential represents a smaller dana (Si-m sliptace height with compaction removed),
The large, simple trough sets ase similar te each other in size, shape and internat The count characterizing the 'B' complex on the northwest, northeast and svind-rispte faremO (84, 85, B13, Bl4, 816), and 3. all wind-ripple laminar dipping suggesting a decrease in bedfoem size near the end of 'B' complex deposition.
structure, A trough-shaped lower bonnding tael ace occurs where the sets dowucut southeast walls forms one of the mast complicated deposito present on the seedy at 8-20 (B2-d, which contains a siugte, unusually thick, apparent grainflow layer, Cycheity of the loresets indicates a wind seasonalisy siasilar to that of the 'A'
into underlying 'A' or 'B' complex (Bt-a on southwest and south walls; B2-c an knob (FW ZA, D, E). As best seen on the northeast wall, individuat sets are 86, B7, ll9, BtO, 811,817, B18, 820, B21). Taken aso whote, a cycle consists of a complex Stronger summer winds so the south determined dona oricetation and
southwest and south walls, B24 on southeast wall). Where duwneutting reached Ike systematically truncated ta the southeast. set or sets dominated by geamfiow strata, followed by n set or sets with un resalled in grainflow przerssvs on the shpface. Ripple-laminao, rcflocimng alongslope
.....a.*...a..S...N
Kocurek, Keight, and 1-f avholm Architecture of the Page Sandstone 35
face feaveng cotesiserd of a 'slairutep' of dones. The tolles scoeaeio may br relleeled the soath and southwest walls. (2 forms mosS of the comptes. C3 scenes into C2 on
PRIMARY WIND
by those crOsn.strata and lower bomedieeg oeefaees thaI aearly paeallel each othor, the northwest and oortheasl walls.
this conhiguralion resulls where dunes migrase down the draa lee face (sec Rubia, C2 appears Io be a sogmenf of a very large trough sel. The trough shape of the
1987a, Fig. 25). forests es det'ened on the southeast wall, but this segment of the sot is loo small to
The overall dma type interpeeled for Ihr 'B' complex reduces lo a relalivrly determoer whether the lower bounding surface is also teosegh shaped Fsg. 2D).
coopte, common style (Fig. it). A viete-skapest cresthne satisfies all dala, with s Uung mean dep directions foe loresels on cock wall, a curvature of only 9 ix shown
shpfaeo on the cancane postions (and probably also on the transverse convex for C2. As defined by this foresee-dip dispersion, the southeast wall is oriented
posItons). Avsnmeng shiv smr-vhaped boolform, the wavelength of plaoform about 7' from peependicatar Ioder sot axis (taken as 130').
smuosety was abad 600 m. The dran slipfaee was replaced by a wind-rippled fee Sels C2 and C3 show tdrnucal styles of cross.strota and are similar Io these of
face, and conliencul alongstope teassspoet gave sise Io sinaous, superimposed dunes, the large troughs of the 'B' comptes (Ftg 2). Grainllow cross-strata dominate and
The draas were, therefore, compound ceescenfie dunes (terminology of McKee, eslend to the base of the sets or nearly so. Poorly defmed eydlieity occurs in which
l99). Preservation iv primarily of slipfaer segmeele, with the coset reflecling less then layers of wind.rspple lamnsae soparate grainflow loyers at intervals of several
common preservation of laIeraI flanks, lithe above scenario is represenlative of the tens of eenttmetrrs to a meter or more. (trainflow strata range ap to 63 to 8 cm
'B' comptes, then the deaas were not per! ecdy ont of phaso (Rab'm, t9ll7a, Figs. 32. duck, In C2, on optimare exposures, small soperimposed sols can be seen that are
37).
concordant seslb the overall foresees and that internally show foresets of wind-ripple
or grainflow eross.strata at an aagntar discordance with those of C2 (FW 2C, E). lt
SURFACE t was not pusseble to measure aeeseeatrly the orientation of those small forests, bnt
the general dip direction is to the southwest.
Drocripeioer
Tenmnateon of the 'C' eomplen kas not yet been wen in semi-regional sarfaee
tracing (Fig. 3).
Snefaee 1, teoncating the 'A' and 'B' complexes, isa prominext feature thaI forms
n 'scoop' opening lo the soatheast, with 93 se of relief betweon the south and
Isfrrprslarirre
77' southeast walls (Ftg/ 2C, D). Over much ef the slndy Outcrop, the surface is
fcaloreless. A collapse breccia of 'B' complex serata occnrs along Ike surface on the
The 'C' comptes presents the case where interpretation iv lienited becouse the
northern part of the northeast wall (Ftgi 2E). Miceetopography on the scale of lens
scale of the ongenal beslform greatly exceeds thaI of the oneerop. A transverse,
of centimetres is locally presenl. A red bed of l'mer geaieseal wavy Iamioae oecncs
ccrsoentse beilform is suggesteul by the trough-shaped foresots and grainflow serata
across the soulheasl wall where il reaches a maximnm thickness of 70 cm, bese
estendmg to near the base of the set. If the mean dip directions are used, a
pmchex oat laterally as the cnrfaco erses (Figs. 2D, 13). A similar red bref oecnrs on
N curvature of 35' foe 100 m of lateral distance occurs. For comparison, the trouglts
the comer of Ihr sonde and sonlbwest walls (Fig 2B, C). Regionally, the ssteface
25,,, of the 'B' complex thom a enrvavere of 30' for 100 m of lateral distance.
can be traced from the sensI y owerop westward abont 43 km, where il
Otientatson of the trough axis indicales primary transport IO the southeast, bue this
a's/nt/on 55,5/o o,th progressively dips to Ike J-2 level,
es an ancertaru mterpretatson because the outcrop shows only n small sognerne of
Sd-ripple Iaesnoe the larger structure.
!flltrpreeatioo
The same sore of soasonat winds that affeeled the anderlysng'A' and 'B'
complexes appears to have peoduerd the poorly defmed cycles of the 'C' complex.
One of the most difftcstlt interpretations Io make foe an cellan seqncnce,
Here, however, oblique winter winds from the northeast can be confidently
especially on the outcrop scale, is whether a 'eonlianonu' surface represents a snper
mferpreted because of the sonthwest (alongslope) migration direction of the
cnr! eco cappmg a deposilional.grnetie srqnence, oran ordinary t'trst.order bonnding
superimposed small dunes soon in C2. Reformation of Ihr dunes during the winter
Shape of Superimposed dunes sserface eesnitirsg from dnne/draa migration and representing the inlerdnatr floor.
winds agasn appears nne Io have been very signifiranl, bot was sufficient to cause
defined by foresets Discstssion of the criteria foe distinguishing the Iwo types of surfaces, none of which
peeodee development of the small, seperienpesed dunes ondee draa leo face.
are preseettly considered entirely 'fool-proof', is presented al the end of dee papee,
S/ALE The thickness of the grainftow layers suggests original slipfacr heighls of 80 to
SLIP FACE but clearly the alternate interpretations are fondamental. tb m, not eonsedeeing compaction, and itO Ir 135 m with compaction remeved.
With regard Io snrfaee t, featnees (i.e., wavy red beds, mieroeopogeaphy, collapse
Clearly, the deans of the 'C' complev were sabstantialty larger than those of the 'B,
breccia) are present that ase lacking in apparent ftrsl.order bounding surfaces inder
comptes, bnl ir is oncertain if they differed in their morphology. Regional tracing
ieoderlymg'B' eomplen. The surface can also be traced mneh farthee than any
thus lar vnggests thaI the 'C' comptes represonls a large Page dane field, or more
sodeelying surface, and deposits of the 'B' and ovrrlynig'C' complexes are distinct. probably an erg.
SURFACES s,7
Droo'iptiort
-7, The 'F complex appears fo represeni dames similar to those of ilse 'D' complus, Deoeriptiox
Interpretation bnl wtth smaller and more complex dune shapes. Forerei dip-direction plots show
-r - -r -r -r The 'E' complex appears to consist largely ola single set cl cross-slrala. El maxi
straight-crested to broad crexeentie ix barchanoid shapes. The range in dip direction
reflects this campleoity of shapes. Grainflow stratton thicknesses suggest dunes
Four rets (G1-G4) are recognized as composing the thinG' compies betwoea
surfaces 5 and 6 (Fig. 2). The complex can be traced as a 1- to 3-m-thick interval
represonl the lower rippled lee lace (plinih) of a substanlial dune. In terms of slyle from li to 40 w high. Sliplaces were perched upen plinths of wind ripples, and for 33 km to the west of the study area (Fig. 3). Bounding surfaces between sets
und ssxe, the bedfoam repreaenled by El could hace been similar to the larger dunug some penods the entire lee face was cover od by ripples. Those cycles thaw are trough-shaped, but become planar when reaching th pelygonally leactured
dunes in the 'D' complex, bill with a more severe Iruncation such that only the probable dune advance rates of less than 1 m/year assrrmirg the cyclicity is annual, surface 5. Than gramfiow (03 to i cm) is evident near the lop of the seis, passing
wxnd-npple brumas and boalomsels ace preserved. aud, as before, probably correspond to southward, dominant summer wiods and downward mto estensivo windripple laminae. Cycles similar io those in the 'D' to
't'-30 weaker, obliqae winter winds. The superimposed small dunes on F5 probably 'F compleses are well defmcd and occur at intervahu of about 50 cm. Mean forerei
't' COMPLEX ortgsnated dariag winter, by aloogslope secondary flow Irom the west to sonthwest, dip direction is toward 192
thas addtog evidence of increasingly variable seindu. The cyclic change in lee-face
Lirscriptiotr
O5 dope from slipface to plinth deposits evident on F2 shows that seasoeal winds not Ioterprerariarx
4 only caused a change in dame migraban speed, but aise resulted in a change in dune
Eleven sels (Fi la F5, P6-n, F6-b, F7 to Pio) occur between surfaces 4 and 5 lo asymmetry (sor Rubia, 1987a, Figs. 22-23). The occurrence of plinth deposits thai The 'G' comples represents an interval marked by the smallest damos on the
form the 'F complex (Fig. 2). The unit ranges between 5 and 8 w in thickness. In pass upward into grainflow deposits shows thai some alongslope transport occurred study knob. Bared on gramnflow thicknesses, dames were commonly less than 1 w
terms of complex thickness and number and conunaily of sets, the 'F complex is eveo daring times when avalanching dominated the loo face. This indicates that tho high. Although outcrop size ix limited on the upward-tapering study knob, dane
comparable to the 'D' complex. From the study outcrop, however, the 'F complex dunes are best classified as oblique. style suggests simple ceescentiu doom thai euisted in a cyclic, variable-wind regimo
can be traced weslward loe only 43 km (Fsg. 3). similar lo that oldie 'F cumplen.
Sots are sample to locally compound. Cross-strata range from Irough shaped lo
relalsvely sabalar within the scale of the outcrop. Where the seta resi on surface 4,
the lower bounding surface is planar, but becomes troagis shaped upward where
sets scoured into underlying strata of the 'F complex
',01V .
_gF
For most seis in the 'F complex, grainliow strata at the top of the sel are
replaced downward by wind-ripple laminar. Only F2 shows portions where .
grainflaw estrndx so near the base of the set. Grainflow sleala Ihicknesses
throughout the 'F complex range trom 13 ta 3 cm, with 2 to 3 cm being typical. --
Cycles of dark-gray, coarser grained grainflow units alternating with one to several
cealimelers of lighter, fmer grainod, wind-ripple lamivar occur in repetitions
- -
rangiug from 281050 cm. A larger scale (-1m) el cydicity is exident in parts of
F2, su which sequeucea of lower angle, wind-ripple laminar are followed in the
migration direction by sleeper grainflow layers bedding oat over the ripple wedges -- .'- .-.
(Fig. 19A, B). - .--m
Foreseldap dtrectianu show a wide spread (senthwest to east-southeast, some ta
the west) with a mean of 189' (Ftg. 20). Where data wore sufficient, dune shape
--- -
and scale were determined by plotting of foceset dip direetion over the outcrop
.13
(Ftg. 20). These show shapes that range from tight erricentie dunes lo bread
feaenrex. F5 ix aniqne in showing n erescentic shape marked by grainflow sleuth thai
yield lalerally to small-scale coasts )Ftgs. 2A, 20, 21). Restoration of these subsets
on a stereonrt (Rabiar and Hunier, 1903) show thai the superimposed dunes
migrated exactly alongxlope lathe northeast (Fig. 22).
25
Ftc. 18.-Reconslenetnd shapn of duran reprnunntnd by D8 showing Pto. 19.-Cycles in not PS on southeast wall. (A) View nearly parallel to aasd bedform asymmetry. Surface 4 (SS4) and purs of noi El alan 'mdicntnd.
interpreted migrution push litai would yield tite uhaugn in fornsnf-dip migration direction. Onientationu of ihn ceonu-strala and the bounding F2 is 43 n. think here, (B) View looking obliquely down the migration
dirnntios.n rnuordcd along ihn northwnut, sos,thwnnt und nnth walls. Arrow surf ones nan similar, indinalaag that the nyulxn manu fron. flow flantuntinnu direnliow, showing syrIen thaI consist of packages of gruinflow (G) separated
eo murks ihn oppurrut nn.ttxr of Ihn crnsuent-shupcd dune. Thn change in dip und not the migration of suprnmponod bodformn, Noto development of by thin luyere of wind-tipple famanue (W). Botiomactu conuiut entirely nf
S WALL dienntion, Ihnenforn, in interpreted to result from different nngmnntu of the wedges of bnttnmnetn (W), indicating significant mndilinatinn of the feo fane wind-ripple laminae (WB),
migruling bndfnrm intnrnunting tito onturop wall, und not f rom any change in
wind direnlion,
CONCLIJSIONS MID QUESTiONS Conceptually, fest-order and super surfaces are distinct, First-order sxefaces
fortan within a dono field or eng, represent the Boce al the inteedone or interdraa
Eolian'teqsencr otratigraphy area, and occur in eolian sequences ax surfaces between genetically related sets 0e
cosots, Super surfaces separate drposits of different done fields or regs moon eohan
Figure 22 suosma,izes in a vertical section the Page Saudxtonr at the study knob sequence. lo leans of recognition, however, the sarfacet can share common
in tecas of the nature of the cross-strata, complexes of sots, prominent bounding attribnlea,
surfaces, and some aspects of the interpreted original bedloems, Although a number Ideally, super surfaces are more continuons and truncate firsl.order surfaces, Ihn
of interpretations casi be made with confidence, dual interpretations of the sequence prominent bounding surfaces between complexes of the Pago are mdeed far morn
have been given throughout this papee at the dune.flrld or erg scale. Are the continuous thaa the mont abundant surfaces interpreted as fest-order surfaces.
complexes of sets and concIs separoted by prowtnenl bounding surfaces However, large dunes and inleedune arcan cao potentially migrate and leave
representative of the accumslation of a single erg through tone, or are they deposits that are several le many wavelengths long in the migration direction; a
representative of a namber of ergs and dune fields separated by sopor bounding first-order surface might extend several Io many kilometers. Whde potentially
surfaces? This question is fundamental to the understanding rd how echan systems regional in entent, a sopee surface need not be so. A done field may not be
Fso, 21,Photo of corinto i. F5 on northwent woO, Thenn noporitoponed operate, especially in a dynamic setting through Sine. The question cao be smsply extensive, the deposits of odono field or erg need not be extensive any deposit or
dnnnn ore shown dingrmnmntin.11y on Figuro 20. Within F5, Ihn canota pnsn repheased How arr vertical und lateral eoliao sequences generated? Clearly surface can be truncated by latee events, and din entice eng need net be affected by
tnter.11y into Ihn teongh noix morkod by simplo neonn-nIonta ntmoiuliog of beariog on the interpretation oldie sequence al the dune-field and erg scale are the super-surface formation.
geoiatllow deposito, F5 in 33m thick bore, nature of the set complexes, the prominent bounding surfaces, and the features With migrating dunen/deaas and inlerdones/inleedoaas that are leaving a doposit,
associated with the ssrfaces. first-order surfaces are necessarily diackeonous and climb. Some super surfaces are
potentially syncheonous, sachas those formed in a relatively small area with a rapid
Set Comyiexeo climatic change. Most saper surfaces, however, ase necessarily diachronoux,
including those formed by climatic change over a broad repon. Super surfaces
We believe ills significant that the sets and coxnts can be grouped mIa complexes formed by changes in eunlatic, tectonic or sand-supply conditions shoeld usually be
Fie, 20.Plot of forenet-dip dirnetionol npreadn for tomo onitn of the 'F' that arr intcrually consisleot in style und interpretation, tad are dssttnct Irom each progressive ucross the area or region, as are those formed by done-field or erg
¡nl er pretation
oomptnn, and enoonstenotion of dune shopon boned on foreunt typo und dip other. Moor broadly, a pronounced change in sedimentation style also occurs across migration. la terms of our enero01 resolution in absolute-age dating, both liest-order
dinnetiot. niong thc ontorop. For tho e000nutnnetrd danno, geninflow hyors surface 2. Below the surface, completen 'B' and 'C' are characterized by deposits of and super surfaces are isoehaonous. Also, where distinct done fields or regs are
shown on solid tonno, wind-ripple deposita shown on wovy linon, Noto Outcrop is very limited ovar the top of the study kook, but the 'H' complex
large, transverse, compound crencentic dunes fonnrd in a wind regtme dommated separated but occur aligned in the overaB transport direction and their dopoxits
noponanpoxed donen migrotitng .tongxlopn to the noetheust m F5. sovms very similar to the uoderlying'G' comptes, oxcept that the dones were come Io be stacked, then the super surface must climb, tad the erg deposits
somewhat larger. Teoaghx indicalo ceetcoutic dunes, which probably were oblique by summer winds to the south and only vlighdy modified by winter oblique wtnds
features loaned in a variable wind regime. to the southwest, Complexes above surface 2 are interprendas deposits of small-to separated by super sarfaces are contemporaneous featuren. Clearly, the mechanics
moderate-size, oblique, simple to compound ceescentic dunes formed m a wind of deposition apply to both migraling dones/datas anillo done fields and ergs.
't' COMPLEX
regime still dominated by summer winds to the south, bat mock more strongly
'it' COMPLEX Sur/ocr features
modified by winter oblique winds thaI were more variable.
Droci'iption Deoo'iptiox Given these broad changes and other differences from compleu to complex
upward in the section, changes in the overall condtttont must br occurring with The peomixent bounding surfaces between complexes of the Page Sandstone are
The upper 3 1075 w of the study outcrop toca a point cousintiog of two tower time. linlerpreling the sequence as the deposits of a stogie erg means that the dunes distinctive becaase they are marked by frataoes such as silty red beds, polygonal
A thin (ito 25 ix) soqneoce of three sots (Hl to W) near the top of the study
thin tots (Il, 12) and thick sel (13) that constitute the 'f' complex resting opou tad draas chauged throsgb time, oe possibly different parts of the same erg (with Iractuees, corrugation, breccias, and concretions thaI are absent leom surfaces
ootcrop forms the 'H' complex sittialed bxtweon surfaces 6 aud 7 (Fig. 2). Hi tod
H3 consist almost entirely of wiad-tspple taminae, with Hl defioiog a trough on the surface 7 (Fig. 2). Sot ti has breo truncated such that only wind.tipple Iamivae different bedfornt types) migrated over the area, Both are reasonable interpreted as first'ordee sarfaces. Some features on the Page surfaces such at
sooth watt. 112 shows thin graieflow sIesta (1102 cm) at the top of the sot passing remain, but in tots 12 and ¡3. grainflow strata pass downward into wind-apple interpretations. Alternately, if the complexes repensent genetically distinct ergs and corrugations, beeccias, and red beds (os well as features on prominent surfaces
croxx'slrata. Orainflow strata range from 2 cm in 12 to 25 to 4 cm duck m ¡3. dune fields, then one might etprct them to be different. However, this need riot elsewhere sachas rooted horizons) cao form in inteedane er interdraa areas ocena
downward to tangential wiod-ripple latoinae, On the southeast wall, H2 strata
Cyclicity is very similar to the xnderlying complexos, with repettlions spaced 30 to xeoossaeity happen, and indeed wosld only be expected to ocote 'il dissimilar sopee surface. For other features such as polygonal fractures m sand or soil rones, it
define a troogh. Mean cross-strata dip direction is 168'. Cycles very xet,tse to those
50cm. Formel dip dirrctions across the small outcrop range only aboot 10' aboof a conditions existed before and alter the depositionat hiatus represented by the super is not yet known how long a period of time is required for their formation end
in the 'G' complex occur, to westward tracing, the 'H' complex is essentially whether their presence is wore indicative of a saper ssrfaco. Features on the
coslined to the study oatcrop (Fig. 3). osean of 150'. sarface,
/
chsrrgn in nolion dopooirioo with o mmkod inoneme in wiod-ripple Isminorod onoto. Their Itrsckentog of laminan. and au iscreour in Ihr peoporlion of the coarse mode, Ibis
oboodooce poobobly iodicorna moon vorioble winds, ond rhirr ronulomororea of iorendunol The Ask structure in covered by a twa-dimessiunul seismic grid, which is portly
dolomiln narro ougaerrpnoiodiusllyrnnrcondirinna. This dcpooiri000l soir nonios in rhiokonss
Islhofacienpanses mb sho second type of wisd-eipplr laminaard sand (Swe3, Fig. 3h).
In Ihm and portly 8.5 nO.5km. Recnotlent lines fora there-dimensional survey show Coarse lamsnae are uuw tabular over srveeal decimeters, Ihn masiwuw OstonI visible
byaboor 100%, wirh rhick sonso c00005pondiorg ro thesrockeddnpoaira ofalipionolosadrasand
thin sorso ro atuckod inmeodoorr. Dono stipfaca sondo within the door nccowolorions sor ,
a nnmbnr nf events within the 150-te 500-or-thick Rolliegend succession, the Itholy in core from u hifhly deviomod well. AI srdimentuey dips v20°, Ibnse millimeter-to
erionrorod rowsad tho oser sod csrmor frs noorolsred moo hrmdoods of momos bnrwonn mollo in erigios of which mill be discussed toree. Thirty wells have bnen drilled al spocings of cesrimeter-Ihick c0000e laminuo can be difficalr ru distinguish from thin sandflnw
ac0000-w'mddimnrion. Unir2conruimnarillganarnrpropoorionnfwind-rippinlamirrsredrsudo 70m 103.6km, Ihn Rollirgrnd oil prnducersbeing400 10600m apart. There ma min strata, parlicularly when color bleaohrd or oil stained. SoIh of these coarse types uf
rndwarorlsindnpnsiro. lrogoomnnyiadominoredbyalaogodnpoairi005lmourrd..7lorrocroas NORTHERN PERMIAN BASA of vertical appraisal wells and deviuteddevelopmenl wells at angles of np 1061° (from
wind.S7mrlriok,nndthinningro tomininadjocnnriarrnodonna. Themoundislocorrdnhonn veetiral) through she reservoir. All wells huyo modem suites nf wiertise logs (wheen
se inlnrdonsl thin nf nnir3. Snnooal intnonola ni dono sod probably dnao slipfocn sondo occor mechanically feasible) and eight have 0IDT dipmelees. A setal of 823 mob core has
whore rho mound io thicknor, sodo diolincrino body of fion-gooinnd oolisrr sondo munrlos irs 4H born cutis 13 wella (Fig. 2), the roen beiog geoerally of Ihe upper, nil.beaeing part
noothon, Book, Tho oppon000r noir )l Woioalingnnd) comprima roarnolsio msos.flow sarda AUKVa Ç'i°N '1(NGKØBING\
of Ihr Rorlingond succession. Fourteen years of field perfuemuace und pressure dota
thar psorislly iofill iornrdonol lows und appose ro aepraonrrr reworking of o loogoty sboedoond am available.
nrg byosinworor. tor000alorrdorgroic-oichshal005nddolomiroscnnmniniardicanionsof
ovopooiriccondilioars,doaiccorioo, anddoflarion md yieldno rnidoncn ofmmino bonos. Thn MID NORTH sea rrisri
succroding monino Zoclrorrio goorly iouodarnd osms'oriog ropogosphy. 'i,.
The norms were deseribod, depth matched to wierline logs, and eelian and wateoluin
litbnfaeies distinguished on the bonis of lithology, grain sire, Sorting, lamination
Tho dincovery in Ihn 1960m oflargovolomen (mony tonnof trillion oubic fort) of gon thickness, sedimentary nteuctuees, und sedimentary dips (TIbIe t). Many of the
lrapped in Rotlingond sandnt000 reservoirs in the Nnrhootands ond the southorn North lithofacies ore only o few derimeters Ihick and at a scale too fine for the ultimare aim
Snaprovided a major impnron lo rlody dosoelnodimeoru (Glonnin, 1972,1986). Beood nf correlating over hundrods of melero between wells. A more uypeupeialn reurrsuir
-.--.. .5i-6.1 breakdown man achieved by grouping rotated lithofacies into genetic types of
helm of flrroial, eoliarr, nabkha, and locuntrine doporirr worn noon rrcogoined in tho rS Oque rua
Sourhern Poomian Bann and hayo remainnd on important aspect of thai gos play vedimens body (Table 2). Pollewiag calibration to wirelino logs ard with likely
(Fig. t). Smultor q005litins of oit )honrlrrdn of millions of bnnrntn) worn also Ar
dimensions nf sediment bodirn asd hounding surfaces from the liberatore, some nf
e500ant000d in similar Rotliegend onnorvoirn of the Noorhoro Premian Borin in finido those features could be cornolated and the rosoevoir subdivided. These subdivisions
0 0, conform with production und pressure data asd thus repeenenl meaniogfsl fluid-flow
Sachar Ank and Angyll. LONDO5
B R4B8NT
ETMERLANßS
Many of thorn fields wrrr dincovorod mrd developed prior to Ilse reoert surge is ,roro units, Reservoir thickness aod quality were them mapped for these usiss.
interest in nolion sndimontology, ond publishnd desrriptions boor gone no fuelhnr than Lirhofucizo
Ihn identification of h000d facirs ossociations (e.g., dune top, dare base. wadi. etc.). runs suso nemeo Loor _____ oL/rnosrvvoL
Nevnrshnlesn, on abundance of seismic, corn, wireline log, and renorvoir-moniloeing Whereas the malertain lithofacien ace descriptive and readily recognizable,
dota hove boon acquirnd for those subsuefaco accumulations 1h01 offer addirionat rar. cr0555 crotone orLrreLos idenlificalion of the rolian lithofarien wamranrs discussion. The lilhofucies arr based
pornpeclivnnon Ihr archilectaro of eolias deposits lo Ihr typon ofnhservariosn that cao on the occurrence of distinctive forms nf enlian stratification produced by mond
be modn form outcrops. For onamplr, the goons geometry of the Rollingend ro kovmvI ornavo _.L__. [5:50:55 Mouve rsucyn Major orn rrrcmn I) avalanching down adune slipfuco (sandflow vr grainflow), 2) overshooting a dune
increasingly mappable from seismic surveys: corns give cantinuoun sequences of cress and accumulariog from motion in the lee of the bmah of slope (graisfall), or
stralification typos ovne hundreds of mntnrs; many writ logs traverse the whole rlrnorl Flu. 1.Mop Isuating the Ank nil Bold goographirolly and rrlatioe to the major 3) migratingeveorhe sedimonlsaefaceaswindripptes (Hunter. 1977,1981; Frybrrgee Fis. 2.Top Rotlirgend depth map of Ank field boxed osi nziomir and molt
accumulation and allow ils constitunnl parts lobo disringuinhed; dipmelren provide gas fields atIbe Southern Premian Basin; based nno rsmhinaltnn of f'rgorrn trsm and Schenk, 1981; Kocurek ondDolt, 1981). FigureS showa representative examples control, The nilwalrr esntart (limit otgrren shading) ranges from un denp as
Glroaaie (1906). Regional puleowinds arr tenso Ihn northwest in the Nartborn of these types of tteatification from Auh field. Theireecognition in cere is not always 2r362 m nuhsea ja. BlorIs 3, In 2r347 m n000 moch nf Block 2, to an shallow an
Fermion Ballo and tenso the northeast in the Srmnthern Permian Basin (Glennin, eaSy; they ore most clear in cores from vertical wells, stabbed p000llel to manimom 2r316 min the northern purl of Bloch 2 and Bleak 1. Tbr pssmibte reasons for Ibis
Poeaenrsdthran: Prrrolorror D000lopmnnr Omar. P.O. Bon 81. Morcar, Solrnrsrr of Omar.
1983). dip, whom sedimentary dips ran be gouged wide seme corlainly. There in negligible sariatino are disoasned in Ihr tent,
WATERLAIN WATERLAIN Seven genetic types uf sediment bodies cao be recognized: eolias, I) slipface,
2) dune apean, 3) nm-angle stratified, and 4) s fine-grained moociation; and
Sm Massive sand, very fine to Homogeneity, upward fining Ftsviatile Estraformational X Law porosisy, high gamma ray waserl ais, 5) fluvialile esseaformational cooglamerates, 6) mass-flow sands and
estrafor- cnnglamrrutrs intrafoesnatianal canglamerutes, und 7) lacaoteiae abaleo and dolomites. All are
distinctive in core and, importaot is the subsurface where the majority ofdevelapment
Faintly stratified sand, mm-dm horizonlal canglomer- melts arr not cured, have recognizablr winelinc-log signatures reflecting their
Sfs
stratification differing mineralogies, purenilies. und stratification (Table 2, Pig. 4).
very fino to fine
Deformed sand, very fine em-dm disturbances, loads, Moan-flow Massive sonda, Sm, Sfs Scattered dips and nzimaths, folios-Sediment Bodies
Sd intercalated abates and
to fine, silty flames, overfalds sands and stratified sands, Sd, Se,
intrafor- inteaformationat C intraformalional conglamer- Stipface drposils c000ist uf fisc- so medium-graised, well-sorted, sasdflow eroso-
Current-ripple cross-laminated Clirsbieg ripples, gray sill mational cooglamcrales aten wish high gamma ray and atralified sands (Pig. 5u and b). Individual sandflows are cIta 6cm thick and are
Sr shaly density-nestron separated by millimeter- Io decimeter-thick gruiofall depasits. Slipface sands are
sand, very fine to fino, silty deapea conglamor-
separation, spward.fining relatively rare within the cored wells, and because of their high porosities they are
Intraformutional conglomoraten Gray, angnlar dolomite clastn poorly recovered or heavily oit stained. Inseevals of these sands vary from a few
C decimeters to saverio tens of melees thick, and they predominate droper within she
Lamioalod shale, clay sa five Gray, mm-em horizontal Lacnslrine Laminated shales, FI, D High gomma ray, lamar Roltiegend succession. At least same uf the thicker irtervals appear tobe composite
FI
abaten and dolomites extremely lam porosity alackaofslipface deposits. Sequrscrsof these sandson a scaleof Sto 10m cammanly
dolomites decrease upward ir porasity and permeability. Sedimeosary dips commonly thaw
Gray, laminated, vnggy, Rapidly swinging dips, sameroas low-angle truncation surfaces, atsd an association surprising vertical consistrecy in azimuth uver sens of motzen but show significant
D Dolomite
nofosniliferous mind-ripple deposit are subcrisically climbing translatent strata and rarely show wish graisfall deposita are charuclerissic. The grain tizo 5f this litttafacios in variability far the same stratigraphie interval between melts (Pigs. 4 and 6).
ripple.foreset crass-lamination (seems of Hanter, 1977). The third variety of wsnd- comparable with that of the coastal-dune sands from which Huster (1977) first Dune-apron nandsarecamposed largely of millimeter- to censimeter-thick, courue
Pebbles of basalt, sein quarta, ripple laminated sand isfine grained und consists of millimeter. to centimeter-lhtck comprehensively described basic types of ratian stratification ard with that of the wind.ripple strata and are characterined by npwaed.atrrpening sequences of
X Enlraformational conglomerates sedimentary dips (Figs. 4 and 5h). Thicker sand laminan are oil stained se calor
laminar, which are distinctively inversely graded (Ssrr2, Fig. 3e). Bath sah- and sands used by Prybergre and Schenk (1981) in wind-tunnel esperimenta on
supercritically climbing translatent strata occur, the latter insets apte 30cm thick. stralificatian. bleached when they occur above the field ail-mater contact. Gane-apean deposits
-
of wind ripples on sleeper slopes (Hunter, 1977, 1981: Fryberger and Schenk, 1981: normally barren "Early" Fermion Rotliegend (Thee Schnsodcr, pens. commun.).
Kocarek. 1986: l-lavholm and Kocarek, 1988).
Where tow-angle stratified sands are thicker thon a meter or so and widely
correlotuble, they are interpreted an sandsheet deposits, and where thinner and lets
retentive, at dry inlerduse deposits (Ahlbeandt and Fryberger, 1981: Kocurek.
1981b). Corerlation also reveals Ihick localized areas nf (stacked?) dry interdunr
deposits, in keeping with indications nf is-phase deaa (i.e., an incomplete bedform
coser, dan lo limited sand supply?). These it no evidence in the AsIc cores of the Fits. 6.Rann diagrams thawing thr azimuths nl stipfaur dips (gram oc acrid: mid
irregularly laminated silty sands widely present in Ike Rottiegend of the Southern Schlumberger HDT dipmetern rau in water'basrd mud). Dipmeter peacrssing .1
varien nnmrwhat, bat alt basr short cnrrrlalinn intervals and strp distaucrs
asnass
Permian Basin and interpreted atmet iaterdune and sabkho deposits (Glennie, 1972:
Martin and Evans, 1988). Their absence indicates accumulation ut Aok above the (1.3 n 0.6 rn In 1m). Thr retaIls have bren filtered aniuf a 22 ta 29v windaw In
ground-water table. salent nlipfavn dips. Stipface arirulalionn are generally Inward Ihr east in amt
The interpretation nf the finc-gtained association is ant entirely clear, its major 3(a) and Ihr nanthrast in null 4(b). The variability brtwarn tame wettn in nuit 3
chozacterislivs being fine grain size and predominant occareraer toward the lop of the is unnsidrrabtn; cf. Figarrs 4 and 8.
Rotliegend in the narthern part of the field. Possibly this represents o localized area
of fiar-grained sand nf the sort illustrated by Wdnon (1972, 1973). Ihn conditions for sand accumulation within an erg, first- und second-order surfacrs at Ank. No conventional core han beet taken of these intervals. and their
From the data compiled in Toble 3, it teems lImaI sets nf trough cross-strata resulting feem the migration of dana and dunes, respectively, and third-order surfaces characteristics are known only faam slices cut from the borehole wall (MCTa),
representing date deposits hove widths of tens ta hundreds of meters and lengths recording local chosges is the morphology of dran or done Ice slopes. Bounding sidewall samples, und log response (Tobte 2). Cores of equivalent canglomeraten in
(downflow) of hundreds of melera. Dean occomulalinna wilt probably be a tilde surfaces are commonly observed in cores and aro evident on dipmrter logs (Fifa. 4, weIt 29/25-1, neme IS kw soulhwent, consist of decimeter. to meter-thick beds nf
thicker und have widths of hundreds of melcas to kilometers and even geratet lengths, Sand 8), although in isolation their sifnificanco in difficult to interpret. The degree stratified cauglomeraten ueparoled by thinner inteebeds uf horizontally stratified
slipfaceless droobeingeeprcsenlcdbyacosetofdune scts.Within such trough-shaped of change is lithafacies, grain size, dclritat composition, style of cross-stratification, pebbly sands.
accumulations, slipface sands form aleas, elongate downflow, occopying nome or and pzle000m direction across auch frutares in probably an indication nf order and
much of the trough fill, undoer underlain by wind-ripple sIrota (Fig. 7). Inleeduse likely dimensions (cf. Miall, 1988). Giver sufficient well density, regional and many Mano-flow sands und introformnasional conglosnerotez vary from 0.3 ta 47 m io
(inlerdroa) deposits are likely to have across-mind widths of huntheda of meters und first-order aurfaces should be corcelutable. thickness and occur most commonly at the top of Ore Ratliegrsd immethatety
underlying the marine Zochatein (Figs. 4 and 8-10). Massive and defurmed tanda Fin. 7.luterprrtnd geamrtry nf the depanils ata Iran sverse sl'tpfaceless dma
calend for kilometers downwind, whereat nundtheets commonly hase dimensions of migrating 1mm left ta right, The relative scales at dann drpnsitm lathe draa are
many kilometers (Ahlbsandt and Frybeeger. 1981: Kacueck, lOSlb, 1986: Kocurek Wuterlain Sediment Bodies occur widely at this horizon and are commonly referred to an the Weinsliegend
(Glennir and Baller, 1983; Glennie. 1986). Where the base of this interval has been enaggeratrd fer clarity, dane dnpnnitn having widths nf Inns In hundreds nf
und Nielson, 1986). metern and draa dnpasits widths nf hnndrnds of metres In kilameters. Dann
Bounding surfaces between sets and concIs of cress-strata arr prominent in many Fluviutile eatraformatiasal congloeteruteo contais nubangutar to nubrounded cored in Ank, the boandasy in sharp and the waarnlain deposita rest conformably on,
pebbles nf basalt, vein quanto, metasediments, and sedimentary lithologics in amarais nr onlap, notion strata (Fig. 9a). Massive sands Occur in units apto 6m thick andare (scanr pit) nier and the proprrtian nf slipface depnniln within the tmnagh trIs teem
large outcrops nf eolias sandstones and hase became important features in their
of fine ta medium noed. These conglomerates, -15m thick, have be en encountered na homogeneous that coses fram deviated welts hnnak perpendicular la the core avis likely ta increase from Ihn margins la Ihn center nf Ihn dma, Twa caseta nf tu.
interpretation (e.g., Brookfirld. 1977: Kocurek. l98tb, 1988; Loope, 1984b: Tatbot,
atlhe base of the Rotliegend is two of the four complete penetrations of the saccensian rather thon following any incipient stratification (Fig. 9b.d. und f). Matasse sands are phann draa deposits arr ilinsleated, separated by a first-andre boanding narfacn,
1985). There are probably regional (or super) sarfaccs, reflecting major changea in
t,
Clrmmensen Comic Perm. Trough Dunes os g_1-1g >20 >50 <7 Discussion und likely dintensiono ofwatzrtais oedimens bodies.Waierlain soute
and Abraham- ntipfaceless arr commonly associated with and cap eolias fermationn (see Eschner nod Kocurek,
ses (1983) than 1988, for enamplen). The interval of waterlain strata at the top of the Rolliegend of
Steele Yellow Peas Troogh Denen 05 4-6 40_60 Auk has aImons all of the features of the Weissliegend described from Poland and the
>80 >8
(1983) longìludinal Southern North Sea. Notable differences are the dominandy red color of the Ank
drus deposits, escept where stained or bleached by hydrocarbons, and the presence of beds
of dolomite and intraformstionat conglomerate. The massive and stratified sands
Loops Cedar Perm Trosgh Dunes? >1-17 3-100 have been considered reworked by waves during the Zechstein transgression
2-3
(1984a) Mesa . (Glennie, 1972;Jeraykiewicaandothers. 1976; Blaszcayk. 1981; Nemec andPorebski,
1981) or deformed and homogenized by escaping trapped sir (Gleusie and Baller,
Carrathers Gallymore 1983). Similar deposits intercalated with eolias strata deepens the succession bene
Dey. Trough Dunes on 03-15 10-cOO 10_>l50 >8
(1907) xli faceless been interpreted an fluvial, or the resalta of earlier incursions of the Zechntein seo
(Gtennie, 1972; Nemec and Poeebski, 1981).
drau
The occurrence of current-ripple crosn-laminated sands and beds of shale,
dolomite, and inteaferteational conglomerate in critical to the interpretation of the Orvalle Sedinenr Bodies
Weber De Chelty Perm Trough 3-11 9_oSSO
(1987) - .
Ank deposils as waterlain. These features and the sharp und locally onlapping base
of the Weissliegend preclude an origin by the homogenizalion of dune sand in the f SL la N waTERLAIN
Lindquist Nugget Jar manner envisaged by Glennie and Baller (1983). Similarly, the absence of marine Matelas MatS-FLOW
Trough 9 >20
(1988) _ . _
1
-2 patynomorphs, nhelly fasnu, bioturbation (escept immediately beneath the
cute senne - sTrATIFIeD Mann - etna
Ftc. 8.Wirrlinr log characteristics si wateelain srdimrnl bodies. Note the Lors - sesto snWaTlrlEn
'Range of mean widths. scattered dips and azimuths nf the waterlaie Wrisslirgend intreval nnmpared
with the srdrerd patteras nf the aetdrrlyie.g reliait sands.
Cosuinaed on page 50
117496
-IO
117505
20- -20
117413
117425
30 - B 30
40- -40
50- -50
60- -2 2 60
nj
nj 117666
117675
70- -70
60 -80
BASE
90- -90
-3 a BAS d e BASE 3-
concentrated flowsthe scveral-metcr-thick upward-fining soq000ers ropreseotiog Figure 11 crony plots core porosity and permeability meanurementn and clearly
events of some magnitude. The laminated skates 0x4 dolomites are likcly to be Ihr shown that reservoir quality varies wish she genetic typex of sediment bodies and
deposits of temporary inserduval lakcs, and the intraformarional conglomeratrs the hence in related te the dominant types of stratification (Table 2). Diagenexiu
outcome of reworkisg of such carbonate-rich sediments (McClure. 1978; Talbot. subaqueous, ulbeil marine, mass flows for several kilometers in outcrops of the boxai generally scemo to hase emphasized the inherent differexcox in porosity and Flu. 11,Cross plots nf ail Ihr core porosity and premeakility measurements
1980; Lancaster and Toller, 1988). The occurrcsco of probable deflation surfaces, Corhs Fermauen (Upper Jurauxic) is northeastern Utah. Probably greater centisoity permeability that rexull from deponitinoal testeo (grain sire, sorting, packing, and from the Rottiegrnd of Ask grouped per genetic type of sediment body. Ellipses
desiccation features. und indications of rvaporioic conditions cuy be explained by can be assumed for totoedunal shalos and carbonaten thax for iodividual mars-flow thickness of lamination). Similar findings have been reported for other desert rrpeesent one standard deviation from Ihr means (indicated by dots). Stalistics
suck a subaerial interpretation. sands. McClure (1978) dexceibed Quaternary lake deposits that entend along sandstones (Nagtegaal. 1979; Lindquisl, 1983, 1988; Goggin and others, 1986; arr arithmetic for porosity and geometric for permeability. In (h) the enlias data
Individual mass flown seem likely to have 0x10015 of only a few tens te hundreds interdunat corridors ever many kilometers is tke Rub al Khuti of Saudi Arabia, and Chandler and others, 1989). arr shown dotted for comparison with the watertain dala. The porosity caloffs
of meters, although there are few data lo support this covclusion. Slacks of these Kocurok (198th) traced a thin interdunal shale drope over noveraI kilometers in the The best reservoir properties occur ix dune stipface saods, where the combination of 16 and 21%, which approsimately divide the geonps of data, were nsed asan
deposits flanking and partially isfitting inlerdunal troughs will ho more widespread Entrada Sandstone of Ulab. Dimensions of a few hectares have hers recorded for of medium graix tiro and good sorting resalta in high perme abilities (Fig. 125). A aid in identifying the types of srdimrnl bodies from nicotine logs fnr wells and
(Grudeinoki and Jeezykiewica. 1974; Bigarella, 1975; Talbot und Williams. 1979; recent and ancient interdunat carbonates (Haoley and Steidtmano, 1973; Feyberger, largo tufty form of authigenic kaolisite is the majorreducer ofpermeability in slipface intervals where there is no core. The cutoff values in.sitn are 0.98 times the
Blanzcayk, 1981). Euckser und Kocurok (1986) could follow amalgamated aoitu of 1979; Lancaster and Teller. 1988). dryoxitx in Auk. An observed by Liudquist (1988). the bell properties nf slipface atmospheric ones (Philip Lafeher, pers. enmmun.(.
/
r)
lamina of the mm-cm eoaroe wind-ripple strata, which predominate in dune- ql Rotliegeod reals os Drvonioo or older strato (Glennie. 1986). At Aals Ihr Devosian
apron deposits. Tafty kanlinite (geay-btack) visible io inteegeanalar porro of the
coarse lamina. Well 30/16-ISA, Swe3, 7,949.4 f1,0 17.8%, k 20 md. )c) mm coarse
041' '0/ was tilled -4' Iv the oouthwert, probably away from the newly formed Ceonal
Gruben. The earlinul Rotliegend deposito (reservoir unit 5/me this entraformutionul
o conglomerates encountered by some wells (30/16-1 and -S) and absent from olhers
wind-ripple strata typical of tow.angle stratified sands. Here the coarse lamina
is there grains thick and cemented by dolomite. Note the himodatity of these o (30/16-5 und -9; Pigs. 14 and 15). Their patchy distribution is posoibly the result nf
sands and the lack nf size grading within theeoaesesteatnm. Well 30/16.9, Swel, Ihn infilI of small.scale lopogruphy. These matecluin sediments indicate weller
elI_IS
7,958.1 fI, 015.1%, k 1.2 md. (d) Sands of the fine-grained association showing climatic canditi005 during Ose Early Rotliegend, no is also commonly observed in
their clay mineral-rich character and obvious secondaey porosity from the deposits of Ihr Southern Feemian Banjo.
dissolution of framework grains. Welt AllA, 9,956 ft. Swr2, 024%, k 1.04 md. Sands uf rvverset'r unit 4 overlie either Ihese basal conglamrrates or Ihr Devonian,
o mach of the unlay of the Devosiun being accomplished daring this period (Pig. 14).
(e) Massive wateelain sand with open inteegranular pores. Grayish matrix is of
aothigenic kaotinite and nsiceoebomhie dolomite. Well 30/16-tI, 8,958.1 f1, Sm, Tb ore is sa care nf Ihone sediments, au they generally occur below the nil-waler
023%, k 13 md. (f) Thin section of a dolomite clatI from an intraformational contad of the field. Prow the core-to-log calibration established higher in Ihr
conglomerate. The laminations are organic and are peobably algal. The blue nocceuvion, Ihey appear Io consist of stacked coItan slipfuce lands oriented toward Ike
epoxy-filled vngn are possibly after evaporile minerals. Well A06, 9.243.5 ft. 100lbeaut (Fig. Ob).
Photomiorographs by Dorothy Payne of Badley, Ashtsn and Associates. The deposits of reservoir uniI 3 sepreneol a significant change in depositional
conditions, with a considerably increased proportion of wind-ripple laminaled strato
and a shift in the average orientation of slipfucov loward the east (Table 4, Pig, ka).
The sandshret at Ihr base of the unit is the SmI prominent tight internat above Ihn
porous sands of unit 4 and is readily iderlifind in musI wells that penetente thaI deeply
isla the formation (Figs. 14 and 15). Unit 3 varies io thickness between 55 and
Thc Rollicgesd at Auk comprises o large wedge.ohaped accumulation tIsaI thins 104 m over the arno nf the field und sermo Io c005iot of kilometer-wide "Ihieko"
from 500m io Ilse west ro 150 mio the east (Fig. 13). The genetic sediment bodies containing nlipface strata separated by "dries" hundreds of meters wide dominated by
eecogoired i n cores were interpreted from wieelioe logo for the wells and intervals law-angle stratified sands. These appear Io correspond to stacked dean und inlerd000
where there in no core. Thin was accomplished nnisg the porosity cutoffs of Fra. 13.Simplified lotal Rotlirgrnd tbieknrns map based on well control and (interdrau) drpasits, with some remount lupogrophy preserved brnealh the overlying
Fignre Il and the ether chaencteeiolicn tinted in Table 2. Above the locally developed seismic data. Mach of Ihr eastward thinning is due lo ontap onto a tilled regional bounding surface. Slipfaee intervals arenal correlulable over dislancen of
basal estraf000alional conglomerate, wireline logs show a stepped, npwnrd incwane Devonian substrate, and some results from leancation peine tu the deposition of a few hundred meters isa cross-wind dicectieo und ore interpreted sodann deposits
in gamma ray and a decrease in porosity through the remainder of the Rotliegeod the Upper Crrtacrous chalk. Locations of eroso sections (Figs. 14-17) are shown. on stipfuceless doua (Pig. 16). Withoal better roce coverage of uniI 3. it is hazardous
segneoce, rellecting marked changes in the proportions of the different generic types so interpret furlher Ike thick, stocked slipfuce intervals represented in Pigures 4 and
of sediment body. The steps are prominent is most welts and are interpreted te 8. The increaund abundance of wind-ripple laminated 0usd ujO unit 3 probably relledla
represent regional honoding sarfaces nod overlying snsdsheotn that separate distinct bounding surfaces at the boses of units 2 and 3 probably have a topography of their more variable winds. Thin dulowilic iotruformoli000l covglomcrutes are preseel in
episodes of desert sedimentation (cf. Kecorek, 1988; Lisdquisi, 1908). The change own rather than being hocizoolal (Fig. 16; cf. illustrations is MeClare, 1978; Tathol, cree and evident os wieclise logs, particularly toward Ihn lop of ihn interval. They
le predamiorotlp waterlaio deposits at the top nf the Rotliegeod io a further 1985). Interpolation wan therefore likely to he gnessivg, and a consistent sahsra require periodic welter conditions Io form the i010rduoul carbovules and suboequrotly
subdivision, obvious is cores but sot always so readily identifiable from logs. That, datum for coeretalivn seemed preferable (Pigs. 14 sod 15). Remnuot lapography os torrado, transport, and depoail them.
five reservoir units can be established whose correlativo in illautealed by panels these surfaces may acc000l for some of the variability in dip and azimuth shows by Is corn, Ihr boundary between units 2 usd3 io marked by soveml connu of bleaching
orientated approximately dowowivd (went to east) and across wind (noelh.northmest different intervalo of low-angle stratified sands, In such cases, these seenot the sIcura of the red sandstones, prenumubly related to luter IhrOaghflOw of reducing waters.
lo south.00alheast) for Ihr oil.beaeivg intervals (Pigs. 14 and 15; the norohering of from which ta estimate structural dip, an would oormolly be the approach of a The boundary io readily picked from lags where the basal sandnheel of noiI 2 overlirn
asilo from top downward is cooveotiooat for reservoir studies). geologisl corking with eolias rcsvreairu. stipface atrulu, bat is mere difficult lo locate when it rests on wind-ripple laminated
The choice of a datum for thsplaying the correlation mss by no menes easy because Inonderas reconstruct the likely depositiosal architecture at evd.Rolliegnod time, strata. II is these cosleusln in rutian deposits bolwron nlipfacr ounds with porosilies
neither Ute overlying Kupferuchirfer (Baue Zechsteio, Fig. 2; known elsewhere to summary sections were prepared using the midpoint of unit 3 osadatum IO smooth any of-25% and low-angle stratified sands (oandsheets) with purosilirs of-I3% thaI urn
drape ropography; Blaszczyk, 1981; Steele, 1983) vor the Oase Chalk oecooforroily effecls oftepographyon Ike usit'sbasrortop (c.g.,Fig. 17a). Anumberofistereatiog probably the origins of reflections wilhin the Rotliegend seesen roceol seismic lines.
are likely lo represent horizontal planes. Working panels were prepared axing Ihr features are highlighted: I) Ihe several.hilomrter-wide mound of unit 2.2, around These should be essentially continuous for the units 3/4 boundary and correspondas
promineel base of unit 3 aso datom, bot, as this iront penetrated by alt wells, some which are despoIl the fine.grainrd saoUl of unit 2.1 and she walerlaio deposits of concentrations ef dune slipfnce deposits (cestero of doua') for Ihn units 2/3 boundary.
interpolation was necessary. In describing cores from wells A06, AO6A, nod uniI 1; 2) three areprobably same 60m of relief on Ihr Kupferscbiefer, and 3)uv much If Ihm proves to be the cour, under favorable circamnlancen regional bounding
30/16-2, which are only 220 la 240 m apart, it become apparent Ibas rhe regional as 75 m of erosion locally at the Buse Chalk avconfonoity. The end-Rotliegend surfaces and areas of goad-quality evoervoir muy be mopped from seismic data.
.
AOl 30/16.9 30/16.5 E
* *
NNW
* * * s s
E*fiAFOMAL
L
.._s.a .._s,
Anatomy of an eolian reservoir 53
NW SE
AO6 30/16-2
Foc. 16.Correlation of three closely spaced cored wells that are orientated
approximately across wind. Logs are displayed at true vertical thickness and
annotated in reel (TVD = troenertical depth). The variation is thickness ofunits
2.2 and 3 over short distances soggests that their basal bounding surfaces were
not planar horizontally hot possessed a remnant depositional topography. The
lack of correlatabilily of slipface sands implieo slipfaces ofdooe rather than draa
origin. Wells A06 and AO6A were drilled in t9g4 and 1985 after considerable
production from the overlying Zeehstein. RFT (Repeat Formation Tester)
pressures in the Rotliegend of these two wells lag behind those of the depleted
Zechstein, ando pressure differential sf414 kPa (60 psi) was present across the
low-angle stratified sands atibe base of nuit 2.2, indicating that these form an
extensive partial-pressure barrier. Line of section shown in Figure 13.
I the topography of the uppermost Rolliegend and its influence ou facies, frano the
Luhin copper mining area of southwest Poland (from Btaneceyk, t981). The
eolian highs are elongate, 0.510 1km wide, and have an approximute northwest-
southeast orientation. The iuterdunat lowo are xmoothed by an infitt ofwaterlain
strata und then draped hy the Kupfernchizfer (black) and thicker Zrehstein
(carbonate symhal). Line of section shown in Figure t3.
b,
The walerlain strata of uniti (Weisstiegend) are also draped around the underlying
mound (Pigs. 15 and 17). These deposits seem sa repensent an episode of mach melter
climate Inward ihr end of the Ratliegond, when sand slumped and was resabed from
highs saply infili isterdanal laws. Eutian activity nay rol have ceased rntirnly.
as indicated by Ihn probably deflated top of the intrafoemational conglomerate
illustrated in Figare 10h. These geseratty welter conditiann, possibly of lO'tS' years
duraliun by analogy with climatic fluctuations of Ihn similarly glacially driven
Quutcmary (McClure, 1978; Talbot, 1900), probably heralded the Zechstein
transgression.
/
RESERVOIR-ENGINEERING CHECKS ON addressed in this paper, as few trots wore performed on the marine sandstones. no kss Wasatch Formation
N
PREDICTIVE SEDIMENTOLOGY Daring tho course of field eopeeimeotation, individual sandbodien penetrated by (Tertiary)
JOHN C. LORENZ
NORMAN R. WARPINSKI
Dioinion 6253
the wellbores were isolated, stimulated with various types of hydraulic fradares,
tested for production both before and after ntimalation, and heavily instrumented
during stimulations and prodaetioo tensing (Northrop aod Feohne, 1990). Six zoom
were tested. Inlorferonce sesso, injection tests, and wrllboee-to-wrllboee moniloeing
4. Grand Hngbzek
(Unconformity)
Sandia National Laboratorien tests also were performed, aod au estensivo coring and geophysical togging program Ritt, Gap
Albaqarrqur, Nere Meoico 87185 complemented the subsurface lost data. MWX.3
fINTA Gartietd C
A set of went-northwent-seending natural fracturen greally complicates direct BASIN Fluvial s
application of the subsurface test resalto to interpretations of reservoir geometry.
mene fradares create a significant permeability anisotropy within the rnservoirn Rslixoe Fteld nu
G-
PAUL T. BRANAGAN (Beanagaoaodothrrn, 1985; Warpinskiandothees, 1987; Branagan, 1989; Lomna and E
CER Corporation others, 1989) and had lo be accounted for in assessing reservoir acial trends and nu
Lar Vegar, Nevada 89119 boandarirs from wrIt tests. The fruttare distribution, howrcoe, is itself directly
o
controlled bp different sedimentary heterogeneities created in the different ne
Arenasen The gromeeirn of nomvarine- odntooeeesreooes of the scbocntacr Meaaseade dopositienal environments (Loreoz aod Piolep, 1988, 1989). o
Geoup orthwr em Colorado teere estimatod on the bnais of ardimentologic stadien. The (Upper)
accuracy of the eatimatea wan aabarqaently macsand by geophyaical testa sod reservoir-
o
sa
engistaarmg ntodian, noch na neeticul aoinmiv profiles. hydoualic-fnuctuae diagooatica. C, Delta Plain 'ne
tente (deawdowrc5ruitdup, pnodoction, ned iotesferencr teats), nod Oaoen trata. After the rffecaa lt
MWX'2 w
ofuatalfsacseeaootheeesubaurfacoseatsarraccouxtodfor, theaestapnovideindicationsof (Lower) aa
nanersoir bouvdaoies. iuteooal hrtrengooeity. nod cooaiauity that are compatible with For purposos of stimulation-fractare design and calculations of releen oir volumes, sane
aodisoeotologic poedictiooe. il is useful to know the sizes and acial trends of lenticular reservoirs. At the time of 30n, ne
depouitioo of the distributary channels of the delta plain (oasstal and paludal zones), E
the shoreline of the pmgeading elastic wedge of Mesaveede strata had u norlb- u-
northeast trend (Warner, 1964). Howrser, disteibutary channels commonly radiate Pta. 1.Lamalina map nf tise Pieranee Basis atad the Maallisnetl Experiment Marine a
st
Three-dimensional sandbody size, shape, and orientation are not easy to define from the point of flosiul bifurcation, and knowledge of the paleogeegraphy dean not (MWX) site in the Rulisss gas field, northwestern Cnlsrado.
using dala from swo.dimensional outcrops and ace ever mote difficult to define nning allow defioition of she local trend of individast channels. Outcrop studien of these
ono-dimensional data (coro and geophyoicat logo) deeised feom weliboros. Thin papee strata along the noarbp Geand Hogbach (19 ken from the MWX site) suggest a variety
presents dala feom a cacefully cootoolted and documented tes of sabsarface of chansol orientationa and liars, but these upturned, vertical strata to sut form Mancos Shale
enpeeimontn, whore olonolp spoced wells and abundant downhole dala allowed a optimal oatcrnps for nedimenlologic studp. Additional surface studien serte therefore coulais maltinlzeird units and that arr peobably of relatively low sinuosity (Figs. 4
measure of eoreoboratioo of pee.dictioos of reservoir eometry made from surface cooducted in lenn disturbed Mesaverde strata near Grand Junction (Fig. 1), 51 kan and 5). Howrver, inlernut holerogeneities, such as clay dmpes, superimposed
and subsurface aedimentalogic studies. soatbwost of the Mtta'X site, where sandstone frnmetrirs could be moer readily sandstone beds of different grain size, carbonaceous zoner, tip-up clasts, and various
The dala diocussed bete ate from the Msttiwett Experiment (M'tVX). a project measured. combinations of these components, ame common (Fig. 6). Other sandstones enpoxed
landed by tho U.S. Dopoelmest of Energy foe the parposo of asseosing and A manimam-thiekoess to corrected-width relationship was constructed from is outcrop are ripple-bedded splay deposits that thin rapidly across lateral distances
developing lechoologies foe the extraction of natural gas from tow-poenseabilily outcrops by saing ceosn.beddtng ta indtcatr probable lens orientalion of these of a few hundreds of feel. Finally, outceopu demonstrate that the sandstone channels
rosrevoics (Northoop and Frohne, 1990). This project, with field activities from 1981 shoestring sandstones and by correcting the outcrop width foe probable lens moss commonly form discrete lenses, isolated within sbe inteebedded mndstonen and
through 1988. involved three closely spaced wells that penetrated reservoirs in the orientation (Lorenz, 1983). This produced the relationship sandxtrne width = 8.6v couts (Fig. 7).
Upper Ceetaceoun Mesaverde Group io the Piceance Basin of northwestern Colorada sandstone thickness'-' (in feel). The application of this relalionship lo the lhickncsses With these dota and 1he conceptoal sedimeotary modrl of a distribasary-chansel
(Pig. I). The threo wells. dosignated MWX-1, MWX-2. and MWX-3, mugo in depth of 11 individual sandstones observed io distributary channetu in the paludat and system onu della plais, isteepeetations of thr subsurface reservoirs were andretalsre.
feom 2,545 102,277 ne and ace areauged in a triangle with leg lengths of betwreo coastal-aone facies in the MWX wellbores predicts minimum widths of 25 to 165 m The data for these interpretations consist primarily of core material (commonly
33.5 and 65.5 mat depth. (minianam bvcause the maximum sandstone thickness may sot have been penetrated oriented) in the reservoirs of inlerest, nupplewented by duwnhote geophysical logs.
At the MWX site, the Mesaveede Group (Fig. 2) tien between depths of 1,310 and by the well). Reservoir heterogeneity mon in cero is similae so the frequency and type of
2,500 m. lt is composed of the Williams Fork and lles Formations, which intern ave Thin range of widths is supported by sandstone widths calculated from well-ut-welt lithologic discoetissitirs seen is outcrop. but sandbody asid trends are difficult to Fsu. 2.(A) Simplified stratigraphie entama attise MWX site, (B) (Fellewing
composed of the deposits of the seseeal different depositiooat eosieonments that coerrlatioo percentages, a technique based on she concept that wide lenses will entend determivr. If dore and geophysical logs indicate the lutemt Ihinning ola sandstone page.) Gamma.ray atad porosity logs from Ihr MWX.1 melI shnwing the
constituted a prograding elastic wedge (MeGookey avd others, 1972; Fig. 3). lo between two wells with a fixed spacing more commonly than wilt narrow tensen (sor in one welt, especially if a cbannol-fringe facies of ripple bedding and alternating stratigraphie and rnvirunmrntal suhdivininnn of the Mexaverde Grunp al Ihr
otratigraphic order, the sandstone-reservoir deposits include shallow-marine to wave. Lorenz and ethers, 198d). Correlation peecontages between the shrec possible sandntonrs and mudstoees is present in she core from that wrIl, the channel anis is MWX site. Some nf the sedimentnlogie characterinties of the different facies arr
dominated.shoeeline blanket sandstones, dotta-plain dinteibutary-channol sandstones pairings of the wells predict lens widths of 3010 150 an fee channel sandstones of the inferred tu trend subparallet to Ihe line between the other two wells, where thicker, apparent. Reservnir antans dexerihed in the text arr highlighted.
(designated "patadal" deposits where they aro interbedded with coals is the lower- patudal and coastal facies. main-channel cross-bedded sandstones arcar. Additionally, arienled cam and SHDT
delta plain, and "coastal" deposita in the overlying noncouly apper-dolta-plain Outcrop studien also indicate that althongh lateral accretion bedding can he (Schlumbregre's Inpee High-Resolution Dipmrtee TenI) data were used tu
interval), and mere comptes saodstonrn of fluvial meander belts (Lorena, 1989). observed locally, the channel sandutoorn of this facies are narrow lenses that do nos erconvtrods cross-bed azimuths, an approximate indicator of paleoftow and therefore
Covtisazd on paar 6m
6000 -
B. r)
o
or
o'
z
I
MWX-1 55
GAMMA- a
RAY POROSITY
DEPTH LOG LOGS O
55
C
o
55
4500 -
Anomalous
crossovers of the
I
55
porosity logs
indicate gas- - Hydrogen-rich/low-
bearing rather S - density coals show as
thao water- "high-porosity' aunes
saturated istorvals
7000-
ZONE4[
ZONE3 L
L
Sandstones have
low gamma-ray
;;
mudstoeos and ZONE2[ High gamma-ray Count
shams have high
5000 - gamma-ray Counts is probably duo 50
munazito (thorium-
boarieg) placer deposit
io beach facies
r
7500 -
Rollins Sandstone
Memhur : typical
coarsening-upward
progradational
I saedstone
f55
for -
ft Tongue of she
Mancos Shale
5500 -
Fining-upward
ZONE E sas doto ens
8000-
ZONE C Tosgue of the
Mancos Shale
S
ZONE B
f Corcoras Saedstnee
:- Membnr 2 beeches)
Mancos Shale
6000 - a Total -
(logs continue in depth:
column to right) - 8350 -
I
Position of Youngest Channel
9
I 4
3 9
2
9
(fractures not shown on this half) Position of Oldest Channel
Eroded
Away
25 ft
mudstone partings and discontinuities
8m in sedimentary structures
(no vertical exaggeration)
minor bedding planes
principal fractures
secondary fractures
í::
0145
30 o-
- .125
5150
reservoir sandstones:
0 t) Fatudat 000e 2 is inferred to be a channel of t70 m minimum width, ternding
northeast. The mais poet of the channel probabty rano through MWX-t, and ils
width entends to the noatheast, as only channet-fringe, levee splay-channel, cod
4-Dreh (10-cnr) overbank deposita were penetrated by MWX-2 cod MWX.3. The data are showo
A: mudslnne partings
B: zones nl siderite stasis
5 in Figore 9.
Patudal Zonen Sand 4 wren isotated by pockrrs is the weltborn ubove zone 4 and
hetow zooe 3 and then stimutaled ana single reservoir unit. They are therefore
C: zones of mudsinnentasts Core through nonreservoir described together here. They arc interpreted an a channel with a minimam width
D: carbonaceous zones (n rock not Shown of 110m treoding east-northeast (zoneS) and a splay of onkoown dimensions
E: eones Of oery flne-grained
sandstone sr stllstone - lo (eonr4) originating from achaoort trondingrast-soathoasland tocated somewhere
to thn north of the MWX site (Fig. IO).
batmeen sandstone > The coastal red cone (the different paladat reservoirs were identified hy oumbers,
canotai reservoirs by cotors, sad facial mormons by totters) consista of two
- IS superimposed ch005ets, the upper with a minimam width of 150 m wending
northeast, and the lower with a minimum width of 80m bending east-wont. The
upper channel has scoared dowo und is in erosional contact with the lower
ssndstonr in MWX-2 (Fig. 11).
SUMMARY The c000tal yellow none also in composed ef nuperimpesed channels, with
minimum widths of 60m (apper) and 90m (lower) cod with probable scendo of
g
TYPE OF DISCONTINUITY northwesl-southeasl und easl.noulhnanl. mspeclieety (Fig. 12).
A B C D E
loo
0
8
O.
>W
o o o o
Engineering trstdata is the patudat and coastal eones consist of deawdowsirhuildap
und interference testa, a bucee test, hydraatic-feacture diagnostics, poromechanical
O
WAS
W')
75
8
g
0
88 o
§
0
continuity, a vcriicat seismic profile, and initial eeseevoir.pmnssrc comparisons
(Table I). Well test data on islerwell conlinuïty were strongly influenced by the
horizontal penneability anisotropy (ranging feom 8:1 loas high us 100:1) previded by
thenalurutfraclares,andbythrllowcompartoventalizationrrsuttingfromhetemgrneitien
E 50 o O within the sandstone reservoirs.
E/O
O
0 9 Pressare Testing
s/c o
0 8 As interference test was conducted io paludol zones 3 and 4 (Pig. 10) by preducisg
25 o
o gas feom the combined eones is well MWX.l and monitoring pressures io Ihr
O o combined rones in wells MWX-2 and MWX-3. No clear sign of intreference wan
observed (Branagan and others, 1905). lolerfernncr tests were also conducted in Ihr
o o canned red and yellow zones (Figs. Il and 12), bat again no inlerforence was observed
o
(Branagan. 1989). Thin lock of interference can be attributed te facies heterogeooity
Frs. 6.Typen and distributions of heterogeneities as sees is core within the orto dir narrow, elliptical deoinage eones (canoed by the natural fractures) that entend
red and yellow sandstone reservoirs (see Fig. 2B for location) nf the coastal from MWX-1 wenl-northwnst und east.southcasl between the observation wells
(npper.drtta.ptain) facies. Such heterogeneities provide discontinsities in the without escompassing them. The possibility that the weilbores rncouoterrd separato
flow of gas through the sandstone as well as in the flow of gas through natural channels despite very close spacing is discounted, as nimilar 000interference patterns
fracturen. were seen io the much more esteonise sandstones of the underlying marine and
overlyiog fluvial zones and bccaase of cootinuity shown by Ihr tents described below.
Paludal
Zone2
Channel width
±170 rn, trend NE
- Two ncaehy
houndarien
elevated pore pressare created during the N5 injections: increased pore pmsnsres
decrease the net stress on the fraclorvs and result io greater fracturo permeability
(Warpnsski, 1989).
composed of tow-modulus mudstone (differencen in rock properties confumed by
numerous tests) would have absorbed the additional stresses rather than teannrnïtting
them.
Seismic Profiles
Vertical seismic profilen (VSP; Fig. IS) also meen run at the MWX site. Althoagh
the small tens sizes of mont renervoirs and the small impedance contrasts between At a depth of-1,830 m, the reservoirs change from lenticular, disteibntaoy channels
reservoir sandstenes and nonrsserooie lithslogies inhibited interpretation in most of the delta plaie upward into wider and moro cornples fluvial.meandorbelt
I) Fluvial zone B is inferred lobeo meander bell with a minimxm width of '-300 na
with a generally north.noath trend (Fig. 20). Thin is one uf the leant helemogeneous
of Ihr fluvial reservoirs.
O 10e 20e
consistent low-angle
tu dips to southeast are ORIENTED CORE FROM INTER VAL
6295
¿
¿ probably mudstone I' CORRELATIVE TO DIPMETER LOG Engineoeing test data from the fluvial anse consist of pressuee-istorfeernce lests,
pressure drawdawrilbcildup tests, poromechanical communication, initial-pressure
laminations comparisons, and hydraulic-fracture diagnostic results (Table I). An argon.tracer
injecaton test was conducted in cono B, with no sign of tracer migeutics to the offset
Sandstone: 0,90-scale wells owing to fracture-dominated, anisotenpic permeability. An in the patodal and
s.. norr-nodiment deformaSen, coastal rones, the effects of internal reservoir hetreogeneities scpeesede effects duo
I
burrowed
temeaoderbelscbannellrouodaeies, This is less significant io this interval because the
scattered dips probably large reservoir widths compared with well spacing und draioage area mude the
I-
o-
w n.
-s spurious
I
I.- 5765
o-
LI crossbedded sandvtone:
cross-bed azimuth
(poleotlow) toward
oriontndcsrr
conoborstss
observation of boundary effects unlikely.
Prenaare Terrieg
w 50 degrees An interference test io the fluvial E nuodstnne (Fig, 22) yielded rapid
communication between the tent well (MWX-l) and the offset wells (Waepittski and
i dipmeter shows steepen- laminated mudstsne and
others, 1988), as shown in Figaro 23, More than one set of natural fractures is present
6300 ¡ng-upward pattern of in Ibis reserveir (Lorene and Finley, 1989; Finley und Lorenz, 1989), and therefore the
permeability anisotropy innatas stroog an elsewhere in the formation, allowing mere
(1-m) thick trough of the effects of the sedimentary architecture to be seen in the well tesa results. A
J cross-bed: foresets dip mallslayered system was used to model the system behavior of the fluvial E reservoir.
s. to the northeast with communication between all three wells of the two mosa important layers
(Branagan. 1990). Unambigoous and rapid pressure intreference between wells also
Tick mark indicates was obrerved for the first time in this azoo, but buildup times were pareliagly slow.
dip azimuth This apparool discrepancy wan successfully modeled by assuming albio layer with an
saotroptc higts-pormeability fradare system (to provide rapid inlerference), combined
with a thick layer with a more standard uninotropic fracture system (Braeagao, 1990).
Tick mark indicates These hypothetical permeability units muy correspond Indifferent sedimentary units
seen in core Irom M'sVX-l. whore at least two poinl-bar units are inferred und where
dip azimuth the associated splay deposit, being thinner, muy contain more closely spaced
fracturen.
During she drawdown/buildup tests, there was no evidence for a boundary in
proximity lo any of the three wells. althosgh boundary effects could have bees
masked by the comptes internal helemgeneitien in the reservoirs, particularly the
Btu. 8.(A) Example of paleoltow vectors (and therefore of the probable axes natural fractures, and by the large size of this reservoir.
of tnw.tinnosity channels) inferred from doxvnhole dipmeter log. (B) Dipmeter An interference test was attempted in fluvial zone B (Fig. 20), bnl on interference
log correlates to cross-bedding measured in oriented core (interval 5,765 to mus observed. lt is inferred that natural fractures control permeability anisoleopy in
5,766 fI). this zone.
Fracture Dingenotice
I
p g1
ss/rIp up vgl
wadsf. s:Oy.
7105 515sf go/bk. ren- 55:5 toms
ss/sRes. go. deformed lerne. cmb
t- modes. bic, sidnñfeeoduto
es. go. reeled, curb It
adSt. bk. side,i14 nada
suo. rirpled
7125 ?b:nbude
$ChI
Feo. 10.Gamma-ray, porosity, and rorn-lithology logs from palndal zones 3
und 4 (see Fig. 2B for location). Zone 3 is inferred lobez distribotary channel SL uy etrled
on thehusis of sedimentary slenctnres in core from MWX-2 and MWX-3 and us flu:d,eed micos,
reservoir properties (clean sandstones with gus-filled porosity) shown in logs 7135
from the three wells. The overlying zone 4 is strikingly different. Geophysical
logs from MWX-1 and MWX-3 soggest main-channel sundsloneo, hot core
material in MWX-3 consists entirely of ripple-bedded sandstone suggestive of z
proximal splay deposit. This is corroborated by a core from MWX-2, showing es. uy. mas
thin-bedded, interlaminaled modotones and sillstones uf a distal, probably 7145 00M
sobaqurous splay deposit. The MWX.t geophysical tugs may represent prusimal
splay deposits, as in MWX-3, or possibly the parent channel of the splay. The
geometric arrangement of the deposits soggetto the former. Blank eure-lug
intervals represent core samples removed prior tosedimentulogic study. Hachured
crossovers of porosity logs indicate gao-filled porosity. Abbreviations explained1 7155 's
on Fignre 9.
6510- t
e-bede
clapet csrb
sflst/modet, Isms
serb si. r.ppled
6520 -
u-bed,. csrb
-C
Q.
clapit. carb
_-sllit. lain : ::et 15m
n-bed,
e tut/etsidct. law
s.. ripples deformed
6530 -
':
rip-ups
s-beds
sitsI. ripples
s.. s-beds eltat/modet. 1cm
6540 - as. tipple,
---
- _-_.._1
t 1g tip-ups
n- bede
tip-ups
6550 - muait. carb
sltst/rnudst, 5m
Ltin cody ptg,
Pto. ILGammu.ruy, porosity, ucd core-litbology logs from Ihr ruastul red
euer (see Fig. 2B fo locution). This reservoir unit is composed of two channel
6560- sandstones sepurut d by overhank deposits in MWX-1 and MWX-3 hut which
are in erosional contact in MWX-2. Thiesiug of the upper sandstone in
MWX-g und MWX 3 suggests that MWX-2 penetrated neat the middle of the
channel. The lower sandstone Ihickess toward MWX-3 (cot cored) but contains
cross-bedded sandstones cta muie-cbueeel facies in Ihr Other two wells. Black
core-log inlrrvulsr presect core samples removed prior to sedimeelologic study.
Huchured crossove sot porosity logs indicate gut-filled porosity. Abheeviatiosis
explained on Figur 9.
medst.
sitst/mcdst. lam c' rcFl es, deform
55 nppled sftst/nsudsf, lam
6430- rip-ups cerb - s.
ss rippled
Density - - --
Porosity
- ,. .r - 55, 0-beds
-
burrows
n,sdsf p555
e- beds
.-:---- !- s 1-uds
deform
6440 - ,oadnt. bk
ilp.cp S-beds
c-beds f e -slt..I/Clnyst. lam
ripples Ir_st. cMb
6450-
°__'
carb
s-beds --
j 0-beds
id :s,c-beds
deform
s-beds
d
6460- b rly-aps
moths Czrb
-- --
slsnt/mudss. lam
siseS, rippled
_.,cleyst, lam
deform
6470 -
mass
'-_ oleyst. s,der,f e
siSst, burrows
a ¿f ,- Ss, mass \'mudst. lam
50m Clayst
6480 - olayst. bk. lam
slset/mudst. lam
mudeS
ic:t yaooes
_--_ 51555/modeS. lam 12.Gamma.pay, porosity, and core-lithology logs from the coastal
yellow aune (see Fig. 2E for location). This cone is atoo a cempesite reservoir,
separated in two welts by overhaek deposits bet in erosional Contact in MWX-2.
Pateoflow vectors (porn the two sandstones suggest that Ilse channel acm are
ebliqse to each ether. The towep sandstone Contains ptaeai- cross-beds dipping
to the southeast in MWX-1 core, but troagh cross-beds dipping to the east-
northeast in MWX-3 cure. These may represent mid-channel bars and side-bar
channels, respectively. Blank core-tog intervats represest core samptes removed
prior to sedimentotogic study. Hachsred crossovers of porosity togs indicate gas-
fitted porosity. Abbreviations explained on FigureS.
values calcululed from Fao. 13lA) Compooite Homer plot of pressure buildup with time (solid line)
5l00 after pressnre drawdowu. A Homer plot uses t+atiAt for the time axis, where
reservo r-simululion model-
t = length of time that the well was produced (drassdowss), and St = length of lime
since shut-in (time during which pressure has been building). As time since shut-
in increases, to.Sti.ht approaches 1(see Matthews end Russell, 1967). The first
- -a part of the curve (a) represents data generated while the wrllbore volume
X
4700 A" equilibrated with the reoervoir ('welibore storage" effects). The second part of
the curve (b) is "normal' pressure buildnp. In the absence of complexity, the
slope of this segment of the tine will be maintained until reservoir-pressure
measured values equilibrium is established. Deviation from this slope (part e of 1h r curve)
indicates that a change in flow regime has occurred in the reservoir. One possible
cause for this is interporosity flow between the sandstone and natural fractures,
bola nearby fault or no-flow boundary also would cause this npturn in Ihr slope.
4300 Given Ihr narrow widths of Ibe reservoirs in this facies and the rxistener of a
fault, the latter cause is most likely. Comhiued efforts also are possihlr. Atoo
shown is the pressure-buildup curve (diamond-symbol trace) produced by
calculations of a modeled reservoir having the dimensions suggrsted by
E sedimrulologic studies for the patudal zone 2 reservoir, u fault boundary,
saudstour permeability as measured from core, and a natural-fracture system.
3900 (B) Sketch of inferred paludal nono 2 plan-view geometry and limited
to drainage area.
a
3500
Io 100
Hornee Time
208 f t
L N
MWX-1
o
¡Sg
MWX-2
zw 0.8 Fia. 14.Chart showing times and volumes of nitrogen injection into
(7
MWX-2 in the coastal red and yellow zones und (he recorded appearance of mnch
smaller volumes of nitrogen at irregnlar intervals in the MWX.l weilbore. The
I
(0
o lack of perfect injection.appearance correlation is attributed to reservoir
heterogeneity. SCFM = standard cubic feel per minntr.
o
0.6
z
e
09
e
0.4
0000%00o0000000000
o
000O00 000
j I j j I
O i I I I
I J I i I i i I I r i
w
I-
4 I Ï
SIDE VIEW
100 7000 -
BOREHOLE
SEISMIC UNIT I -. -
- og o -
-
VSPIine2 -.
. MWX.3 /
/
VSPIisse3
o
P0SSI8LE
FRACTURE
RE0RIENTATI0N 7100
:..:...
o-
ZONE3 0 0 0 0
w O
MWX-1 O -
MWX-2
- .. VSPIine4 -100 7200
MWX-3 MWX-1
-400 -300 -200 -100 O 100 -4 -30g -200 -100 100
>km DISTANCE IFTI o KCL INJECTIONS
DISTANCE (ET)
y MINIFRAC #1
O MINIFRAC #2
- o. aiWW°'1
Fia. 16.Plan view (A) and cross-sectional view (B) of microveismic.event
tocalions within the formalion as measured hy geophones in the MWX-3
wellbore daring and immediately after the creation of a hydraulic fracture ist
paladal zones 3 and 4 (hydraulic fraetare initiated from MWX-l). The
microseisms may record energy released by fracture tip propagation, asperity
crnshing along the fracture during release uf pee.ssnre, or other related energy-
Fus. 15.(A) Plan-view layout of vertical seismic profile (VSP) survey at the producing events. The plan view showu that the fracture propagated along a
MWX site. (B) VSP through Mesaverde strata at the MWX site (from Lee, 1989, wesg.northwest trend. The dispersal of event locations may he a function of
Fig. 12). Vertical colssmn represents cumulatively summed VSP data, with fracture propagation 0100g several trends, a function of the limits of accnracy of
arrows indicating peak-trough combinations that are corretative between the geophones, or both. The range cf the gruphones was limited, and few events
verticalty summed traces and lateralty stacked data and that are used for east-southeast of MWX.1 were recorded, although the hydranlic fractnee
identification of key stratigraphic horieons. The main figure shows the laterally undoubtedly propagated in that direction. Note also that the estreme western
stacked, horizontally polarized shear.wace component of the VSP data along end of the plan-view-evenl swarm seems to define a slight change in asiat trend,
VSP line 2. The northwest edge of the coastal red cone, located using interference possibly dueto breakout of the hydraulic fracture from the reservoir sandstone
patterns and amplitude reduction of shear waves, in placed -400 ft (-1200m) into adjacent, differently sleessed madstones. The cnrved heavy line marks the
from the well along this line (Lee, 1989). The high.amplitade left-bending inferred northwest boundary of the noetheast-grending composite reservoir.
pattrrn (unshaded) between the two diagonal arrows is correlated with the base The side view shows that Ihe fracture also estended vertically hnth above and
of the red sandstone. For further discussion, see Lee (1985, 1989) and below the inferred limits of the reservoir.
Scans (1985).
B A
sp5
t Uphill
100 lt (30 w)
- point baro
Sandstone (channels)
flood deposit Feu. t7.Pbotomosaic (A) of meanderbett sandstones in nutcrop along the
Mudstone (floodplain) see Lorenz, 1989, 11g. 6) Grand Hogbaek at Estes Gateb (north of the MWX site and 1.0km west et Rifle
60 11)20 m) point boro Gap). Reeks are stracturatty rotated te near.verticat at this tocatity. Sandstones
Interbedded Mudstone and form erosion-resistant flatirons between which overbank mndstones form the
Sillstone (proximal overbank) recessine and covered intervals. (B) Trueing, confirmed by field work, of
photomosaic. Note the wide laterat extent of the sandstones compared with those
Covered in Figures 4 and 7. Sandstone noted osa flood deposit is thicker than most and
is composed atmostentirety of ptane-porottet bedded sandstone, tocatty distorted
by soft-sediment deformation. Other sandstones display lateral accretion
bedding and cross-bedding, bot the latter is commonly obscered by tichen
West side of Estes Gulch, one mile growth.
west ot Rifle Gap along the Grand Hogback:
Verlical relief from skyline to valley floor approximately 1000 h (300m)
CORE DOWNHOLE
o F loo
A C D E
o
F
soft-sediment F
50 °
deformation 8
zw
rip-op Ctasts
o o
- 5300 A
25
5290 cross-bedded sandstone o
Approximately 25% of core removed prior to O
study, thus there may be more discontinuities o
cross-bedded sandstone than plotted here. o
point-bar
sequence in core
fProbable
rip-op cIento 1
reservoir sandstone: 4-inch (10-cm) diameter core
coal
/
rooted modstone
A: mudstone partings Feo. 19.Types and distributions ei heterogeneities within une of the teso
zones of mudstone clasts comptes meauderhetl reservoirs (fluvial aune B). Compare with Figure 6. Note
5300 the absence of siderite rip-o p cIaste in this interval, whereas they are commun in
carbonaceous zones the delta-plain facies. Most (65%) of the heterog050ities are grujo-ojee changes
es. rn-ego-bed
4 5330 -
se. Vf0. 5-bode
Chaññèl
se. m-cg, o-bedo :: ::::
5e. mg. c-bode
::: et. f-n,g. deform. cmb
es. m-cg. 0-bed ss.,ng.,-beds es, m-cg, mats/n-beds
se. m-cg, c-beds
5340- se. 00g. lam, curb sS.m-og,maes
es. f-mg. deform mudas. bb
es. m-cg. 0-beds se. w cgo bede
s15s5, deform, roots
deform
5720 - SS - i s.. mg. mess
'C
se. f g. c-bed
w/onaly pIgs
mg, mess, rlp.aps
û f Ss. 1g. mass
bem ong. 05mb
5730 - se. 1g. u-bed Sn. 1g
medsf/claySr, lam
del erre
rffst/meduf. em
55, mg. eked
slfsr/mudsf, lam se. 1g. ripple. nerb
slId, ripple
55. f9. e'beds, Caeb se. mg. mats
bcm mg sllsS/mudst, lam, deform . sa. 1g. reef
Ss vIn, mane W)í%
born mg
mudst/slSsf
5740 - mudet/claysf. Curb slfsr/se, mass
eIlst, mass unlst,'olast, lam
pdf/lff.b sIseS/sn, ripple. barr
eleves. bk. oerb
mudst/clayee, lam ss/sItes, mess. herr. rent
es. wIg, ripple/mass
:I-iir'
-
-
mesdsl. esrb
n
mudas pig
es. erg. detorm
ea-Sg. Irn
5560 -
bom deform
born i-bedded
ri
born deform
borne bedded
mudos. bk.bre. carb, mais
5570 - -1
Fis, 23.Interference between wells in flnv'ml Zane Eis shown by the lempurul o 10 20 30 40 50 60 many versions of this mununcnipt. This work was sponsored by the U.S. Drpurtesrot
of Energy under contract DE-ACS4-76DP00789. manuged by K.H. Frohne and
eorretulinn between t) flow und bnttnmhule pressure in MWX.t, und 2) changes
in the borehole pressures munitured in MWX.2 and MWX.3 (purtienlarty at 13
Time (days) DOE's Morgustowu Energy Technology Center,
and 30 days). This was the first rune In display definitive interference, and it is
attributed tu a mnre pervasive fracture system within the low-permeahility
sandstones, Atsu shuwn (círuutae.symbol traces) are the resnits nf the reservnir.
measured values
model stmnlatíun, which used a multilayered, nutnealty fractured mudel with oooo values calculated using
different pressure and vnlume transmissiun capacities fnr different layers. Use multilayered reservoir model
nf such a enmptrx modet was necessary in order to duplicate the prudnetinu
characteristics nf the heterngeneuus reservnir.
o
05v 0W O
-
capable of measnring events farther to the northwest than seen, and the
apparent absence of events farther in that direction may depict a reservoir
. .
GROWTI.l MWS2 O boundary, although the inferred limits of lbe reseevnsr are wrIt beyond the o
borders of the figure. The fracture broke nut uf the reservoir ahuse and below
00 0 t the aune, and this is recorded in the cross-sectional depiction of event locations.
The frac tnre in snferred tu have propagated significantly farther to the southeast 200 - s
than actually meosared by the geuphones on the basis nf well testing
after stimulation.
.
-200 w o
-300 -200 -lOO loo 200 o
O
DISTANCE (FT) z
WNW ESE 150-
53GO o
BOREHOLE
SEISMIC UNITS
SIDE VIEW Cl, o
CI)
5450 o
I-
100
ci
o
's, 'a-
o -ç5
5550 FLUVIAL o
E ZONE.. S-ççt'çz--
OO W
oob0 °o° 85Go o 05$
0 0
o
W Ftc. 25.Evidence for mechanical continuity uf the finvial zone C reservoir 50°- '2
5650 sandstone between the svettbores 0fMWX-t and M',YX-2. Stress was added tu the
sandstone at MWX-1 by injection uf finid (al pressures abuse the minimnm in-
.
sito stress, or "net-treatment pressarethe horizontal asis). Concurrently, the o
minimum in-situ stress was measured in the MWX-2 wellhore (vertical axis) at
5750 I
I
MW
different stageo by instantaneous ohnt-in pressure tccbniqnex. The measured -a-
MW1(-3 l-IW1S-2 I
in-sitn stress in M'.VX-3 increased axa function of the added stress at MWX-t. o I I I
-300 -200 -100 100 200 Stress transmission through the interbedded mudstones wontd be nntikety; thus o 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
the sandstone is continuous between wettbores. (See Warpinski and Branagan,
DISTANCE IFTI 1989, for further discnssion.)
NET TREATMENT PRESSURE (psi)
..s.s.a..
Lorenz, Warpiuski, und Bcanagun Charadlerizalion of Menaverde reservoirs 79
..seaaa a...*a.s
THE LARGE-SCALE ARCHITECtURE OF THE FLUVIAL differeutiatc individual channel bolts from laterally und vertically iotvrcouoected typn, magmatic nrc. The detriIsI inRI is derived from the uplifted edge al rho by a northeasterly-directed fluvial syslem. The paleoflow directoous of Tnrnce-
chaunelbeit deposits. forelaud (cf. Tumor-Peterson aud Ftshman, 1986). The Morrison Formatiot, (mean
WESTWATER CANYON MEMBER, MORRISON Oue of the best-known examples of the documentation of aluvial architecture is
Petersou (1986) show that Campbell's (1976) transect of the fluvial system is
th,ckness 200 m) famous foe hosting more that, ball the nruuium eeserees in thu snbparallel to thu regional pateoslope and is uot transverso, as Campbell (1976)
FORMA11ON (UPPER JURASSIC). SAN JUAN BASIN, NEW that of Campbell (0976) ou the Upper Jopossic Wesfwater Canyou Momber of the United Stales, it. divided into three members in the study area (Fin, 2), which amin suggested. Conueqnendy, truasveese views of the Westwater luvial system, us
MEXICO Morrison Fsrmatiou, San Juan Basi.,, New Meulas. Campbell's work has been nscouding oeder 1. Recapture Member, a lithologically heterogeneous unit illustrated by Campbell (1976, his Fag. 2, and Fag. 3 herein), are nxlikety to
eseeusiveiy oiled as a typical esamplo of a braided river deposit iuvolviog the comprising inserfmgeriug fluvial, lacostoine and rollan deposits, 2. the Westwater represent cbaunel cross sections.
presorvation of laterally coalesced 'channel systems' and 'smaller channels' and has Canyou Member, a laterally roteusive InviaI sandstone; and 3. the Brushy Basin MisIl and Turner-Peterson (1989) re-studied the Westovater Canyon Member
E. JUN COWAN been repeatedly used in textbooks (e.g., Cant, 1978; Leoder, 1982; Colliuscnr, 1986). Member, a playa lake cumples Çrmnee-Peteeson, 1955, 1986; Turner-Peterson and
Depart teens 55/ (iloology,
utdloieg the conceptual mi-fold hierarchial subdivision of bounding surfaces (Miall,
These 'channel systems' were described by Campbell (1971e) to be vertically and Fishmau, 1988). The Westwatee Canyon Member nndeelios sud interfmgers with 1988c). Individnat lithofacies (cf. Miall, 1978) were idextilied and separated, thou
University of Toronto, laterally coalesced, ond to range in width fesm 1.61034 km and in thiclaoess from 6 the overlying Brushy Basin Member along an arbitra,y bonndary. The Brushy combaned mb lithofacies assemblages deli. 'architectural elements' (cf. Miall,
Torsotto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B1 1061 m. Individual 'smaller channels' have widtha of 30 to 366 m and depths from Basin Member was truncated by late Early Cretaveous erosion dnring uplift along 1985). The peeseuco of lateral-accretion deposits along with dowustmam-acoreted
ltoti m (Campbell, 1976). the southern maegiu al the San Juan Basin. hi the sonthweseern portion of the macreforms in the same espesares, was interpreted to be the producl of sandfiat
ABSTRACT: Tho W M,toe moyos Mstu, st lo Msth,so, Fson,tia. (lippue toil,) b,, p,oeilso,l y On the basis of detailed sotcrop studies, this paper shows that the 'channel basin, the Upper Cretacoous Dakota Sandstone directly overlies the Westwater dopositoon in u low-sinuosity, multiple-channel river. They could usa find support
boon o,oep,eted ., scue,00g of Osai sh.r.eel .yooe,Co,a st kds,erten ,,,idr od on, of orto,, sysloms' of Campbell (1976) do not eeprrsent depositioual channels, but are post- Canyon Member, whereas towned the cast the Brushy Basin Member thickens at for the fining-upward chasnel-fill cycles as documenled by Campbell (1976). Tbc
thiCk. heinoe,bg,tio,, of the wunbu, isdic,te, th.r th cb.05rl ,you,,C ,o,s,ily ,rposent pon deposirional aquifer conduits or peeeeeability-pothwoy compartments. The conduits the eepeuso of the Wvstwater Cauyon Member. present study nupperto the braided chanoet inturpeetation al Mall and Turner-
d,ps.ataon.i .qotfr, sonase,.. defi.ad ,o,o,d by airEd,, ,,ed,ts,,r colo,,. theo th,e posare (identified vu the basis of color, which reflect the state of sandstone osidation) are acar breaks in the stoatigraphy, together with differing pebble Sthotogiea, were Peterson (1989), but many of the sleuctures interpreted to represent
d,p5050,,l testate,. The uee,b,r t. cs.opo,ad of .os.ipo.od, isd;o,do.f fl.nng-op moor up to several leus of meten thick, and were formed by the vertical coalenoeuco of used by Tuosser-Peleeson (1986) to divide the Westwater Cauyou fluvial unit into lateral/dowxstrram-acceetiou macroforms are reinterpreted herein as tatreully
rash boss 5-15 n lbik. The b,olos, ,eedtha of thom ,hee, .ud000, bsd,ra i ff5, Od sa.sdstouc sheets oboss 5-IO w io thickness, inlerpeeted bore to represent there sabmembees thought te repeesnuc separate fluvial episodes. On the basis of restancted seoxo fills formed in u wide braided-channel belt. Fining-upward cycles is
ps,ubiy rosord ,,an,,i kaloo,son. The o,dth:theckoo,. of the ums,,, 'n nil ,sjthio tho channelbelt deposits. The sheets upe internally compoxed of large concave-up trough cross-stratification oriexhalious, Tneuer-Petrrsou (1986) concluded that the this unit have 00w been documented by 00dm (1991).
lypi loe, of ,.edocr, body dono,us,o oepos,d 1,0,0 tIbor Osa r.ndoo,,o.. od 'ot iolo,y,eted Is features ('smaller channels' of Campboll, 1976) which are interpreted to represent tower fluvial nuit shows a northeast to east-uorihcastcrly-dieccted, basiu-wide
Op,0,ont.ggo,d,ilso.i oh.osrl-bul,,. S,ed,tow bsdj,, lhickrs th,o boOt 2 u M, th, of
The putpolo of this paper rs to describe the architecture of rho Wexlwater Canyon
large scone fills produced isa wide braided channel belt. paieoflow paitern, whereas rho middle and opper units showed o bosin-wide
.sI,ig.o.seso of the,e iedinidoai seo boue,. ,ad do rs, rrpsr,ros iOdsoldosi cb.00,i bols,.. Member allwo scalet. 1. The fiPsl duds with the touclsres at the member scale and
southcasf to cast-southeasterly-directed puoem. The overlying Poisou Canyon dcsceibcx the largest .rchitoctnral componcul of the Westwasor Canyon Member, namely
ooe,pntodpsr005ody. GEOLOGICAL OVERVIEW S,sudslOno (a null bel oxgiug fo the Brushy Basin Member of the eastern San Juan -5- I0-m-tlsick saodstonr sheets. The idcetit5ed sheets no contrasted willi Caospbells
lstr,o,ily Ihr hort. oO,coi, ,bood.ol c000aOe-Up t,ough, sypisaily Sos, tod, 55,, thiok, find
Bast,,) and tts ponotbie eqsivaieuts showed a retutu to a uorthcaslerly-direoted (1976) architectural recseosrucion of the member. 2. The nccoxd scolo st description
both i,so,uily od tonically ,oth looliord piloI- 15 lOt,-.ngie c,o,,-Or.Ofird ,,od,Ione, O pEo,, The Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation was deposited in the San Juan Basin paleoflon. These patterns a,e quite different from the paleoflow pattern of detail, the intoteal archifrcuoe of the sheet tandstouo, idonlifred iu part see, as well the
rnfl,bato.g *O1O5 lor.o. lin l,srs,iiy-Iani,ed orno, os tho bogo 1,00gb, od soon st thele (Fags. ln, b) which lay several bandied kilometers cast of a LaIe Jurassic Andean- Campbell (1976), who considered the whole of the member to have bee,, deposited sigeificasoce of ubuedust large oosghs (typically 3005 st) preveer iv rive eherro.
000,n.l silt, 00r0, IhM thoy op,root ,bso-hoth 'oser till, ,.ther th.s oosilaod olorguod oh,ssrl,.
Tho ooc.oe-op o,srs,s,l b..,,. . s,gotsr flon. t,,, sos,, hkty boned doo lo i,,gr.,ssl, 000
opa,,uss *thi,, otile, md lohse,, sh,vv,L Phy,ical ov,,djlivo, ,isod., to ,Ovno-fls,, 000o,,5,500 vt4v 0030
a' /cA 0_
-
o cb,so,t os,ofloe000s ,,ay be ,r,psoothl, fo, theo foex,Iio,. IS, ,bssthnl pee,oeo.Iise os On,e WY(NE
bteogh, n the We,se.O, Cyeo Menthe, eso,i,1,nt teeth the enpootod pose po,o,o.tio., st po.itioo OTt
T
Quotoreoty alluvioni [j Mid. Jubovvic San Rafael Gp.
bo,fs,00 o,, ,000ping. ,.edy-b,,idea shea,,! boit. 50km Cbolacesuv Upp. Triassic chicle For.
Rovine of the hte,aioee odto,I,, th,t s,tened oh.500iboi, ,,odOose 1,0db, tes,ily f,!! rohes the
thlskoo,, .ego of! to lint, oo,pooboo st thee, botv,p,eed 0,0e,! nyte. Poe-drpo,itinal !,ego-,raI, 05500pavglr Upp. Jutassic Mvfflbon Fm.
,o,,,sst, 50,0101,0 me l,0 eeprolrd s tan ,sthn to, emgr to, foot,! ,ynent,. 0,010105, hoot -( ip!'0
the, "ego er il to o ,es,lg.05.I,s, st the bodo,, se ino,ea,ed g,th.,-moo hoo,ogroeoy,
,eoillbogo'eisveoa,e dec,ro, ,rap,otwrty. st the 00x5011
J On,
INTRODUCTION Fgurn lb
Zio, ip!,ft
aarifyiug the segen sud postdops,sitioual burial history of flavial-saud,toue
bodies it. critical to nuderstaudieg the scale sud role of heterogeneities involved lu
rho migeahiou of pore Iluids followiug the burial of sandy fluvial depouits (cl. MisIl,
19881e). The architecture of saudstone bodies rosaltiag from channelbelt avulsion 400 klo
J.. toS
and coeval basinal subsideuco has been modeled qnautiy.alivoty by scceral workers
(Alesauder sud Looder, 1987; Alex, 1978, Bridge aud Loeder, 1979 Leedor, 1978). PIC. 1.-a. Loeation of the study aren i,, n ba,inal eantnut. The ntndy area
These qoatstitative models are able to predict depositiosal patterns resulting from enelu,ed in the rectangle ix detailed in b. Modified from Sant on sod Turner-
syudspositioual subsidence and repeated avulsion of channel belts. The resulting Peterson (1986, Fi8. 3). b. Study are, with puxitions uf the Interni profilea
architecture of the sandstones controlo the pore-fluid flow, and hou iufluencrs nued to eonstrnnt Fig. 6 shown an bl,ek bues. Nnmberu refer tu fixe measured 3vSn
hydrocarbon migrafiou sud the emplacemeut of some economic metallil cosos oros, xeetionu uf Campbell, amo shown in Fig, 3. Detnilnd map of Ihn Kit Cnrxon't Ss-sn
sock as uranium. Applicatioe of fhese modelo requires the field recogmtiou of Cavo are,, nhown enclosed, in illustrated in Pig. 4. White Ruck Me,,, in
individual chauuelbelt deposits. There arc, however, few finid descriptionn in the laboind au 'WRM'. Map bunters parailnl UTM grid. Geolugy from Haekmaax f 00 '0h los_n
fluvial li,eeatnee, especially those of sandy mnitiohauurl fluvial systems, which and Olson (1977).
g
saudstonc bodies of the Westwatrr Canyon Member all display ratine greatly Carson's Cave area (Fig. 4) is modified from Mialt (1988c). Fest-order bounding
eucrMirsg 15 and aro therefore identified as sheet sandstones. surfaces that bound sots of lithofacies are eel illustrated here in ali profdes unless
The lithof aries scheme follows that of Miall (1978) with mctfiticationo (Table 1). indicated. Second-order bouudiug surfaces are planes that separate veneta of
Lithofacics within the sandstone shorts include horizontal and parallrl upper-flow' dissimilar lithofacies. las this popar third- and filth -order bounding sarfacos are
regime stratification (Sh), inclined and parallel apter- to transitioual-ltow-eegime laterally restricted aud ostensive, discordanl erosional surfaces respectively. Slash-
stratification (Si), low-angle cross-stratified (<10 ) upper- to transitional-flow- order bounding surfaces are essentially fdth-order surfaces, but are treated between
regime stoatification (SI), teoaaJt cross-stratification represents lower-low-regime major depositional systems (such as formational boundaries). Third-order bounding
threr-dimrusiouat dunes (St), topsot-presorved conves-sp humpback cross- surfaces are commonly concave-up in sectirnat view, and fifth- and siath-erder
stratification (Sthb) and rare climbing ripple cross-lamination (Sr), which was bounding surfaces are flat across most of the eupesures, but may undulate locally.
ideotified at only one location. Lithofacies Si essentially representa lithofacics Sb Conves-op tourth-order bounding surfaces, interpreted by Miall (1988e) ta
too vi
Campbell's "channel system" represent constructional surfaces of macreforms, were not recognized in the study,
METHODS
PART t: THE LNeGE-SCALC SANDSTONE SHEETS OF THE WESTWATER CANYON
The Westwatrr Caayon Member crops out discontinuously for about 500 km MEMBER
around the west amt soothem uplifted mergins of the San Juan Basin. Photomosaics
wore produced from obliquo aerial and ground photographs along a transect on the Fis, 3.Cross section nf the Murrisun Formatiun according to Of the taegr-scale profiles, only the White Cliffs profde located on the
rast-west-trrndùtg cliff forming the southrru margin of the basin, exponed in Campbrlt (1976, his Fig, 2). The rectangle representa the re-esumined westernmost end of Campbell's (1976) peofde (Fig. 3), is described in detail here.
northwest Now Mexico (Fig. lb). These wrer used as boxe maps for plotting major seetien us prrsentrd in this stndy (Fig. 1h), and illustrated in Fig. ti. Other profiles are simplified and presented as Ftgure 6.
sorteen trucos of the lithotogic boundarirx, both with the aid of binoculars and by Stratigraphie ubbresiatinns are: Recapture Member et the Merrisen
wathiug the outcrop where possible. Four profdes in the Kit Carson's Cave area Formation (Jmr), Westwater Canyon Member (3mw), Brushy Basin Whirr Cfi//e Pro/ile
were rsutninrd where the enposure was flat enough to permit luspeetion on a morn
Member (Jmb), Daknta Sandstone (Kd). Numbers refer In the measured
sections et Campbell (1976). Vertical rsatgeralien iu s52. The upper At White Cliffs (FW 5) the tower basal contact of Ihr Westwater Canyon
detailed level (Ftg. 4). sorfaer et Kd is net the actual mp ut the Daketa Sandstone,
The outcrop shown a Ftgurn 5 illustrates the autore of the Westwatrr Canyon Member with the underlying Recapture Member is sharp, and can be followed
Member at White Cliffs. The original drawings of similar cliff espesores were consistently ocross the exposure, The sixth-order erosional bounding surface
erdrawn ut a vertical esaggeration of fsvr, and each of these profiles was projected between the Westwatee Canyon Member aud the overlying Dakota Sandstone is
into the plano joiniag Campbell's (1976, his Fi0 2) measuend sections 1 and 9 (see also sharp, bot attains u relief of several meters just rase of the break in the cliff
Fig lb). Campbell's peofde (Fig. 3) mes also redrawn te match thr oS vertieal lac (Ftg. 5). The overlying Dakota Sandstone is a black carbonaceous shale, a
-.-*-.' T
F s. 5,Au example of a stiff profile from White Cliffs (refer tu western end of the profite. Vertical sandstone cuIre changes (marked by
Fig. 1h for location). Each sheet.sandutone body composing the arrows . see test fur explanation) are controlled by the preservation of
member is numbered one to eleven on the eastern end of the profile. thick uverbaaak deposits, shows, in black,
Note the amalgamating nature of the Sandstone Sheets toward Ihr
yellowish sa,tdstoue, or intorbeds of those two lithologies. The overbank deposits can re,nob thicknesses of opto 3 m at White Cliffs (as can
Tam.r 1.Thu main lithufaeies uf the Weslwatne Canyan Mnmber, based
sheet across to ndjaeent cliff exposures separated by valleys. This is contrary to die partly on, Miall'n (1978) litlinfacins endos.
The Westwater C.natyon Member at While Clilfs is composod of eleven vertically be soon m the center of the profilo; Fig. 5), but commonly are thinner, tnmcated in docnmonlatian of Campbell (1976), in which faix westward overstepping pattern of
stacked sandstone sheets, as defined on the eastern portion rl the profile; due to many places by the overlying sandstone shoot. The totoral variation in color of the
ostensive amalgamation, the units are not readily seen on the western sido. The
dio "ehanuef systems" in the Wcstwater Canyon Member (Fag. 3) is entirely based xoo OZE rsr'esroevonroni 00
sandstone is evident from dias exposure (the color bouudaries are schematically audio abihty to trace these bounding surfaces laterally foe long distances.
sheets have flat, erosivo bases, except for isolated oouoave-up erosional bases, reprosouled m Fig. 6). The boundary between white- and buff-colored aodulone is The color of the sandstone is higldy variable from one cliff esposare to another;
which arr several tons of motors wide, and display relief s of 2 to 5 m (Ftg. 5). The located a third of the height op from the bose oldie Westwaler Canyon Member on however, While alteratian 'u always underlain by reddish-colored sandstone, 000er Sh 0. sw ru any
worm nana
sheets arr -5 m thick and are capped by goeenJrrd/white.colored fine sandstone
aad subordinato shales which aro interpreted tobe of flavial overbauk affinity. The
die western sido of the profile, whereas o similar color boundary is located higher the reverso. The boundaries of these color changes are taterally gendational but are
Q,adut,snnl nero / xl
tsi
up to the east. At both ends of dio profile, the vertical color change corresponds to vertically abrupt al any one location. They commonly coincide with bases of sheet
basic building blocks of the member ore those sandstone-overbank couplet sheets. borneos wtth marked preservation of overbank deposits (at arrows shown in Fag. sandstones whero dic erosion surf aee has not truocated the underlying oeeebnulc scerna000uns rusten rerod
At White Cliffs, die poleocorreuts from trough cross-sloatified sots indicate a largely 5). S/SI mars °aes íod °nnv
doposat (White Cliffs ned White Rock Mosa oreas, Fag. 6). White saadstoues rn sar torvo mae/bra bnundrg ne/taco, turnare nona a
easterly directed paleoflow, that is, to the right and obliquely ont of the profilo, places occur completely enclosed in fine-grained overhauls deposits in dio eastern ceneS, nceou, croad vougv ahnen
which trends 252" fo 072' (Fig. 5). bheels are inferred te be tabnlar je three Coerspouirr LinIer-al A-of ilen seohons (or. in two dimensions, e.g., Mesa Batto, Fag. 6). The lateral variation in
dimensions, bat locally show marked lateral thinning on the scale of the esposare. color change dons net coincide with obvioos lateral torminalious of the sheet nndtoo o 02 teethtkaurs,coovon suo, nunrticnrua,ea tardy
St sana.nay aacssax.i,tnrstratrodu,vs,S.en menor
Sandstone sheet 5, for example, can be followed from east lo West where is The lateral extent of the profites presented in Figure 6 starts at die westernmost sandstanes. su006s&vsa,snrorurudtvans,scrsv Orna
bifuecates and becomes interlayered with oscrbaok deposits of the same order of portion of Campbell's (1976) transect and follows through to his measured section 9
thickness as the sandstone body, indicating proximity to an edge of the sheet. Sou nubflor,anfltai tersera orada into casserai sou
(Figs. lb, 3), which represents one fifth of the transect of Campbell (t976). Inlerpretalion of rho largr-ocale profiles n. t. 100.0. coursa, tromba, se000trrns rosero rngien vUvObnOm
Therefore, the edges of those tobnlar sandstone sheets ore inferred to have a very lnsthvtdual erostoual bounding surfaces aro difficult to troce entirely along mow Sfhb anadear dunes or 5' 000 susoranurn
low-anglo wedge shape. tu most of the other studied exposures, however, the lateral thou 1.5 km of chit lino (Fag. 6). The erosion surfaces ore lost where dio sandstone The inspection of the sandstone color distribution in the Westwater Canyou
terminations of the sandstone sheets are not commonly observable, most likely sheets amalgamate. Amalgamated erosional surfaces can be identified by intractasl Member, as summarized in Figure 6, indicates that the vertical amalgamation of the
because dio cliff laces are orientated snbparallet to the easterty directed palooflow, horazans within the amalgamated unit, but in many cases these horizons are missing. ftoviotile sheet sandstones played an important role in controlling die final rare rmnn recur Ora 5t0 torn cImebmng pein sun, tien ruaren
Sn sananOs, cross oncuimon sonoras rusa
and as a rosult, subparatict to the long oses of the sheet sandstones as well. ft should bo noted that, in geueral, it is uot possibto to Iraoc dichoso ola sandstone sandstone color distribution within the Westwoter Canyon Member. The origin of
Ccrorsard os pate 04
Cowan Architecture of the Wostwater Canyon Member, Sao Juan Basin 02
2 3 White Rock Kit Carson's
White Cliffs Mesa Cave area
T Figure 5 HillTop Haod (Fi9 16)
KitCarson'chncoEost(FO.15) Kd
Kd
Jmw ___ __ Jmw
Jmr Jmr
50m
= 5kw 10kw
White RoakMmo East (F0. 7)
0km
- I I I I
2
I I
3
I I
4
I I
T T T T
T
Kd
Jmw -- - - - --
-- ---------- Kd
Jmw
Jmr ' --
6 7 8 overhask
Midget Mesa eposi s
Mesa Butte
Fra. 6,The regional profile of the Wmtwater Canyon Member (2mw) in T T T T white-co(ored
-
the study area. The upper section reprcscutsavertical exaggeration of 5 and I I sandstone
is a projection of the profiles on a plane joining Campbell's sections 1 toO as Kd
I
jmw
edca(oed
What RockMcsabtths ossoalhfxmthdflllrnhoeth
the Studied region. The distinction of lise Westwater Canyon Member from
Jmr 50 m
20kw
the overlying Brushy Basin is orbitoary here in the westrenmost portion of 15kw
the basin, and therefore it is not labeled, Caneced intervals ace labelled os I I I I
'u'. Black = overbank fine material. New darkest shading = reddish
I I
6 7 8 9
sandxtone; white = white sandstone; intermediate shading = buff sandstone,
The lower profile ix the wcsleenmost portion of the section presented in
Campbell (1976, Fig. 2; and indicated in Fig. 3 herein) drawn at the same 05
vertical exaggeration as the profiles in this study. The nnmbees 1 to9 on the
top of each poofile correspond to the positions of measured sections of Kd
Campbell (1976). Stratigraphie positions of detailed profilas of White Rock
Mesa East, Kit Ca,son's Cane East und Hill Top Read (Figs. 7, 10 and 16)
are indicated, The cliff section illustrated in Fig. 3 of Campbell (1976) ix Jmw
152- 16km along this transect
Jmr
Coscnued os page 06
V V
Jmr
A
A' ..--'. -'' v-j.,
170'
- -
350
Xb PI Si/SI BS N
B
e Tom.. 2--The paleocurrent and vector dip-azimuth statistics nf the
28O p, as presented FWRMEt=
LA,,
E
150
White Rock
Xb PI Si/SI BS B
Profite; KCC West = Kit Carson's Cave Profite; HTR = liti lop Road
s
Profite. u = number of observations; VM. = vector mean azimuth; si =
/ circular standard deviation; z = Raleigh's z tent of random distribution
- N (at the 5% significance level) where R, U, and B indicate random,
profile orientation
ák respectively. z test not condssct:d for sample nnmb less than five.
*ss
E
s.
- 4F > wv 0/
170
1
Xb
B 2
Si/SI
316' 2' .
BS
15 577' 29' U
8 2 15 077' 29' ti f5 112' 26' B 7 087' 74' R 6 SiB' 32' U
50135 134'71 R 6 154'44 R 224155'. 10504'B9' R
__.-
_="-E
b Kit Carson s Cave East (Fig. 10) d 1 11 065' 46 U 2 063' 3 . 1 008'
.
155'.. Hill Top Road (Fig. 16) 88 2 20 064' 31' U 8 553' 9' B 16 054 40' U 9 015' 72' R
C ..-235' 3 4 136: 28 . I l25 . . 2 002 29:
I 43 f'41' 209106 R 34 U
u
X6PISUSIBS A
P as
N C
Xb PI Si/SI BS
rss
BBB'4 y WL,E
1
OB WE
\ 1 black aeeoWS of crons-strasal dip directions (Xb) nod passing tioeation trends (IS)
ais 235v
'Ils
155 ass O (Fig. 13). lo places, the outcrop is characterized by taterally ts000sive fifth-oeder
Thrs bosodiog surfaces (A, B, B', C), whereas elsewheee it is dominated by
Iii discontinuous third-order bounding surfaces with tocafly very steep angulas
Contacts (up to 26'). The lateratty coelsnuous bounding surfaces, with the
encepuon of A, contd ool ho demonstratod to be the eguivai eel of the surfaces
of the provioas two profites, nor could patoocuzreet trends within packages be
Pm. S.Puleorneres.t, Si/Sl, asid bnm.disig saetare onusitatiosi sisossirney usibividnd into roberont isitnrvsiJa separated by fsttls-order bnsmdizsg correlated, sltuslratiog the difficulty of coreetanog deposdionat psckages from 05e
diugoam fur u. Whit. Rock Mnua East; b. Kit Cnesn.s's Cave East; e. Kit onefacos. Palr.oesiereat utaristinu urn sammaniaezim Table 2. esposase to another in thin erosiooally dissected terrain.
Carson's Caen West; asid d. Hill Top Road. The oeinntaiios. data are
F,e. 10.Kit Cruo' Cavo East profiic (1ocMior o Fig. 4). Strtigeophic
pocitio. ohow. o..Fg. 6. Anirnth doto omc oi.nmn or Fig. 7.
........a....
channelbelt deposit (Mossop and Flach, 1983), and varions freed channels (Hopkins, sandstone bodies (shown as W' in Fig. 17). The wide range of 'channel-system' Said condoits composed of homogeneous channelbelt sandbodios fall within the I-
tA
Kit Carson's Cave West g V (Fig. 15)
C
n -.
B' a
- .==- 00
350
-_- s
Jmw
® (Fig. 14)
30m
Jrttr Fo. 13.Kit Corto,,'t Cove Wt proFile (Iooctio,. oa Fig. 4). So.e
etrotigrophic level oo White Rock Meo Boot 000d Kit Coreoo'r Cove Boot
o
prohibo. Auhnoth dato same reheme es Fig. 7.
235 055
D'-
30m
o
ISo. 16.Hill Top Road peofile (location on Fig. 4). Stratigraphie position
shown on Fig. 6. Azimuth data same scheme as Fig.?.
Forst ordnen
Dm massive or konizontal bedding longefodinal A art (McKre and Wirr, 1953) boundary; usually erosional fo some degree, bat not
MICHAEL H. BROMLEY crudely bedded imbrication bans, lag
Drpat'tretrtnt of Gralogy orossouttang the previoms set; separating situilae lithofaoies. Interpreted as the result
geavel deposits, of relatavely orderly migration uf bedforms nador conditions of steady flew. Lutent:
finicceaity of Toronna,
sirve deposits lüt,lOam.
Toronto Cavada MSS 3B1
St sand, medenm teoagh ceoss-beds solitary or grouped second ordne:
Amcnncv A,cbttootanat atad,,s the Kayente Fotnntat,on (La,tee Jaanaatt) at the Cototo Ptateaa
so very ooa.sn, dunes (lawee A tatort (McKee and Wirr, 1953) bounding surface; asnally erosiomal, separating
,teeal the chanactetnSho of tato typo of aaodntooe Why, that ceflea both ephornenat and peeceniet maybe pebbly flow regime) oosots of dissemilar litholucies. Interpreted as reseelting from a change in flow
SottO ptnaco.a The fiant typ, in ntetpn,ed of high-nega, honiaoetatty-tataieaod antone, fonatng
mothpte-coeot atatys ap to t thick. depmitnd by lath 5Ocd The antond type a tomp000 of planar conditions, e.g., from soasoual discharge variations. Estoof' 1f 10mw
Sp Sand, meditata solitary ne gronped liaguoid, trans-
tee,a-beda, defonn,,d patatnhio cno,a,beda and naanioe aaadstoae toveed ande. lorn.nepnte float from fo very coarse, planar cross-beds verte bars, third orslwrt
pn,eoaat tice. dttniag Stgb etage
may be pebbly sand waves Manor erosional scours, which cress col tots and covets; Interpreted as reactivation
The anyte et depmtetoa a depeadeec Opon the degree Of teotnene,a mtthtn the bonndaees of the
(lower flow sarfaces, such an those created by the formation of chmbe ohaunels or levo.
channel system ta qtteatton When tOtttee,nent nsa dOrniaant. aeilim.ntary lilt Often eefleOa the
regime) orrvansns. Extent: ltl0lOtm.
geoa,eoy of the ,oetntateg channel. Pateoest,cet diafitbaho, nettetta the deptaitieg float teadttion, in
tonfoed bedient Hooaonfatty.tatninetota natta thom at,Oegty nntn.tet.t cannvnth nheneaa the
Sb sand, very tine to horizontal lamination, planae.bed flow f ogni, orden
hetenolithie atiand netta ehem a stee Oefen
very ooaesn, parting or sfeeaming (lowee and The ontyeomen tinily non-erosional bounding surface; therefore ente in omtcrop.
When finn. n,m oate,tftned (danng fltgh tage. mhe,t tsef,nege mese tattndatnd). the tatathog may be pebbly lineation appen flow Inferpreted as the preservation, perhaps through very rapid burial, of an nppee
aaponila ate hOed asceta tatcetingeniag sotS ttttdertyiag cottI med aandbodt,s, A none of mtenatganttea
regeme) surface of a major sedimentary feasare, such asan in-ehauuef sand bar. Eqnaivulrnt
dtipteya ahanp thaagen io pateoflmm den,ntou mithin e. arne afnttgnephto Saumon. n.nsttiag fnm the
sintttannom echo. nl confined etat nacanfiaed depcsihan.t p,vrnsaes. The ieteedtgoaetnn encorde the to a formtet (McKee and Wein, 1953). Extent: liS'm,
SI sand, roe low-angle (o 10') scone tills,
etnenentat ehsndonmnat of channel,, as tange teco,tftnnd banfne,no ea000ached on then. daning ttgh
stage
cross-beds ceevasne splay., filth ordrr
antidones The basal erosional surIner of any major channel sysfrm, often immediately
Dtach.age oan,,bettty in nte,,nd Item lithntaciea cornpoaihne. Oseaste hut perenetat dtsohange
entorne e nade tange of ttthOtsttat. ntttdtng clay dtapea naantheg f overheat by substantial lag gravels. Geometay oflon mirrored by overlying, oested,
eoetnarn. atamiah nom elaahy Sm' sand, l'me to massive bedding, flood events,
dtacharge floss 0,5 fmo tithof,ctea typco tetan nepeeseanng ton.argtnte maatng and caning 00m sad third-order surface., separating progressively smaller channel lilla, An aid in
conner, intractasts flame structures debris flaws recognition may hr sharp rhaoges in paletwureent trend across the surface.
thorn repreneattng hegh.negnne peak fien.. Clay drapes ano atnent.
Interpreted as the deepest extent of ermita ta tacar dn.ing the formation of a
Spa' sand, foe to coarse, ovorfmened parabolic bed shear on matme assemblage of related architectural elements, the classic ensample being
INTRODUCTION
may be muddy cross-beds with minor satueated latcral-acoeetiou drposits. tossent: 1Sal5am.
or pebbly massive intercalations sand
They paper eepeets oman. oagoeag ssady of fluvial fades neohitectaeno im tian flavial
Kayonta Fonaaataon of then Colorado Plateaa. The aspect dealt with herem in tiar igel, ordnet
geometries of two ooateastimg types of sandstone body, in omtcrop atar Ueavan, Peo. fl.Lonmtiom nf sitady gram. Laterally-extrusive erosional suelanes which may merely be coalesced fil th-oedrr
additional lithofacies defmed by author satofaces, bas traceable ovee large distances. Interpreted as separating major
Coloeadn (Ftg. 1). The style of dopositiom, whether from perennial or nphemeeal
nteeama, sa mfeeeed feom thou geometry and lithofaoies composition. Uait geometny acooss es gamed by walking, free climbing oe aid climbing. The deteentination of member-scale emits within n sedimentasy system, sack as rollan and fluvial
Dne disudvonttage nl this method of analysis lies indie Smitations imposed by the members within n single formation. Lutent: iSa-iSSu.
was resolved asing aeohiteotmrnl-elnment analysis, as peoposnd by Allem (1983) and bonnding-snrfaoe oedee generally follows the law of cross-cutting relationships perspectnve of din camera. Thy ideal onlorop for photography is a vertical fao. with
MiaU (5985, l988u, b, o), with modilinatioms drveloped by Ihn amthoe. (Tablr 2). The lalfee stop torves to divido the aatoeop tiste goortically related Stile depth-ol-lield variability, with the photograph taken straight on to the
packages or aeohafeotnral elements (Table 3) deposited abovn basal erosional strategruphic middle of the fane. This is rarely accomplished in practico, and the
ARCHITECTfJRAL-ELEMENT ANALYSIS sarfaces, Having divided the otatceop into distinof otoments, one muy dina catey dio result es dissartaon ef perspective aruund peomontertes and reenteunts in die cliff
study info as wach detail as desired. face, Thes 's refleoted in the resultant line drawing (seo W'ezosick, this volomo). An KAYENTA FORMATION
Aecbatectmeal-elemenf analysis involves Ihr oonstraofion of oatoenp photomosaios The largest advantage of the geaceal method, in this aathoe's esperionce, is the esample of dios n the third-o.nier surface beneath element 4D-DA to the left of din
(e.g., F'eg. 2), wfuoh steve as ceeteoal maps of the omtorop laces under seedy. By abstruofioa of the outcrop groeetefry feom the total of the information persons. This bot destgmataag etrmoat 4C-CH in Pigmee 2. Careful on-site enamimation of this The Kayvuta Formation is port of the Lower Jneussic Glen Canyon Group,
stattooeng an assestant at some distano. from din omforop, peetinemt iefoemntiou stnp then permats the strategic focnsing on the acoltitectaneal elemento so derived, surface shows it to be noarly flat at this lonation. From the photograph, it can be consisting mf the Wm.gase Sandstone, Kayenta Formation and Navajo Sandstanr, a
snob as lithofacies composition (Miall, 1978, Table 1), paleofloso data and while not being distracted by adjaoont (and oheonologioolly sopaeatn) strata. The eren that there is a dry wash descending over the outcrop fato at this location, with system deposited predominantly by volian pronosocs, bracketing the Kayemta fluvial
boundnng-snrface onentahon can be recoedod 0m a mylar ovoelay while the mosaao and oveelay torve as both field motes and map and give one an instant about 3w of rrenfrant rebel. interval. Outing to the pancity of fossil evidence, rooks of the Glen Canyon Group
geologist weeks the oatoeep faon. Data are eelayrd by two-way radio. Outcrop erfeeenoo to spatial relationshIps among strata, regardless of scale. have beco assigned ages ranging from upper Triassio (Gregory, 1917; Hnrshburger
Ccoitoaodcopago9ti
Bromley Vanillines in fluvial style, Kayenta Formation, Colorado 94
I
58-CH AREA 'B'
J
4B.CII I
BOUNDING SURFACES
SCOUR TRENDS atE000l
lstADndordcr
TALUS AND EXCLUDED OUTCROP OUTCROP FACE TREND PAL EO F LO W
tPALEOFLOW NORTH BOURSINS SURFACE DIP
10M Cdorder _- 5tflorder
Fue. 7.Various examples of the cross-bed deformatioa conlinsons. Fur. 8.-Massive sandstone furies interbedded wills (lowermost set) and
Lowermost set is exarutially undefornird, whereas the topmost sot h.0 only gradational from (fourth set) deformed cross-bedding. Leus exp IsSO mm.
a few vestiges of foreset laminatiou remaining. tens cap is 50mm.
Fe. 4.Irregular surf ace m horizoulally-lansinated sand unit (sudor lens Fus. 6.Typical occurrence of parabolically-folded cross-beds. Sets
cap, dipping to the right), grading laterally into continuous laminae. Stich comprise a continuum from uormal planar cross-beds to totally disrupted
bounding surfaces are rare and discontinuous. Leus cap is 50mm. forms (see Fig. 7). Note how bounding surfaces dip dowucurrout. Leus cap
(in fold axis) is 50mw.
sm'
4E-CH
- a-
4D-DA
Spo
5
5 2-LS
regmse conditions, burying Iba iuitiut duna bed audre think deposits of Isorizonal confined m the channel system. The familiar heeczons.sl lamiscar of the Bijou Creekvegetation. Avsdsien would divert the waning-flow stage and conceivably yield a migration rates of bedfoem and bar were the same, although proof of one
laminar, which often typify she deposits of floodwaters (McKee und others, 1967; deposst (McKee and others, 1967) occur in overbunk arnas as the result of multiple 'terminal fill' of horizontal laminar. mrehamsm over the other required that the entire barform be preserved. The
Tuobridge, 1981; Stear, 1985). As the flood wanes, these deposits are incised by the large-runoff eveuf s. These beds are incised by the present channel. Should such a Elemeet 4D-DA resembles closely the down-climbing cross-stratified sets observed geometry in Banks' papee was attributed to unsteady flow conditions
waning stream or subsequent floods of rassulter magnitude (Fig. lob). During the system aggrade theougkt tune, the resulting deposit could consist of peripheral described by Banks (1973), who proposed mechanisms related to bedform which, in turn, influence the relative rate of migration of bcdforms of differing
waning stage, dunes and sand waves occupy the new channel, resulting in trough 'overbank horizontal lansinae iateebedded with axial trough cross-bedding (Fig migration rato us bring responsible for the geometry al the units. This geometry scales. Unsteady flow seems likely in this case, given the likelihood of wide
cross.bedding (Facies St). lOa). may have resulted from the downstream migration of megaeipplrs at a vate luster discharge fluctuations io the arid environment posedated for the Kayensa flucial
fo basal trough cross-bedding in these units is similar in amir and diupasition to Peeservanon of the assemblages in this study may have resulted from upstream than that of the barform over which they migrated, hence preferentially preserving system.
the main channel deposits of dar Bijou Creek system (F. G. Etbeidgr, pees. avalasen during a large flood, au occurrence quite penible if ene postulates a the doscudliosbiag teatuee. Il was also thowrs that such deposits could form ander Aa import.ouf feature of element 4D-DA is that it terminates and intertingees
common., 1989), which resulted from moderato flashflood events thaI eernained floedplam of poorly-consolidated sandy alluvium with sparse or nonexistent conditions of nel sodimeutation (i.e. sediment toad o stream capacity) if the with a CH element at its northern extremity. Palcoftow directions in the CH
Ccxvv.sed co page i02
Bremley Variations io fluvial stylo, Kayenta Formation, Colorado loo
basal trough future erosional confined
position of future flow
erosion surface crossbedding surface
area of figure 9
position of future chute channel low-stage overbank
flow flow
A B
F,o. 1O.-Dopooitiorol modoh for olomohiu di000socd m trot: loft-bord 110go deopo. b. Modo! for Ihr olrmoot-2 ococmb!ogr. Moim chmo! ryrtom
foco of block diogoom ir o porrprctivr viow of ootcrop limo drowiog o, Fig. 2, (dopocitiog olomrot ZA-LS) formod from Ihr migootio. of d000 doomg
with third dimoruioo irforrrd from moourrrd doto, o. Model for tho cmall floods. Ovrrbm.k ocooc coociol of forjo, Sb roflootiog corcovo-op
rlomrot-4 ocoomblogo. Flow diroctioo, bocomr loto vorioblr with mcrrotod gromrtoy of modi roorgrn. Choorrl rvrofo.11y bocomr, bmiod, prrbop or
dirckorgr; cr000-brddcd mid-chomwl rood sboct (rlrmoot 4D-DA) ocorotro Ihr rosolt of opotorom ovultio. dimog flood.
downotorom tody doriog high rtogr. ChiOc chomnolt b, bor top drvrlop ot
N_..S......
element (4E-Cil, Fig. 2) ore at roughly 60' to those of 4D-DA (Fig. 9). lndividoal direction. Current mdicalors m hoeizontally-lamioated nuits closely reflect the trend REFERENCES ase Wren, G.W., 1953, Terminology tor slratification and cross'
cross-bed sots with northwesterly palooflow diroctions interfsnger, in Ihr same of theo vnclosmg channels, l'bis suggests deposition during bankfull Sow in a stratification in sodimesstary rocks: Geological Society of America Bullvtin, e.
stratigraphie interval, with chamseIfilling coeds of lithofocies Sb and SI with manner similar to element 4D-DA, encopt lar the difleronces in flow regime Au.nss, J.R.L., 1967, Notes on some fundamentals of palaeocureont analysis, with 64, p. 391-398.
roughly due west paleoflows. This geometry suggests that 4E-Cil woe activo doring between the two elements. This contrasts with the greater paleocurrent variability reference lo prcservatiou potential and sources of variance: Sedimentology, y. Miau., AD., 1974, Paloocnerent analysis of alluvial sedinsents: a discussion al
deposition of 4D-DA. An 4D-DA encroached on 4E-Cil, its Ion was swept away wsllun Cil elements. The miernal urchilecfoee suggests that they resulted from a 9, p.75-80. threcuonal variance and vector magnitude: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, e.
and included into tito laminated channel deposits (Fig. lob), eventually plugging the sonos of similar discharge events. 1983, Studies is Iluviatite sedinseotalion: bars, bar comploses and 44, p. 1174-1185.
channel. TIns su reflected by the aforementioned changes in pal000ow and The absence of mud drapes suggests that t. ail such bottiers were removed by sandstone shunts (low-sinuosily braided streams) in the Brownstonrs (L. 1978, Lithofacies types and vertical profilo models in braided riser
sodimentary-slouclure type (Fig. 9). erosion, or 2. that flew waned rapidly te zero, precluding a phase of suspension Devonian), Welsh Borders: Sedimentary Geology, v.33, p. 237-293. deposits: a summary, in Miall, A. D., ed., Pluvial sedimentology: Canadiau
Element 4D-DA is both a transversely- and longitudinally-entonsive lobular nuit, deposition. The latter possibility is favored here, given the presence of mud drapes 1984, Sedimentary slonct000s: their character and physical basis: Society of Petroleum Geologists Memoir Sp. 597-604.
typical of dus type of oloment. It entends for al least 1.5 Ian in the downcorronl w nearby Cil clements. This would snpporl ephemeral deposition as the process Developments in Sedimenlology, Elsevier, v.30, 1256 p. 1985, Architectural element analysis: a now method of facies analysis
direction (part of the longitudinal dimension in visible in Fig. 2). Element 4D-DA responsible for LS elements in the Kayenta Formation. zoo Bazws, NL, 1972, An interpretation and analysis of recumbent- applied to fluvial deposits: Earth Science Reviews, v.22, p. 261-308.
can be traced across the Dolores Canyon lo an ontceop some 900 m southeast of folded deformed cross-bedding: Sedimeutology, e. 19, p.257-293. l98Oa, Architeceurul elemenls and bounding surfaces in fluvial deposits:
that in Fignrr 2, indicating a width of at least that of the canyon, about 200 m. This Paleocnsrent Trepido Bases, NL, 1973, The origin and significance of some downcurrentdipping cross- anatomy of the Kayenta Formation (Lower Jurassic), Southwest Colorado:
mdicatos a osca channel system of al least equal width, and if the channel bedies stratified sels: Journal of Scdimentasy Prlrelogy, v.43, p. 423-427. Sodimentary Geology, v.55, p.233-262.
associated oath those bar units aro genetically related, it suggests a bankf nIl depth lt is clear from an rsamination of thin outcrop that there ore some striking Caven, F.W., 1970, Geology of the Salt Anlicline Region in sonthweslern Colorado: l980b, Facies architeccsee in clastic sedimentary basins: in Klrinspehn,
of thin river (assnming coecal activity of the underlying channels somewhere in the reversals In palecwurrent trend between adjacent architectural-element nmrmblagrs, U.S. Geological Survey Prolessional Paper 637,80 p. KL and Paola, C. eds., New perspectives in basin analysis: Springer-Verlag,
system) of al leant tOm. i.e. between Ihr 2-assemblage and the 4-assemblage, which shows a nearly 180' Don, T.W. axe R.H Deere Jr., 1980, Genetic significance of deformed cross bedding- Now York, 453 p.
Element 4E-Cil lu composed predominantly of litholacies Sb and St (Table t). reversal along a northwest-southeast trend. Other such wide variance between with esamples from the Navajo and Weber Sandstones of Utah: Journal of 19806, Reservoir heterogeneities in fluvial sandstones: lessons from
Bounding surfaces within the demonI dip generally downstream with little corianco elemenls occurs between 3-LS and the 4-assemblage, 40-DA and 6-CH, and Sedimentary Petrology, v.98, p. 793-812. oulceop studies: American Association of Petroleum Geologisls Bulletin, e. 72,
between boonding-snrface dip and parting lineation on the contained laminar, between l-LA und 3-LS. This characteristic cae be seen in other outcrops in the Doeu.rso, il.H., Osssrr, C. G., zoo Hcpirroov, P.W., 1984, Salt Deformation in Ihr p. 582-697.
forming broadly concave-np, nested tronghs (area 'D', Pig. 2). The laminated sand Dolores Canyon region. Paradox region: Utah Geological and Mining Survey Bulletin 122, 93 p. Mmnceses, LT. ave Baeuev, RC., 1983, Procossrs aud controls on the intrrtougsting
deposits are interbeddod with minor channel deposits composed of inteaclast The 4-assemblage represontu deposits of u fairly large river syslom, as discussed Fosse, RL, 1980, Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks: ilemphill Publishing Company, of the Kayenta and Navajo Formations, Northern Arizona: colian-fluvial
breccia and coarse pebbly sand. above. Other occurrences ot northwest- or southeasl-trending architectural Austin, Texas, 106 p. interactions, io Brookfietd, M. E., and Ahlbrundl, T. S., edn., Eolian sedimonts
Thc broad, tabular geometry of element 4D-DA in comparison to its asnociated complenes appear to have similar scale, as though there was an enternal factor Gsoeons, FIE., 1917, Geology of the Narajo Country; A Reconnaissance of Parts of and processes, Developments in Sedimentology, 38, Elsevier, Amsterdam, p.
channel sands (elements 4A, 4B, 4C and 4E), suggests formation in a perennial drtermsmng the trend of largeriver uses in the region. The trends maybe the result Arizona, New Mesico and Utah: U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 613-634.
stream during high discharge, when the braided(S) system was at banlcf nil depth, or of basinal lilt imposed by the growth of elongate diapiric structures with the same 93, 151 p. 15-ano, G., 1987, Deformation processes in nnconuolidaled sands, in Jones, M30, and
even overtopping its banks. The lack of a basal lag deposit and the way that trend in underlying Parados Basin evuporites (Bromley, unpub. dota; Tyler and ilaosnnanorn, 1W., Roressess, CA. axe Irnos, J.il., 1957, Slratigraphy of the Preston, R.M.F., eds., 1997, Deformation of sediments and sedimentary rochs:
element 4D-DA appears to drape over pre-oninsing depressions withnut significant Elhridge, t983a, b). uppermost Triassic and Jurassic Rocks of the Navajo Country: U.S. Geological Geological Society of London, Special Publication 29, p. 11-24.
erosion suggest that it migrated by increments us a large eassd theol. As the sheet There is little question that syndepositional salt movement affected the ultimato Survey Professional Paper 291, 74 p. Prsnnnou, F., son Permusucs, 024., 1979, Stratigrophie relations of the Navajo
advanced, it heded everything il encountered in its path, he it an active or nearly geometry of earlier Mrsoeoic formations in the Parados region (Doelling nod Laxen, ER., Suonsiannu, EM. sun Es.sson, D.P., 1961, Early and late growth of the Sandstone to Middle Jurassic Pormatious, Southern Utah and Northern
abandoned thalweg. Evidence for both can be seen in the outcrop (areas 'B' and others, 1988). Aneas were displaced sulficiently lo produce pronounced Gypsum Valley Salt Anticlinr, San Miguel County, Colorado: U. S. Geological Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1035-B, p. 1-43.
'C', Fin, 2). unconloemities within the upper Triassic Chinle Formation. Such vertical Survey Professional Papee 424-C, p.C-131-C-136. Secan, W.M., 1985, Comparison of the bedform distribution and dynamics of
The consistency of paleollow direction in element 40-DA occurs in planar cross' displacement would almost certainly affect drainage in Ihr vicinity of the Lean, G.E., tunes, J.H. axe Wn.son, R.F, 1961, Age of the Glen Canyon Group modem and ancicel sandy ephewerul flood deposits in the seuthwestvre Koran
strata (tithofacies Sp) which usually display greater vnriassce in patcoftow direction dsslurbance. 1w the case of this study, periodic interruptions of regional (Triassic and Jurassic) ou the Colorado Plateau: Geological Society of America region, South Africa: Sedimentary Geology, v.45, p.209-230.
(Allen, 1967; Miall, 1974). This may he a reflection of the scalr of the baeform that southwesterly paleoflow by anticline growth deflected drainage into paeallelism Bulletin, e. 72, p. 1437-1440. Tcvmmoc, LP., 1981, Sandy higls-energy flood sedimentation-some criteria for
contained the cross-bedding, perhaps a large transverso mid-channel sand wave or with the growing salt structure, in this ease the Pnradoe Valley salt unticline (Fin, Los'snes.s, P.R., 1987, Basin analysis of the Kayreta Formation (Lower Jurassic), recognition, with an enamplo trom the Devonian of SW. Fegland: Sedimentary
island. The 'straight-through' nature of the deposit, sweeping over minor t). cenlesl portion Colorado Platean: Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Northern Arizona Geology, v.20, p. 79-95.
perturbations in the loor, in strongly suggestive of deposition during high stage, The large preserved thichness of some nlrments may have been dur to Unisrrsity, Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A. Toen, N. roo Essinmsn, P.O., 1983a, Pluvial arvhitecture of Jurassic uranium-
when the bar, emergent during normal discharge, was drowned by strongly subsidence of the Nuda syncline (Fig. 1) ss salt migrated laterally into the adjacent 1909, Basinwide sedimentation and archilectural features on an evolving bearing saedsloacs, Colorndo Plaloax, western United Stairs, in Collinson, J.
unidirectional bunhf nil flow (Fig lob). Because the Bow was 001 coulined within anticlinal smell. ancient fleer system: Kayenta Formation (Lower Jurassic), central portion, D., and Lencin, J., edn., Modern and anvioul fluvial systems: International
the braided system, neither were the sediments so deposited. The resulting deposit
Colorado PlaIras: 4th International Coofemnee on Fluvial Sedinsentology, Association of Sedisnentologists Special Publication 6, p.S33-547.
would be a broad shunt at least us wide us the bunkfull width of the depositing aCKNOwLeDGeMENTs Baecrlossa, Spain, Getobee 1909, Program with Abstracts, p. 170. ano , 1983b, Depositional setting of the Salt Wash Member of
stream.
McKce, ED., Comic, EJ. zoo Brunsssno HL., 1967, Flood deposils, Bijou Creek, the Morrison Formation, southwest Colorodo: Journal of Sedimentary
The ocenerenee of deformed cross-bedding may have resulted from stage The author thanks AD. MiaU, M. Giblieg and A. Ramos for their critical reading
fluctuations whore periodic subaerial esposare of the bar permitted laying out of Colorado, Juno 1965: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v.37, p. 029-951. Petralogy, v.53, p. 67-82.
of the manuscript; many helpful comments w ere recesved as well as direction lo Rosvos.os, MA. uso Buuucn, CH., 19624, Laboratory Sludies on
intergrannlar poren. Upon a renewed high stage, the sand shoot would then become some crucial references. S. Tribe provided able field ussistance, euduring geais und Deformation in Unconsolidated Sedinent'. U.S. Geological Survey Professional
saturated once again, and as currents fmally overtopped the barlorm, turbulent high temperatures admirably. Funding lordes paper and the larger effort of which
shear in ils lee may have caused failure of the downstream taco of the bar. The Paper 498-D, p. Dt51.Dt55.
lissa part has come from both Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council arm , 1962b, Enperimonts ost inleoloemotional
downstream-directed disruption of each Sp set would suggest o progressive' of Canada and American Chemical Society grants ander Min's supervision.
feedback mechanism of failure. As material from the upper barface is swept recumbenl folds in cross-bedded sand: U. S. Geologicul Survey Professional
Paper 498-D, p. Dt55-D161.
downstream, the etfectcve shear stress would increase as more material is ontraiaed,
becoming a fall-fledged slump at the toe of the bar.
The horizontally.laminaled units show a similar consistoney of poleottow
TN WCM FR YE S3 TB
M stur s
10f-
121
60
EXPLANATION FOR
DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
Laeuxtrier basin
FIG. 61.Stratigraphie cross section A-A' across the upper parts of Red The upper parts of some sections are missing due to erosion in the canyon
Fits. 10.Detail nf stratigraphie section of the Chinin Formation within adjacent sections, which are not labeled duc to proximity on the outcrop; see and While Canyons. The datnm in this and rn ss.bseqaent panels represents system produced by teibs.taries of the Colorado River. For clarity, only
sectaon A-A' showing relative spacing of all sections measnred rn the vicinity Fsg. 4 tor enplassatioo of lifholugie symbols. Facies relations dotermiased the top of the Moss Bach Member fluvial saudxtoues and latnrally equivalent selected measured sections along fhe cross section are depicted heec to
of WCM fo determine lateral facies relations of the Shiasarump, Monitor from this detailed panel were applied to the entire cross section, as depicted floodplain nsadstoises. Letlers at the top of each section correspond fo the demoustrate lateral tories relations.
Bufte, and Moss Back Membrrs. Sor Fig. 9 fer location of WCM and in Fig. lt. labelled locations nu Fig. 9 shnwiasg the locations of selected cross sections,
A A'
A A' MB CH UURC HKM TUES WCM AFFF'
o
Iii
(i) IL 16.0 km 16.6 Km 13.6 Km ' 7.2 km 7.2 km 4 km
Io co Ui
I
o U
La
nfl
I I I I
I
I
- Wt NG AT E
xoNOsTesE
.
Ctv,cv Ruck
Oat
Reck
Mntnrx
lao
_________i i i.
12e
Petroleo
o Member
o o MOSS050k
o tie o
o o
'., Member
Uneltor nutre
o Member
o / svireruer,
/ Member
60
M0rNKOPt
mVÌi
F OR MATt Ql
ui_
m EupLAsATtox FOR tepesITtOsaL ruvtooNMrsTS
5 km
Mertv
FIovdpIaifl. purrosel
B' C C-
H
TOR TORE FR0 CR LUMP PLCK LAMP
z O 4 kin
bk blu 8.8 km
b) 5
5,6 kin
lu 20 her
e)
o of 9.6 kto 4 kur
o C) a, J Z
II
=--
I I III III I III Meters
180
INI OT e
SoNO rose
Oui
rock
120
PetrífiCa
- Member
-o - ,,_
MovuvoFt 60
I COO MoChOs
5 kin
Manc Fiooariar, releorOi
FIG, ll5,Stratignaphic crone section C-C' of ihn Chinin Formation 'w order io intnrprnt the dnponiiional nnvironmnnts of Ihn Chiado in this
consisting of snincteef measured snciionn along Ihn northern part of thu region, Note ihn northward palnoflow of Shinaretmp fluvial systems at ihn
FIG. 14,interpretive panni of lithufacins and dnponitiemal nnviromeeeeets Tnasdair Uplift nnar Capitol Reef National Park, Sue Fig. 4 for nnpiauation bann uf the Chinin, and contrast thin with ihn northwnstnrly Shinareemp trend
of the Chinin Formatioir along cross section B-B'. Seo tnnt fur discussion. of symbols, Thin cross nootion is combined with the following section D-D' in Reel and White Cauyoas on sections A-A' and B-B',
C C' D D,
D D,
w o- c a: > F- a:
LONG HOR
rig
SHOFI WOLV
614
LOST
'la BURR
>1'g
ROM
'I a:
o
a:
O
aa O
-f
zo a:o -J
01 o O
M oto r n
7.2 kur 1.6 km 4 km 8.0 km 15.2 km 7.2 lam
I- I- u O -J
I19km I_.l J ICI) att
loo I I I I I I i P ii I II
'fi Wt NG AT E
SANIISTONE
120
I Oui
Member
IL
i
Furent
Member
Mertrur
usirn
Member
60 z
a' ssirsrarw Mbr
MOENeOPI
FORM SPION
t.acosl,inr bas,n
FIG. 16.-Stratigraphic crnsn seetinn nf fisc Chinin Fnrmalinu along D-D' mrstward palruflow nf Shinaromp flnvial sondstnnru al Ihr basr of ihr FIG. 17.-interpretive panel of cross neetionn C-C' mesi D-D' showing Capitol Reef bed tu a major fluvial eompinu consisting of slacked channel
depicting Ihn lilbnfacies and dnpoxitinnal cnvirnmnents nf the ChinIn Chinlr in thin regios.. lithofaeies and dcponilional envirnnmnnls of the Chinin Formation from the deposits in the nnetions at TORE and FBi) and levee and splay duposils lo
Formation nonthward und nastward ornmsd Ihn Circin Cliffs Uplift. Note Ihn Teandale uplift south to the Cirein Cliffs Uplift Thn informally named Ihn east through the remainder of the cross scutinu.
..,\ / / /
J.P.P.HIRST
BP Eitploration Company Limited
The Ebro Basin in northeast Spain (Fig. 1) was an enclosed arar of continental
sodimentalion daring Oligo-Mincene limos (Qoiranlns Pnerlav, 1989; Riba and
others, 1987; Agusli and others, 1988). Thy basin evolved av the sonthven foredeop
"ex n.-,, /--
/ / /
.ospa'<''-'r. f,-,,
\ T'-'. /
/
aaamo_....:'4ifFì4p
SIERRAS
ii
/?
n
Britanaic House, Moor Lane of the Pyrnavan orogvr, u prodnct of the collision between the Iberian and jaca BASIN r
London, England EC2Y 9BU Europarat plasos in mid-Tvrliary times (Boiles, 1984; Desegauls and Mvrvlli,
1988). The anta! 000v of the Pyrenean chain became an arm of nphft and erotica FU!VtAI. - E5'pg no'.
and, on the southern Souk of this vvolving moanlain chain, sevorul thrust sheets t s' / /S'tigTM 'n
br 1fidL SIERRAS
,TnEMP.
flu ttarsu Syon, n imopssssd s smtii. dussba,i,n ttnsul syaur,. Pion, were displavod sonlhward (Pnigdefabeegax and Sonquel, 1986; Maties and others, i q "n-
Assessor: / lt 'wnu, /GRA5S
th,s tlanthl tan' s&5 tsegdy thrghnr5b of ,s,ll-avfovd ,h,00,ls ma Ihn dsposiu typosile 1986). The pevsont Enteetsal Sierras (F'sg. 2) ars the emergent fronls el these major f \ I BASIN endoso
of ,h,n,rl-s.sdstuls dimvlos,d ,xtho, flo'ndpl.in ros,. Awtg.nr0ion nf 'br ssrsdssons aria
,uri,sdsprnd,ngo,drslonainsnnsainthssyswn bws.lp fil .,nossdm,flonthslth,eesn
thrasl sheets. Thin frental thrnst complex began to form dneing Evwene lime bot did
nul fully develop as au emergent babee anti! the Oligovenv. Once vmergvnt, the
'tn_sn LIma
\J I Hasura
,,-- OOESCAFLOVSAL /
,ysw,nmv sed brnsdly q sfisble nres is, len slIsnisi ntsioaao sonos, the syso,n thrust front formed a topographic high along the nertheen margin o! the Ebro I SYSTÜI
//
//
A prsv,ss seen lv, d,srñbol,se sysnssn eaw,vl 5, dearnxinsd, sed thossaarose kshss bren Basin. To the north, the Jasa and Tremp-Graav butins became largely separated / HUESCA SYSTEM
Nutrantine s
wrsssmard nuüs, Ib, pr'n°"0 engins. Th,s du,au, rs, snsblud plus o by vnssnmvod shonog r,udul w
dissi ',sessvns fly r,snlasdioso I. An propesms 01 o-vhu,n,l sedes,r,L dsorsnssd dually; 2, as
from the Ebro Bositt. These small 'piggyback' basins (Ori and Friend, 1984)
continued to accumulate allnvial sedimenl following thn emergence el the thrust
's
S' / ntos,ayaedneoses _.,..
ssndsony bed,,, 0,5 d,sfllly sed rho, the pslnnvssnn,ls es, bsvnsno,g shnllorsn,; rd 3. sheet
prsn.tsns nr,djslly. she,s ero,, subis
front (Pssigdnfabrvgas, 1975) and deposition mas in part vontemperoneens with EBRO BASIN 'n_sn, fluaislscenm,
ss,ustnnss dspes,Lsd by lsLvesltynn,r,blvvhssesls sedimentation in Ihn Ebro Baum.
vlu,enels,,ediv.sedbyebbon ssrdstorys, enrers,nrevonnnv.rauufly.Th,dvnrnsseeohsrmsldspthsnd 20km A
inwhuo,sl ansporns se, perbsbiy as usais of s,'spnssixs eso, loss, ,hsenei bdarvsOon sed nudism
d,eenssr, fly Aesed sssbiluy duully is in,yep,sed to he Its si esdaesd sbslüy W
rl,, bsrs5s, mes, frsqosss s,vluon rd rplmm,,l lion,. Psa, 2,The 'mfnrred early Mineenn palnodroitsogn poftnrn (oreonu) along Pto. 3.The morn Oligo-Miocene alluvial fans along Ihn northern margin
Thsslismsevhioolos,nfthr'poñphrutsnnus'ofthssysrnn,sdjsvnnitothethrntsfernsthssdsSoss the enntral port nf the northern Ebro Bosio and witisiss the odjocnnt sns.th nf the Ebro Basin. These small fasss 'mtnrfiasgernd with the pnniphnral arnas
rl,, nein,,, usrgth nl Ss 55,0,. diffrn slighrly finns the r,,.,, pse nf ths seseas. Ths essA, duffremm is nue ny Pyrnnnnn (after }tirnt and Nichols, 1986). of Ihn mneh larger Honnea and Lana dinteibn.tivn fluvial systems (odapted
thshigfls,lrsqu,vvyotvbbvn ssndssnthspoeipasr.lseess.Thssrvsybedorrnthsrsetnnuo Bissas from Hirut and Nichols, 0986).
o,stsbihsy of lw Sn, v,se the thrust Ssno sed psnndss innndslion by th, nsseginsl sli,m,si tse,. Also,
thesr,ns,gin,slte,seuddbsessnnnassdtheflnrnpsthsefsne.srsnrmthspeuplresstpstnefthrne&in A elastic tringe of largnly llnnial sedimnels was deposited aeonnd the margins of
the basin (Hirst and Nichols, 1986; Allen and others, 1983) with the thickest The Huesca Syatem
The rsody hss spplivslinns hydsnnulben espinrstive in seslngnasssqorxvrs. Rsdisl n.nasurs 0, sequences deposited along the northern margin (v3SAO m; Riba, 1971; Agnssli and
prEnnEnt su nrd,vstsd sed rl,, essen of s.edstese bed,ss r, the sabstrisvn n.y br ,ssin,s,nd others, 1988). Thnuc fluvial deposits interfinger with lacusteine deposits in the basin The Hoesca System is the larger of the two distribativ, systems inlerpref ed as
leoen hr nidth.shinkurs, esislinsuhip d,onn,n,d fsv,n thn pse el 'br syssne. centnr (Cabrora und Suez, 1987). The late Oligoertte to Miocvne llnvial sediments, being adjacent lo thn northern margin of the basin (Ftgs. 2 and 4) und it belongs
which are thy snb jest ol this paper, were mosdy deposited alter 1kv mdjoe opinados largely te the Saeiñeua Formation of earlier workers (RibA, 197f). !l has not bnvn
eenuosvciicrc of thrnst emplacement. The snbseqnnnl minee movements of the thrnsts caused possible In sendy div entire syslem for Iwo main masons:
lindo deformation within thr seqnnnce of 'mlereul. the pronirna! sedimeuls have been leclonically disrupted, the mess prominent
Lateral profiles from several localises have been studied lo assess the spatial sfeuctnre being the Barbastro Anticline (Ftg. 4; Martinez Peña and Pocovi, 1988).
variations of alluvial architecture within a sirgle system, lo attempt lo quantify these Pol seed coinage Potrete. Nues barn Ebro Basin Eoeene gypsam ix prvwol al the uortavc willtio thin d'tapiric anticline. Thus the
variations, and to ansens their potential applications is, hydrocaeben exploration. Several morn pronirnal sedimeuls are no tonger voulignons with the rest of thy system and
well-exposed sections from various paese of the Huesca fluvial nyntem in the Ebeo Basas, Sludy of the sediments in th, northern Ebro Basin, and the strncfuee of the this study bus vancenlrated ou the medial so divlal deposits.
northern Spain, ave enantined (Einst and Nichols, 1986; Hirns, 1983). Flew across this adjacent vomIra! southern Pyrenros, enabled First and Nichols (1986) to recostslenet Regional correlation ix impreciso. The agv of the sequence has bese
disthbutive system wan mainly theottgh a nelenerk of well.defmed channels within which the paleodrainage pailera atong part of the northern margin of the basin (F'sg. 2). determined from a few vertebrate horizons that indicate an early Mioceno age
the bulk of the sandy bedload material was deposited. The tequence typically consists of Two terminal, thsleibntive flavia! systems. the Huesca and the Lotta, have bertt (Crmtafont and others, 1966; Cmnsafonl und Pons, 1889; Daams, pers. corn.). A site
chaanel-sandstone badine variably enclosed by flondplain deposits. Amalgamation of the inlorpryled. The beodee channels o! these iwo major systems were appronimatnly at St Cilia (Ftg. 3) has been placed immediately above the Oligo-Miocene boandasy
sandstone units varies depending on their position (presimal-dislal) within the System. lmkm 100 km apart. Along the basin margin between those two points of input, the (Crnno!onl and othnrv. 1966; Agnsti and others, 1988) and is appears lIraI the
Is is an aim of this slady lo demomnule that them are systematic and broadly quantifiable cmergenl brouta! ramp formed o topogeaphic high thaI restricted houdwaed Huesca System developed in the arca from late Oligneene 'mio Miocenc limes.
variations in the alluvial archileclure across a thslnibntive fluvial system. migration ob major rieerv. A serios of relatively srnal alovial fans formed along thin Paleomagnetic sludies within the Huesca System have so fue failed fo improve
parI of the basin margin in response lo the timilnd drainage area available (F'tg. 3; regional correlation (Turner and others, 1984). tn thy absence of deluded
Hient and Nichols, 1986). Thons small alnvial faro inserfsngered with the peripheral correlation, the sledy cannel be enfended confidently455
over a large area. Thus, work
Fm. 1.Map nhow'mg the lonotion of the Ebro Bon'm, oorthnont Sporn. arcas of both the Lnata and the Huesca Systems. has focnncd on the medial te dista! deposits within a seotor west sed southwest
A Sm.
36
RIO FLaMEN
23
38
22 35 35
7 IO
27
11km 26 39
IO-
le
50m
16 42
IT
14
MEAN
5 299i
NORTH
0
G
n
0 2
o
L G
90 -
-.....................
33
-5 o 22
G
p p o
3b Is
b160 Inc
A B C
100m
o 45
o 45 MONTE
N ARAGON
w'.
44 645m
56
6 50
G
uro
2 - 49
-_
546 MEAN LINE OF
G SEC TtO N
48 263.5
O NAST E RIO
.47
52
PAL EO CUR R EN T I
6c ROSE 0=44
D o
69
17
- .----- -
i-:' 3 - --
I
O
--
20m
10
K Io N N
S
o PAL EOCURRENT
ROSE n-40
57
58
62
4
Er
LINE OF SECTION
)MJ o
55.----
C
500
D
15m
Fie. 8.Cnntinned from grevions page. A. La Serreta - profllrs of location of the profllrs in Fig. SA. C and D, Photographs nf parts of
three separate serrons from around the valley nf La Serreta. They are Ihr La Serreta profiles (Fig. SA) nnvrring intervals between H and I,
alt from the same honinon (appros. 500 m contoar) and arr laterally and L and M, respectively. Sandstone bodies are numbered as in Ihr
eqaivalrnt. Sandstone bodies are indicated by stipple and the paleofluw profiles. For scale, sandbody 20 (on SC) is aboat y m thick and
B is indicated by Ihr nirele plus arrow (north al Ihr top). B. La Serreta - xandbody 29 (on 8D) is abont 6.5 m thick.
Curca Coral Srefiorre (Figs. SA, B and C): These profiles ore from three separate confined (tending toward nnconfined) flow. The latter neil is incised into the flow, and euhibits lateraf.accretion sets, is sandstone-body 4. Unconfined flow mary small scours (3 and 5). The former are products of sheet flow, whereas the
maa-made cuts along the Cinca irrigation cono]. They illustrate the simple nnderlying floodplain and thins steadily toward a small, very low.angle cntbonk. deposited oeils 24 and 35. Tho latter sandstone has a highly irregular boso and is latter were probably deposited by a complex of small, anastomosing overbank
sandstone-body geometry and high proportion of floodplain fines in the distal part Internally, the poorly preserved bodding is sub-horizoutal with the exception of a the product of a network of small, possibly anaxtomosing, overbauk channels. channels (Smith oud others, 1989). Body 25 was possibly deposited at o channel
of the system. Internal frotares of the simple ribbon (Fig. 6A) iuelrtde isreipiorst small bar toward its midpoint. Morte Arugoo (Fig. 7): The latoral prof il e covers approximately 1600 m of this bltnreation. lt thins markedly toward its middle and the cutbanks at each orsi are
lateral migration and soft-sediment deformation, although the dominant features are Rio Ftorrtzu Sootiou (Fig. 6D): This profile is a north-south section in the Rio 5-km-long xoothwrst-facing scoep. lt is about 1011 m high along much of its length. slightly divergent. Sheets resulting from laterally unstable channels are trw la
the concentric fills as the chaaael plugged. Plant debris was drposited in the bottom Flamen valley about 3 hrn south of the basin margin. Thin shoots of Because of tho there-dimensional nature of the exposure, same sandstone bodies number but volumetrically importaut, the best developed being 03,24 and 45. Each
of this paleochannel. petrographically distinct sandstone derivrd from one of the small marginal ullnviot with palvoflows along the scarp appear several times (e.g.. 8, 16, 54). The in- exhibits some esidence of lateral accretion and unit 35 is further complicated by
Fignre 6B is a simple laterally acvreted sheet sandstone with a partially clay- fans (Fig. 3; Hiest and Nichols, 0986), are present at the north end of the profile. channel component is 15%. Two minor tocustrine limestone beds arr present internal soeur surfaces.
plttgged paleochannel adjacent ro 000 of the cutbanks. The sandbody was deposited These marginal Ian sandstones do uot exceed 5% of the sequence. An in-channel (beneath units 14 and 16) and isolated pea-size gypsum nodules are also developed
by a single sweep of the migrating channel. lt is fairly mriform in thickness, component el 13% has boon determined. However, exposure is incomplete within both hmestone and elastic lithologios.
atthongb this is partly a result of the top having been planed off by lacustrine or between thr main sandstone bodies. Ribbon sandstone bodies predominate and many of them arr well loomed. Srqurrrceo with Mrdisrn Ix-clrauuzt Corvportzrrt
possibly eollan proeesses. The sandstone bodies arr predominantly ribbons. Sevrral appear shoot-like on Examples inclode simple (50), multistory (46) and multilateral (48) forms as well as
Larger sections in the fines-dominated poet of the system are iotreqoent doe to the profile bol in reallty they are ribbons exposed along their length (1 and 17) onits showing incipient lateral migration (40). Unit 6 is an excolleut example of a The following profiles are from areas with meitiom in-channel component (25-
rapid weatherrng of the fines. The voodoo sIsasen in Figure 6C iavtndes several whereas others are oblique (32). Most of the ribbons are simple, but some show deposit from poorly chounelized flow, each side of the rail fhiuuirf gently away 65%). The higher proportion el channel-sandstone bodies results in o greater
sandstone amts bot the two larger channel sandstones, both of which euhibit lateral minor lateral accretion associated with incipient lateral migration (6 and 29). Unit 7 teem the paleoflow axis. Other sandstone bodies were the products of near degree of sandbody amalgamation compared to the motions above, and complex
acorctiou, ore incompletely esposed. Units 2 and 4 are the products of poorly is maltistoryod. The only shoot sandstone that is the product of laterally unstable uuconfmed flow and range from simpte sheets (17 and 56) to amalgamations of units arc more frequent. Profiles from two locations are discussed.
54
MEAN B C
224.8
000
PA L E OCUR R EN T
ROSE n37
53
36 39
50m
p o
e e e - 35m
o- 6 e
o
o
e e e e o
F=F e
-
LOG o
n
c-Chu,cul%
ax su
50 40 50 Modla Dula
Radl.i Pn.iiinn (Kmi
Mostri R.di.I P0.0100 (Kr,) DeMi
Ftc, 11,-The medial to distal variation of the floodplam components Pro. 12.Graph showing the radial increase in the proportion of ribbon Fiu, 13,Plot illnstraling the distal decrease of tho maximnm and mean
Fra. tOE--Graph demonstrating the steady distal deerease ir. the proportion thickness of channel-sandstone bodies across the Hnenea System. The
of sediment that was deposited within the paleoeham.ols. Dato from the across Ihn Huesca System. Thn 1jan dividing the in-channel component from sandstones expressed us a percentage of the total number of sandstone
the nverbanks is based on Fig. 10. The in-channel component and thn coarse bodies deposited by channels. The thron 'peripheral' locations are 'peripheral Incatinni'(dashed lines) show a varying degree of deviation
'peripheral' locations (dashed lien) show little deviation from the trend from the plot derived from the other data points. In pnrlicnlar Ihn thickest
prodaced from the other dato points. The locations are indicated on the overbank deposits constitute Ihn maximum reservoir potential of the represented by the open squares and plot well above the line through the
snqunnen. other data points, suggesting that their marginal positron may have sandstone bodies al Mante Aragon and the Rio Fluaxen scellons are about
graph by their initial letters (as in Fig 4 and Table 1). hallas think as those at La Serreta.
influenced the sandstone-body geometry.
point is reached where so channel deposits are present. The decrease m the size assessment ol die palvoclimate of the Huesca System will be important to its similar lo observations from the modern Ohavango (Shaw, 1988). In addition,
channels in modern dispersive systems tend io bifurcate (Msher1t, 1976; Parhash dower process. In the modern Ghavungo, a major reason loe channel slabthty u
and frequency et chassets across Ills 'fluvial fan' was accompanied by a distal isteepertation.
considered to be confinement by durable bunks (Stamsteret und others, 1989). A
tining of the sandstone fill and a change is the dominant current structure. This Palcoctirvato. The climate in the Ebro Basis was probably soon-and durmg and others, 1983). tf division of flow occurred, this would have further reduced
Oligo-Mioceno timos. A variety ol factors indicale elevated temperatures and channel depth. With u broader urca distally Io accommodate the dinnmvh,ng second aspect is lite longevity of the channels. Ifa channel was short-lived, uvnlsion
indicates a distal reduction of stream power. The system was distributive and there
evaporative loss from the system. Nodular gypsum and veiy localized calerete are outflow, u radial decrease of the in.ehanuel componeot was un messtable result. muy have occurred before any significant lateral migration. The life spun el a
is no indication thai the main channels were asastomosmg.
found in parts el the Huesca System and halite was deposited in the basin center Ribbon auodstorieo. A distal increase in the proportion of ribbon sandstones is channel sviti be linked io the Irequency of avrdsion und, with the ubeeisle wtdth ol
Modern distributive systems ht which flow is laegely within channels include
(Qsirustes Puertas, 1889). Desiccation features within some of the more distal recorded. This is contrary to that concluded foe the adjacent Luna System (Fig. 2; Ihr floodplain increasing distally, there was u gyrator area to accomodate arnlsion.
examples from the Sooth Himalayas (Muherji, 1976; Parkash and others, 1983) and
channels indicato they occasionally dried ont between poriods ol Sow (Hirst, 1983). Nichols, 1987). Howevee, Nichols (1987) included both sheet sandstones of channel The repeated bifurcation of channels noted on modern termivat systems (e.g.,
Bottwana (Shaw, 1988), althosgh details of the sandstone bodies being deposited
und ovoebnnk origin in his ratio of ribbons to sheets for the Luna System. In the Muherji, 1976; Shaw, 1988) was probably a feature et the Huesca System. Thus,
are limited. Of these modern systems, the Okavango 'delta' in Botswana is similar Other features in the channel sandstones suggest unsteady, ephemeral flow. These
include clny drupes, episodic lateral accretion and occasional erosion ol the laIeraI Huesca Syslem compilation, the oveebanh sheets hove buen excluded. The aim here channels in the mediaf parts ol the system urn likely to have existed toe longer
in several respects. It is a distributive, largety terminal system which flows
accretion surfaces (Hiest, 1989). Ao arid climate is considered unlihely us beth plant is to determine changes in ihr larger, volumetrically moro important channel periods relative to the successive newly uvaivod channels downstream.
seasonally toward epbemeeal tahes. In the sppee Ian, meandering chunsels aro
and vcrtcbrate debris have bren recovered from the channel und overbank sandstone bodies und hence ausrss any changes in channel behavior. Unsteady diectsarge would be more extreme distally where the effects of waIve
reported and these are likely lo deposit shoot sandstose bodies. Downsystem, the
deposits. The varied launa identified includes crocodiles, beavers und tagomorphs The greater proportion of ribbon sandstones distally indicales un increase in toss would be more significant. Periodic drying ont of some distal Huesca System
chanecit become smaller, more stable and appear to be accreting vertically. Il is
channel slnbilily dowexystem (Fig. 12), which o likely lo be the result of a channels, mentioned earlier, is also a feature of the modem Okavango (Shaw,
ssggested thai those channels will result in ribbons similar lo those in the Huesca (Crusalrut and others, 1966; Agusti, pers.commun.).
Inflow to the Huesca Syslem was probably seasonal with periods when channels combination of the following ladees. 1988). Allow-flow or dry periods, bedioud would be dumped und the channel muy
System (Stanistreot and others, 1989). The climate is semi-odd and over 93% of the
dried up, particularly in the distal areas. Waler loss throngh evaporation uod Decreasing stream power down.syvtrm has bees inferred from facies analysis. bogin to backfill with vodimeol. Subsoqaont high-stoge flow will be mare likely to
inflow is lost theongh evaporation (Shaw, 1988). Despite the distal channels being
porcotutios is lihely lo hare exceeded rainfall in the basin foe much el tho tame. Coupled with the higher proportion of cloy in the distal parts of the system (Fig. exceed the capacity el the partly Sllrd channel. This would have componnded the
doy loe port of the year, the syslem supports a varied tanna and llora. An important
This would have caused u decrease io paleochunnet depth. These inferences are lt) and hence more cohesive banks, channel migrulicn is likely to have been u tendency to avulso.
influence on the salare of the Ohavango appears to be the climate and an
...m..a...*.a.ssamR*aaam.s. s.........._
_m*ss__*......_...s_..a R._s_....._..a..
FACIES ARCHITECTURE OF A DEVONIAN SOFT- Rpgioeaf geology
SEDIMENT-DEFORMED ALLUVIAL SEQUENCE, BROKEN S + N kunesdavAy 0000e
RIVER PROVINCE, NORTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA The Broken Rivee Province is a northeast.trenslisig, fault-bounded remuant of a °
lightly folded Pate000io extensional basin, 150 to 300 km Weht of Towusville, + + oy0010conri
northeastorn Australia. The study area lies at the wostem end of the Broken Rivor 5 L e '
0100V rInce roomovon
° oO
SIMON C. LANG Province, Sn an area refereed to as the Graveyard Crook Subprovince. The area uoostiyomargoi
Geok,gkal Snnsy of Qarriolaad, contams a 10-km-thick succession of Oedovician to Carboniferons classic and ivDoVnm,ar FOwSefnOs
Drp'ourro ofR harboSsafe scdiunentaiy rocks (Figs. 1, 2). A mojoe ftsndameetal fossil, the Clarke
Auoiy>42a 4000
1, 42100)00,
61 Moy Si., B,iobaao, Qornaload. RiVer Fault Zone, was toctouieafly active along the southern margin of the basin
teem at teost the ?Laf e Gedoriclan to the Laie Carbonifeeous. The fault pone Figure lo lfmavcysyowofos *
considerably inflnencod depositionaf pafteenx, especially during depositson of tho n
AND Laie Devoniau-Eoely Canboniforoux Bsmdoek Creek Group. The Geoop was B I siceeusooun
BULGERI n
depositedm a 3- 006-km-thick wedge, the thichcst poet being adjacent to the fault
zoue (Fig. 2). Although fault activity was dominantly normal, a compostcnf of
E1 Se Sicraesevisne n FORMATION
CHRISTOPHER R. FIELDING b
desleal strike-slip was probably invo) ved (Withnall and others, 1988). 0o
n
-
Drpie'OnriO of Geology aadMirirroalogy,
The Uoivrrsiiy of Q,io0rid, A llerar belt of Oedovician qnaesz-arenites, cberls, matie TotcaRics and
Qislaid, Aosiralia 4072 carbonafessteetchos from the Hodgkinson Peovince in the north to the Broken
River Province is the south (Fig. t). The boll is sepaeatod along the Cloche River
ABSTRACT: The Loe DeABrAIB RBBTÑr1OS Ma,be, Bi the B40r,a FSS,SSSS je eeOheaaS QB,BSIISSd. Fasdt feom litlsologicafly similae Ordovician rocks southwest of the Lolworfh- EJ uTyforvowiovon
AAaOnIA, depoSited n, iSoloeo.flyaeSiee MIABiSI bIRB. Dea 50500e i'&S SB Bph1 iseran Raveuswood Province, Substautiat uplift, associated with dentral movemeut along
the fault oRno, probably completely removed the portioss of the Ordovician belt that WBSDO 01,0 SilBO 0W
Sod eri5oso,pbi; io the SSRIh of. n.jo, obiiqoe-SIip OSAiS SBSB. f000og the baSiC eawo,. The 5
oteebreiathar50leñBedbySelthoelyBeif000,oe,y)A,e-!o,nedj,no.g,a,ord,Soft.S,dASeo.defA,,ned may have overlain the Lolworth-Ravenswood Province. This explains why the posi'
-
SABdoAraS, i000edded psedoseoSsedy .hghhiy ,edde,,Sd SArROSOS. ReSaIS) otlppAg of aedi,oeol
Todo IeASRSSieS od meSSa! SO,OOIB,eS h.S ,r.B!Srd o the reoogeeoBr oS Aghi aediieomosl elee,eoLS.
Drdovician srdinsenfasy rocks of the Graveyard Creek Subprovince contain
eecycled, eelatively fine-grained sandstones, arid conglomerates with cherl and :siiU les,B'uaSS "Oes cAARaR POSI O
ChSeer!.SSII rle,ee,Aa BlAde ISRA,Red a.od ShellS, dACe -oo,Spleeea. fill,, SSSeeSAy-a,d volcanic clasts. Eveutually, the metamorphics and geauitoids of the Lofwoeth- I d,t :fn'm socio CnvOe r0000'crl
doorRv.,S..,o,SA05 ,O&eS000SBa, sed liegooid b&SSBTSS. FIOOdPAA Averes, SillA), iSOrSS.
Saya, Sod B',elbnl,k fsee,.
The aboedaBI SBfiOSSdABrOi defO,ee,&bOe ARaBerS (BrASSy 00000IBIT S.S,RSRSRal)
hqAr0000 of saedy badi
pe0000ed by
, OAS,eg o, AenediMely sfiar espiO dSpei,fion. La0e Se.SS ,S,eA>iAvS
Ravenswood Province became unroofod aud formed the predominant source during
deposition of most of the Bunduck Creek Group.
The locus of this paper is thc Late Devonian (Frasnian) Rockfïetds Member. The
member comprises the lower 700 m of thc Bulgeri Formation, which in turn
o-
hoRCo,,. defoen e,SIBple 5055m SRO&OTS. The,e ray be dar io hqAri.eiioa of aaioeaod BS,eOriaO!AdSlSd represouts the lower 3,600 m of thy Bmsdock Creek Group (Figs. lo, 2). The NCb
S.S), 0000g SBOhqASke, of 50.5005505 >5, OSfeS,Sd CPiOSBRB 2)osSg the OSAiS SABEr 20 kAS io ib, Rockfietds Member forms the lower half of a t,500-m-thick, coarsening-upwurd, Figure lb
leotonicatly-inflneuced regressive scqaeece (Lang und Fielding, 1989). The a B n n "t_
The PSBPASSI 0SpAS,iiCSEsI Bode! SB,opiSaeS b,o.d. SSiSdy br.idplsie eeth erseked diaob,egs regrrssion began with deposition overa coastal plain around the margin of a tidally- H_BARR S moot ge rosaenos N
OSSSSUAS. enSAISASa 0 Rtdeapses) 505.05.1 Boodreg. Chn,osel-.eSIaioS SORSI., OB,,,b,ned rAth influenoed shalow see, followed by rapid cuceoachmrnt of enteusSvv allUvia) plaiss
eeiSI,ee!y 00gb SobRdeooe 5.iS .SS000ed rAth IeOIBSBB SiSiSOY, eeRdod n,Tbv .00ASBB!REOo of loriOT and eventually aluvial fous (Fsgs. 3-5). The Bulgeri Formution has much in
550001e, ,heO.like, ohn,eei ,eAdbothes sed fioe-ge.iSed 000dp!.io deposiA. A Sode,,, sB.log is the comme, with other Dvvonian continental facies such as the 'Old Red Sandstone Hrseeneaassne0
.nasoSsAy isoodsad IOBE-SRBOSi,y ehotsei SysR,, of the .BBsÙI pisABa .od f.os StseeoeSdieg tha GSIS OS magnafacies' of Europe (Alten, 1974), and the 'Catskill magnafacirn' of North
Ls,peei.o., QBSBOSIRCS. 'USAS e,RdeI beso s,nee ee.enbl.soe io pSbhShed oodei. fo, loe,. America (Gordon and Bridge, 1987).
_47-
SBSB0SjSY ReaBRAS, TAS SofficiB, diltrS,eors Bario! 000SSAUB .5 d!OioB Rosis) SQIR The Roykfioldn Member contains four distinct sequences, informally labeled
The ASAS eSpenaSlU SB eesetpis of Relagly fsfe,ed SS5ASBOS BOth IRseally eeiee,SieS (TIBiO ei) anits A, B, C, and D (Figs. 3, 5). This paper will discuss selected aatceopn from
thiSBel S.SdRoae botra S-SOm thiSk. aspss.Rd by Sloodphie depoari 0.3-2 C SIBIlA oS oonpnblr units B and C, which comprise predominantly sandstone intervals interbedded with
lASTed SaiSi (1.5)0 So >4, R). Hyd,AR&ATRrS .Te,o!,,, 5051E aRRil., .SOhiiSOSA,S, 0040e., geAt suo, finc-grained intervals. Thin intraformational cougfomeraten occur throughout the
sndsSmees)SsokoSAEofiepamogaoosi!dbeoosrede,ediobeb.ormsoBopiesAyo!th,eapeoio o p
Bad nos ,riihie mnd!eSdB.l tedieS,
INTRODUCTION
Previous studlos of thin sequence (La.sg, 1985, 1986, 1988; Wjthrioll and othees,
Fhe saedstone intervals are mostly 3-ti) m thick and laterally extensive (>1,500
m). They comprise gray, lithofeldspathic, fine. to medinm-geained sandstones, with
lesser coarse-geained bands. Mast are flat-laminated, with wefl.developed parting
Isneafion, or cross-bedded (planae, trough, or low-angle trough lypes). Convolute
'
1980) rolied mAinly on vertical seiaeno aSSalysit foe facies iuterpretalion. The
Fto. 2.a. Snnenary chart uf the stratigraphy of Ihn Graveyard Creek
Pio. 1.a, General lucatiun m northeastern Queensland. b. Rngiunat Snbprovisscn (OC). b. An nnfnldnd nectiun from sonOs tu nurtb across part of
purpose of this paper, however, is to illustrate the value of lateral-profile studies So guology of the fonit-boondnsf Bruknn Rivnr Pruvmnne showing f onation ut the Ihn basin (une Fig. in). Note Ihn wedge-like cunfign.ration of Ihn Bnlgnni
facIes mferprctatioe, leading to more peecise iuterpeetations of dopositionut Graveyard Cenni Snbprovincu (CC), u, Gnolugy ut the GC, ubowing Formation, thickest along tim Clarke River Fault Zone and thinning overa
esviromnenfs than is possible with eerúoal profites alone. location of study area, Figure le baum high, unggnsts fanif nontrol dnsring depo&sliun.
Lang ond Fielding Fogies archilectarr of soft-sedimeul deformed alluvial deposits 122
tamioation is a pervasive featoer of the fisse- to medinm-grumed sandstones, with The locution of n feature is sperified rust by the height in the section, then by the srnoctlnns. FOSSILS, eren.. p. vanneurs
overtonned cross-beds being less common. Attboogh most structures are small scaf e distance to the northeast or sonthwcst of a central baseline (e.g., 80, 15NE means
aod Ioeatizod, some are large-scale (up to 5 n os usuptitude), and clearly deform 80m in section, i in northeast of baseline). The outcrop profdrn were mapped on
erosive contaCts between several beds for at least haodreds of meters laterally. u bed-by-bed basis ut 1:100 soute, und druwu dirceily onto large sheets of graph
I,
Rare tyropod-tog casts and plaeodersn fish remains occur at the base of sandstone paper film taped to u portably drawing board. The areas steeled as profiles t-3
beds. took hundreds of hours to muy, and eepreseui a coverage of 2,400 m, 1,625 m, and
Thr fine-geamed intervals are mestI y 03-2 m think, bot eombmed with some of 1,625 mu rrsprvtively. The drawings were theo chrcked for accuracy in the field,
the thinner sandstone intervats they range up to 10 w Ouch. Apart from miner where they were thowat to represent a faithful accorant of alt sedimentary strrictrires
discontinuous tenses, the main intervals are taterally estenssve, some bemg mapped with an effcetive resolution of 5-to cm. The profiles were subdivided into mappable
op to f500 in and othersopto >4,000 m along strike. The tme-gramed intervals 'units' bused on distinctive erosion surfaces or facies changes. Therefore, the nulls
comprise a mix of variegated gray, green and grayish-red sit,stonex, with silty, very represeut beds or groaps of beds. They are us follows: units la to 22 (profite t),
fine- and fine-grained sandstones. Roottct casts, plant fragments, fish remains, units 23-49 (between profdes 1 und 2), omis SOa-60d (profile 2). Profdes I and 2
occasiouat desiccation cracks, und wave und current ripples characterize those finn-
nR
grained intervals. Sandstone dykes are common, and conoofate fammation is
relatively rare.
LOCATION OF FOSSILS
PROFILE
Numeroos, thin, 1mo- to coarse-grainS reworked soifs occnr thronghout the
lnoonlormfy Ripple a-lavi
Im Fists renlass
sequencc, ospeeiafty in the fine-gramed intervals. These toits are laterally extensive
(op to 15 km strike length) ned contain a persistent array of soft-sediment
Abordort Rippir wadis Biusloes
deformation structures, inctuding cross-cutting clastic dykes, convolute lamination
associated with dewatering pipes, stnmp folds, semibrittte breonias and detached
Cummee Larrisuted 51115105e Plant bugvorrts
blocks of luff floutingmundertying finer grained layers.
The Rockficlds Member was previonsly interpreted as bring of lluviatile and Dmiccul,on/syvurrrns Biolortalov
Raro
beach origin by Wyatt and Jell (1900), or alluvial plain with miner shallow-marlee crocks
deposits by Lung (1985, 1986, f988; Withealt and others, f980). These initial GrossIes & pebblrs
attempts to interpret the sequence were only partially sncccssfut becanse they relied ¿ RuìnpAels
on vertical profites. Alter further examination it became clear that the compilation Cobblos ptart 159/5100
of latrrnl pierdes could feud to mace rigorous inteepretatious. The level of detail C Rip-up vodolasts
achieved in Outwork has been made possible by prense outcrop mapping. This bao Romorked taft CHEMICAL
Fio. 3.Geotogy of Ihn slndp orno alnog Ihn Broken Rivnrr showing thu Vector noms plonrd
enabled os io reinterpret the mcwbve us u thick succession of rapidly-deposited,
low-sinnosity stream deposits separated by partially.osidizod floodplain und semi-
neatians nf the generalized stratigraphie section (Fig. 5), and the three
profilen. 'Units A-N' ore informal snbdivision nf the Bntgnn Formation; J And aspri dusts / obere r6=flO of rrudirigs
Crlcrrlr rrodolm
permanent floodplain Icho deposits (Figs. 4, 5). t'uteosots are poorly developed colcosroon
thin paper in concerned with nulls B and C, in the Rmrkfieldn Member. SEDIMENTARY 500-sedirrorl detorrr000e 8 co strisciO hsl
compared lo the overlying sequence, which comprises u Ouch stank of reddened )conoolulo lampnuliov.
STRUCTURES
alluvial-fan and course-geaineal, tow-sinuosity channel doposits (Stopom Blockem g ilutdalce pipes,
ist Reworked cilerele
Conglomerate Member, amts G, t-J, L-M), interleaved with grny, coarse-grainS, Acorrtroeury lapilli 000rlcr500 a-bets,
low-sinnosity channel sandstones (Bulgeri Formation, oeils E-F, H, K und N), both retativety simple, layered architecture. A view of the outcrop at profite 3 is nvrotnults}
interbeddod with reddened floodplain deposits displaying catcic pedegenic features Plnoar-tobolor clods pg Pyile
illustrated in Ftgnre ita. ZL
(Lang ucd Fielding, 1989). Most pnblithrd laierai-profile studies, for example cliff, open-cut mine or roudcnt Lmil carts
On Hnrsotte
esposares, arr bused on tracings of bed boundaries direcily from photographic Trough u-beds
Methode mosaics. This approach is only traitable for photographically accessible rooks, and Sandstone dIios
Flut luerivotnd M MogeelIr
with u few notable exceptions (e.g., Allen, t903; Misil, 1988u; but see papers by
sandrtore
The Rockfietds Member is well exposed in the Broken River, which has carved Miall, Cowan and Bromley, this votano), the internal detail of most beds is only Si Silcrticaliov
Ont an almost continuons esposnre 2f0-3to) in wide across strike (Fig. 3). The vagriety illnstruted. The steeply dipping rooks of this study (75-80') presented u pl Parlirg 1000110e
steeply dipping rooks form polished rocky burr across the riverbed, enabling close photographie problem, which was resolved by using a helicopter to take a sot of
inspection of most of the sedimentary structures, to places, cliff s are developed approximately 1:200-acate aerial photographs ever the profiles. The resolution of
Fax. 4.Legund for generalized ntroligraphin nention (Fig. 5).
allowing three-dimensional views, and many intervals can be traced for kilomoters the photography allowed the major sediment body boundaries tobe delineated, but
aloeg strike wish good reliability. Figure 3 shows the locution nl a generalized rarely could internat bedding details be traced reliably.
section (Fig. 5) theough the lower Butgeei Formation along the Broken River. There Since it was also necessary to document the wealth of internal detail in these
representative outcrops of the t0ockfields Member were setecteaf for detailed exposures, it was decided to sureey un esteasive grid system ever the outcrops to Pro. 5.Gnnnrolizxd ntealigraphin sevtion through the lower port of the
mapping and furies analysis, and these are referred teas 'profites' 1, 2 and 3 (Figr. enable drawings to be prepared. The grid wax surveyed by tapo und compass, and Bulgeri Formation ('nulls A-N'), showing the ovnralt eoorneninag-npward
3,5). spat-painted over the oneerop. The lines were spaced 5 os apart parallel to dip sequence reflecting the massive, tnnlnnieally controlled rngrossion rn the
Profiles 1 and 2 und associated composite sections are illustrated in Figures 6-9. direction (315') and strike dineotion (045'). The grid enabled recording of the Late Dwvonian. The otratigeophin punitions nf the three profilen ano
Profile 3 is illnstratrd as a composite motion only (Fig. 10), the profile being of coordinate position of any feature on the profites with respect to nominal baselines. indicated.
Lang arid Fielding Facies architecture of soft-sedieceut deformed alloviol deposits 123
40 35 30 25 25 iS ib s i S iO 15 20 as 40 ab 40
00555450 54505005055
43 DU
3° DU as - - - 4°
LS
---- -----as u Cs
-!-r
_,t_tj
03
-
_-
-
s
:-
._--
- - -_
OF ois CS n
__ uuosasossissaso - -.__ LE
0-
LE is
----
-
A
- --a- -- -- cs
LE
CS
JITTET
----
° LE
Y - o
-i-- -- -A s 1LE
LS
_L0
,-
KEY 10 PROFILE i
=
-
..
40200 ISa LS
/1/ . -iTTf- o SF__
E
s: OF ' U
DU
[
DU oL -- - Os DU io
LS,o
-or
- -
-- -
''d - LS
---
S
---_-
Pse. 6.Profilo t, uppor port of unit B, Rockliolsls Mornbor Skotch basosl 2,400 4
Effrctivs ocsolution is approsimotoly 5-10 cm Sods dip 78° to
on dotniod mopping od logging using o snevcyod grid covoring on oreo of 3t5° usimuth.
Lang and Fielding Facies architecture of soft-sediment deformed alluvial deposits 124
20
5545 KEY TO 40 PROFILE 2 30
-
30 25 20 15 to 5 o 5 1'O 1'5
65
dJDU
------ - - - -
Z
LiLO 66J LS
80 _____ __ DU
LS
66
DU
Du -
7o
0Ff 56
iiiT--'
- !: - nL
-
;--
_Jcw JLDß
-
OF
LB
70
LB[ L
DU
DU-[ 0' - J LDA
LDA -
65
OF
LS 52
- - -----
-
-
, -
.. -- -. -
-- .- 0F
LS
i
______
-
,- -.. ------ -. -
--- _
- ---L
- ee - - - _- !
0gr=.__
D - --- - 60
.... u...._
Effective rcsolutioo is approoimatcly 20cm. Buds dip 78 50313 azimt,th.
Lang and Fielding Facies architecture of soft-sediment deformed alluvial deposits 125
...__.*__a._._._.._._....... ...__ .a.a_..a..
u ' y{N5 n is 5N
share tIse same vertical and horizontal baselines, but prnfite 3 is affsnt 700 m
n u _-
-
r
s
,-..' i% L no
sonthwnst of the peofitn t/2 basetiae (Fig. 3), and is snbdividnd iota a difteennt set
of amts, t-20h.
- n
I :::
unnun Palooneeont rnadmgs on the profiles me corrected for dip, and oriented with Tvao 1. Uthofacies schmo (after Miall, t978; Massari, t983).
u rospent to tho outcrop to pnrnut nosier sisoat intorpentation.
$2
u nou s
o , _
°
- Iithnfaries md aerhitoctu,ul doeeontn Lithofncinn Sndimn..tnny h.tnrprntfio.. ° j °°
nPn
o
-=T: ca
2
_:
: urur The three pnofdos are dominated by soudstone and siltstonn, with raen
mo f ren t erraI rngt m t F th purpuro f d scopa de se oak h
been split mto vanous tithotacies, then grnupnd together to form arctntectnrat
G rolty t tho/ (G)
n eu o
o - _q , iinr n
noLeomewnun elements. Lithefacies and architectural elements bave both been organized into
Ge avnt, massive
esionat sconr,
crude -
stratiijeaden
scour fitta '
f1
_, t mev-ny
nasa cumsesav ceded schemes. The tnlhofacies att ha vecharacten stic sedimentary structures, and intractast rich °
,a
omevemea nearly all can be equated w,th the litteofacins scheme el Mmli (a978). The
: f rm t on t ugt m t d treat t hth t G f M sun (a983) S rely I thof (S)
-
gar-.
--r----..
' rea,1
no- n,
sue
::naeuoo
rani OxeO
TIns standardized scheme has mdespeead ose as it facilitates comparisons with
other fluvial systems. Therefore, we have adopted a combination of the Miall
(1978) and M sari (t983) suh na (T ht t) Lang (t985 t986) carried a
hthofaeiei analysis of the tower Badgeri Formation, and concluded that the vertical
Sh nd, very-fine
te vnry-coarse,
na yb pebbty
horizontat taminatiea
or stratification,
rtung
ration
treamang
plame-brai flow
(tower and upper
5 w egun)
O
r
'''_ na. u
n
am
m
sor
d lt ti
- use ca resssaesacx ut distrib li f hth t ci
bd vsding th Bntg n F emuli mt
ssembtag w useful rit ria f s sa d ry Im sot tary gr post don (t w
a iaoiC o.
rom,
soc
cuca
LS
DU
Laminated sand shrots
Dune compteurs
of att types
e,
cc
/' men a. a
r
Sr sand, erosional cred e crass- scour fills z ' usan eu
LOA Lateral- lo downsteeam-uccretion macroforms sconrs with o
.rc u
/, a
tu
ri
,n,
oc
eux
.5nx° an LB
SF
La g scat tuign ti b ri aun
Sc er fill
Floodplain elements
Cs Crevasse sptuys
mIr I t
Foaz-gr-nsaza lIbe/ arsen (F)
xx
/ un-an
°)2ie
aros
Sao
rene,
° -'u Ft line- to very- fine lumination, ovrebank nr
u
a, a airman
,,na,xs(n, i.
nc
sa 000 mmmc
uu.ax.sezn.oco,
LE
OF
Levees
Overbank tanes
fine sand, silt
and mnd
ripple cross-
lamination,
waning fined
deposits ,, 0 uev,Ssi/r nu, a
o Th veil ra for coogmti t 1h co un hxtectase I 1 m t re omm razed in tippt ma k
o fiy re/ en
.. Table 2.
Fm very-fine saud, mustien ovvrbank
Our element scheme equases with Miall's schemes as follows. All our channel-fill tilt and mad desiccat)on cracks, channel-fill nr r'
'°
encira acuso elements could be included indie 'CH' element. Laminated sand shoots (LS) und nemw,, au
O
a
cc
sanco,
canerao
cvnnnie,c
overbauk fines (OF) are identical to Miall's (1985) elements of the same names.
mudcruchs drape deposits
mbeO'ni /i
our
The dune complexes element (DU) is comparable with Miall's 'SB' element, but we
'iic
'° innS en us
/a
ricco, 9 have extracted crevasse splays (CS), the large-scale planar cram-beds et lingnnid
a°- sii»
/ sac n- ucenoac Fao, &_Dacnptiun and mtnrprntation uf nnmpauitn unction thrnngh Fin. 9Description and infnrprntation of compesite section naugi. o,
t, i.e ace
au
n- maroc
p fd I (une F.g 6 f local, f aocI. Im ) ppn part f mut B of 1h p faI 2 (sen Fig 7 f local f senta Im ) t w pa t f rimO C uf 1h cocu,. onoacux russ eeeatr ca
500m Lcrormu.a Bannes rmuna,ism Runkfinlijs Mnmber.
nenni cnn,w sar Ronkfinlds Mnmbnr.
pg 128
Lang and Fielding Facies architecture of soft-sediment deformed alluvial deposits 126
M
A . RN Tsm 2. Arehiteetmot elemRtN - CRiteRiO br rcengRCitROM
NM
A
- A
R
M
LjtbofCiCN deciptio. iz GoOmetMy LOÜOnN .d rhtiohip DformLio toctums Bodh.g nfc
- u
I
MMMNRA
RNM
ARRM
Lamh,td d hCMtN (LS)
Sb osd SI, minor Sp, St ad Sr Grey flat-lammated vI-m; RMRM e-gl, Shmt-likM bedim RxteNd >1500 m taterolly, profile L emits le,2b 4,Th, PervasisA SURgIR AOflVntUtM lanamat-
tott 5Mtt wtth ssoetatcd dewatermg
Ernsvely ptarnr to stightt eoneuvo
basal surfaces with ornded irrMgular,
RN sandstoNe with ubqmtos partiNg ImoutioR, whieh mudelasts to ami 4-10 m thick. Individual sbmt-lilm ha,12,14a,4024; protilM 2
adm laterally into very 1ow-ntgt plattur- Ar trottgh- small pebble or IMMtiettlur elements gettorally ratte units SOb,52,55a3,55i,5&, ptpes 0.3-1 m hgb attd syufetms 0.5- AOttAaVR nr planar tnp. 11 tu ttot
A ' RIICSCMS
n like IAmittMtiOtRS. Solitaty uttd gcouped Sp attd St sets RiZR. trAm 50-200 m loctg, 20- s tOO m wIde, and 59a,b; profd 3 tCMitN 20n-d; 4 m witk; mttltipbMse defotmation wOk MROdCd tItAR plRMr to shptly
O 0.t-0.4 m thick, ripple traitts rn places (Sr). 0.t-2 m thick. Eroxivoly ovorlies OF, DU rntd dowotermg ptpes 85-5m bigit retti cortvcs. btterssal lammataotts trmscote
LE, red overloirt by DU, LE, synforms OS-6m wide. eoeh other at very low anglos.
attdOF.
is
1 Orme eompleuee (DU)
St, SI rod Sp, mittor So, Sb ottd Sr Grey xaodstotte f-m; mirror o, Shmt-hke breites of umalgumatod drnte profilo t amts ld,2a,4b,5, As for LS, bot also ovorttrrrted Erostvely trrogular C000aVO lowor
complex et solitary orti grouped St, SI rod Sp sots from ortd pebble complexes esteod o t500 m laterally oeil t- 7a,8b,9,aodl3; profilo 2 trotts cross-Sods. tunare, w places chomselizod.
0.1-0.8 m thick with plortor to AOttAOVR botos, climbirsg or sxudclastx. tOm thick. Individual olrmottts rouge from 50a,Sl,54b,55a1,55j,57c-f,50a-b, Upper sttrf roe erostvely plattar
f,)
E-
Is
,,
.
-
. la, l'ARAvI I ua°,xn
Nomos >na °1
stacked over each othor, tops mostly eroded. Usually form
part of multistory saudstone bodies,
5 N 100m long, 5- >100 rn wide osod 05-5m
thick. Rare single channel fdts «40m
d-b,60a-d. profde 3I noits
20e-h; Emotively overties all,
or gently cotscavo-oouvex. lutertsal
rrosive surfaces concave, gently
'n' wide rod up to3m thick (unit 55)). overlain by all except LDA convex, or mohoed planar.
z rod CS.
Nwlea>l O
- OAI C
5>5
E Muasaro, 00
flemme filin (SF)
Ge aud So; Grey sandstone und introformatioual mudclosts 0.1- Looses entend t-4m latneolly rod 0.1-0.4 m profile F nuits lo,2r,lOe, red Nil. Erosive, sreegnlar to concave basal
5errl s cl
conglomerate lags comprising mainly grey rod grey-red mud- 0.3 m; groins thich, sheets ostend «20m laterally and Il. OvnnSes OF, DU and LS, sorber, wtth gradallonal lo erostve
Ii clasts,miuor gnanitoid pebbles, and rare logs and fish bones, gl-pebble; 0.1-0.6 m throb. ovnrtose by LB md LS. planar to gently concavo lop smf ace.
ta matare m-c.
'1 ,, m.woYtnl timen
w
w '
.f-- cx Awonn oses vouns
,>,=o= 00 Liargr.nid budformu (LB)
Sp mm Sc il Sh Grey sa d t wtth ssno) Rot f w.v mm gl Amalgam ted Sp umt mprsnn sta bed pm Id 1 amtl p fil 2 C I t lammats dmtunb f Eenss sis np onca t ge ily
Q ÇT
and small pobble theot-liloe macnoforw « l-3 w thick and units 54o2,SSb-g. Overlles DU Rot lamsnne at top of sets. Motu- convex boxai surface. Enroco,
-s norris largo planar-tabular cross-bed sets 05-15 w thick,
E ' .« aselas> sin a 20- «60 w wide and «00m long. Severol largo Sp sets in nl bose wilts «120m long in down-dip dieoctiou (nuit and minor OF. Oeerlaio by 01> photo deformation of eeossve base sharp, nndntoting upper sstofrce xsub
climbing or interlockistg foshiou, forming a sheet- mndclasts. 55e). Thick rets of clemoot depends on red DU. near 70,ISNE, profilo 2. DU. Also non-eeossve, sharp rodal-
SCI like mreroform l-3m Ibick, entending «120m laterally. eombmed tbtckoosx of mdsv.duat Sp sets rtsng lop smrfrce with OF.
>
n'ire es Cx
5POE,ili)aG Latnrul-duwaanteoum-uerrntisaa.muerufurms(LDA)
- SI, Sb and Sp Grey sandstone with low-angle planar cross- vf-e; small pobblo, Sheet-like on tapered wedge-like elements profile 2 units 54r,57r attd b; Convolute lamtnattou 01100cl Planar to dio)tsty concasn base, tu
e bed sets 05-15m thick, «60 m wide amid «05m long. incloding extending «200m long in down-dip direct- Overlies OF only. Oveeloin only master foresets. places slepptng down-dip. Upper
ion, and 05-2m thick, by DU. surface emossvely oregxstlsn, planar
s
';a sers> s
,scscnsevso,n
Parting lincotinu rod mmnr Sp sots 0.1-05w thick,
t il obbq ly st ma I formol
wudelasts «0.3 m.
tj ped
r
s c>asnoi nasorn.o areas
n ,
1
roars Lovnns (LE)
Fm, minor Sr, St and Sh Moltled brown- ny te grey-red
siltstone ond sattdstotse. Massive or wrakfy laminated with
st-vf; minor f
sand,
Sbeot-likn bodios «1500m laterally, rl
of reildeaed floodplain deposits tracell
prof'de t units 14b,llS,l7 arad 19,
Stab and il. Conformobly over-
Wnaldy developed convolute lawso-
lion in unit 19, profilo t.
Sharp, planan, ap rend nom-
enossouol bases. Íutemnafmclmed
sein> inclined low-auglr, thin xaudy layons. Ripple cross- «4km laterally (profile 1, units 14-22) lles, rod erosivnly overlain by LS sandy layers pass down-slap mto
a a with LE elements 1-4m thick; inclined mud CS. Comptntety encloses seme laminated ssttstoue rod sandstone.
if'f> °e'O
5
lamivation, small-scale lrongh cross-beds and desiooatiou
cracks disrunbed by ronilot casts and biotssnboliro. aceretionany loyerv extend at least 20w
down-dip, orolatwug proximal CS.
erevasxo splay deposits
(e.g., omet 16).
lop nsaally tessnooled by flat to
cnuoave erosive surfaces.
1
0011Mev nasa u vansnnaeay
5>5
ianwn -o)Oli'
si alo
'$ .5'>
ci N lt,,Ol Fm. tO.Deseniplimn s.tad mtrrpretalimn uf ermposile snntior. thmuugh
'
i .--- loso-re profile 3 (nec Fag. Slur lueation of section line), r.ppttr part rl 'matt C' nf ihn
Colon iinCxOrt rosare nisarsr,iv, Roeklinidu Membttr.
MC AN GRAIN S
Lang and Fielding Facies architecture of soft-sediment deformed alluvial deposits 127
_............ø.._.R*_......._._
bedforms (LB), arid the larger scour fIls (SF), and assigned them elemeitt status. TABLE 2Continued,
Element LB n comparable with Alien's (1983) cross-bedded simple bnrs. The
lateral- to dowitstre.um-aeeretion element (LDA) is n combination of the DA' and LitbniBciim dernription Grain man Gunmetry l,nnatinns and nnlnliunshipx Dnformatinn strunturen Bounding sonsees
'LA' elements of Miall (1988a, b). The lrvre element (LE) has been dislingnishesl
from the otherwize undifferentiated overbaak foses.
Crnvnnnn splays (CS)
Wtth ties scheme it is possible to describe and interpret the facies architectsre of Sb, SI, St, Sp and Sr, minor Sn Grey to slightly reddened Proximal CV Sheel-like distal CS (profile 3)20- profilo L units 14e,16,1O,21e;
roch prolile, before developing depositional models. Convolute lamination and overlssened Share, planar erosive bases, with
sandstone. Plat lamination willi parting location, m-c; pebbly in s-198m long, 10-30m wide and 0.11-20m prolie A units 2,3,5,7,9,12, cross-beds common in distal CS, andtllatmg lo planar to s in distal
followed by Iroagh plaaar-labatar sed low-angle cress- thick. Loaouge er lenticular proximal l4b,t5 and 17. Proximal CS inler- bol almost absout in coarscr-grained faciox; proximal furies fias-e sharp,
FACIES ARCHITECTURE beds 0.1-0.5 w Uncís and 0.5 os- >15 w bog, topped Distal CV vf- CS (profile f) s-13m wide and 0.1-1.3 os bedded with LE in profile 2; proximal CS. Minar mulliphuse irregularly shaped concaee bases,
by lingeaid and straight-crested csrrent ripples, f with minor thick. Distal CS inlerbedc[ed with OF, deformation in unit Il, profile 3. sharp lo transitional taps. luter-
Fbojitr I (Figs. 6,8, 13a) bmg npples os paces, aad dcsicealiou cracks. Erosively overlain by LS und CS. bedded with CS and LS,
Doorripsiae of unito 1-14a. The tenir half of profilo 1 is an 10-m-tkick taud. Ovnrbank fines (0F)
stono body, including rare siltstoue beds, that can be mapped laterally cccli beyond Fm, FI, minor Sb, Sr, Sl, Sp and SE Grey to slightly grey- sl-vI; lesser f; Sheet-like bodies extend s-1500m laleraly profile L units 3,6b,7e,lOb-d, Convolute lumination in saudstonos. Planar or gently concave-convex,
red sdtstonc and sandstone with lamination, rnudcracks and reworked luff s within reddened floodplain deposits 22; profile 2 units 53,SSh,56; Syndepesitional miceofaulls und transitional to sharp, base.
the entent of the grid (s-280 m). Units t-14a comprise al basI seers fining-upward synarrests cracks, rondel casts associated with colos cy-sI, with eure extending s-4 km laterally (profile 1, uniI profile A units 1,4,6,8,10,13, sandstone dykes common, especially Rises over eonvrs surfaces such us
sequences, averaging 13 te 3 m in thickness (locally up lo 5 m). Each sequence moltltug, ripple cross-lamination, small wave ripples, 22) with individual elements OS-2m thick. 14a,16; Transitionally ovorlies in the reworked tuffs. above LB elements, lop usually
begins with a sheet-likv or lenticular LS clemens, erosively overlying the earlier Iinguoiif and straight crested current ripples. pebble-sized Disconti000us lenses 1-20m wide and 0.05- LS, DU, LB, LE and CS. erosively irregular.
sequence (usually OF). The bounding surlace is planar to gentiy inclined in the Rare burrows, plauls and fish bones. Pythie in places. rhyolile casts. I m thick. Tuffs extend t-15 1cm laterally. Erosively overlain by LS,
DU, LDA und CS.
upesorent directson. Locally, the sequence may begin with a wedge-shaped or
Iculcelar SF, DU or LB element. The LS is m turn topped by a sheet-like Or
Ivusoidal DU demonI (in one case au LS). The erosive base is either scalloped, or Gruin.size abbevviationv cy=clay- sl=silt vf f m c=very-fme. fine, medium, coarse sand; glgrunule
more tonally, gently concave to conves. The bnlk of the comples is therefore
couslrttclvd of amalgamated LS/DU elements. The nppermesl part of die complrs conditions, with minor channel-abandonment phases (Ftg. 13a). The top of the 1,500 in along strike, and is dearly visible ou the airpholograpks extending foe losrrprrsalion of unito 14h-22. This interval represents u majar floodplain
is almost eitttrely DU, with thin, flat tamination. comples represents a majar avulsion event terminating the channel belt at tkis upprosimalely 4km. sequence greater than 4kw in lateral extent, which developed following avulsion of
le most cases the paleocurrents el the LS and DU elements are approsimately location. The channel fdi contains narrow belts of pebble lag, mainly composed of The LE elements are characterized by the gently inclined sandy layers dipping die earlier channel compbes. Much of Ike area would have been covered with
the Mmc, teendmg aromid 020', and exposed as slightly obliqac, downcarreal mudclasts, surrounded by low, ?gcntly conves-np, mid-channel (and 7lateral) sand toward a mean of 050' (Fig. 12, v.g., units 15, 17 and 10). Desiccation cracks, vegetated levees up to at least 2 os high, judging by the relief of the inclined sandy
sections on the profile. Some of tIte Sp sets, however, diverge at high angles lo this lab transgressed by straight la sinuous dune fields during waning flow. t.acally, rondel casts und grayish-red to brownish-gray mottling occur throagftoal. Crude beds.
mean bend. Sets of St and Sp typically climb over the back of roch other (units 4,8, dunes migrated at high anglo ta thc moan Sow direction, probably en the flanks of couvalule laminatiou occurs 'muait 19, immediately anderlying the ruffaceous unit. The laleruily-restricted shapes, and relatively coarse grain.sizo of the crevasse
9). Althoagh these elements are arranged io a multistory fashion, in the the sand flats, building ouI into die droper parts of die channeL Dann fields The LE elements eneapxulale CS elements (Fig. 8). II is inlerestiug thaI ali the spbays suggest that they were probably of prosimul type, similar lo the small,
dowucueernt direction, there is seme suggeslicu that they may also be multilateral probubly migrated down the deeper ports al the channel during wauing flaw und CS elements flowed toward the northeast, except nuit 16, which liowed in nearly bobole, slage I crevasse splays described by Smith and others (1909). The distance
in strike section (e.g., unit n). low stage. the oppoxile direction (233' mean azimuth), giving a very oblique, southwesl- from the main ehaunel caanot be determined from those exposures. The luffaceaus
Both the LS and DU elements contain couvolale lamination. The coavolelions Comparisons can be made with die 'plane-braided simple bars', or possibly the trending exposure. This CS element shows a clear, sleep, 0.9-m-kigls colback on its unit cao be interpreted in several ways. The well-preserved nature of the shards
can be described nsa series of steep, tall (82-1.3 m) auliformal structures soparalcd 'composite- compound bars' al Allen (1983). These flats became 'islands' al low nertheasl side, with a 'wiug' extending discoutinuously on either side. The and lateral exloul of the anit suggest that it was deposiled mare or less is nilo,
by broad (0.2-4 os), flat, synfonnal zones, mnally with smaller, parasitic auliforms. stage, und aceumttlatod overbank deposits, that were later exponed long enough to maximum channel fill is 1.3 m deck und s-123 m 'wide', not indeding the wings. probably as an ash fall. The flat lamination und soft-sediment deformation, olong
Most of the convolutions are single phase, that is, they do oat include previously be partly vegetated, causmg mdd pedogenesis. The main channels nero broad Given that the channel ix trending nearly 40' ont of the profile face, this would give with the mixing of micaceons and lithofeldspathie sediment, suggest sorno reworking
deformed aminar or cross-beds, and these inclade antiforms slightly overturued in (s-200 m), relatively shallow (15-5 m), and of low siunosity, judging from the low a net channel width of 8m. and redeposition as sand fiaIs. An ashlall falling onto u floodplain would be washed
a downcxerent direction. The larger scaly, generally tsprigkt, multiphase variance of the paleacuereuls. Minar channels, between the flats, were tous of Unit 20 is a sheet-like LS clement composed entirely of yellowish-green, inlo the lowest-ama during the next flood. Perhaps the luff was washed into u
deformaltonal structures comprise several convoluted beds, each truncated by the metres across, and formed the multilateral component of these sheet-like channel- silicified, citric und lithic-vitric reworked tuff. The uniI has been mapped OlmasI laterally-extensive floodplain lake before being covered by u thin levee sequence.
overlying bed, but with the erosion surfaces being deformed into aeliforms and fill sandstone complexes. continuously fan 1,500 m along strike. Large (up to 3 cm) elasts of rhyolite und The uppermost DF elemeul is interpreted as a floodplain-lake sequence. The
synforms (ett., units 2e and 4 between 5SW and 2OSW; unit 8h, e; unit Ou, b). Coarse debris os the basal scour fill (SF), parting lincation, and the abundant pumice occur in dissocIe bands, some of which are graded. The bulk of the rock is initially shallow and partially oxidized lake was gradually inundated, bus then
Draprng a planar or gently convex te concave bounding sarface, tonally al the convolute lamsuation indicate that flow conditions were rapid, if oat flashy. The flat-laminated, with minor low-angle crass-bedding. Most of the rock is composed exposed near the top al the sequence, betore being traneabed by an aveldou event.
top of roch DU element, is a thin sheet-like or discontinuous OF element. The OF abondant parting linration in fine-medium sand (Sb) indicates plane-bed formation of very fine- so finc-grainod glass shards, although mined partially with micaceoux, A cartoon summarizing the depositionul setting of profile 1 is shown in Figure
elements are usually gray, but become slightly reddened and mottled upward. ondee high-flow-regime, terbnlent conditions, willi velocities probably in oseess of 1 litholeldspathic sand. Small-scale seft'sedimnnt deformation occurs throughout. The llSn
Vague erotIcI casts destratify the bedding in places, but gently inclined sandier m/sco (Harms and others, 1975; Allen und Lauder, 1980; Allen, 1983,1984). reworked luff is overtain by additional LE elements.
layers can be discerned, occasionally with poorly preserved ripples und desiccation The majority of the rouvololc-laminatiun slrneluens were formed during The uppermost part of the sequence, unit 22, is a laterally-extensive, sheet-like
cracks. Pososblc rootlel casts occuo in the grayish siltstones. Olivegray lull acoono hquefaclton of loosely consolidated sand, die steep-sided anlifarms being cross OF elomeol with a transitional baso, bot deeply scoured top. Tuff fragments occur Profile 2 (Figo. 7,9, 13u-f)
(silly) sandstones occur as units 10e-d, and the reworked counterparts of the sections through water-escape pipes. The slightly overinrned pipes, in a near the buse of the uniI. Thaogh predominantly bluish-gray und pynilic, the
overlying intraclast conglomerate and sandstone, occur as units tOe-f, 11 and 1.2. downeurrenl direction, and seme of the minor deformed erosion snefuces, are siltulones da become mottled in places. Caler banding, with discrete layers of Droes'ipsion of ostile SOu-53. The base of prof'de 2 (Fig. 7) is marked by a laterally
These contain paleocurreet directions mainly indie opposite direction to the bulk of evidence of Iquefuction dueto fluid shear. grayish-red versus gray siltxtone can be observed around 3ONE. Desiccation cracks ostensive (s-200 m) sheet-like saudsbone complex from 3.5 lo 5 m thick, overlying
the complex. .Drarriprion of unite 14h-22. This interval is a laterally-extensive, predorninundy and ripple cross-lamination occur near the lop of uniI 22. A similar sequence occurs an DF and LS element with an erosion surface. A scour channel aboul 2 os deep
Intrrprelalion of anile I-14a. This sequence comprises at least seven north- to reddened sdtslone sequence canlaining shed-like LE, LS und OF elements, and higher in the sequence, besseren profile 1 and 2 (51.7, ONE) although il contains occurs between 0-5NE. A 0.3- to 2m-tdack, slightly mottled, but otherwize poorly
northeast-trending sandy channel-fill deposits, probably deposited under flood lozenge-shaped lo lenticular CS elements. The sequence has been mapped up lo microfuolls and small asymmetrical wave ripples (Figs. 11f, g). preserved siltslone sheel oeeeiex the sandstone complex with gradational contact,
Co,s-jne.ed on pAce 130
Lang and Fielding Facies architecture of sefl-sediment deformed alluvial deposits 120
Fus. 11.u. Cliff esposare ut profilo 3, looking northaast. Noto the thinly
mterbedded character of sequence, and the internal deformation in Ihr thick
crevasse splay (unit, 11, Cs). Width of cliff oeposaro 11 m. b. Overtaraed
cross.bcd foresots, at far southwestern rad of the profile 2 goid, so
equivalent of unit 57 (72,100SW). Pon 15cm. e. Large dewutering pipo >1.3
m high in maltiphase doformed unit, in thick LS element. Above profilo 2,
from opprouimatrly 350 m in Ihr Rockfields type section (Fig. 5). Hommer
33cm. d. Sund volcano ut Ike lop of thick LS clearest. Immediately overlain
by thin OF element. From approximntely 500 w in the Roekfields Member
type section (Fig. 5). Lens capS em. e. Moltiphase deformation of deformed
cross.bedding. Convolute lumination at the top of the lower set (1)
trancated by surface (orrow) below next set (2). but later deformed. Profile
3, unit 20, 19.4.21 m. Hammer 30 cm. f. Syndepositionat mierofutalfu in
ovcrbank association (OF). The fault does not penetrate the thin extension
of a crevasse-splay (CS) unit, yet the sandstone is deflected, und slightly
thicker on the hanging wall, indicating movement dune0 deposition. Note
alce banded layers with asad craehs. From goidded area between profiles 1
and 2, nuit 42e, 52.52Ä,15SW. Hammer 33 cm. g. Small asymmetricolwavo
ripples overlying laminated and ripple cross-laminated siltetone in overbunk
association (OF) of interbedded gray and grayed. red FI and Fm. From
goidded area between profiles I and 2, smit 42b, 51.4.51.5.
s..ass.s*a.*aaCø* ..aa.*..
Lang and Fielding Facies architeclure of soft-sediment deformed alluvial deposits 129
m=rnnOisr
Laminated Sand
sheets (LS)
Lateral-downstream
accretion ntaeroforms (LDA)
Drscr'ipiiox o) nnito 54a-56. This interval is charactnrizod by a 7-m-thick, sheet-
like sandstone complex nslnnding ai least 200 w latnrally, bnl coolaining several
non-sheet-like nlements. Thn comptes comprises LOA, DU, LB, DF and LS
elements arranged in a eoaetnning.npward, thon fining-upward sequence, (coupled
with an mercase m cress-bed set-size), topped by a sheet-like OF element apte 2m
Drocs-rytresi of noire 57a-mbld. The upper third of profile 2 comprises a 9-to 10-m-
thick, laterally-extensive (>200 in) sheet-like sandstone complex comprising
amalgamated LOA, DU and LS elements.
The master foresels of the band LOA element (units 57a, b) dip ta the south, but
thn minor cross-beds trend al a high angle to the snntheast. A major trough-like DU
Ì
fi-
Lo'zedbaOcw LS
Lauralid
Laterul-dourgseasr n
ri_c''frdt'c'eevnI
hoetiLlit
retes naerotevr LIO
--
v-.nti4_ L
l)L
l.-'--'--'--=- -
thick.
-'
.
element, internally deformed in places (unit 57f) truncates the LDA from 3OSW. A
Thn interval brgins with a thin (0.5 w) LDA rlrmnnt (unit 55a) dipping toward senys of smallnr iroogh-likn DU nlnmnnts (rending northwest (units 57d, e, g, SCia, -
Dane complexes (DU)
Lingnoid
barforms (LB) Crevasse spfays )CS)
223 , ovrn an ernsten, sodalartug lewer bounding surface. Most of the component
Sp sets mignote down the master fonesels, forming a dowestream-aecretion
b), and ne LS elemeut (nuit 57e) wedgn-ont lathe uortheast under a thick wedge of
extensively deformed LS (units 50e, d). The bounding surface between the DU and a°eew f
maenofonm (Miall, t908b). This is overlaio by a sheet-like DU/LS cnmpins (units the LS elements is extensively deformed including a 2-rn-high actif orm belwren il-
54b and 55m, 55as, SSaa) trending westerly. The upper LS clement is dnformed, Mmnor Flow .'
SSW. Thy LI etrmnnt (units 58e, d) ecnlainx many sisar large scaly autiformal
with the arts) nems overcaaned in thr direction of the overlying LB element. structures np lo 5 m thick, and extending foe hundeeds of metees along its strike -m's' mSi. min LOs Inusetycbirsulsiet) leases reunIte Slays
und turriank timan Unti t-33 (Ou-53)
A gently connavo-cenves erosion snnfacc marks the base of a comptes of LB length, of which appeesiwately 50 w is illustrated between 3OSW and 2ONE. Most
Long and Fielding Facies orchilecluro of roft-sedimeel deformed allovial deposits 132
THREE-DIMENSIONAL RESERVOIR ARCHITECrURE OF rnvnronmunfs of these series present many sianilariiles with those of the Brent
A VALLEY-FILL SEQUENCE AND A DELTAIC
AGGRADATIONAL SEQUENCE: INFLUENCES OF MINOR
R 0V ENS CO R
RAVENSCAR GROUP Group (Archer and Hanuuckr lago; Haucoak atad Fishrr, 1981) depesiled daring
the same period im the Viking Geabun where thu morn North Sua hydrouaebon
holds are louated (Ziegler, 1982).
RELATIVE SEA-LEVEL VARIATIONS (SCALBY A site was selected at Cloaghtun, along Ihn Yorkshitu boast betweun Whitby and
FORMATION, ENGLAND). ENYINOIEIT FORMATION
Suaeboeoagh, where the Scalby Formation ix exposed on a cliff 600 m lung atad 30
m high. Al thin situ, peer.iounly described by Nami (1976), Narni and Loeafee (1978),
C LO UGH T ON
LONG-NAB
MARIE COR INN ASK
Funker atad Hancock (1985) and Alexaodur (0986), the flrr,sal tu dut talc Scalby
R. ESCHARLS, C. RAVENNE Formation overhies a regional unconformity (Leuder and Nami, 1979) metaling the
Justiz ut Frtatrçaiu du ¡'Gruje B.P. 311, SCARBOR000u marine facies of thu Soatburomgb Formaioo, The lop of the Soalby Formation is
92506 Buril Malrudioor, Fraruie eroded at Clongbton by Pliounnn te Qnatemaay glacial deposits.
SOUTH CLIFF DELTAIC PLAIN
The twu-dimensional suservoia guumnlry srudy was based uno pholomosaic cliff
P. HOUEL PONS- NAB S CAIN Y piurmsee taken from a helicuptee and connoted by a000rale tupugraphical
Bureau dEludes Industrielles et de Coopération de l'institut Françats du Petrote, measarements, and sa seueral vtelical muasueed sections.
232 Ac. Nsspoléorr Bonaparte, The three-dimensional reservoir guomutry was based to 36 boenholes drilled al
92506 Rueil Malsraaison, Frartrae. CLOUGHTON SITE ESTUAR IN E MIII GRIT depth of 30 to 50 m iast behind the cliff. The well spacing varied from 20 as near
thu cliff, lo 300 m (Hg. 3). The situ corresponds to an area of ¡ kml. Gamma-ray
R. KNOX SCARBOROUGH LITTORAL. and dipmelre lupa were recorded, und porosity and permeability were measseed an
Britiais Oeufugical Ssir'cey, plugs spaced every 25cm in the rexoevoir uasits. All thuse dala permis a very precise
Keysrstrth, Nettinghsrns, NGI2 5GO, MARIE SCARBORDI.IAK eeconslestution of the reservoir geometry and architncturr in Irems uf Sthofacies,
England. lithology, porosity and permeability.
Ararrare- I,, the Middle Jarassit ar,i uf the Cleurlaed basi,, (Nunheasreeu ErgIasdi. the Sualby
Forraron cutepnsta reru usai,, members. ,nterpreted ealley.fdl cuurpleu enedarn by a artiste
LITTORAL r
aC
PALEOGEOGIt0SrPHIC SETrING
aggrsdatrusal scales. The raltry usas ,nessd lotie1 a ,rlatiue ara-leur! drap aud ,ufjllrd dories a BTAR PLAIN
111018086E During Middle Jurassic time, the Clnunland basin was a mamginal northern
stepped ,elauue ata-kurt eau by a reuugradariosal lIsura! tu estuante cumplen The rallry till a 'Buí 4 euluosioas of thu Sole Pit Troagh (Ftg. 4). tImar limited northwaed atad westward by
tempesta ut three auperçeaud ssertsbret prisms shunñecg. resptut,tely. I tlsnislly dussnartd 505,505 uplifted areas, the Mid-Cealoal North Sua High and the Penrnnes High (Ziegler,
aSsurais. 2. sdally utluerma measles hein, and 3. s mitI tlunral.tidal stander belt The dultaic UTIORAL BED 1982, 1988), which supplied Ihn terrigeneens material (Leedor und Nami, 1979;
aggradatrusal member rurreapundu lu hcu)ratand Oepsu,ra. Small ribbur.s sr sreandeutg channels arr Aluxandur, 1986). Sonthward, a stable tuctoniu unit. the Market Wuighlon Block,
isulsmud s Italy tluedplsuc arI lacaslune taries uoastitrtled a slewly snbsiding (Kent, 1980) und ciastiu-slarved area. The westward
A precut rlrreu-dueesuuaal reseruet eecurrulenclruu bss beer ,.ssrred Out ora lku5t arca ,aluj 515ff 0 300km OELTAfl PLAIN
limit of the boxai and the steactnoal relation with thu Sohn Pit Trutzgh are auknown.
stthuss. drill rates. erurelrse legs sud pestupbyaivat mearurerseula. Aurasalo reste-ruth eecusattnCtiuss At the samu ¡insu, an upon-ma carbonate plutfoens, thu East Midlands Shell,
arr preaenlud here sa large crust aertrusa n tarata uf bIbeln10. putuaily sad perearabrbsy Ar 3 CLOIIBHTON eutended southward to the Market Weighton Block. Drsning the Aalenian lo
Cluagbrue, the rstlry-hll member runnisla uts tearer and upper p515w F.arh rurreapueds lu srhseusl- Bathonian, a dullaic system progended seathward or nooth.weslward ints the
fill sagt errth a basal aagradasiursal Oual assI uuedaiu by an estarme ut parabu uasagreaslue neat Cleveland Basin. lt deposited a 200-na-thick si'ctclaslic member around the
ma hal pram diaplays s pastal stauked.ehauutl nets arde bars and sand earthy piaga. tIre ruja dnpocsntor (Rauensear area), rapidly thinning over thu Market Weigkton Block
ut mhtch ate uurrared by s teasagreasrue strtfare. The suit is uerrlatt by ata rasusrirr asad-fiat FIG. 1.Loeatio.. nf 11am Clo.aghto.a site na. tise Yorkshire esanart. UU ELLEN BEC
(Copo and others, 1980; Daunt atad othnrs, 1980). Soveral shallow-marine mils are
cumplas. 'lire spprr pram rurrrysumds lu tidnlly-isrfisrnred meander belts erub heusumestie pulsi boss
uumfunrd uf argrllareucn aaadntuse 551 sittsluar. ¡l'a rapprd by shaty msanb depraia. uuatsspuadiag
odre petted uf manraum SoutIf uf the ralley fia. Tire sgradativaal dellaiu member suaasnaa macuIy
DELTAR PLAIN
uf delta-plant abatra beth mslliatuay ubbur rhauseta sad aide meander bella, sjnsalativas. It includes: 1. lheue-dimunsiunal resurvoie-aruhituctaeerecunslrssutiun SALTIICK
based ta euteasivt unlceups and drill hures in Iuu'iu-dtltair ensiroatanents; 2. FIG. 2.General sectian al the Raegnsear Group and its depositiunnl and
The bear puOrrral rvareeess arr Iceated r she basal Sual arancel charnela at the uslley fat.
qoautilivalioe of thu geolugical aud pmteuphysival paramuters ah laapsat lu a dala. LABOON
sequential intmrprul.atinn deaf nead trom core analynix at Ratenscar. Sia
Rraeruuo qsatrues dectrat mare essrariarr aaed-flat rumples sad ate urry punte lathe muted CannaI- deposilionat soqnences haue been distinguished. Oequeneu i corrosponds ta
Irdal mearcdrt tulsa. The snaIl eibbu,r cfiarrsrela geaeeatlf cussttttrt gtI but ssaall discuaarsstd base; and 3. iaaaprtvernent aud tesliug uf a getstatisfival methudulugy (Matherun
and others, 1987; Ranemsu and others, 1986, 1988; not discussud in this papee).
UTTORAL a uomplun littoral sandwndgn, snqaences 2, 3 and 4 are intnrprntnd as
The aeqaearr seatrgrapfly uf the Sualby Fuamauur sheets that reaeeuusr geuneary sad asymmetric traa.sgeessave-regrnsaive cycles with thin transgeessiee systems
In this papee, we sisan mairdy fusas un the three-disasensiomal reservoir LITTORAL
archilertnar ruolI be runtuelled by striant reIssue aca-leuel BOSSER ¡santo ovgrtaiaz by thick aggradatioseal nr progradatioaeal deltaic systems
eecoaslnsctioa and we shad eaplain the general geometry uf the resurvoir as a dnrnng highstand stages. Snqnunce 5 morrnspoads toasymmetne
INTROOUCFION METHODOLOGY consegneatce of miaur relative sea-levul varsataans. trnnsgressavo-regressive cynlm with a think traeasgeessiee systnms tract
Thu selected ouluesps but omg tu the Aalenian lo Bathuesia.ts Ravenscar Geuap, MW negrlaias by a pragradia.g littoral system. Seqnenmm 6, dnse,ibed in this paper,
Tt impeubn the hydeucaebun reuuvery it oil and gas fields, erneevoit essgatsuers inclading the Sualby Foraasaliun uf the Cleveland basin (aoetfaeasturm Fngland, Fig. starts wath a majnr subaerial erosional snrfaem related loa relative sea-levet
mord tu kuow resue-cuir gmumetry dad aecfsitecttste. Foe this P5ITP0SCr l'le lnststut 1). Thesu beds, very wed exposed un large uliff s along the Yutkshire cuasI, haue Sh= sEni , gag. sdi. = urgilinoeoos sotdstoyv , SEt = Sdadstove. drop. The valley wns then iasfillral by an ustnariaae camphnu dnaiaag a relative
Frutsçais da Pétrole aetd the Ceettu du Gtostatistiqmu de l'Euule das Mmus havt bean deposited in fine-ial to deltaiu environments alteenluiasg with shallow-marine sca-lmvgl risc and overlain by an aggradational dgltaie snqatenew dnoiazg a
deuelupud a methodulugy cumbiniug bath geulogiaal stradies and gmuslatistiral nails )Humiugsvay aad Knun, 1973; Fig. 2). Moreover, the depositioaal highstand stage.
Eschard, Raveooe, HourI, and Knox Architecture of a valley-fill sequence and a deltaic aggradational sequence 133
ietorusngered with the deltaic series, resulting from marine transgressions comiug Small ribbons or meandering channels or wide meander belts are interbedded with
from the south (Livera, 1981). Because ot tow sreliment supply and subsidence rate, IJTHOLOGES floodplain or lacasleine deposits (Nanti and Leedor, 1978). The low sued/skate ratio
minor relative sea-level variations are strongly recorded io the doltaic system. in this member suggests that the drltaplain is highly aegradatsonaf
We wilt soccessivety describe the grnerat geometry ot Ilse sedimentary bodies in
the Seatby Formation, OrsI on a regional scale, then using Ilse dota collected at the Dynamic interpretation: in)fnerrce o/a otepped retalier tea-leed nue
Ctoaghton site. t: Sand -- Carbonate on a )luviul tyotem.
GENERAL GEOMETRY AND INTERPRETATION Shale Curbonate and shale The internal complexity of the volley-flu member is interpreted as a cousequeace
OF TISE SCALOY FORMATION of there successive scour-and-fdi evenls. The theer elastic prisms are laterally-
extensive, bounded by erosional uneonformifies, and themtore Ihr infili of the
.20 The Scalby Forutatioo represents the end ot Middle Jurassic dellaic valley could not have rrsulted from a simple lateral migration of the fluvial
.25 sedimentation in the Cleveland Basin. Ir the studied area, this 50-rn-thick depositionut system. From prism Ito prism III, observed variations ot depostlional
formation, appronimalety dated as Bathonian (Loodee and Nami, 1979), mas environments, channel styles and grain-size distribution may be related to ao
deposited successively in fluvial, estuaeiee, then deltaic environments. It averties a evolution in the stream equilibrium prorde. The dynamic evolution of such fluvial to
major regional unconlormity dropty eroding the marine facies of the Scarborough estuarine systems can be directly linked lo relative ma-level variations (Allen and
Formation (Nomi aod Loeder, 1978) and il is capped with a condensed level al the others, 1970; Baum und Vail, 1989; Esehard, 1989; Mareo und others, 1988;
21 base of the Coenbeash Formation. The Scalby Formation cao be divided hilo two Posamentier and others, 198tr, Posumentier and Vail, t98'j Reioson und others,
main members, each showing very distinctive patterns ot sedimentation aod 1988; Vail and others, 1977). Ga these bases, the valley-fdt member of the Sealby
13
geometry. The tower member is interpreted as a valley-ftll comples asid Formation could have bren formed in tone phases.
corees ponds te u t5-m-thick sand shoot that is laterally extensive. lt was deposiled First, a relative ma-level drop started the subaerial incision ola valley aud during
.30 in fluvial (Nami und 1,ocstrr, 1978; Alexander, 1986)10 estnaeine environments. thin relative towstaud period, the urea was eroded und bypassed by elastic material.
10.
.19 'j The upper member is an aggradulional detta plain. These 40-rn-thick delta-plain Secondly, a stepped relative ma-level rise preducod the infili ot the valley. As
.23 deposits contain small sandstone channels isolated in flood-plain and lacusteine suggested by Nami and Loeder (1978), this relativo ma-level rise caused a reduction
shuly facies. of the valley topographie profile dope. Consequently, the fluvial system evolved
.27 Long-
from straight, fluvialiy dominated chauurls (prism I) to a meandering (prism ti),
.Nub Gcorrtetry o) the colby-Jill rrscsrstrcr. thee to an esfuarine system (prism itt). The grain size and the saed/shatr ratio
.31 decreased from prism Ito prism Ill us the tidal influence increased (Ashley and
On a regional scalo, the vulley-fifi member is composed ot three superposed Reewick, 1986). On the scale of the valley-tilt comptes, the whole system
.24 elastic prismi separated by relatively flat erosional surfaces (Fig. 5). Each prism retrograded because the aceonunodalion rate enceoded the sediment-supply rate,
extends laterally foe sevoeal kilometres und kas u maximum Ikickeess of abeal 10 but the fact that each sedimentary prism is incised info the one below it proves that
.20 the relative me-level rise mus discontinuons. Minor relative sea-level drops induced
The lower prism, t, in muda up of tine- to mediurageuioed, clean sandstone Ihr reactivation of erosional processes and consequently, the three elastic prisms
.32 deposited in straight, stacked channels showing large-scale acceelionary b ars or could be considered as chanuel-fdi stages corresponding to threo successive steps in
trough erase-bedded channel tills. Fluvial processes arr dominanl in the lower part u general relative seu-trvrl rise. Each step starts with u minor ma-level tall followed
ot tho pr um. whereas tidal processes influence ils upper poet (seo luter discussion). E. MIULAN by u relative ma-level nse. The importance of these minor sea-level vaniatiann on
Tho middle prism, ti, consists at fine- so medium-grained, clean or argillaceous SM LF the reservoir geometry will be described below. Thirdly, the maximum flaruSieg
sandstone. The prism is composed of wide meaudee belts with large, stacked point interval of the system was recorded by the sedimentatiou ot marsh shale capping
Ç,,d ,e5mrr. bars and clay plugs. The srdimrntary enrironmeet is still flnviatty dominated, but O4
the valley fill. The marine influences were mostly drveloped at this level (Fisher
biolurbation, abondant clay drupes and roverse-cnent ripples on the point bars and Hancock, 1985). Lastly, during o relative highntaud period, the sediment-supply
eotdd indicate a discrete tidal influenco toward the top ot the prism. rutr balancod the accommodation rufo and the delta.ptain series shows a high
FIG. 3.Loration map of the drill coron ut the Cloeghtoo nito. Thirty-nix The upper prism. Ill, is composed of highly argillaceous sandstones und siltstones 4: uggradational component.
wells (30 to 50 m deep) are loextnd behmd the semtiett cliff Well t.nmbnrs deposited in large meander belts (Nomi, 1976; Nami and Larder, 1978; Alexander,
refer to thono oseti m Figs. 7 and 9 to 19. 1989). This meander bell is locally incised into the two tower prisms and siso nEsEnvem ARCHITEC'ELIItE AT THE CLOUGHTON SITE
evolves laterally into shaty marsh or della-plain facies. The prism displays a strong
tidal influence (discussed later) superimposed on the fluvial processes (Eschard,
1989). FIG. 4.Paleegeographic setting, Several Sthcsteatigraphie units have boon dofwed in the valley-till and in the
A continuons black shale layer, deposited in a marsh environment, ends the infili deltaic aggeadaSonat successions (Fig. b). The general reservoir geomoloy is
ot the valley in the Cloughton area. estabhshed on a fence diagram (Fig. 7), and deluded three-dimensional reservoir
reconstructions am shown in large sections (Ftgs. 8 to 12) in terms of lithology,
Geometry o) the deltoic aggradarionut member porosity aud permeability, using bosh interpreted outcrop pictures, cores und
wimme logs. The architretsee ot Ike valley-fill basal nuit in detailed on interpreled
The dollaic aggoadational member conformably averties the valley-till member. cliff pictures in Fsgrtrex 13 and 14.
Eschard, Ravener, Hood, aod Knox Architecture of a valley-fill soquenco and a deltuic aggeadational sequence 134
Detailed architecture of the valley-/ill member and its interpretation.
At the Cloughtor site, the valley litt is andy compasad of peism I (tluvially
dominated stacked chaanels) und peism 11f (mixed fluvial-tidat meander belt).
previously described (Figs. Saud tI). They are separated by an extensive erosional
stirface corresponding to the middle prism, II.
2km Prism t is a contienoux shevt sandstone at the site. Thickness variations (5 to 8
m) depend mainly on the basal erosionat surf ace of tIse valley bet also focally on
s N the basat incision of the overlying meander bvlI. Three snperposrd units separated
by flat erosional surf sors are distinguished in the prism. Each cart, when not vended
SOUTH by the overlying meander belt, is laterally continuous on the site.
MIXED FLIJVIAL-TIDAL The basal nail, i-t, is made up al clean, fme- to medium-grainrd sandstone. The
YONS-NAB CLIFF FLUVIAL-DOMINATED LONG-NAB T RAVENSCAR ont lorms o continuons sand sheet (Fig. 7) with a highly complex internat
architecture (Figs. 13, 14). The sand sheet represents the slacking of severat
chaxovts. Each channel deeply erodes the ondeelying channel fill and reworks Its
material and, vonseqoendy, the morphology of sodimentary bodies at the time of
deposition is raeety peeserved. Nevertheless, n single channel is less than 100 m
wide and 8 m thick. Lateral accretionary burs interpretrd at side bues (Allen and
others, 1979), trough ceoss-bedded sand plugs or clay plugs constitotr the main iolill
features of the single channel. The large side bues (150 m long, 60 m onde und 8 m
thick) display giant tubular cross-bedding with a very constant ucceetsonary
- pill direction. The bar grows obliqaely from the eroded bunk toward the renter of the
MARINE SHALES AND SANDS SCARBOROUGH FMI single channel. The sand-plug units (60 m wide and 5 m thick) show giant trongh
cross-bedding. Thr clay plags (50 m wide and 8 m thick) are mude up of
- --
nl2 UNIrS
PRISM
- bioturbuted black shale or rippled siltstonr. Large etactivation surfaces (Figs. 13
and 14) in the side bars show that the bar construction is mullisloried and alternates
with periods al channel )nl'dl during which trough cross-bndded saodstonts are
1ff deposited. Channel activity commonly ends with complete channel tiiliil by a trough
eeoss-bedded sand plug or less commonly by a dry plug.
The middle unit, f-2, is mude up of flue- to medinm-grnned clean or argillaceous
sandstone. This unit starts with u flut erosional surface, correlaled sheoughoot the
site, sharply truncatiug the underlying unit l-t. Unit thickness varies from Ito 3 m
lOto
a PRISM II
SCARBOROUGH FM.
i Orn
It
PRM
10m
PRISM
I
and is continuous throughont the site. This unit displays stacked channels vrodmg
sand-flat megaerppleu. Channel lateral-accretion bars show mud drapes, backltow
ripples over the loretots, and biotuebnted levels evidencing un mteructaon el fluvial
and tidal processes. The megaripples arr developed into large eroded lureows. They
display typical sigmoidal cross-bedding with mud drupes, rracdvatlon suefaces,
backflow ripplet on the loresels und biolurbation. The top nl the mrgarspples are
sometimes reworked by oscillution ripples. On these entena, they are interpreted us
tidal megaripples deposited on u sand-flat (AiIm and Homewood, 1984). The
association 0f tide-influenced channels and sand-flat megaripples could charucterior
SCARBOROUGH FM. an estuarine sund-fiat.
SCARBOROUGH FM.
FIG. 5Synitbelic sentine of Ihn valley fill perpnadicnilar lo its axis along
the Ynrknhire coast. Sue Fig.t for geographic rnfnreucns. The valley fill
consists nf three superposed elastic prisms with a general saarduhnul
geometry. Thn lower peines (I) correnpoudn to flevially dominated, stoaight
sLacked channels (amt l-1) annelai, by ana estuarone comptes (miles t-2, l-3).
...ss.saSWaS
.a....s.sa..s.aSSRWaaaSRa.
The middle prises (It) correnpouds to stacked meander belts arad the rapper
oran (Ill) to mined fluvi.I-tidal mnna,dnr belts. The tidal ianfluessce increases
from the tower to the upper prism in relation to a stopped relative sea-level
rise inducing Ihn retrogradatlon. of the whole fluvial system.
as.*
The upper soit, l-3, eorersposds to a 30-cm-thick silly-clay layer, continuous sod
correlated ttsroaghoat the site whee it iv not eroded by the meander belt of prism
Ill. Here also, the emt begins with a fiat erosiunal sarl ace truecating the lop of assit
l-2. Small sideritic sod ates sometimes avertie this surface. The clay is silty sed
extebslx poorly-preserved biotuebatioss. For lack of other criteria, this layer is
interpreted as marsh or mudflat shale deposited in paralic or cutuarine
Prism ifi consists ol two superposed units, 1H-1 and III-2. Unit III-1 corvrsponds
to amalgamated mraedrr belts composed ol argillaceous siltstouc and fmc-grained
sandstone. The basal erosional surface of the meander bett deeply incised the
underlying prism I. Meander belts arr enclosed in argillaceous marsh or della-plain
facies in the eastern pars of the site (Fig. 7). Nanti (1976) and Alesandrr (1986,
1989) described in deed the meander belts outcropping on the present forestiere.
The siegte point bar u 3 m thick and around 100 m wide and shows a progressive
drorraso upward of the sand/shale rado and genie size. The point bar itself is
mainly composed uf contimesnic silty layers alternating with clay drapes, and
synsedsmentary stamps leequently aIled the lateral accretion surlaceu. Biaturbatiun
is also abundant, especially toward the sop ut the point bar. Ail these features and
the comparison with equivalent modern point bars (Frey and Howard, 1986; Smith,
1987) prove that there were leant interactions between fluvial and tidal
processes. Palynafacies analysis confirms marine iuflurnces (Fisher and Hancock,
1985). la the absence ol other regional data, it enmuins difficult to determine if
these meandering channels are connected to a fluvial system or if they are pure
tidal channels ona salt marsh.
Unit III-2 consists of a black organic shale layer, t 1v 3 m thick, coetinunus
throughout the sitO dropiog the mrandm bell m-l. PIacI debris are abundant mid marier
palynomorphs have been collected at Ibis level (Fisher and Hancock, 1985). lt iv
mterpeeted osa mars11 uhale deposited ins paralic ersienemeet.
The scdisnrulary prisms I and 1H can be interpreted as successive channel-till
stages (Fig. 15; too earlier discussion), lo prism I, the fluvial stacked channel nuit, t-
1, was certainty deposited during a facial aggnadataonat period when the
accommodation rate temporarily balanced the sedimeetatiuu rate. The
aceommedation probably did not vary much during deposition of this unit the basal
crosional sartaoo nl one ol the last chauuets that completed deposition of the unit
reached the bass of the prism (Fig. 14). A constant accommodation explains the
tact that single fluvial channels orn stacked together to tune the eontiuuons
sanduhrel, l-t. The erosional surface truncating the top vI the unit is interpreted as
a transgrevsivc surface due to an increase in the rate of relative sca-toce! nor
(Posamentier and Vail, 198tr Baton and Vail, 1989). II induces o rapid laadward
FtC,. 6.Photomosaic of the clii f at Clongbtnn showing the volley-fill shift of the baylinr (i.e., the demarcation line between fluvial and paralic/deltaic
member (lower half 0f the photo) and Ihn deltaie member (upper half h, environments, Posamentier and Vail, 1989). Then the esluarine anit, l-2, prograded
Incision of the valley corresponds to an erosional surface just at the cliff or aggraded over the transgrrusive snef ace. The sop of unit I-2 is issolt needed by
foot. Fluvially dominated channels of nmt f-1 euhibit large side bars with
giant tabular cross-bedding. The top of the smit is dearly truncated by a another flooding surface canned by a further increase in the rate at relative una-
transgresuive surface, overlain by the esfumine sand-flat I-2. lt is itself level rise, which as surs mduoed another landward shift ut the bayline. The marsh
eroded by a flooding surface cappnd with parolic shale of unit I-3. The shalr of nuit l-3 copping this flooding surface was therefore drposiled during the
argillaceous meander belts (unit fil-1) are draped by a continuous black mavimum loedissg period oldie channel-till stage.
shale layer (fil-2) interpreted os morsi, deposits. The dnllaic member begins After the invistan and deposition al prism U, nut represented at the Cloughton
with entensive crevasse splays or xhertflaad layers (C-l). A meander belt tite, a minor relative sra-leve! drop induced the incision vi prism III into the
(C3), with point-bar lateral-accretion surfnces, is isolated in floodplain andrrtying units. The same mechanisms as those described for prism l-1 occurred
shates. Scale in upper-right corner. with meandeebelt deposition during fluvial uggradatiou periods asd marsh shale
sedimentation during the maxisesuss flooding period.
le conclusion, the arehiteceune of the valcy-fill unit aud the reservoir is direcily
Coviivuod av page 145
Esckard, Ravevve, lionel, and Knox Arckttecture of a valley-fill sequence and a deltaic uggradational sequence 136
29
LOG
PL/O - QUATERNARY GLACIAL
40m EROSIONAL SURFACE
25 C3
Meander belt
Ribbon deltaic C2
p channels
Tide influenced
cl
-1112- -J
31
p mennder belt
Estuorine complex
3
_12_
-4
c:.cl:
y-'02
l54i
Fluvial complex Il
Marine sand ard maris SCARBOROUGH
Datum planum FM.
Eschard, Revenue, Houe!, and Knox Architecture of a va!!ey-fill sequence and a deltaic aggradatioaal sequence 137
.sNRaasØ**N.***a
LN8
LITHOLOGY
- Sdt and clay
M9
15MÍ UNIT I
TR4N5GRffSSJr- 5/J
t
MV29
- e
Slightly argillaceous sandstone
Sandstone
fr
t
MV25
Projected borehole
t
MV24
t
MV23 10m
t
MV22
DRAWN BY Y. CALOT-MONTEON
o-
138
LN6 LN5 LN4
O I 2001
API Io
API API
FLUVIAL-TIDA
MEANDER
UNIT 13-e-
UNIT 12
STUA1NE COMPL
- I i
VALLEY-FILL BASAL EROSIONAL SLJRFAI
FIG.
Silt and clay
Argillaceous sandstone
eloarly multistory and formed by three stacked sequences deeply eroding the
underlying series down to Uso meander bolts of unit III-1. Small plugs,
separating the single sequences, conslifufe fIle main heterogeneities of the
- - o
Sandstone
correlations on this section are not ambiguous. However, note the changes
in the mit geomefry and architecture on the cliff foce (Fig. 8) and on the
perpeadicnlau section (Fig. 15).
F.g.3. The nnifs L-1, f-2 are continuous and more or less isopaebous. The
section is roughly perpendicular to the channel C2 axis. This channel is
a.ø* aSSS**SN
Architecture of a valley-fill sequence and a deltaic aggradational sequence 139
Eschard, Ravenne, Hoael, acd Knox
LN6
API
- s-
L
Io
LN5
*I
A PI
2001
4
o
LN4
j
_J 8%<Ø'112% 40
Silt and clay
FIG. lOSectio.. porollel to the clii f mteepreted is terms of porosity the lithologies ecu be expressed m porosity. The sobtle porosity voriotious
Loestios is chorro is Frg. 3. Porosity sud penuesbility ore meusoeed ou ore deduced from detsiled sodimeutologic studies. Observe the complexity No measurement
plugs every 25 cm io the reservoirs. The peteophysicol reservoir of the mter.ssl heterogeseilirs with regord to the lithologic mterpretotioo.
estimated porosity
ch.urxetoeisties ore here moisly reloted to sedimsotory fones sud, therefore, See siso Figs. 16, 17 sud 18.
Eschard, Ravenne, Houel, and Knox Architectare of a valley-fill seqaence and a deltaic aggradational seqaence 140
LN6 - Silt and clay
LITI-? OLOGY
o
ap'
2I CLIFF SECTION
- Argillaceous sandslon.
Sandstone
t MEANDER BELT
Cg
L
MULTISTOREY RIBBON CHANNEL
C2
-
UNIT I
FLUVIAL- DOMINATED
-._STACKED CHANNELS
o Orn
VALLEY-FILL BASAL E5O/OA1&
I
Eschard. Ravenne, Houel, and Knox Architectnre of a valley-fill sequence and a deltaic aggradational seqaence 141
PERIWE4B/L/Ty
LN6
CLIFF SECTION
i 000md <K
Oimd<K< trod
40
tes-s
O 10m
FIG. 12Section perpendicular to the cliff interpreted in terms of a homogeneous sand sheet The reservoir qualities decrease toward the top could be related to tidal influences os the valley fried. The mined fluvial- valley fill. The ribbon channels (C2) of the deltaie aggradational sequence
permeability. Location shown su Fig. 3 The stacked fl..vial cho.mnls of the of the unit as the reservoir heterogeneity increases. The amount of clay in tidal meander belt (prism HI) isa poor and heterogeneous reservoir because constitute good but small and disconnected reservoirs, the argillaceous
basal valley-fill sequence constitute the best reservoir of the whole series. terms of intoaporosicy matria or clay drapes over the sedimentary structures of a low sassd:shale ratio due to strong tidal influences townrd the top of the meander belt (C3) is a poor reservoir. See aise Figs. 16, 17 and 18.
The only shaly heterogeneities are due to narrow clay pings disseminated la
Eschard, Ravenne, Houel, and Keox Architecture of a valley-fill sequence and a deltaic aggradalionat sequence 142
FIG. 13.Detailed architecture of the etacked fluvially dominated
channele f-1 on the cliff at ClonuJ.ton (part A, conthem part of the outcrop).
Northern eeteneion of the cochon anal legend on Fig. 14. The unit io formed
by coverai otraight etacked chamceiu (ah leact two on thic profile) chowacg
forgo code bare, trough croon-bedded charnel f ills or cilty plugo. Because of a
constant channel lateral migration and reworking, the sandbodies are mainly
limited by erosional surfaces. Such a amt presents very good reservoie
properties the main heterogeneities nrc related to the email shaly or cilty
plugs and to discontienouc coat einst-elch layers.
Eschnrd, Ravenne, Houel, and Knox Architecture of a valley-fill sequence and a deltaic aggradational sequence 143
....u.... ss..s* s*u.s.*u.s.a
Mud drope
ET
UNIT 12 I
LITHOLOGY AND FACIES
I Mego-trough cram-bedded argillaceous fine
grained sandstone
N
'CIif f base
Eschard, Ravenne, Houel, and Knox Architecture of a valley-fill sequence and a deltaic aggradational sequence 144
LOG UNITS PRISMS influenced by minor variafions in relative sea level LN 16 Sigrnoidal bedding of the taegest meganipples and lateral accrnlionasy bars
V V sometimes appears on the dipmetee (Fig. 18). Abnndaot mad drapes considerably
30m redner the perosiry and permeability of Ihe reservoir arel (Figs. 10, 12 nod 18).
Reservoir architecture in the dettaic aggradotionol member. Porosy Perneabilily Gamma'ray Dip angle and
The paroic chales, l-3, clearly appear on most of the logs aloe abrupt deflection
uJ in % in MD. AP so Litho direction
lu contrast with the saeduheel geometry et the valley fill. the reservoirs of the in the gamma-ray and microresistivicy logs. Them sisales conslitste a bamrr of
02100
z<w deltaic aggeadatinnat member are mainly composed of small sandstone-tilted
40 0 2 o t t ' I 50 permeability between prisms I and 1H.
flhiflhl!
r
channels isolated in floodplain shaty facies (Figs. 6 to 12). There arc five channel 5m The meander bells of prism litI also shows typical bell-shaped gamma-ray came
Meander bell C3 (Fig. 19). The maximum of radioactivity of the whole sequence corresponds to the
(17 oints, Cl to CS, corresponding so levels in which channef lifts and theie rclated
Della plain shales ± fleedptain and crevasse-splay laines are distinguished. organic shatr of the moesh capping the valley fill and therefoec lo the maximum
co< In channel Cl a sandy meandering channel (8 m thick and 80 m wide) cuisis flooding period. Becanse of mad drapes, the luternl-accrrtron surfaces of tho tidally.
ca the western part of the rife. A centiisnono sand sheet capping this level is composed influoocod peint b ars clearly appear on dipmeter lege whys slumping does not
Msllislorey ribbon channels w deform the aceretiosary surfaces (Fig. 19). The tidal infloences induce a low
20m o of stiere tinc-grained argitlaeeorrs sandstone layers with carrcnl-ripple bedding and
iv interpreted as the crevasse-splay or sheesflood facies of stir channel. In amt C2,
IflhHIMI 11111 rand/shale rutie and, therefore, porosity and permeability see very low (Figs. 10 ord
.iiiiii.pui
- Maximum flooding surface tour independent straight channels (6 m thick, 70 m wide) are identified, coutainasg 12).
Marsh shale n'a trough cross-bedded sandstone. Their crevasse splays are uevve mote than 180 w in
width. The channels arc single or mnflistoried )Frgs. 8, 9 and 11) and deeply meise CONCLUSIONS
Mixed fluvial-tidal
meander bells
Marsh shale_Erosional surf
Flooding surface
h the endertying units down to the mraisdenbelt of prism Ill. Unit C3 is
meauderbelt 300 m wide and 5 os thick, mainly composed ol argillaceous fme-
geained sandstone with crorsojt cram-bedded sand plugs. Unit C4 is poorly exposed
and bas not been intvrpreled.
a
hi,I1lllhI.. in this study, a metlredotogy for theee-dinueosiosaf reservoir description has been
employed nsing oxlcrops, drift cores and wireline logs. Accorate three-dimensional
cross sections of the reservoirs are presented in terms of lithology, porosity, and
permeability, and they permit the definition 0f eelevant geological and petrophysieal
I!II
This deltaic aggradationaf member was deposited during a highstand period when
Esluarine sand flat complex I2 the rate of rise of relative sea level was balanced by the sedimentation rate and the parameters. They have been quantified te build ou important inpxl data base for
10m
- Transgressive surface - detta system aggradeaf. However, the drop incision of the multistory ribbon geostalisticat sisrslations (Ravenne and al., 1987, 1988). The porosity and
Slacked fluvial-dominaled
I
channel, C2, denn te prism ti of the valley lift certainty proves that minor relative
sea-level falls and rises occur even indie highsland systems tract. HhIiIIiiEií! permeability analysis is strongly linked le the sediteentofogie interpretation and
reatislically integrated ints the sodimentofegic reeooslructions.
Is addition, the abundance and qnality of the dala have been nsed here fur facies
h analysis and their sequential organization. As mterpretation in terms of sequence
IIiIIIIIiiÎI! 11111
Log characteristics and reoervoir petrophyeical propertieS of the cafley-/ilt retomber.
channels slratigropby has been carried ont on a regional seoIr and dirresly applied on the
Gamma-ray and dipmeter togs recorded oc the borehofes at Ihn Ctonghton site reservoir scale. lt shows that the rrcurvoir geometrios, their pefrophysicat properties
illnsteate the wiectixe response of the volley fill and of the nnconformttses. The and the permeability barriers in a valley-fill complex are dirretly inflnveced by
valley-fill member typically appears on the gamma-ray logs as a composite bell- miuor relative rca-level variations.
Subaerial erosional surface shaped pastero (Fig. 16). fas prism t, nuit t-t is composed of clean sands and has the
Littoral sands lowest radioactivity values of Ihn valley fill. Side bars dearly appear en dtpmeter
logs as organizod sait patterns showing constant accretionary diercfaonv (Fig. 17).
This unit consulates the best pelential reservoir of Ihr valley till with high porosity
INIII! 11111111 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study is pars of a research project carried ont by the HERESIM Groop,
and permeability vaInes (Figs. 10 and 1.2). Unit l-2 is clearly illnstraled on gamma- inctsding C. Rarenne, B. Doligro, R. Eschard, D. Gntirillot, Y. Mathies and J. L.
RELATIVE
SEALEVEL chANGE .,_Ma:imum flooding Surface
ray logs by a sndden increase of radioactivity. The teonsgresssvr surface itself often
appears as a sharp dellrcfion of the gamma-ray and mscroresistivily cnrves.
PROM I
distinguished at Cinoghton su Ihn valley-f ill member, and nrc divided into
several units. Finvially dominated channels of Unit i-0 orn dopnsited lu a
volley during a fluvial aggradatinn period. A trausgrntnivn surface und
dnpsmitinu nf the estuarioe sand-flat compinn (nuit t-2) are related to an
IIIIM1JG1 I IIII
incenase io the relative sea-Iced rise rate. Additional mareen flonding FIG. 16.Composite log ut Claughlnn. The valley-fill member appears ou
gamma-ray log us a composite fuell-ohaped pattern, and masimom uf
HIIHII!iiIJIoI
____ flen grosnive surCaste induced deposition nf marsh rheIn (unit t-3) nu tnp of unit l-2. Prism ii is
oat prnservod al Clnoghton. iunisinn nf Ihn meander boit, fil-ir was mIsted radiooctivity correlates with marsh chales (lit-2) deposited during the
bor_rI_I to o minor relative sea-level drop nod the marsh deposits (uniI fit-2) were maximum flooding period. Porosity and peemeability decrease from the base
O.AX'-__ Subaerial erosional surface deposited duriug the usaximom flooding perind of the valley. Dellaplain Is Ihn top nf the vuliry-fili. The limit between nuits i-i and f-2 is clearly
tarins, corresponding to highstaud systems tract, show ribboo-channela or Good corroisbon coefllcteet shown by au abrupt drop of pnrmenbiiitieo, in relation ta the presence nf
moaisdnr behn isolated en floodplain feries. O Poor ceerohition coofftcioet clap deposited by tidal procernes.
Esçhard, Ravenue, Hood, aud Knox Architecture of a valley-fill sequence and a dellaic oggradntioeal seqoesce 145
LUTS GR. LOG LN7 MCRORESTIV1rY DFOTER LNTS GR. LOG LN4 MCRO- lSlSTrvTrY DF%ETER
-
API ob. s. ti ,,s C.
n,
LOG LN7 POROSITY PERMEABLfl'Y SItS. os C.
API .
IL
uk.$ 'oc. 2OO high
surface ., "
33m s ' -IzO ' - 20% - cl 'tO ¿00 -Flooding surface-
i,
't: 35 11H 12
28 an'Iat
Megaripples
-
II
Ciey plug =
Side bar
-Basal incision--
surface
"
Good correhtion coefluint
o Poor cocrehtion coetfhient
37
I -Y
O 297/. - -- 000 vO
1111
29 orransgresslve -'
surface
,
Psigdefubregas (Geeeralilal de Catulnnya) for usofol ditcuosiors about Yorkshire Lavotee, D., aso Toovxostv, J., 1979, Elude sédimeotologique du delta de Aovare, J. S., aux Haoeocs, N. J., 1980, Ao appreviatiots of Middle Brout aod
geology aud sadimeratology. Thanks also to Dro. J. Dixos and D. Lockie (Geological la Mahaltham Notev 01 Mémoires, Total Compagnie Français dcv Petrolos, No. reservoir fealares by analogy with Yorkshire coast outcrops: Loedou E000peau I2,
Survey of Canada) who revxewod this paper. The drawings were mode by Y. 15, 155 p. Offshore Petroleum Coulrreuco and Eshibitiou, e. 1, p. 501-511. 28
Morbos (BEICIP). Avaro, PA., evo Hosmuoorç p., 1984, Evolution asd mrchaoicv of Miocaue tidal Aee.ev, G. M., eso Rrsxree, W. H.,1986, Ct,auuet morphology and processes at the
saodwave Sadimoolology, v.31, p. 63-81. rieeriue-estuariee lransitiou, the Rarilan river, New Jersey, in Collinsou, J. D.,
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Meddle Jurassic Yorkshire zod the North Sea Basins acd Holoccue Moulura, Association of Sedimenlologists Special Publication 6, p.309-327.
Asco, G. P, Caoeoeso, P., Froua, A., Kuvoomes, A., axe V,oxeoso M., 1970, tisA: Uopoblisbrd Ph.D Thesis, Umversity of Loods, 235 p. Bassa, G. E., eso Vats, P. R.,1989, Sequruce slratigrapky c0000plo applied to
Corlribntioet â l'elude des focies de vomblemeral el interprétation 1989, PomI bar ard comster poiet bar deposils in 16e Scalby Formatiou, PalcogeuCoalerope, Gulf and Atlantic basio, ix Wilgus, C. 1k., Hastiugs, B. S., 29
paléogéographiqne de l'évoluliou des milieux sédimexlaires eéorntx el actuels Yorkshire, England: 41k lolerratiooal Confrrouce ox Fluvial Sodimeulology, KeudaB, C. G. SIC., Posamentier, H. W., Ross, CA., and Van Wagoner, J. C.
de I'estnaire de la Gironds Balletia de I' loslitut do Geologie du Buxom Rarceloua, Silges, October 1989, p. 59. vds., Soz-Irvel ekauges, an ielegralrd appeoach: Society of Economic
It D % <1 1000 ed.
d'Aquitaine, N'O, p. 99-155. Pateoutologists and Mineralogists Special Publication 42, p. 309-320.
Eschard, Ravenne, Hourl, aod K000 Aechileclare of a valley Il sequeoce aod a dellaic aggradalional sequence 146
Corn, J. C. W Dure, K. L., Paososg C. F., Toenest, H. S., Woom.oeo,s, W. A., roe level changes, an integrated appeoacb: Society of Economic Paleontologists and
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UNItS GR. LOG LNI3. MICRORESISTIVITY DIPMETER Report iSp. 109. 1987, Heterogeneities and geometry of sedimeotary bodies io a floeio-delt.aic
Esoo.soo, R., 1989, Geoméfric et dynamiqor de séqoenees de dépôts does an reservoir: Dallas, Society of Petroleum Engineers Papee 16752, Formation
APi2O0 sc C.
'I High 30° système deltolqoe (Jorassiqoe Moyeo, bassin de Cleveland, Aoglcterre).
fmplicatiorss sae l'archilersoee teidimesssionoelle des corps uédimenlaiees: thèse,
Evaluation, Jane 1989, p. 239-246.
L Marsh shale
Uoiveruité Loois Pasteur, Sseasboorg, 104 p.
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ose , 1988,
Geometry and physical properties of sedimentory bodies deposited in a Obvio-
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from the Georgia Bight: Joornal of Sedimentary Petrology, y. 56, p. 911-924. Crystal Viking FruId, Lower Crelacenos esloarine tidal channel-bay complex,
Dauer, G. D., lssoev-Caon, H. C., Pesos, t. E., arte Cas, B. M., 1980, Mesozoic rocks south-central Alberta: American Association nl Geologist Bnlletin, u. 72, p.
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Haourses, N. J., ose Fono,. M. J., 1981, Middle Joeossic North Sea deltas with Alberta, Canada, ist De Beers, P. L, ed., Tide-ixflareced sedimentary
26 paelicolae reference to Yorkshire, io liliog, L. V. and Hobson, G. D. eds., environments osé facies, Doedrechl, Reidel Publishing Company, p. 417-432.
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t!
Petroleum, Loodoo, p. 186.195. global chonguo of aea-tevel, io Payton, C. E., ed., Seismic strotigeaphy -
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the Middle Jurassic strata of the Yorkshire Basin of North-East Eogtaod:
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Geologists Memoir 26, p.8S-98.
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Keys, PE., 1980, Subsidenre and uphll io East Yorkshire and Liocoloshire: a Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company. 130 p.
ir
doable inseesion: Proceedings al Yorkshire Geological Society, e. 42, p. 505. 1988, Evelntion of the Arfic-Norlh Atlantic and Ihr Western Thethys:
524. American Association of Petroleum Geolegislt, Memoir 43.
28 Leceen, M. R., rue Naso, M., 1979, Sedimentary models for the nao-marino Scalby
r _,. I Formation (Middle Jurassic) and evideoce foe late Bajoeian/Bothoeiao nplif I of
the Yorkshire Basin: Proceedings of Yorkshire Geological Society, v.42, p.461-
A 482.
Leona, S. A., 1981, Sedimenlology of the Bajoeian rocks from the Roveoscae Groop
of Yorkshire: Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, University of Leeds, 290 p.
Lower point M.soao, M., Nuoro, W., ossu Pctsueraneeoor, C., 1988, Architecture of tire caslisont
¿ T Social sheet sandstones, Eocene Sooth Pyrenros, Spain: Sedimeolology, y. 35,
bar
30 p. 719-738.
-S-Erosional surface M.seneoov, G., Brumen, H., De Fouseer, C., Gotas, A., Gueesu.or, D., ans R.sve,zsn,
13 C., 1987, Conditional simolalion of the geometry of flovio-sfeltaic reservoirs:
Flooding surface- Dallas, Society of Peleolrom Engineers, Paper 16753, p. 591-590.
12 Noun, M., 1976, Ass exhumed meander belt from Yorkshire, England: Geological
0° 32° Magazine y, 113, p. 47-52.
aso Lceoen, M R 1978 Citangiog channel morphology and magoilode in
Good correlation coethcien Ihr Sealby Formation (Middle Jurassic) of Yorkshire, Englaud, ist Mmli, A. D.,
Poor correlation coefficient ed., Flovial rodimentology: Caaadian Society of Petreleam Geologists Memoir
5, p. 431-440.
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deposition I. Concepfoal framework, is Wilgns, C. K., Hastings, B. S., Kendall,
FIG. 19.Log ehorneteristies of the tidol-fluvini mennderbolt (m,it III-1). C. G. SIC., Postawenècr, H. W., Rost, CA., and Van Wagoner, J. C. edo., Sou-
Note the bell-sheped gomnsn-roy cervo nod the organized dipmetnr pdltn005 level changes, an inlegratrst approach: Society of Economic Paleootologists rad
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arte Voss, P. R., 1989, Euxlatic controls on elastic deposition II -
Sequence and system tract models, t,r Wdgox, C. K., Hasriogs B. S., Kendall, C.
G. SIC., Posamunlier, H. W., Rost, CA., and Van Wagoner, J. C. otis., Sea-
Eschard, Ravenne, loud, and Kuos Aechilecture of a valley-fit I sequence aod a deltaic aggradalionol seqaence 147
..aN*SRS*SeØSeSSNes
CENOZOIC FLU VIAL-FACIES ARCHITECTURE AND Ftu, l,Lnontioaa map nl the Oraville regina nhamiaag the Buprrfaaad plant aile,
AQUIFER HETEROGENEITY, OROVILLE, Ihr stady arra (labeled Figarr 2), and Ihr naterop localities examiaard )aambered
Tho ebjectinos of thin papee aceto I) pestent the resalta of a ghree-dimensineai
CALIFORNIA, SUPERFUND SITE subaurfaon faoiea analyniu of Conozoic flavial deponiln in the vicinity of a foderai
hlnohn).
AND VICINITY Sepnefond silo located near Ooonil I e, California; and 2)10 drmonnlraie the alility of averagos 73 an (Table i). Information obtained from the wrlls innlndrx the
establishing a facirn framework lo delineate aquifea helerogeneily and lo develop o rasa tdrnlif'tcation of facies and formations boned on the enaminalien of retrieved drill
TERENCE C. BLAIR detailed characterization of the man's complex hydeogeologic Syutem. Determining cutlangs and the doleraninagion of flow condilionn across facies hoandarien feom 1hz
Blair and Associates the facien framework wan preerquisite to nedernianding ihe groundwater pathwayn rosalia of geoasdwatrr pampiaf teals. Bath doal-labe reverne-air mfary drilling and
1949 Hat'dscrol,ble Place and flow cenditionn thai influenced dissolved pentachiorophenol movement in the caatng-hammer airlift drilling lechniquen allowed for goad recovery of both
Boulder', Colorado 80303 aquifer and for accusons Ibero-dimenSional groundwater modeling necentaay fox lbs dtuaggregutrd and partIally lithified nattnplen, including gmin sizes ranging from clay
design nf an effective and efficient romediul plan. Io caaruc pebbles. Recovered samples wrre bagged in 1.5-m increments. Sample
Oroville in located along Ihr Feather River in northeansern California nl Ihn 8 testeren were descrtbed fallowing the clasaification scheme of Polk (1974) and wree
bouodaey heitceen the Siena Nevada foothills and the Sacramento Valley, f55 km used te plot stratigraphic columns, cross neclionn, and fence thageamn.
FRED G. BAKER north of Sacramento (Fig. i). Mogni Lasnen. the southemmont nf the Cascado A peirographic tnvesugaaion nf eight samples feom the P-1 welt (Fig. 2) and eight
JOSEPH B. TURNER volcanic centers, is located 93km north-northeasi of Oenville. The Feather River is outcrop samples wan conducted no help idenlify the pengloated units and te
Dames and Moore one of many leaf C, high-gradient, peeranial gravel-hod streams neiginating in ihn high obaracleenme aqutfer quality. Thin examination included description of tostaren,
9300 Tech Center Dci ce Siena Nnnoda and finwing wnrtward io the central valley nf California, This einer adonitftcation of dtagenelic modificalians and pom sioen, and delerminution nf the
Sacramento California 95826 changos coarse to a noath-soathwentrrly dirnclion upon nntnring the Socramenlo framowoek grain competition sia a 380 point-count asalysin. This petrographic
Valley atOrovilie, whero ilS gradient significantly decreases (Fig, t). Relatively flat- infarmallos wan then inlegralod with Ihe sneface and subsurface sedimentologic
Anssnucr, A thrno-dmtcveional Incisa aoalynia of Ce0000ic lloniai depmiln io the niomity of lying Feather River and ancestral Fculhee Rives fluvial sequences that were depotited dota Io dopad the thrcn-dimenuionol relationship nf formations, facies, and
ofndcaalSupesfndaitonearOsonillCalifo,ja,waacondocaedtovhaoavtnrien aqnifoa near the Siena Nevada mnooiain feont underlie and aro expoued in the Orevittn oquifer-uqailued rones,
hctnrognneity and to providnnbaoia foe nocurate modeling of tho complex groundwater nyntcm. vicinity. These neqoencen onlap and pinch nut eastwardly againut Monomio
A notnnork sf29 bornholm is the 6.5.lon atody nana pcneOated fono diatioctioe Bovini osits, metamorphic and platonic rocks that connlitole Ihr Siena Nrvada (Creely, 1965;
molodlng the Lagnna Fonnatioa (uppee Pliocene-Holoceoo), Nonalaki Tuff luppnr Plioceno).
Bateman und Wahrhaftig, 1966).
Mohrinrt Formation (Miocnnn-oppea Pliocann). and tone Fonnanion (Eoceno). All fon,
fonmatioon conajnt of pobble-cnbble granel, aaod, and viny drpoailed by the Feather and
The sindy mea in located salt of the Feather River, 3.2 km soath of Oeoville An tnconstutesl ntrutigrapbic nomenclalure han been enlubtithed for the Cenazoin
anceannt FeatherRtveeayatemaatthemargiooftheSao,amentoBnaj,nrartheweateerSieeeo
(Fig, I), The modem floodplain there in 4.3 km wide and in bounded by Plia- depontis ta the Orocille vininily (Pig. 3). Many of Iheso usituare definedon the basin
Nenadamoontain frost. Sediment granioyflowxmdtnnncrlaiaaodenitivnnd pumice-riot, Plnisiocene len000n ISis 37m high. The Study mea inclsdes the Superfsnd nile and of gold contrai, buoted notis, and geomorphic relationships or by the introduction of
oolcooiolanlio faciaa derioed from thn mothornmont Cancade nolcanic venteen epiaodically the adjoining region to the nnnth (Fig. t). This anca is 1.3km wide and 50km long, dintanl fnesnulion names wilbout local venfication. The sloatigraphy of dro Dessille
choked the aocenOal Featheo Rivor ayatem dornig lato Pliovere upper Mehrten ned Nomlaki orierted parallel to the Siena Nonada moantain fronL The neareni foothill bedrock arca, denptte being finely divided, in farther compliculed by a lack cf cautinunnu
Tuff depoaition. Cen000io florid aggoadation sean inletmpted by three peaiodn nf nalley nxpossret arr 1.8 km lathe east, The depth ta crystalline bedrock is ontimatod lobs enponure, by a lack nf previous facies studies, and by the foci that many of the units
cuoiog. tnhtch0000tted l)doring thoOligoceoe,heov000depoaitionofthelono nodMehrlre 275 m (Harmond and Heltey, 1987), althasgh locally bassmnal in eocOuntered in hase innot relationships with alder formations rather than superposed, layered
Formatiooa; 2) dornig the late Pliscene. between depoailion of the Nomlahi Taff nod Lagunn nearby weSt al depthn of slOb w, relauonuhips, owing lo the sedimentoingic behavior of the proximal Feather River
Formation; nod 3) doting the middle Pleiatocene. afIne moat Laguna depoaition reaa complotad. system.
The Otigocene nod late Fliocene paleonalleya, 24m 61m deep, ate filled With nrrficalty nod
laterally iotetconnnotrd chaooel pebbla.cobhle granel el the Mehrten nod Lagmtaaequrncea. By evatautang pant publications, esaminisng new roadcut and railenad-cnt
The principal aqaifar aonoa in the nmdy area noe 30-m.thick uniu of hydreulivally esposares, und adhering lathe straligraphic code (North American Commission on
This study in bosad on t) stratigeaphic, facies, and hydeogeologic data obtained Siratagraphtc Nomenclature, 1983), we differentialed four formal stratigeaphic units
oontieuoua channel granel nod sand of the Laguna. Mehrten, nod lone Fnnmetiona. mono
aquifer nonna at ecnntin000a aorota Oligocena nod late Pliocone peleanelley margin, throagh
feom a network of 29 boerholes peneteating targeled aquifer rones in the ntody mea an the study area. Thene includo, in ascending order, the lone Formation, Mehrten
cka000l.fihl granel nod noed of the nerinua foamationa. Floodplain clay and nnlcaoivlantio (Fig. 2); 2) hydrogeoingic dala obtained from other euialing wollt in abe viciuity; Formalian, Nnmlaki Tuff, and Laguna Formation (Fig. 3).
dobtia-flowuettaactaaaqoJtaodt, whichlnoailylimittheintteeactionhettaeenperreeableeonea. 3) the rec000aissance of espotmen near the Study aera of the steatigraphic anitn
A dienoined pentachloeophonol plome in local grnnnd watet otigioatea at Ihn Supeafund aire intsrsectmd in Ihr borehole network; and 4) the integration of thene newly developed lone Formation
(a wood Irentmma pinol) is the noothom md of tho study aree, where it initially monca within data with proviossly developed strafigraphic infnztnation in the Oroville area, The
the Lagoon Formntion. The plume han migrated nilo hydraulically continonna Mehrten nod Cenozoic flsvial sequence in the Oenvilie region has boon finely divided ints Tho lone Formalion in the northeanlem California Siena Nevada foothills consista
lone franela that mein contact '-425m anuth of the pinot aire. Thn plume baa alto pannod into numerous formations on the basin of facien, age, buriod toils, and geomorphic of an mach au 183m of variably cemented, fine to coarse nandstone, uiltutonn, lignite,
juotapoand Mebeteo and Laguna grenela 1,400 an noath of the plant aite. Pumping-teat data relutionuhipn. Enponmot of all of Ihn so antta novar within 7.5 km nf the study aile. and clayntone with varieguled colorn, including red, yellow, white, blue, gray, orange,
demoonttatothetnnmarltedchnogeaiohydaaoiiocnnductinity occoracroaa thopaionnniiey.fiti The goals nf the nseface-espolarc inseutigatinn were lo identify facies, reviow the
boundaoioa. Looni changea tin the hydtaufic-gradieot vector are ceuaod by changea in Bo and black (Lindgren, 1911; Alles, 1929; Creely, 1965; Gillam, 1974). Interbedded
renulis nf peevinus studien, and develop criteria for ascia dinlinguiuhing fnrmalionn ienticuimpebble-rmd-cobbfo"oufmaous" or"greeastone" francIS are locally presenl
potereabili of the aquifer tnatarinl or in the thicknranof the aquifet asnea, both of tehich are
and facies in Ihe nabtgefuce from deiliiog samples. The tenturos, colnrs, ncdimentary und become more abundant easilvardly (Allen, 1929; Dureell, 1987). A middle
nanociatrd with Interni changea io lonoatiOna and facice.
utrnctares, buried soils, and paleocurrenl information were defermined from Eoceno age has been assigned to this formation on the basin of contained fioca and on
13 esponstren (Fig. t). Samples of the sandy component mere coilecied feom these the fauna of interfisgeeing and underlying marine formulions (Cerely, 1965).
enponsres foe petrographic analyses. The lone has lonf bons considered io be componed of the deposils of a fluvial-
Peenentaddoeaa Ebaeco Ennoonmmntai, 143 Union Boulenatd. l_akewond, Colmado 80228- The 29 study wells are diniribuled throughout the 6.5,kma mea (Fig. 2), The deltaic system formed under u humid, sabtrepicat climate nn the banin of Ihn
1824. average dittancebeiwers the wells in 457m, whseeav the average spacing in key pana occunence of lignite and carbonaceous shale, the identified flora, and the common
of the siody msa, Such asar dro plant site, is 283m. Total depih in the weil network pretence of kanlinilr comest (Alien, 1929; Funk and Tsrner, 1952; Creely, 1965;
Blair, Baker, and Turner Fluvial-facies urchileclore and aquifer helerogene y 148
Heflry&Harsasnd b*bsrsrlaee
InryOP) Serres Erecto 1965 nusacca 902 Feather River and also soiginaled in Ihe Sierra Nevada. Hacknl'n (1966) Eoceno
!'-rETr
FIG. 2.-Location of wells examined in the stady area. See Figure 1 for location
Uvderrewerrds paleogeographic map of the Sacramenlo Valley shown a marine shorelior
STH.J FORMATkm immediately west of Onoville, with the westwaed-pnogoadiog tono flavial-deltoic
Supodu Sd
TH-K
-
5, e - 550 pOlaca61 TUFFÇ system presrol in Oho Oroville orna.
Three new esposares of Iho tone Formalisa in the 000ville aran were osamined
Plant S,te
MW-13 j (Fig. I). All of Ihese colo consist of inlerhedded medians- to very fioe-graiord
TH-D//
MW-20 ISTh-G sandstone, modsl000, and silsstone (Fig. 4a, b). The nandoloso beds are lenlicular and
1*0cc l-Formation thickness (ml, Orocitle Superfaxd site and vicinity bore/soles
display slightly biotorbated, low-angle and honizootal beddiog. Sorting is moderate
Tl-I.l\ SMW-19 encept wheee detrital clay has been incorporated into the sandstone as a resolt of
MW-215 MW-17 bioturbation. Those lone deposito ore varicolored blue, green, tan, brown, gray, and
Bottom-
MW-225 TH-F Ssrfoce hoto Formativo Thickness Total - NEW Eno black, sod locally contain abundant organoc fragments orare tignitic.
Well Elevation Elevatioo Laguna Nomalki Mohoseo 10x0 Depth FORMaTION MEHRTEN tone sandstone framework grains in this ootcrop as well soin Ohr subsuaface of Ihr
OM
U.S. Hrgrrnay 70 060 48.20+ 126.80
-y- '
FORMATION study area priocipally consist of mosocryslalline and polycryolallise qoarla (16 to
P-1
P-2
7163
30.29
-55.17
-17.68
27.43
16.76
6.71
9A5
44.50
35.97 5.80* 67.97
S- 66%), plagioclase and polasniam feldspar (1009%). granitic cock frogmrntn (14 to
63%), sehiotene and gneissic metamorphic-rock fragments (1 ta 9%), and mica and
RI-4 60.96 -18.29 79.20s- - - 79.23 heavy minerals (11033%; Pig. 4h, c). Theso composilioaal chaeacteninticn indicate
EH-l. .p that the arad barbeen derived solely from Ihr crystalline rocks composing the Sierra
51-5 60.35 -24.99 23.16 20.42 19.20 22.60+ 85.34 Necada (Fig. 5). Cement types viewed in thin neclion are limoaite, mechanically
RI-6 57.91 -21.34 79 .20* - - 79.25
cvaE,vv associ L 01-Jon BaSaLT infiltrated clay, and calcite (Fig. 4b, e).
Baggert
Paterno
RI-7 47.24 -32.92 7920v - - 00.16 -w--
Mehrten Fornraliox
Rood
RI-8 48.16 -36.58 32.00 3.35 49.30* - 84.73
RI-9 47.24 -38.10 24.38 10.36 49.68 0.90* 85.34 The Mehrten Formation, as defined in this report, mnelades a neqaence of variably
RI-IO 49.38 -3 5.97 81.69 - 3_70G 85.34 cemenled, inlerhoddod clay, sand, and gravel that unconformobly oserlies the lone
Formaliov and io conformably ovorlain by adistinetivr, widespread, pamice-rich Coil
RI-4 ME VO TEN)')
RI-12 48.77 -30.48 24.99 9-75 45.40+ - 79.25 called the Nomlaki Taff (Fig. 3). Basacca (1982) eatimated that the Mehrten
5' F0RnATIep
RI-15 44.20 -41.15 22.86 15.85 46.02 0.60+ 85.34 Formatioo han a maximam Ihicknono of 152 m in the Oroville area. Radiomeleic
011.1 81.69 -17.07 32.00 7.32 27.74 3170v 98.76 dclenninalt000 and iaveotigaliosn of flora and fossa in the Mehrten Formation at its
RI-6 type section near Sacramento indicate a middle Mioceno Islote Plioceno age (02.0 to
RI-5E EH-2 47.24 -38.10 20.73 5.79 50.80+ - 85.34 3.5 ma) (sammarizod in Gitlam, 1974). One radiometrie dale from an ash hed within
EH-3 45.11 .41.13 23.77 7.32 50.29 4.90-t- 86.26 the tower Mehrten Foewalion al 000ville (23.8 ma; Banacca, 1982) indicates that this
TH-D 4 3_59 8.23 3 3.40* - - 33.36 w- formation is as old as early Mioceno. Both Ihr MehrOen Formalion and its
LOF. Tree Road - stratigraphie corertalive fringing the Mount Lasnon volcano lathe north, the Toaran
m-F 44.20 -32.43 84.43 12.20* 96.62 Formation, consist of parple volcanic debris-flow deposito and inlerhedded waterlain
3.70+ 89.31 lONE FO9MGTION
OPP500MATE 000JND000 m-G 43.28 .46.02 85.65 p fluvial deposito rich in volcanic deteitan, hut also containing crystalline basement-
OF PENT5CHLPHENOL m-H 43.28 -24.69 68.00* 67.97 derived clarIs and rare luff bedo (Creely. 1965; Bateman and Wahrhaftig. 1966;
RUUE - as- AURIFEROUS ONE FORMaTION lONE FORMATION
RI-8 S .\ , TH-J
Th-K
'14.20
40.72
16.76
18.90
23.77
27.40.1-
26.80+
22.90*
27.43
26.82
22.86
'OREE NS TONE
G RASEL S'
volcanic-rich debris-flow facies in thin formation saggests that debris flows, probably
related te volcanic events. episodicntly choked the ancestral Feather River system.
An esp055re of angabe to subroanded, mateis-oupporled, clayey pebble. te
bontder-cenglomeeale debris-flow facies of the Mehrten Formation is present along
MW-11 46.63
u MW-13
MW-17
44.20
44.20
24.38
-12.80
57.00*
57.00+
19.81
57.00
Flu. 3 -Cenozoic fluvial straligraphir nsmexclatare of the Oroville area. OlivrHighway earl of Oroville (Sito 8, Figs. 1 and4d). Thegravel and sand fractoono
of this deponil, as well as many intervals øf this sait encountered in the tahoarfacn,
consist of poephyrilic-dacite rock fragments and dinaggrogated quartz and plagioclane
s EH-3 MW-18 48.16 -12.80 6 1.00* 60.96 phonocrysts (Fig. 4e, f). The sand fraction of the stadied saboarface fluvial Mehrten
MW-19 42.67 -43.59 72.34 13.70* 86.26 samples comprises a mistare nf perphyritic-dacite rock fragments (36 to 37%),
MW-20 43.28 -28.96 71.93 0.30+ 72.24 granitie-rovk fragments (32 ta 49%), metamorphic-rock fragmenln (4107%), quarte
S EH-2 Baseman and Wahehaftig, 1966; Darrell, 1966). Gillam (1974) subnlantialed Ihm (10 to 19%), and feldspar (0 to 3%). This composition indicates that bbc Mehrten
1600 MW-21 43.28 -33.34 83.21 - 13.40+ 96.62 inlerpretalion throng/s a facies soalysis of Ilse Inno type onction, located 135 km soslh sequence in Ihe study area originated from the erosion of both Sierra Nevada
MW-22 42.67 -35.36 21.34 18.29 38.40s- 78.03 of Oroville, whore dellaic and braided t3ovial envieonmentn wenn differenlialod. The crystalline reeks aod a Mosel Lasnon-.derivrd volcanic neqaence 0h00 blanketed at
Palacio Roas SRI
Feet least part of the ancestral Feather Riven drainage banin (Fig. 5).
lone channel nynlem in Ihn Orseille area wan ins locaOon similar lo that of the pennonI
Metvteo
Foenetmo '7
Norsloki Tuff
The Nomlaki Tuff io as upper Ptioccne (3.4 ma), while, pomice.eich, wotcelain
viteic tuff exposed locolly io the Oroville area, whore it reaches a mosimom thickocss
of 55m (Busacco. 1982). The Nomlaki ash was extruded from a caldero noce Tuscas
Buttes, 96 Ives norlh.00rlhwesl of Oeovillc (Lydon, 1967, 1968). This tuff is
desigossed a mcmhoe of tise Tuscas Formation north of Oroville aod a memhoroflhe
lowcr Lagons Formation around Oroville (Lydon, 1967. 1968; Busocca. 1982), The
Nomlaki Tuff is ixolaled as a formal formation in this study because ils color. Onere Pum e n
composilion. and thickness make il easily distinguishablc in drilling samples aod Po,phyry
becoase il isa widespeead straligeophic marker uniI that separates the volcanic-rich Flu. 5.Provenance dtagram based on point-counl dala from enpmnres (circles)
Mehrlcn sediments below from lise leso volcunic.rich Laguna srdimests above and P-1 well samples (diamonds). Cryslallinr bauemenl includes melamorphic
(Fig. 3). and plulonic fragments, polassium feldspar, and qnarlr. The tone Formation in
Four Nomlaki facies were idestified in lise Orovitle area. At Stevens Market comprised solely of cryxlallioe basemenl fragmenls, wherras Ihr Mehrlen
(Site #7, Fig. t). u 2.4.or.lhick debris Sow is exposed, consisting nf granulen and Furmalion consists of a mixture of basement-derived grains und Mount Lassen.
pebbles of pomice und rare asdenite suspended isa dopey matrix. This debrio.flow derived porphyritic dacile-andosile detritus. Both Ihr Laguna and the Nomlaki
soil oveeties leough.cross.bedded aed low.angle.bcdded, waterlain, gr000lar lo vety fields consisl of mislnrrn nf crystalline basement, Muont Lassen porphyrilir
coarse sond composod of pumice with rare andesite and quarte. The more commou dacile, and Nomlaki pumice. The Nomlaki field in more pnmivr rich than is Ihr
facies of liso Nomlaki arr low-angle to hoei000lalty inlerbedded granular fino sand asd Laguna domain.
silt and horizonlatly laminated clay (Fig. 60, h). The inlerbedded granule and sand
couplets arr charucteristic ofleanspoelanddeposilion is transitional shullow.wolerto
upper.ftow.regime conditions, whereas the taminaled cloy wan formed by the netlling
of suspended load in slut waler.
The saud compositioo io all of the Nomlaki facies is dominated by pumice (1210
100%) with variable amounts of dacite porphyry (0 en 63%; Fig bc, ti). Minor Laguna Foros,utiro
comporenlu include metamorphic-rock fragments (01o3%), granitic.rock fragments
(0106%), and quartz (01025%). These cnmposilioual churacleristics indicate thut Contrary to definilions provided in prenious pubticali005,Ihr Laguna Foesnalion au
the Nomlaki represents the re.nedimrnlution by mutue flow or sediment gravily flow defined here includes alt posl.Nomlaki sediments in the Orovillr erra, including the
of a pumicroos air.fall tuff thai must have significantly blunkeled lise Feather River recrut deposits of Ihr Feather River (Fig. 3). Thiu broader definition is employed
drainage buxis in the western Sierra Nevada. Tho deposition of Ibis material choked because Ihr numerous Qualrrnory formations olhern have preponed (e.g.. Fig. 3)0cc
the anceseal Feather River system daring a part of Ihr laleul Plioceno. Erosion of baned on geomorphic or baeicd.soil infonstatian rather than on criterio by which
Mehrten Formatioo docile porphyry locally canleibuled detritus during this phase of formal formolions arc dtutioguiuhrd. Thin more broadly defined formation includrn
fluvial aggrudution, as did background contribuImos from the Sierra Nevada deposits varying from latcsl Fliocene through Qoalcmary in age. Il in the most
crystalline rocks (Fig. 5). widespread surficial soil in lise Oroville mro.
Blair, Baker, and Turner Fluvial-facies architecture and aquifer heterogeneity 150
Ftc. 6.(a) lntrrbrdded pumice-rich granair prbble gravel oud nul nf the
Namlaki Tnff; Site 10. (b) Laminated pnmiceons clay or the Nomlaki Tuer,
Site 10. (e) Photomieregraph et Nomlaki Tuff, Site 6. Volcanic-glass shards
Ftc, 7.Photographs of Ihr Laguna Formalion. (a) Jnlerheddzd gravel (G),
matie ap all nf Ihr framewark grains. Pholamierograph width is 2,4 mm, sand (S), and clay (C) ata 6-m rspasure at Site 2h. Darkened rones in upper
(d( Photominrograph of Namlaki Taft drill entlings, 96 to 90-ft interval nf the granel and tower clay are soil herirons. (h) Closeap of vertical esposare of coarse
P-1 wrIt, Framewarla grains are dominated by pumice fragments. gravel facies composed of sand and rounded pebble- and cobble-sized ctasts,
Phoinmicrograph widlh is 2,4 mm, Site 3. Note the imbricate fabric displayed by the etorgale clasts. Field notebauk
for scale, (n) Epsilvn-brdded sand set )S) oveelain by reddish-brown flnodplaiu
The LagunaFormation consists in outcrop of a sandy gravel channel facies, a sandy buried soils with rod In red-brawn aegillic or dueipan B horizons are locally prevalent clay (C) at Silr 1; scale = 1m. (d) Photomicrngraph of cnarsr Lagana sandstune,
The gravel in the Lagana channel facies (Fig. 7a; Baracca, 1902). sample OR-4, Site 2h. Framework grains enavist ata mictare of quarin and
channel facies, and sandy clay to clay floodplain facies (Fig. 7a-c).
deposits occur above sharp, scoured surfaces asd are comprised of poorly to The steaclares, fabric, and- testares of the gravel facies are indicative of plulonie, metamerphic, pamice (P), and dacile porphyry rock fragmenls.
toaespertalion by anidirectional water flow ander appee-flew-regimr conditions and Pedogenic handed hemalile nemeuls this sample.
moderately sorted, sandy, clast-sapported pebbles and cobbles displaying a well-
developed, imbnicale fabric (Fig. 7a,b). The gravel classy are rounded lo well rounded of deposition as vertical bedload accretion in longitudinal or traanverse barforms
and esainly occur in anita 0.3 to 9.1 m thick. Planan crest-bedded sandy pebble gravel (Fahuentock nod Haunhitd, 1962; Rant, 1972). Faleocarreot data obtained frem the
also is present locally within the gravel beds. Gravel clasts have plalonic and iwbeicate gravel fabric al sic Groville evposueeu show that the main channel flowed
metamorphic lithologiev and mavimam long dimensions of 30cm. Well-developed soatb-sovthwest in this area (Fig. 8), similar te the present Feather River trend. The
Blair, Baker, aod Turner Fluvial-facies architecture aod aquifer heterogeneity 151
.....ØS.,*. SSSS.*NN.fl$Ø.
development of soils on the upper pant of these channel filin denotes long periods (at the reddish-brawn versas Ian color of the clay floodplain samples. The base of the northern Laguna paleovalloy (Figs. 9u-e and IO). This formation coatains abondant
leant Ihonnands of pears) during which the fill man Subjected to pedagenesis, mont Laguna is cavity distinguished where the pumiceous Nomlaki Tuff man cocounlered. prophyeitic-andesite fragments asd was picked as the unit below Ihn Nemlaki Tuff.
likely cesatting from channel abandonment of the area due to river avutsion or Where the Nomlaki is absent, the base of Ihr Laguna man located mheer composition, The base of the Mehrten was easily placed at the fiesl indication of the multicolored,
downcutting. color, und facies isdicalive of the Metseler nr tose Formations mere reached. volcanic-fern, leso Formation sandstone, tilintase, or claystane. The Mehrten
The sand facies, mhich makes ap osty a smatt percentage of the Laguna exposures, The Logusa varien significantly in thickness from 17 ta 86 m io the study melts Formation kas a manimum thickness nf 59m in the study welts andin consistently
is typically medium to very coarse grained and displays horizontal bedding, tom- (Figs. 9a-e, Table 1). A fence diageom (Fig. 10) and a Laguna Formation isopuch mop <27 re thick except in the MW-22 und RI-5 wells, where it meuvares 18w (Table t).
angle bedding, and epsilon or trough cross-bedding (Fig. 7e). These structures (Fig. 110) show two zones is the study area mhere the Laguna is consistently vd6 m Stratigraphie evidence indicates that the Mehrten Formation in Ihr sonlhern part nf Ihn
suggest tiuviat deposition under shaltom flow conditions nr in point bars. The thick. One southmest-tnesding anne is in ihn northern end of she study area, beneath study area, ithe the Laguna Farmalian there, was deposited isa paleevalley at leant
votumetricatty minor amount nf sandp channel deposits retative to gravet-chonset and near Ihn present Feather River floodplain, whereas the second zone has a d2m deep (Fig. 9h).
deposits in the Laguna Formation reflects fam conditions is this high-gradient river southerly trend und occurs alnog ihn southeastern side of the study area. The The upper Mehrten Formation in the subsurface commonly consists of debris flows
system that mere commonly too vigorous for sand deposition. The sand units that are remainder of the area is characterized by Laguna deposits commonly <30 m thick. and gravel-channel fills rich in usdesile dusts, whereas the lewerpuol of the formation
present mene probably deposited in the main channels durisg maning flood stage or Aplotofthepercenlage of channel-fill facies (gravel plus sand) nf tho total Laguna consists mostly afchasnel.tili gravel with a wised andesite- and crystalline-basement
daring lower river discharge, or is srcondary channets, as in demonstrated by the section (Fig. lIb) shown spuliol trends similar lo those in the Laguna Formation composition (Figs. 9a-o). Floodplain clay fucies make up only a small percnnlage nf
present Feather River system. isopach map. Tha eases containing <50% channel-fill facies correspond directly ta the penetrated Mehrten intervals (Figs. 9a-e). Watnelain vitric tuffs occur witkin the
The clap facies is tan or rcddish-broms and occurs in beds raogisg from 0.3 lo the zones where the Laguna is thickest, whereas the relatively ibis Laguna sequences Mehrten interval is the southemmnsl purl nf the study acea. These characteristics
9.t m in thickness (Fig. 7a, e). tt represents sediment accumulation in floodptains consist of <50% channel-fill facies. The higheni percestage of channel-fill gravel and demonstrate that maltet the Mehrten sequence was deposited by the sume type of
adjacent to the main channels. Manganese oxide rootcasts and reddened buried toits sand in the Lagssa section (77 ta 93%) occurs in the northern purl of the study area fluvial synlem that produced the Laguna Formation. Part of this istezvul accumulated
are common in these deposits, denoting periods during which the floodplain was bencaih the plant site. The percent gravel pint (Fig. lic) shams the sume trend as the in apuleovatley caliate the lone Formatian in the southwestern part of the sindy area.
vegetated and welt doomed. percent channel-fill (sand pins gravel) facies and demonstrates that the channel-fill This fluvial system episodically was choked, pafliculaely during the laien stages of
Petrographic analysis of both the sand facies and the sandy component of the gravel facies consists primarily of grsvel. The channel fill io the sorthern part of the area Mehrinn deposition, by Mount Lassos-derived voicanic-drbris flaws.
facies reveals a mide variety of framework grain tithotogies, including comprises -80% gravel, 10% sand, and 10% cloy.
mnsocrystattise and polycrystalline quarte (7 to 27%), ptagissvtasc und potassium The isopach, percent channel-fill facies, and percent grovel maps (Fig. lia-c), lane Formation
fetdspar(2 In 10%), metamorphic-rock fragmests (2 to 14%), granitic-rack fragments combined with the formation fence diagram (Fig. 10), delineate Iwo soulh.
(lt to28%),panphyritic andesite-dacite rock fragments (8 to47%),pumice fragments southwest-trending Laguna paleavalley fills that arc nested mithin older formations. The tane Formulion was partially penetrated (0.5 1048m) i5 14 wells (Table I). lt
(4 to 33%), sandstone and skate fragments (0 to 5%), and mica and heavy-miserat These valleys formed during a fluvial damocuttiag episode that commenced after late was dintinguished from the overlying Mehrten er Laguna Fermalions by the first
grains (3 to 17%; Fig. 7d). Thin framework grain assemblage indicates that the Pliocese Namlaki deposition, as indicated by the preservation of the Neaslaki beneath indication nf Ike typical Inne tribologies, including molticetored, locally organic-rich
Laguna Formation basa mined provenance consisting of Siena Nevado crystatline the Lagana Formation in the drainage divide between the tmo paleovalleys and along claystone and associated green, blue, gruy, nr tan saodstone and niltslone. The tone
rocks, Mount Lassen-denived intermediate vatcaniclastic rocks, and Nomluki Tuff the valley shoulders (e.g., Figs. 9d and Ita). In she drepest parts, the paleavalleys are samples commonly consist of cemented chips rather than disaggrefated sediment,
pumice (Fig. 5). incised completely through the Nomlaki aod Mehrten Formatiass und into the lose which lypifies the yansfer formulions (Fig. 4e). Addiliosully, micaceaus sillslose ïn
Formation (Figs. 9a-d and 10). Where discernible, bath paleavalirys have steep prevalensin the lane sequence, whereas it is rare in the younger formations. Sand-rich
margins with 6t m of relief (Figs. 9u-d). The Laguna puteavaltry beneath the pebble gravels are a misen composent of the lone in these subsurface mnleevals
p
modern Feather River in the northern segment of the study area mas most likely (Figs. 9a. n, and r).
The distinctive compositional characteristics of Ilse Lagona, Nomlaki, Mehrten, farmed and filled by the Feather River, whereas the identified Laguna paleavalley fill
and tose Formations (Fig. 5), combined mith other uniqar features observed in in the vaulheaslern region formed either us u spur of the Feather River or by a separate mcmx CONTROL ev asereno ntnvotntrrrov ava asurco ttereuoonvstvv
outcrop, including catar and facies typos, have attomed usw identify these formations stream issuing from the Siena Nevada south at Orovitle is the location of the present
and their facies in drilling samples from 29 berehotes in the study area. Wyman Ravine (Fig. i). The fact thai the fill is both of these palnevatleys is primarily The aquifer told aqnita.ed distribution in Ihn study area. unwell us Ihr quality of the
gravel and sand inconsistent with contained channel fam in an incised valley, mhere aquifer zones, is a dicevI function of facien lype und occurrnsce. Three stratified
Laguna Formation cempelcnce was easily maintained, aquifer runes arr distinguished at least locally io the study area. These zones
Sitr av
(designaled A, B, and C) principally occur in pebble- and cobble-gravel facies and
The Laguna Formation is the soeficiot unit throughout most of the Orovitte regior, Nomtaki Tuff associuted sand facies of the Laguna and Mehrten channel fills and secondarily in the
and it constitutes a significasl interval mithin the borehole network (Tobte t). This rarer lone Formation channel gravels (Figs. 9a-e). Highest aquifer permeability in
formation in Ilse slsdp area wells consists of the same textures antI facies as described The Nomlaki Tuff man inlcrsected is 10 wells, alt located in the part of the stady found in the gavial gravels and sandy gmveis that have not undergesa pedagenesis.
from the surface exposures, including fluvial sand-rich pebble and cobble gravats. areahetween Ihr Iwo Lagunapuleavulleys (Table t,Figs. 9u-eand 10). TheNomlaki Permeability is reduced in Ihn buried-aril eones 1h01 commonly developed is IhR
saod, and clap (Figs. 9a-e). Abondant reddish-brows clap within sandy gravet varies from 3 lo 20 w ja thickness and is easily dissingaished from the Laguna upper parts of the channel fills dueto Ihn introduction of mechanically infiltruled clay
samples is considered an indication of buried soits within she channet deposits, anis Formation abave and the Mehrten Formation below by its high-pumice content aud and iron oxide cements isle the inlergranular pores and pose throats (Fig. 74). This
white colar. All four facies identified in the Oraville outcrops, including the debris reduction is permeability is demeaslmled by Ihr grnutrz rate of water production
flow and waterlais gravvl,sand, and clay, wnredistinguished in drilling samples from during drilling with incenosisg depth in individual chanorl fills. Fore size
the horchatas, (intermediate dimension) is typically 0.4 remis Ihn sandstone massiv of this facies.
Fts. 8.Rase diagrams nf pateseurrent directions constructed from Mehrten Fornsarion Total inlergranular porosity, undetermined from poiot-c000t data, varies from 25 to
measurements nf imbricate gravrt fabric of the Laguna Formation at sis 35% andin seduced toll to 22% is the buried-soil zones.
toeatitirs io the Ornvitte area. These diagramsdemonstrate that the late Ptiacene The Mehrten Formation wan identified in Il wells, includiag the 10 that contained lone Formatiou sandstone facies constitute a minor purl of the lowest aquifar rese
to middte Pteistocene Feather River had a trend simitar to that of the modern the Nnmtaki Tuff, and the MW-22 well, which in located an the shoulder of 1hz (e.g., Figs. 9h, n). These sundnloae units have lower aquifer quality dueto their silty,
Feather River.
Cvwtsurd ev page 156
Blair, Baker, aod Turner Fluvial-facies urchileclurn and aquifer helnregcneily 152
SOUTH NORTH
ft
A A
LAGUNA FORMATION
I A
NOM LA Kl
r?I
A
J NOMLAKITUFF
Z
MEHRTEN
MEHRTEN FORMATION
FORMATION
LAGUNA FORMATION
.
r4
B/C
g
w
lONE FORMATION .7
ONE FORMATION Ig
r
5
Feo. 9a.Sonlh-north subsurface cross section A-A' rrom the P2 to TH-K wells
along the eastern side or study area. Arrows indicate groundwater-flow
direction hated on November 1987 data. The southeastern Laguna Formation
gravel-rich paleovalley fill iv situated between the EH-2 and Pl wells.
Blair, Baker, and Turner Fluvial-facies architecture and aquifer heterageneity 153
....sS.**u s*SSS*SNSUuSSS
ft
B B
SOUTH
Vea the,
NORTH
RIser Valley
LAGUNA FORMATION
NOMLAKI TUFF
MEHRTEN FORMATION
81G
lONE FORMATION
lOCATION Mor
FORMATION
lONE FOIRMATION
Fso. 9b.Soath-north sobsorface cross section B-B' from the RI-15 to TU-J
wells along the western side of sludy area. The northern Lagnna Formation
genvrl-rich paleovalloy fill is evident north of Ihr EH-1 well, whereas Ihr ONE FORMATION
Mehrlrn Formation paloovalley fill io present in the sonthwestern part of the
study area, sooth of the RI-5 well. Arrows indicate groundwater-flow direction
based Os. Novemher 1987 dota,
ft
y
-- r'.0
uuI ,,n,t y
w
nC.qunf.n.ST.. O ................
Fic. 9c.West-eaot subsurface cross section C-C' between the MW-22 and
MW-11 horeboles in the nurthern puri of s udy area. The southern shoulder of Puc, 9d,Went-naut subsurface censo neetiun D.D' between the Ri-5 and RI-6
the Laguna paleovailey fili that dominates his cross section occurs between the wol sin the central part of study area. The 61-rn-high western shoulder nf the
MW-21 and MW-22weits. About 61m of rebel is apparent at this valley margin. sou heastern Laguna paleovalley fill is inferred between these two horeholes.
Blair, Baker, and Turner Fluvial-facies archilecture and uquifer helerogeneity 155
WEST RI-52
EAST
al-8 very fior sand size, small pore size (0.09 lo OIS mm) and the common presence of
Rl Z
E'
either bioturbated matrix clay or istergeanular cemeols, tncladiog ires oxides aod
fI
lJ calcito (Fig. 4h, e). The Nemlaki Tuff saodslone and sittstoee units possess high
(25 to 35%) porosity (Fig. 6c. d), but pore size (0.04 to 0.05 mm), peemoability, and
aquifer quality are tow.
The floodplain clay sequences of all four stratigraphie aoitu constitute Ihn majo
aquilards. Where prevalent, these sequences at toast locally limit the vertical
2 RI-1G inleracsion between permeable zones. The debris-flow facies of the Nomlaki asd
Mehrten Forsssalions also act av aquitards. Together, the debris-flow and claystone
lloodplato facies of the l'fomlzki Tuff form a cosfioiog bed for snderlyisg aquifer
zones B asd C is the central and southern parta of the sludy area (Figs. 9a, b). The
o'- hollow of Ihn grosndwulor nyslem recaen nl apparently ostensive claystone units of
the loue Formation, which compose the lowermost uquilard.
N
L V
I' The thickness aod lateral eslool of Ihr floodplain clay asics largely deleesnine she
degree to which the three aquifer zones areverlicalty isolated or c005ecled. Thick clay
units (>1.5 w) une common in all of the foonations occurring in the sludy area, bal
their lateral extent is uncoelain over horizontal dislances less thus that of the well
spaciog. Experimental computer modeling by Allen (1978) of the parameters that
costrol she lateral entent of floodplain clay depositias, including subsidence,
ç nedimenlalios, und uvutnios rates, suggests that the individual chansel-fill sequences
are probably isolated vertically and laterally where floodplain clay connlilnles >50%
of the straligraphic noclinu. The degree of channel deposit inlercunnecledness
iocrrased rapidly in AlIens modeling when the chansel-to-overbank ratio exceeded
50%, and, at a channel-to-eveebank ratio of 75%, complote inlercounecsednosn
resulted. The application of these modelirg rosulls Io the Oroville study area predicts
that nearly complele hydraulic continuity should enist between chanool-fill gruseln of
the Mehrten and Laguna paleovalley fills, which have chaunel-lo-overbank thickness
ratios of 75 to 93% (Figs. 9a-e and 11h). The distribution of Ihe penlachlorophenol
plume throughout aquifer eones B aodC present is the paleovalley fill al the plassl vile
MW-11 is the norshem part of the slady urna confirms thin resuS. The computer model also
ULAGUNA FORMATION predicts that isterconnecsedness is unlikely lo occur within Ihr Laguna sequence
between thelmo paleovalley fills, where the porc eut chasse I-fill facies decreases Io
NAMLAKI TUFF «50% (Fig. 11h). The lack of peelachtorophenol in aquifer zone A is this region
indicates that hydraulic interconnoclion does not occur helmets this zone and the
MEHRTEN FORMATION lower B and C aquifer zones.
The depiction of subsurface data is Ihe cross sections (Figs. 9a-c) and in the fnucn
lONE FORMATION diagrams of formation, facies, and aquifer-aquilard plosu (Figs. 10, 12, and 13)
illustrates the three-dimensional subsurface selling of Ihn zquifern. These plots
display the complesisy of the aquifer system caused by 1hz complicated furies
architecture, which is demosstoated by tracing the path of Ihr soulbuurd-migraling
ground waler frnm the Supeefund plant site. Aquifee zone Band the underlying anne
C, the only 1mo aquifer zones present al the plaul site is the northern part of 1hz study
II area. are continuous in the gravelly. paleovalley channel facies of Ihr Laguna
Formation. About 425m south, in the vicinity of Ihn EH-1 and F-1 wells, 1hz ground
water of these uqaifer eovrn passes through a paleovalley margin from the FIlo-
Fleislocene Laguna gravels In hydrnalically cennecled permeable grovel units of Ihr
Miocese-Plioceer Mehelen Formalion nod the Eocene Inne Formation (Figs. 9a, b,
and 12). This transfer is primarily mb Ihr thicker and more permeable gravel zonen
Ftc. 9e.West-east subsurface cross section E-E' betweeu the m-8 and RI-7 Ftc. 80.Fence diagram ittustrating the gross geometric relationships of Ihr Mehrten Formulios on the eastern side of the sludy area und the thinner and
wetts in the southern part of study area. The southeastern Laguna Formation between the Cenozoic formations in the study area. lower-permeability zones of the Mehelen and Inne formativos en the weslern side
palenvattey fiti in inset and juxtaposed against the Mehrten Fnrmatioo (Figs. 9a-v). Dislincl B and C aquifer Zonen begin aloof the western side of Ibis
putoavalley tilt between the RI-7 and RI-82 wetts. negmeelof the nlady area rear wells MW-22 and EH-1 (Figs. 9h. e. und 12). They ace
C«nclnccd vn puye 158
Blair, Baker, and Turner Fluvial-facies archileclure and aquifer hetervgeneily 156
H-F aWn
LAGUNn FOOMATION
MEHRTEN FORMATION
ONE FORMATION
/
Feo. 11(a) tsopaeh map of the Laguna Formation in the study area.
(b) Percent channel (gravel and sand) thieknens of the total Laguna Formation
thickness. (e) Percent gravel thickness of the toto! Lagnno Formation thickness.
The contouro in these mapoout!ine two paloovalleyfills separated by u 61-m- high
drainage divide. Stipple pattern shows distribution ofpentaehlorophenol plume
contained in (be groond water in the Laguna as wo!! as in deeper aquirers.
Blair, Baker, and Turner Fluvial-facies architecture and aquifer heterogenetty 157
divided by either tone Foemation sittstone-claysl000 or laterally juxtaposed Laguna plant site, where industrial tapply and geoandwater.ercovery welts caase nignifleant
Formation ctay. wuter-tevet dramdowns. Local nariutiuns in the direction ard magaitade uf the
Appeenimatety 1.400m south of the plant site, sere the RI-5 and RI-4 wettu, the hydraulic gradients arr caused by facies-ausocioted variations in the permeability nf
ground water in aqoifer eones B und C of the Mehrten und tone Formations on the the aquifer material or changes in the thickness of the aquifer rones, aUch an or
RI-5
western side uf the study area migrates across another puleovotley margin into paleoxaltey margins (Fig. 14). These nuriatioss in permeability er uquifcr-zone
hydraulically connected, thick and permeable Mehrten Formation paleavaltey gravel_ thickness produce either a small change in flow direction or achangni n groandmaree
fitl facies (Fig. 9h). Immediately eastward, at the RI-4 wett, these aqoifer 000es are velocily. Vertical hydraulic gradients have been obuerved between aquifer 000es B
transposed across a Lagonu pateovalley margie iuta hydraulically connected Laguna and C in pacts of the study area where these zones arr separated by a substantial
RI-e channrl gravels (Figs. 9a, d). Otear both she Laguna and the Mehrten paleovuttey aquilard. The generally hooizontat flow of grouod murer is indicated uchemutically in
channel facies are gravel dominated and permeable, retulling in the reinterconneclion the cross section in Figuren 9u and b, where the gradual downward movement of
between aquifer eonrn B sod C both mithin each of the paleovalley fills and thrertgh greund water io response to vertical hydraulic gradients olsa in demonstrated.
the pateovultey macgin that separaten them (Figs. 9a, b, and d). Hemrser, these The movement of dinsolsed pentachlorophenol between aquifer eones B and C, us
V
aquifer rosen are confined along this segmest ef the study area by the presence of au iadicuted in groundwaler samples from welts in the southern pact of the nludy area,
oveelyisg 8.5-m-thick Laguna Formation floodplain clay along the eastern side that confirms Ihr absence of an intervening aquitard midmuy aloof the plume und within
is jastaposed agaiost a 20-m.thick Nomlaki Tuff debris-Item and floodplain facies the southeastern Lugana patrovultry fill erar well RI-6 (Figs. 9a, d). The interaction
along the wettern side (Figs. 9a, b, d, and r). Aquifer zone A occurs mithin of aquifer zones Bard Char atoo been determined in the southern part of the plant site
thia Laguna Formation grusel and sand facies above this croOning bed. The lack (within the northwestern Laguna paleovatley fill), where movement of
of pensachlorophenol in aquifer A demonstrates the effectioenesn of thin pextachlozophenol betweer thear zones bus occurred (Dames and Moore, 1988). The
multiformatiaeal confining clay unit. relatively ourrow laircat width of the plume in the study area soulh of the plant site
L Approsimately 3,020 m south of the Superfund plant site, near wells RI-9 and nuggenlu that Ihr plome movement in the ground mater is advectias dominated.
RI-15 ut the southwestern end of the study area, rones B aud C still occur within lo-nito aquifer-pumping lests were 000ducted tu estimule the general hydraulic
Mehrten patrovatley.fill gravels (Figs. 9h and 13). To the east, between wells RI-10 prepertien of the aquifer renos rather than Io determior the specific proprrtins of the
and P-2, the ground water migrates from the Lagusapaleocalley fill into the Mehrten individual formation grocels (Dames and Muore, 1988). The horizontal
Formation gruseln and then into a Mehrten sequence dominated by lom-peerneubitisy conductivitins of the permeable gravel units_au detrrmioed from pumping tests, arr
units (Fign. 9oasd IS). Aquifer zone A remains separated from interconnected oases aiwilur and appear te br yearly isotropic is the horizontal direction. The plana-
B and C in this segment of the study area. site gravels (alt Laguna Formation) haue a geometric mean horizontal
hydraulic conduclivily, Kb, of 6.6n IO' cm/sec, und range frem 2.4 n 1g-s cm/sec lo
ooLennce OF noviren tterououcvmY on vuouvuwnvce rt.ew 2.3 n 10-' cm/sec. The mean Kh values reported foe the Mehrten and Laguna
Formations in the arno south of the ptusl nito wem derived from observations from
The heterogeneoun character of the aquifer syslem caused by the complex facies mined nets of wells, some completed in the Mehrten and same completed in the
RI-no FORMOTION\ architecture created uncertainty about the uniformity and direction of groundwater Laguna. The geometric meuo Kh for these gravels is entimated tabo 1.1 n 10' cm/
umana
flow und the possible magnilude of penrachlorophrnol movement in the study area. sec, with values rangiug from 2.4 n 10' cm/see to 2.7 s 10' cm/sec. Hydraulic
Au initial inventigation nf the plant site that retied ondata obtained from the surface condoctixitien appear to increase with depth mithin each major gravel deposit,
NOMInEr TUFF
and shallow borehetes saggesied thol the groundwater flow through the shallow. reaching a manimum votar near the bane nf the unit. These empirical observutionn
anconfined gravels was te the west or southwest. us supported by groundwater (based ou the rate of waler production during drillieg with an air rotary-drill rig)
MEHRTEN FORMATION gradients sad the detection of pentachtorophenol (California Department of Water correlate with a general decrease in clay content with increuuing depth in euch gravel
Resources, 1973). It mas later demosaleated that the investigation was bared on data unit, which in probably caused by the reduced esimI of pedogenenis with depth in
from a nhallaw, perched, aquifer oone io which herioontat hydraulic gradients und individual channel fills. Alt wells Anodin aquifer tests for the estimatien of horizontal
groaudwater flow mere dominated by surface-water features. In a later utudy hydraulic conductivity were completed within the more permeable, lower purl of the
ONE FORMATION (Schmidt, 1984),upenlachlorophenot plume was found to entend nearly 3.2km south choonel gravel facies.
from the plant site and at greater depth (79 w) in the aquifer system. The apparent Pumping-text data showed that ne marked change in hydraulic conductivity
conflict in flow direction and the greater esImI of dissolved peutachlorophrnol led (contrast) accurreit acrous the boundaries of the channel fills nonted within older
to a mere detailed hydrogeologic investigation te evaluate the distribution of gravel units. In addition, no discernible spatial trend was observed in the hydraulic-
FIA. 13.Formation, facies, And aquiter.aqaitard fence diagram, soathern peutachlorophenot and other constituents in the ground water und te define Ihr nalare cooduetivity dato. Pansibty, the normal variability uf the aquifer-levi doto obscured
poet of stndy aera, Minimam bad thickness depicted is 1.5 m. of groundwater movement in Ihe aquifer system. measurable contrastais conductivity between the variouu chunorl geuveln. However,
This investigation determined that groundwater 110w 5 southward thrasgh the the luck of evidence of a sharp difference in hydraulic ceodactivity is nel necessarily
gravel facies of the three aquifcrooner. Water mores femety botween the gravels of expected between unconsolidated gruvetn of similar textures, since they can be
the various aquifer zones only where the clay aquitaeds are absent. The direction and enpected to have similar premnubilitirs. Is addition, no permeability boundary or
magnitude of the hydraulic grothent are similar in aquifer eones B and C. The "skin" effecl wan observed at the margin of incised-channel gravels where they col
magnitude ef the tong-term average horizontal gradient in then eeonoo south of the into othergravet units. Therefore, results from the analyses ofpumping-testdulafrom
plant site muges from 0.001 to 0.003, un demonstrated by the polenliometric surface the study area indicate that permeability barriers dueto channel amalgamation are Rol
(Fig. 14; Damen and Moore, 1988). The orientation of the hydraulic-gradient vector espocted is nequencen comprisnd of identical facies.
ix generally to the south or soath.nouthwosl except in the immediate vicinity of the The primary hydrogeologiv value of the three-dimenviooal fuciev and stratigraphie
Blair, Baker, and Tornee Fluvial-facies architecture and aqnifer helrrognueily 158
analyses nf the study area is the basis it provides for understanding she occurrence. Bcn.scca. A. 1.. 1982, Geologic history and soil develnymonl, norlhenstern
distribution, and dimennioss of the aquisacds. The contacts between the channel Sacramento Valley. California: Davis. University of California, Uopubl. Ph.D.
gravel and oveebank clay facies in this hydrogrologic system established potential Dissertation, 348 p.
boundaries for major groundwater flow and prnlachtorophenot-migration pathwayn. Cauronvus Duraovvrrsan or Wann Rcsvuocrn. Cuvenav DsvinIuN, 1973, Groundwater
The depnsitional model allows for a bester assessment of gronndwaser movement by qualily investigation, Roandhanse subarea, Groville: 22 p.
esplaining the presence or absence of aquilards and the high variability observed County. R. 5., 1965. Geology of the Grovilte quadrangle, California: California
within the system. The three-dimensional facies framework provides a physical Divinian of Minen and Geology Bulletin 104.86 p.
foundation upon which la levI und develop the conceptual model of the hydeogeologic
Dantes & Maneo, 1988, Rl/PS groaodmaler summary report, Fruthor River PIanI.
system. The dopositionat model also provides an interpretation of key aquifer
Groville, California: consalling reporl prepared for Kopprrv Company. Inc.,
components independent of the initial hydrogeolagìc conceptual reasoning and, Piltnburgh. Peuanytvaoia, Sacramonla, California, 1163 p.
therefore, remains unbiased by groundwater observations. An such, it provides Du000u., C. D., 1966, Tertiary and Quutemary geology of the northern Sierra Nevada.
independent scientific dota that sharpen the hydrogeologic model, strengthening the California, in Bailey, E. H., ed.. Geology of Northern California: California
overall siteinventigasion. Hydrogeologic ntadiennftheOroville stndyareahavebeen Divisinn of Mines and Geology Bulletin 190. p. 185-197.
successfully cnmpleled and have ted lo the development nf a there-dimensional 1987 Geologic ttissoryofltteFratherRivrrCoonlry,Califomia: Berkeley,
numerical groundwater flow und solute-transport model that is consittent with the
University nf California Press, 337 p.
subsurface facies architecture (Dames and Moore, 1988).
Passvnnrvcv. R. K.. asco Hvcntos.u, W. L.. 1962, Plume studien of the transport of
prbblen and cobbles on a sand bed: Geological Society nf America Bulletin.
v.73. p. 143 1-1436.
Fous, R. L., 1974. Petrology nf Sedimentary Rocks: Ansuin, Tenas. Hemphill's
An integrated surface and suhaurface ntndy of the Oroville Sapeefund site and
54 Publishing Company, 162 p.
vicinity demnnntrates a comptes Encone to Holoceno facies architecture resulting
Gsu,ar,r, M. L., 1974, Contact mtati000 of Ihr lone and Valley Springs Formations io
from episodic deposition, erosion, and volcanic infiernen of the gravelly Feather and
i / the Buena Vista area, Amador Cuunsy. California: Stanford. California. Stanfoed
ancestral Feather River systems. Aquifers occur in Ihn permeable channel sand-and-
I.. Univorsily. Unpubl. M.S. Thetis. 180 p.
I gravel facies, whereas floodplain and debris-flow deposits conntitntr the aqoitards.
ll.sccutit.. G.. 1966, Summary of the geology nf Ihr Great Valley. in Bailey. E. H.. ed..
¡ / The movement of ground water through the aquifer eones includes flow between Geology of Northern California: California Division nf Mines mrd Geology
several hydoanlically connected formations through the sides of jastapanod, filled
BalIrlin 190, p. 2 17-238.
paleovatteyn. Detailed depiction of the threr.dimnnnionat aquifer heterogeneity was
l{vnwoon, D. S., asan Heu.ov. E. J., 1987, Late Cenoroic tectonism of the Sacmmrnlo
instrumental so the development ofen accurate hydrogeologic conceptual model of
the aquifer syvlcm and in the identification of possible groundwater und contaminant
Valley, California: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1359.46 p.
/ / Hnu.cv. E. J., asca H.snw000, D. 5., 1985. Geologic map of the late Cenozoic deposita
flow paths.
of Ihr Sacramento Valley and northern Sierran foothills. California: U.S.
Geological Survey Miscrllannaun Field Sludion Map 1790.
/
/ssa We thank Damns and Moore of Sacramenla, California, and both Brazer Materials
Lsvvuncsc. W., 1911, The Tertiary gravels of the Sierra Nevada of California: U.S.
Geological Survey Frofenninoat Papee 73. 226 p.
Lvovv, P. A.. 1967, The origin of the Toscan Batten and the volume nf the Tuscan
sod Serviert. Inc.. and Rappers Industrien. Inn., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. for
Formalian in northern California: California Bureau of Mines and Geology
permission lo publish this manuscript. Helpful comments un thin papre were kindly
Special Repart 91. p. 17-44.
provided by Mr. R. Rice. Damen and Moore, San Francisco; and Des. W. Karser, 1968. Geology and luhaes of the Tuscan Formal/on, northern California:
R. Langford, and N. Tyler. D. Blair and V. Corringeuto drafted the figures.
SI I ''On Grological Sneirly of America Memoir 116. p. 441-475.
Narro Araculcasc CuMsosslasi ny Sruarionapntc NamnNrs.aruno, 1983. North
- I
/ s
Auen, V. P., 1929, The lane Formation of California: The University of California,
Department of Geological Sciences Bulletin, n. 18, p. 347-448.
Auen, JR. L., 1970, Studien in flaviatile sedimentation: an enplommry quantitativo
American nsraligraphic code: American Association of Petroleum Gralogintn
Bsllelir, v.67, p. 841-875.
Pase, J. A., alan Ternira, M. D., 1952, Geology and ceramic properties of the tone
Formalion. Bnena Vinta anna, Amador Conrtly, California: California Division of
Mines und Geology Special Repart 19, 39 p.
model of avalsian-conleolled alluvial studies: Sedimentary Geology. y. 21.
. los A Usrrovsg Wril
N
p. 129-147.
Ruso, B. R., 1972, Steuclnre and process in a braided river: Sedimentology, u. 18,
p. 221-245.
S tahr, wars Bavnm.s,a, P.C., ario Wv000,so'oo, C., 1966, Geology of the Sierra Nevada, io Bailey,
Scnnamy, K. D.. ¡984. Hydrogenlogic conditions al Ihn Koppers Grouille Plaat, results
E. H., ed., Geology of Northern California: California Division of Mines and
of the Phanr II invesligution: consulting report prepared for Koppern Company.
Geology Bulletin 190, p. 107-172. loe., Pitlsbuegh, Pennsylvania. by Kenreth D. Schmidt und Associates. Fresno.
¡
1600 California, 19 p.
Feet Fisc. 14.Water elevation contours (in fret) for aquifer enfle B, Nnvembee
1987, Datum = meurt sea level.
Blair, Baker, and Tanner Fluvial-facies aechilecture and aqu er heterogeneity 159
CONSTRUCTING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL
.......S.
rcseevoir performance, a rock-properly model con be consiructed using dolailed Tnns.O 1.Perna field charucterioocr (see also Ecker, 1971)
ROCK-PROPERTY MODEL OF FLUVIAL SANDSTONES sedlmenlology and facien analySis lo define Ihr Spoliai disteibulion of moypoble
IN THE PEORIA FIELD, COLORADO porous nod permeable facies milo. The procedòrr for conslructing Ihm type of rock-
properly model is lo 1) identify reservoir fucien asd polenlially imporsans heundiog Productive arm Appeoximalnly 5,000 acres (2,025 hectares)
surfaces; 2) deseemior rock-properly patterns wilbis facies and across bounding
Murls A. Cacees surfaces; 3) ideolify arrangemenls of facies and bouoding surfaces inlersal sa
Deparr,rsersl of Geology and Geological Engi er-ing Geologic Model Rock Property Model Wells as spacing 64 wells aI 80 acres (with fice 40-acre infills)
discrele, mappable bodies; aod 4) delermino geomotries and inlercon000ledness
Colorado School of Mirles
among discrete, mappable bodies (Fig. i). Geologistn hove Irudisiosally boos Original oil-in-place 37,500,000 STBO
Golden, Colorado 80401
cosceroed milh evaluasisg slopS 1,3, and 4 (e.g., Miall, 1988), bol by adding slop 2
2) Assign rock
ills posuible so concoct the geologic model into a rock-properly model. The level of 1) Identify facies ond properlies Io facies und Solulion gas, 24%
Primary recnvery
ddlermioism of tho flow model then corresponds so the level of determinism, or the bSunding Burt aces. bounding surfaces.
degrer of rogularily, within the geologic model. Secondary recovery Watee flood, 10%
Domo F. Muyce
Depurlmen, of Perreleam Engineering
This study preneols os ooawple of cosslrneting a rock-properly model where Ike
discorso, mappable bodies ore vertically slacked moanderhell sandsloses islonoally Origisol reservoir prosSure 1.800 pni
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colsrre4o 80401
composed nf coalesced point bars and cb0000l-abandonment fills within Ihr
Creiuceons J Sandstone in 1fb Peoria field, Denver basin (Pig. 2). Because laieraI Oil properties 40-42 API gravily; solution 0DB 701 f11/lsbl;
Aosrsucr: Nuid-florr, unira sod Ood-flora baooieea son distioguished ll0000gh mappiog nod vertical facies associations wilbin pains-bar, ubasdonmrnl.fill, nod overbonk formation enlomo factor at bubble point, 1.47;
disoibuljoon of facior nod houndiog soofscos of coalesced charmai bela wjthio the Loweo deponilu aer eelulivrly well oodersIood (e.g., Alles, 1970; Cant and Walker, 1974), Ideetify facies pallerns viscosity 01186°F and 1,800 psi, 0.34 cp
Coerac000s J Saodnlonr rn the Peoria field, Colorado. Meanuocd rock psoperrirs (porosity, we wore able Io map maceoscopic lal000l facies asnocialinnn wilhin nandbodien aed relalions within
porroasbulisy. orlador pormeabilisy, and capillary poeaauer) oren colibralrd Io focira. which by observing facies voqucoces in cores aod logs. Wo delermined Ibe contribution to geeetic units. C0000le-water satoeasion 30-39%
wren dissioguiahrd by 000oo000 associ ions of geais airea clay con d.and srdimroIa,y fluid flow of specific facics lypes and bounding surfaces and the c0050ctednens
s500lorri Tha three-da000nional dianjbulion of rock proparrirs hi dro J asndoron000unenoir among facies onils wilbin asd among the m000der bells rl a macroscopic level
nons oblaiord through facies mappiog. Withinarnrandr, boll, 000 gh coois-alrasilied rod clesrn, (Weber, 1986).
ripple-laroionoodpoios-bsr snodsl000a solos flow soils, nod clay-rich sbaodonrnoos fills sol as channel sandsiongs. Some Ihicb, clean J-3 sandstones (presumably deposiled is
flow barriers. Hydraoliccornrnuoicaiion bolwroo nerlicslly ssacksd chaooel bohr doprodi 00 fluvial channels) Ire preneni weal uf the field. The Peoria field produces nut of ihe
the thickoess sod cooliouisy of muMy asndsloera hsniog sbuodant clay incluaioos bot J-2 ssndstneo Interval, which ceslains poite-bar and abandonment-fill fluvial
0005moolyonorliobsnalscoorsurfaces. Th000lecsufsmallrracalrand0000sasybousdisg depestss and associated crevasno -splay and overhang dopnsitn, which ree
The PeorIa finId (Pig. 2) produces from a nlructurally enhanced ulrasigraphic leap
surfaceaosllnid000wnsnolmeanursblrsithencslrofthrwelisPsomnfnodrogi,ieoraigdala subsequently described in detail. The J-1 sandstone consists nf at trust two upward-
crailabla. Cornpaosmrsoaljealjoo of thr ,esernoio is iodicasrd by swo rlooasiooa of ad-water (updip pinchoul cf meandeoboli sandstones agumnus ovnrbonh deposils; Fig. 2) within
cuarsesiog sequencrs composed of resseicied marino to brackish muduloses that are
000rocla sloog the dowodip, wosl Ilaok of the Bold. This is esplsiord byocoecoolrasior Ihn Lower Crelocmus J flundsloso (J-2 iniervol of Fig. 3). Produclion characterislics transitional with overlying biosurbated sundslones.
of nbaod0000ens-fsll facies rod a lack of hydraulic commnoicaaioo brlw000 coalesced aro listed in Table t. Similar leaps occae io Ihe Lalign field lo the southwest and in Marine sandsiosen ore
chanoelbaiss io tho cersseo of abe field Per. sod posl-oojectioo produclion paurron arroaplained distinguished by Iroce-fossil assemblugos thus include Tenebellina, which in only
Small, dincooneclod accamalalions to Ihr northeasl. present in inlorvals that contais marine foraminiferu (Waage aod Richer, 19b0;
by the geologic model. The slraligraphy of dro J Sandstone in Ihe Denver basin has bees described in Chamberlain, 1976). The trace fosuils Asoeroornna und Teichichnsu aro common in
various ways, as uummarioed in Figure 3. MacKeseio (1971) described Iwo brackish to manor sandsl000s (Chamberlain, 1976). A lrusagressmvonarfuce of
onconformily-separuled memboru of lheJ Sandsl050 in oulerops along tho went flunk reosuno (serminolngy of Weimre and Osnnenberg, 1989) nverlies Ihr I 505dutose is
of lise Dcover basin. The Fori Collina Member c005isls of upward-coarsening
koservoir rogl000rs erquiro o th000-dirneosional (3-D) repeesrolation of rock identify relatioeships nuicraps along Che west flank of Ihe basis and probably separates the J-1 interval from
shallow-marine (sppee sh000face or drlla-f000l) regressive Sandstones Iransilional she Mantornan Chale in tho Freno field; however, available cores did not sample Ibis
peOperlios au a framework for cooslencliog eumericaf simololion models. For a with the underlying marine Skull Creek Shale. The 0000lying tIoruclooth Mrmber among genelic units.
rosrevotr model lo accooel for geologic hclerogeneilies, the r000rvoir aochileclorr interval. Thus, Ihr Horsesooth Member representa an overall Iranngressivo syslom,
consists cf fluvial through shallow-marine strala and occupies lopcgraphic lows wtth more seaward facies present sleatigeaphicolly higher in a vertical sohns.
(Tyler sod Finley, this vclume)os delermiord by logs, cores, ouscreps, ond seismic (volleys) scoured iolo the Fort Collina Member ood the Skull Creek Shale. Weimer
datamost be leaosformrd into a 3-D rock-properly mold by cuber slatislical or (1984; Weimer und others, 1982) documesled Ike regional oaiare of Ibis However, because the J-1, J-2, and l-3 can be picked throughout 1fb basin us
deloewloisllc melhods and by cerIum luogo-volume Sampling technique s such as u0000formily is Ihe Denuce basin andin equioalcsl nIcola io the Powder River basin.
cn000lalisn intervals, and because lower units onlup ihr valley walls lIbo regional
pressare buildup 10510. Tison, timo-depoodeol, fluid-flow simslalion models- unconformity), tlss possiblo thai they eepeeuent landmaed-stepping peegradutinnal or
In subsurface sludies, 1h01 Suodsl000 is divided into lheJ-1, J-2, and l-3 iOleroals
s000rpomling wells. fluid prOpeelios, and production schedulesmay be imposed on aggradasiosal puckugos )eelrngeadali000l pa005cq000ceu of Vus Wagoner and others,
(e.g., Land and Woimer, 1978; Fig. 3). Conventional practico has bmn Io assign Iho 1987) within a longer period nf relative sm-level rise.
lhe rock-properly modol. In Ibis way, the rock-properly model is Ihr link between lowor port nf Ihr Horsolooth Member (misero if enisin) and the Furl Collins Momber RESULT: Input to flow
geology nod engin000iog and is Iho level al which geologinls mosI incrocI with Io she J-3 interval. In Ihe Peoria field oeca, Ihe regional asconformily han remoord model grid
most nf the Feel Collins Membor, und Ihe Horselooth Member usually rests directly
Fiord flow io aoy parliculor res0000ir is cooleotled by the interplay belwoes on biolurbuied sandy mudulones of the Skull Creek Shale. In thin papor Ike lowermost
yor000 prImary sedimenlary osila. loctonic foulures, osd diageselic modificalion. In Eso, I,Prncrdurr for nnnslrncting a quantitativo rook-property modrl in J Sandstone Faden
puckage of fluvial and floodplain strata within the Horselooth Momber above Ihn reservoir syslems where finse is Onstrolled by primary drpositional facies.
reservoirs where sedimenlaey facies dinteibolioe in she mont imporlaol 0001ml ne sucoefocmily is unsigned Io the J-3 isserval. Strata bolow the uncusfnemity will be
The fioul slep in constructing u cock-property model is to idenlifp oesrrvoir facies
referred toas she Skull Creek Shale, even though they may contain some sandstone
and pnteotially important bounding surfaces. Thirly-000 cneed wells in und around
of Ihn Foot Collins Member immediately below the nnconformily.
Peruenl address: flhell Offshoro toc., P.O. Boa 61933, Now Orlenos, Losiuiuoa the Pcoeiufield unit baso beco sludied, olloming escepti050lresolution of facien. The
Is Iho Peoria field 1-3 utraln consist of floodplain madulenes, upwuod.coarsesing
70161. cores were fost denceibod occoeding so grain sire, clay consent. and physical and
000vasse-uplay nandsl050s, and Ihm, convoluic-lominated, muddy, c000se-gaained
binlogicul sedimentary stracturon. Separale small-scale lithologic lypes were shoe
20
yo
40
Facies Il e
F
r n80 q
°
e Geoen. Aog. = 5.2 end 20
20
Seep
Induotion
Skull Creek Shale This verticel scqooece cf gcain siaes, sedimentary sieucia000, and clay coded is important io eoalaate the rock-property chazador coocareenily with the inilial facies
typical cf point-bar naedvioses (e.g., Pryor, 1972; Jeecc aod others, 1904; Wallos cod analysis co that appropriate attenlios in directed to facies, pulIeron nf lithslcgics aod
Exrolanation eihcrc, 1986). The numerical facics deeigeaticse eoflout the rclalive poeiticns cf the sedimentary etruct000n within facies, and faciesarrangcmcntn that hcvepeieophyeicul
facies. Withie a siegle point-bar neqeence, a higher facies somber may overlie any and fluid-flow sigsificance. te many nf the coren ir the field, peencity and
M assivu Sandstone Rioturbated sawisrcos and siltsroeu AVsalf Current ripples Smell load structures
lowcreumber (e.g., facies ill may overlie facies IsolI); howcver, a new channel level permeability (often horizoslat nod vertical) were measured every fest in competent
is isdicated whoec a lower faciec numbce escolios a higher facies number (e.g., if nandst000e.
Crons-stretitied (domisastly oough) Charceal fragment Rieturbeted hsrizen
sandstone
Laminated gray shale facies i overliec faciro IiI). Facies I and Il 001ko meander bull end facics CS cf the
ljncrirnted carbon films. oveebash are eeservcien and can be mapped as geologic coito. Potentially impactad Permeability character..Facien 1h01 represent flew units and flow bacrices were
Planar-laminated sandstone Interlamirated cicystenc and ooerse ® Pytita nedule peso. leaf fragments hocnding surfaces include basal scour surfaces, especially those accompasied by dislisgaished by permeability character. Figare 4 comparen poronily and horizontal
sritetone nr uury fine sandstone abundaot madct500 icclacions, cod mudni500-drapcd lobed acceetioc surfaces. permeability with faciec. Facies I peemeabilitior range betweoe 100 and 300 md,
Ripple-laminated fine-grained Clay clast L Synsedimentary whereas faciec lt permcahiiities range brlween 8 aed 40 md, illontrating that these
Carbonaceous mudstena fractures
sandstone f Palieres of Rock Properties withis Facies faciro denignalienc arruine meaningful indicators cf rech-proprety characteristicn.
Rippled sandstone with abundant Mud breekup Kaolininc clay All colee were logged by facien, and valuen of pnrmecbilily are vhswn with eenpscl In
mud drapes Peor marks and casts The second slop in c000entiog a geologic model to a eock.peopeety model is le facien is Ftgore 5. Facino I and Il pcsmeability disloibulione arr symmetrical ce a
dclennioc sock-properly polleros within facies aod cerose boueding surfaces, il is logaeithmic scale, indicatiog that they ose log-normally distributed. The gesotelric
Mooted saOdstene-patohy quarta Leaf or stem fragmeet Ast. Asteresema
Srylelites, scluhen seams meus of Cadice lis 124 md, and thet of facino lOis 5.2 md. Facies III permeabilitien
cement and detrutel clay. original
tenture obscured are very low, having a geometric mess sf0.26 md. They weeld boceen lower if the
Conoolure bedding Teich. Telohichnus
Erosional sudaoa Flu. 4,Detailed facies aed petrophysicai properties free, a eared weit samplee mere weighted according ta volume becuone nsnsampled mudutoses area
Mud breekup Structuras
predectioe from as npnvard.finieg internai typical cf the J-2 Suedsiner is the vniametricalty important part of facies Ill. Facies iIi in that ietnrpneted an having no
but
Peoria field. Facies Lii, 1H, CS, ucd VA are discnnsed is the tent. nigeificavl poni ttve cooleibution to fluid flow, asd isntead acts as a barrier to flow.
.m....... ..sa.....................a
Chopin and Mayer Three-dimensional rack-property medel nf fluvial sandstones 163
10000 Peoria field, All Samples hy Facies within discrete randbodies. Theoc jonuco wcen addressed as is steps 3 and 4 of the
10000 Facies It, Peoria 0014 Splay Ioules, PearS liete R-squared = 0.571 procedura listed in the iolrodaetioe, that jo. delineariog aerangoments of facies ucd
Facies 0, Peoria Oeld 1000 fl-squared = 10000 bounding surfaces inteenal la discrete, mappable nandbodier and detorwination of
1000- R-squared= 0.417 geowetriet nod intecconsrctedsesn among discrete, mappable sandbodies. In this
E
loo way. thu geologic ways ree diecotly converted into rock.prepoery er flow-unit maps.
1000 The mooed of coatesced point bars within a meander battis often au upward-fining
- 100
W sheet sandstone with a relativcly Sat or sloppod baro (e.g., Friend aod others, 1979).
i
IO E
E loo Three levels of meanderbelt sondbodien with varying degreer of inreecoscectednorn
lo- were disrioguirhed in the Peoria field (Fign. 9 and 10). The core cross seclies
E
H itlurleates the dominance of the upward-fining facier roqoesec within a meander belt
lo (Fig. 9). Although the thicknesr of a gioco faner may chacge laterally, the vertical
o arcangement of Ihe facies in coosisrentand lateral variations cnn mappable. Figure 10
r) shows lateral vaciuti000 from thick, nasdy point-bar deposits (facies I dominated) ta
Facies I, Peoria fiel-- n H partially abaodoned (facies Il dominated) and abandoned.channel fills (facies III
Il-squared = 0.141 .01 o n 1k dominated). The core ceers scories nhewr scese of Ihr middle meandee belt lolo the
10 20 30 0 10 20 30 n Ilk
.01 n 111k lower meanderbelt io wells U31 and U68. However.a 70-cw.rhick caer efelay dusts
lO 20 30 10 20 30 Core Porosity (Percent) Core Porosity (Percent) a Splay k and mud breukeps io preseot aloog this scour, which urlo ara permeabilily barrier je
Cole PorOsity (Percent) thocentralporlofthe field. In weltU43, howeser, themiddle and lowermeanderbelts
Cole Porosity (P010011) Fra. 8.Log permeability versan porosity plato far each facies and total. Note
are amalgamated and ace nel neparaled by a thick cIap-cIar! barloen (Fig. lob;
that the carretatian is best when at! facies arr grouped and wars! is the most 30
10 20 interpreted without core). Thin in lypical of Ihr east-central and oorthwcsl parto of the
homogeneous facies (facies I). Log permeability vernies lInear porosity showed
the best correlation in all cases. Core Porosity (Percent)
Weal a East
4 132011 (402 w
a
usa osa HUNTSMAN SHALE
nun
J.!.Ii___
1F:ì. i
I1L=
LI j _1iy7,,i
LJVÌ __ SKULL CREEK SHALE
Fsu. 9.Cure cress section A-A' showing coalescing middle and tornee
Facies I Fariesli FnoenllI Ocerbeek measderbelt sandhodien. Key la lithologic symbols isis Fignre 4. Line of rection
is shco-n sn Fignre 2.
e
D
C
n
(0 40
o lt00,,
o 300
of the J-2 interval. Faner I = yellow, feries Il S orange, feries III = brown,
Foe. lO.SP-renintivity log crosn neetioess A-A' (a) and B-B' (b) showing J-2 overbank = light green, J-3 = dark green. Lines of section are shoson in
vertical and lateral relationships of three meander bells and overbank depositn
Figore 2.
i
B U17 U19 U28 U3 i U38 U43 U47 U53 U63 B'
t
D Sandstone
-
w,_ -"---a
a .
s __i
.- ..
Huntsman Sh.
D
C
e
u)
10-
40
p4iIl
and lower merodee belts illustrates areas of laterally coalesced paint bars and The distribution of reservoir facies, through porosity, permeability, and thichnens.
abandonment fills (Figs. 12a and 13). Using this praeedsre, a large number of controlled the Peoria field's primary penductios respanne. The field was discevered
separate maps becomes necessary to define flow anita, and only the mare illustrative + + T and drilled by several operators in 197f to 1971 and pradaced by primary depletion
maps are included is this report. Although this is a relatively simple geolegic system drive (very weak gm-cap espansion und no significant water drive) until the field mus
of twe mats eeserscsir facies at two main weanderbelt levels, each cf the splays must antttred asdee Amoco operation in 1972. Figures ib and 17 illuslrate oil prodactien
be handled separately, and facies land Ilmust be mapped for each of the there channel rates meavurud at time of completion and taler in 1972. The beat performance comes
belts. Because the J-3 sandstones hase undergone matar injection, those units also from wells that penetrated thick accumulatians of facies I, either withia one meander
mast be mapped fora compiute description af the reservoir system. belt or wslhin n combination of two well-connected meander hells. Production rules
The fuetes maps cf the middle level are most illustrative of lateral facies of the welts preducing from sp1ay sandstones and the thin, upper-channel sandstone
associations milhinameander belt (Fig. 12a,b). Abandonment fills are mapped where leudad ta deep quickly because of their relatively smaller drainage volumes (thinner
the thtckaeun of facies I thina la zero (fractured pattem an Fig. l2a). The thickest eones typically basing tower porosity).
accamalattona of facies Il arc usually offset from the thickest pods of facies I, ii In 1973 peripheral marginal producers were converted sa water-injection wells.
indteattng that facies Il thins ever the top af the point bars and thickens temard the and an infili water-injection well wan drilled is southeast ta northeast Section 32
cutbark edge. Figure 12h Sb own ser eral instances where 0.5-ta l-m-thictimudstone- i (Fig. 18). The infilI well, which penetrates unty the middle meander belt, affected
etch layers neparauag facies I from It are offset from facies I pads in similar directions production in three offset wells, which rise penetrated the middle meander belt. The
to those of the facies Il accumulations. These are iatrrpreted as lateral accretion offset well lathe north, which penetrates only she lower muanderbelt sandstone, failed
surfaces, which thicken in the vicinity cf abandonment fills. The directien cf offset sa respond. (Compare Fig. 18 with Pigs. lI, 12. and 13.) The performance uf most
of facies Il pads and she mud drapes from the facies I pods may indicate the directien other injectors inconsistent with the geologically interpreted reservoir architeclaee.
of potvt-bar accretion. Facies Il may thicken nr thin into the abandonment fill, Injection wells in splay ae appen mrandeebelt sandstones tended ta accept less water
depending on the style cf channel cutoff and the rate of channel abandonment (water fiSed the limited pare salume fasler) or channelled water through artiBciut
(Fig. 14). fractures le Ihr 1.3 zane (poor conformance as meanured by temperature and tracer
Several potential flow units und flow barriers hase been ideulified by constructing surveys). However, nome injeclnrs in gaad measderhvlt sandstone also showed poor
deluded core-controlled stratigraphic crass sections and by mapping facies. Within cenformance, possibly becaane of completion problems Such 05 pone cement jobs or
a meunderbelt, facies land Il within laterally coalesced point barn are flew units, and inefficient perfaratiug. One injection well in a splay sandstone (southwest to
abandonment fills and clap-draped lateral accretion surfaces may be flow barriers or northeast section 29) allowed high injection rates info the J-2 interval. and offset wells
baffles. The coonecttvtly between two vertically aserlapping meander hells varies le the meut respended, indicating connection belween the splay and channel
depending on the abusdasce of mudstone inclusions overlying banal nc aortae faces. sandstones at that position. Ose injectien welt allowed moderale rates nf injection
Figure 15 Shown the distribution of mappable flow barriers is the Peoria field. The that conformed well lathe J-2 interval bui failed to produce any definite response in
lateral accrettan surfaces could sot be mapped at the resatutien nf the present well adjacent prodacing wells, even thaugh injection was into facies land II (sauthweul to
spacing. nauthwest nelson 28). Many of the injectors at Ihr west edge of the field were
sneffecisse, even though they penetrated measderbelt sandstones, mostly because
water channelled through ihm lower zones (either banal j-2 or J-3) to offset wells.
In 1976 four additional infili welts were drilled and the center of the field was
Reeerooir Comparemenealiautien convened loo timtted five-spot paaem. After evaluation by the operator, many of the
peripheral injectors were shut in by 1978 (Fig. 19). Several of the best preducern in
Two apparent reservoir cemparlenents, ene is the northwest and one in the center Aeeal Distribution nf Meander Belts the field were converted In water injectors (e.g., southwest to soatheanl section 29,
tosoutheasspurtofthe unitiredprodsciug area, aredisainguishable inFigme 15. Each Upper Meander Bell northeast ta nuetheast section 32, and southwest ta northwest section 33). Each nf
has tIn awn oil-water and gas-oil contacts. The Peoria field is compartmentalized by A A' Lag crans necEan these wells penetrated a thick section of facies I within the lower meander belt. Only
narrow, ribboslike abandonment fills (facies Ill) in the narrow, center portion of the Li Middle Meander Bob )ahndn 911)
a a' Core crass section two of the saftil wells penetrated sigaificaut thicknesses of facies I within the lower
field (Ftgs. Il and 15). The middle and lower meander belts, altheugh superposed in ! Lower Meander Bell )ahndn fil)
--- Oil-waler nanlael
thsu area, are separated by an impermeable mad breakup roncan previously discutsed Pradselale npluys
und as shown is Figure 9. Analysis uf pressure dala is the two Meas might have Ftu. 11.Areal dinlribntinns nf mrander belts, pradnelivr splay sandstnnes,
confirmed the compartmestatiration, bal Ihese data were not available. Interpretation , Verlwuly-slacked meander hofs Cared oeilS and nnnpradnrtive nvrrbunk drpesits. Clay.rirh layers separating meander
of the pressure iuformation with respect to the barrier would probably be limited _5Oi belts are eninpased nf ola yrlusts and msd brraknp strartnres aheve banal
ebannrl.nrnar surfaces.
0)
.4.. PEORIA UNIT
UNIT
JPEORIA +
: ::
+
-e ro
ort re®
air
r
=
T
o.
S
+ e
b) Middle Macoar r gall - FACIES II Lewer Meander Belt - FACIES I
ra r a) MIddle Meander nett - FACIES I
Frs, 12.Isopach maps of facies 1 (a) and II (b) of the middle meander bolt.
Clay-rich layers separating facies L and IL are lo- to 60-em thick mudstone or Frs. 13.Isopacts map of facies I of the lower mrander hell; hachures and
muddy sandstone layers that are interpreted as lateral accretion ssrfaces. stipples as in Figure 12.
Hachares indicate facies pinclsout and stipple patters indreatos facies
thicknesses (>3.3 m( in map (a).
061W 060W
Lateral accretion surface
i i 6)
PEORIA UNIT
+ a
& Ia
. s
Eso. 16.Initial oil peoductian map. Sisty peecent of wells onere initially
completed flawing.
+ '.I® t e
Coofidenee io Geologic and Esginerrisg !oserpretuti000
The posmury production response illustrates the imporlaoco uf the facies control
.4' + ]A on fluid flow. The watergood responte illustrates the significance nf houndiog
surfaces cod sundbndy inloreonnedledness on fluid flow dueing displucement
processes. In gcorral, the production hislury ii enplaioed by und supports the
geologic interpretation. However, there is un unquantifird degree of uncertainty is
the geologic nod Dow-und models, even though therein reasonable weit spueing und
Mapping of facies and sundbody tenets, while moderately well determined inmost
of the field, is somewhat mono tenuous where cure data are sparse. The definition of
sume bounding surfaces in equivucal, erro whero coces ore available. lowell U39 a
,,,,,,,,',,
4[Ç V slight grais.niar increase and a cloy elusI are present in the middle of facies I (Fig. 9
016,563 rl). Thin has bees interpreted as a single sundbndy, with the minor scour
representing a stage fluersauno nr schute channel. However, a sund.on-sand scour
of another meander bolt might lease a similar subtle surface. Dinlinguishing finer
grained facies of tower meander bells, whew Ihren is so core control, is nonther
uncertainty. The map pattern of the middle meander bolt looks geologically
reasonable (Fig. 12), whereas the meal dinleibulion of the lower meander bell appears
truncated in placos (Fig. 13). This muy ho because finr.grained abandonment filin
(facies III) within Ihn lomee bell mere indislisgainhoble on logs from overbank
.. i deposits, mhern Ihr middle moandrrbelt sandstane mas deposited user them on u orear
surface. A similar problem occurs where fine.geained facies from an overlying
meander belt rent on lop of enarsee facies of an underlying mnandnr belt; the log
signature appears as a sisgle upward-fining sequence. Allhough nome clay deepen in
+ ________________ + cores are islerpeeled as laierai accretion surfaces, Ihn orientation und continuity nf
Ikone nl cuy one locution arr not known, and their contribution to drainage anomalies
t ln,2OtaIun
nl: 11.20. vn. Inn. nopa
r
isla Status - InitIal Watrrflnnd Responso
CI.: 51. ron. Z,SOO onpo
canonI be determined milk Ihn well spacing and resolution of the engineering dota.
The esgineering data regect anomalies from manmade as mellas geologic casses.
Fur enamplo, u well in she crome nf Ike five.spot Faltern (northnorth eenlrot
+ +
: +
+ section 32, Fig. 19) did sot respond to muter flood because it bud proninanly been an
* +
: Cn,rd nClle * + £ Ot000, _..!..,.. Irreesnveirnvse, ,nvIIz injector und bud sesee produced coy oil after il mus converted lea preduerr. Also.
the geologic und engineering interprelulioss mero cundueted concurrently, with data
LATIGO FIELD * C 5OnuII LS TIGO FIELD * Ma,pneI In1urInr ___- pn5Iu esronue
from one discipline used lo constrain the other. This makes Ihn enplunotions
0 Cnr.OneIln
rin 'eu
islrmally consistent buI the reasening somewhat circular. These factors contribute
101ko uncertainty in the geologic und flow models.
Tb
djEd
Poi
5f
ir la
dg
Twm till
Ii.
M il Y P ?5lyrs0de
iFa:
B t r,i,,vi, r,veci,e inp,en..5i, p
1 p :.
+ than the core-plug valses because of Ihn thfferonl sample volome (Haldorsen, 1986).
Pressore-trunsient data from cored wells would help to catsbrale Ihn constructed
T
+ . s icc iooioovvaoureitiooioyol000covv
model. Air-permeability values could be converted lo liquid-permeability valons at
i
,
S . ..... ... ... =.....
i
reservoir pressures, and these valoes could be compared with permeobilities derived
»,,, ,,,,,,,,
+i r"-i from pressare buildup tests. Although prensare buildup data were unavailable, thin
-=,., 0
+
Loper i II -
i,,,,, e5tisnatr of averagr pernseabiiily, wlsich Iras consistent with the permeabilitien
i. e
L aper 2 i I Because ihr geologic model has been verifsed by qualitative field performance
n ,, I I I I
I
data, it is likely that a geologically realistic rock-properly model could be inpol too
F
/ reseevoir-siwalatioo grid. Howeoer, the small-scale rack-properly measureweoin
i_,,.,.,,.,,._
k4'Ç
5y,m
® W' i
®
i, Layar 3 I-4- I I I I I I
'T-O
I must be erais checked ard calibraled against lange-volume sampling methods.
O V Layer 4 - eonei.vstuns
Il
+ t A 3-D rock-properly model was constructed by assigning ehanacierisuc rock
La
0 5 I I I I __________________
fwllThPd
+ 1 an'gs
e' o . Each Nodo. demunsleated la be important controls on fluid flow. Sorer anomalous well
rruueleoasno
fi performance muy hase been caused by smaller scale feuluers, such an clay-draped
kuh ka 0k P lt t t arg h lib w 1m au bi lib w Il p gandwthth
W Trarmiusibi6y macruss type of engsneering dula uvuslabte. Because the problematic reale of heterogeneity in
upper aod Inane beunduijos the largest one immediately below the available lend of resotulion, it makes sense lo
+ + ley to push the detrrsnioislie resolution loan fine a scale as possible, below which
statistical methods become necessary (e.g., Chupin, 199g). In this cuse the
+ macroscopic, mappable features explained mast of the field performance. Detailed
sedimenlology has thus resolled in a higher level of doleeministic resolution wilhin
1978 usaran - n-Spnt Watorrbmd Responso
+ +
JrD ihr reservoir
fl "r" L0rO
= FLOW MODEL We thank Amoco Production Company, Denver, for Ihr release of inlomat
engineeriog reports of the Peoria field. Jack Shelton and AetBurmun were especIally
helpful. We also thank Parker and Parsley, Denver, foe the release of Peoria field well
i ' '
turre art saturations over lime, given froduction/ ivleoilcs rates files We ruhr full resecosihihirv for ,rrrru,restiors rirenerird heer Thr rr,n,,srrins
or rates and saturations over time, piven pressures and the ideas presented benefitted from numerous discussions with and reviews by
Tim Cross, Colorado School of Mines. Reviews by Scott ltamlio, Dennis Knee,
Ftc. 19.Fiv-npot ssatrrltood responso, 1978. Noel Tyler, and Robert Wnimer improved the manuscript and are gratefully
Fsc. 20.Procedure for placing t he geologic models into a gridded format for acknowledged. Shell Offshore, Inc., provided financial ssppoel foe the color
input to areservOir-simatation model. Directional permeability = kv, ky Iso; illustrations io this volnme.
porosity = 0; relativo permeability = kr; capillary pressare - Po.
//
Subaurfaoe data indicate that much nf tisa 6l3-m-thick tech an repreaen ta aggradation of upper boundary (Todd and Mitchum, 1977; Bebaut and alhees, 1981). The lower North Appleby Field
0 so rae ea r
alluvial-nalley depoaita. Multiple chaoorl holm forro asetwork of otarloppieg, broad. tabular Sltgn Foemution an Louisiana in predominantly u marine nilioielanlic neil that is a
aaodntoneu baring thickooens-to-width rntioa of 1:850(2.4 ta 13.2w thick; widths en000d 6.4 4''DTot5r Snbtne s. basal fuetes equivalent of the Travis Peak (Hosatag Formation). Upper Sligo Nnelh Applebp field is is Nacogdocheu County, Tesan, an the went flank of Ihr
- r-,- t
) A ch
to8kot). Sintoeightchannnlheln, rach000taining80to 90% medium- aofme-grained k t
f 9, lB
sediments are dark gray, nolitic, fossiliferous limestone and dark shale, and inthcale
normal-marine deposition (Boreyhill and others. 1967),
Sabtnr Arch (Figu. land 2), abasomcnt-cored, law-amplitude anticline that forms the
amthmone,locally000upyahl-m-thiohinternsl. loaneetical sequence thenughonechonnelbrlt eastern margin of the East Tesas Basin (Jackson and Lanbach, 1988). Movement of
nmda000e, basal planar croaa-bedding grodra upward into thiolyiomerbaddad arts of planar
croas.bedaandtippleosa-lrminutinn. Cluy-olantounglnmcrutsalmencostodohelbanoa.
Adjecent ta the chanuela, fine-gtsincd asdimesta ncosmuluted in tunit-deainad swamps and
/ -, Previous Tronas Peak core studies have interpreted the balk nf the formation in East
Tesas al having keen depositod in high bed-load, broad, braided nlreams (Saaciee and
others, 1985; Dutton, 1987). Regional ntratigeaphic studien indicate that the style of
the arch occurred in Ihe early Late Crelaceous and early Tertiary (Halboaty and
Halbouty, 1982; Jaoknon and Laubach, 1988) and has had a profound influence an
lakea. Poorlyanrtedanndatonesaepreaent nnctbarohdeponitinn. During Travia Peak depaaitinn,
hydrocarbon trapping. Struclursl dip is the nlndy area is uniformly io the sonlhwenl
fluvial systems evolved during Travis Peak deposition (Tye, 1988). Iniliafly, fluvial (15 anJkm; «In; Fig. 3). ProducImos in from sandstones theaughoal the Travis Peak
alluciaf styles enolnod from dominantly bed-load deposition neue the base of the formation to systems 000sisfed of brood, faw-sinaosily, sand-rich (bed-load) channels. These
more mud-rich, minad-toad ayatema at the top.
Sandstone gromatry, continuity, and internal hetcrngrneity inflacncereaernoir
,,,,"""Ange(ea F)anor"' N braided streams responded to u desecase in bane level (nea.lesrl rise) during tale
archas in Noelh Appleby field (Fig. 4; Tyr, 1988). Wiahin Ibis 610-m-Ihick interval,
fluvtal deposits dominate in all but the upper 100m. Although not always in economic
performance and well-to-well comrnutoicatino. Smsll-avatabedfonna, biogeinc soncturea, and Travis Peak depastiton by aggeading the alluvial plain and foeming channels of low quantities, gus appears to ho pretesI throughout ike Travis Peak (D. Luffel, pers.
Osa: ntnaosnty that transported a fiee-grained mined-sediment load, commun.), and, like other low.poeasitp eesorvaios (Manteen, 1979; Spe000r, 1989),
quality reaornoie sandstone (high poroatty aord low-water saturation) asiate in naorrw barda that Gas is produced from Trusts Peak sandstones that weee deposited in fluvial, deltuic, the Travas Peak does not eshibit a discrete gas-waler onntacL Depth to Ihe top of the
nrooeientedasbparulleltodepoaitiouoldip. Reaernotrqualidmteuecautokanae))tmstgina paraltc, and erratic oncironmenta. Finley (1984) estimated that ultimate recoverable Travis Peak rangen from <1.3121003.280w and sr-reales 2.440w (Tye, 1988).
)lcreea) and topa )abandooed channel) and in hsr-geuined inaetohaunel areas (abadowoonea reserves as the Travis Poak ronge from 13,8 to 17.3 Tcf. The gas is thoughi lo haue Thirly-sin welts (drilled on 640-acer spacing) have been included in this study. and.
behind longitudinal bara). been generafed in theJaransic Bossier and Swackover Formations (Dallan and others. an addition te Ike well lags, a total of 168 mof core were recovered from the Prairie
1987). Teavis Peak fields located over Ike Subire Arch (Fig. I) produce primarily Prodactios Mast No. l-A (79m) and S. A. Holditch SFR No.2(113 m; Pig. 2) mclii.
Husrtsara co feam combination steuctueal-slraligeaphic traps (porosity pinchauln) similar IO those The generally continuous nature ofihe four slealigeaphic rones that wem cored in SEE
Woskorr lirtd_;o descrabed by Forgotson (1974) and account for a majanity of the 10101 Travis Peak No. 2, n addition Io the cared und perforated internals present in wells along a
The nsefulaets of Ihn three-dimennional architectuee oe stratigraphie approach to u', produchon an the East Tenas Basin, Porosity and peraneabilily in maul of the Teavin noethwenl.noutheanl crans section, are illastrafed in Figure 3.
deponitinnul-uyslemn anolyuiu has become appuersl as more uedimenlalogistn weentle '1". Peak sandstones have been redaoed due ta quarta cementation and the presence of
4
rune no,) In the banal 46m of the Travis Peak, a ipiky ta serrate gamma-ray log oharacler
wilh inlfepeetulians of teerigenaut-clastic or carbonate arqur000n. Particularly, reseenote bilumen (DuEtos, 1987; Duften and others, 1987; DatIon and Land, 1988). repeeneuts than, upward-caarsenasg progeadational sandstones separated by mudstonen
nubaurface geolagintu have become ditonchanled with lacier models (bated on n, Perweabilily n <0.1 md; poeosity ranges from 310 17% bal is generally less than 8% (Ftg. 4). Log character in this basal interval gradually changen upward, an Iho
vertical s000etsions sI lilholagioa and structueeu) an greater demands arr made Lo / (Dalton and Finley, 1988). sandslnoes become thicker sod blocky, owing to a predominance of aggrudalional
provide increasingly mace detailed geologic detceiptiont (e.g.. lateral continuity and Deposition of broadly testicular sandslooen encased in mudstonen followed by deposiliooal conditions is the braided-flsuiaienvieosment. The middle Travis Peak
inle000l heterageneit y) of aquifers or hydrocarbon reternoien. Hawever, when quarto cementulann has Orealed diageaetic-vtraligraphic leaps in Noeth Appleby field. in 370 to 430 m Ihick (interval between 8,400 and 9,800 fi; Fig. 4) and coatoins
tacking well-euposed continuons oulcropn, inteepeelatiant of depotitional Thin reservote lype wan described by Spencer (1989) as an LP (Low Porosity) numerous blocky and upward-fining (aggraduli000l) sandstones and fewor upward-
envieoomenl. sandbady geometry, and spatial aeeangemeol mart ho made suing renervote, and, mn addition 10 low-porosity and permeability saloon, these reservoirs coarsenang (prograduti000l) soedsiourn. Overlying the middle Travis Peak section in
seismic, well-log, and cors dolo. With these dala, aurful and detailed informatisa on NoCh Apptaby L sonar na chacaclertnttcully have high-capillary preusuern nod variablo-walee nalarotiosa (45to n92-m-Ihickustervalofthmn, sharp-bused, and upwaed'finisgsuodulanesseparaledby
the sleatigeaphy of nandbodios san still be peosided. Fiatd 70%). Cant (1983) described similar low-permeability reservoirs und noted that madstnnes. Near the lap, sandstaoen are poorly developed, and, is combination with
Ono nach aubsurface study involves umglfidisciplinary research prograno denigned sandstone peemeabililirn are no low Ihat the sandslonen can aol as their own seal. the mudstonen, Ihey exhibit a serrate gamma-rap log patters.
la esalaate gas-bearing law-pormrability sandstones in the EastTexan Basin. An pact ) In Cumulates production lheough 1987 from Teaoiu Peak sandstones is Ike North
of the program, Ihres eesearch, oc Staged Field Enpeeiment (SFR), wells were drilled Applobp regioo (which inoluden 36 wells) equaled -7 Bof.
and completed in the Teavis Peak Farmglion (two in Haeeisan Coanty and one io
wAc0500crnn oO'v
Nacogdachea County; Fig. I; Halditch and others, 1987). From these welln and Fts, 1.-Location of Ihe Travin Peak Farmalinas ntndy area, isaelnding Ilse Two eeprenentatiee sandstones (B and Z) in Zones I and 4sf Noelh Appleby field
Presenl oddrrsn: ARCO Oil and Gar Company, 2300 Went Plano Parkway, Plano,
," anrr
majar xleactnral alaments nf the EanI Texas Basin (a) and Ilse dinlribntian nf
cored wells (b). Narlh Appleby field is acatad in narlbeaat Naeogdoehea Cansaly.
(Fig. 4) illustrule deposilionat processes and reservoir qualily. Five Iithofscies were
defined from Ike caer dala, and, on the basis of their sedimentary character (lilbology,
Note Ihr localisas for Ihr Prairie Prodacliosa Mast Na. l.A (#9) and Ihr S. A. bedding. and struoluros), caee.to.Iog correlations, and sandstone mapping, they are
Tenas 75075. Halditch SFE Na. 2 (#12) welts. inleepeeled Io eepreueol discrete fluvial deposifional environments (aelive and
.I2O95
12_896 12- 695
lo-o,,,2k,,ISei
O
Bureaws and occasional rooting steucturen have obliterated primary structures io the
O uppermost portion uf Focirs 2.
Cent ou, interuel 50ff
Dotum sen level SA 10209
Foaciee 3Bars-owed Muddy Sandotone
2-798
Sb -998 Flou. 3.Structure-centour map constructed on the top of the Cellen Valley Fueses 3 sequences are thin (1.2 m) and consist of intensely burrowed lo
12_897 12-997 Formation reveals the gentle sesthvsenterly dip os Ihr flank er the Sahine Arch. lamsnated and tippled sandy muddy sillstosen to silty sandstones. Burrows mie she
sic_893 ,I2894 Welle in the North Apptrhy field arco are nhown fer orientation. dominant feature, bat thin facies may also be rooted. Some organic material is
.12.797 preserved.
These deposits overlie sediments of Facies 4, mid Facien 3 is usually oveeluin by
EXPLANATION
a Facies S sandstone that can either coarsen or fino upward. A sharp centadt often
marks the Facies 3 (mudstone( lo Facies 5 (sandstone) boundary. Thin inlrrbndded
Cooed nsell S Logged roch
association imparts avortate, shalycharacterto the sand-poor deposits on the gamma-
ray log (Fig. 7).
Feu. 2.Location or the 36 wells used in thin stedy of the North Appleby field Facieo 4Bios urbatrd Mudstone
area. The cored wells SFE No. 2 and Prairie Production Mast No. 1-A are abandoned-channel, lacaslrine, and eveebaek). Brief descniplieen of each lithofacies
desigttated 12-493 and II-497, renpectively. Crosn routions that correnpend to and the inlerpertrd depositionul enviroomenls fellow. Facies 4 comprises densely ranted und burrowed red to greenish-gray mid black
Figaren 14-17 are incledrd. sandy mudslanes. Thin facies ranges from 0.6 to 5.7 miv thickness. Intense biogenic
Facistol aod 2Cs-coo-B oddod and Ripp(r-Lasninasod Sassdotone reworking gives these deposits a mottled appearance, and primary sedimentary
strudluren Such us irregular luminutions or ripples aro rarely preserved. Diagenetie
Snodotones je Facies I mid 2 mie geneeally fine- ta very fine-graioed, have scoured carbonate nodules and disseminated organic malter (coffee grounds) are common
bases, mid commooty exhibit internal scose coetncts. Sedimeotuey slcscsures and (Fig. 12C); however, pyrite is ubsent.
testones une oimilar in Facies I aod 2,bulPacies I isdissinguishrd bycoarservednment Facies 4 eshibits serrale-to-oniform shuly pasterns on the gamma-ray log. More
10610cc and a domiounce of planar ceoss-bedding. Saodstoees je the loweemost coned thickly developed Facies 4 sequences appear venale on the litholegic log, owing to the
interval (Zase 4) gee the enarsevi gruined (mediom- ta fine-grainS). Saedvtanen inclusion of thin, mud-rich suedstoncs.
atlon
March line
GR SFL
lop
Tracts Peak Fm.
tIIIiIi1 I_ I1IluI1II
i1i'ì;ihtRI! :11
II!I!'..'H'
i!I1lIiILiI
I
21 Base C
iiiiriIiiiiiaiiij'iii':
Base B
Z
Base A
!.!...i r.i w. Ii
.
iíi,!Iil1I'J
JSP1ii1iy
,
Zone 2
Fac. 5Stratigraphie cross section across North Apptehy field area depicting
the ditrihation and continuity of the (oar stratigraphie intervats cored in the
SFE No.2 wett. (Location of cross section shomn in Fig. 2).
Traeak Fm
Cobbon Valley
O
L(API) ISO G )Ohmm) 20
Match
0 )AI) I00 )ch)nn) 20
Groop
Fas. 4.SP and resistivity togs from the SFE No. 2 mcii. Fonr Cored
stratigraphic zones arz shown in additiou to the A, B, C, X, Y, and Z sandstones
EXPLANATION discussed in test. Note the perforated intervata.
cere Perfororlon
I
I u
I . u
01
I u u
I
C,
3 u u
. u
u . u
I u u
u
Fra. 6lA) Low-angle planar cross-bedded fine-grained Facies 1 sandstone
from well SFE No.2. Sample depth is 9,939 ft. (B) Thin sels of flasrr-bedded and
ripple-laminated fine-grained Facies 2 uandstone. Sample from well SFE No.2;
depth equals 9,911 ft. (C( Rounded mudstone rip-op etasts and eoaly debris
concentrated near the base of a Facies I sandsloue. Note the presence of pyrite
(tight-colored blebs near top). Sample from well SFE No. 2; depth equals
9,940 ft. (D) Stumped Facies 2 sandy mudutone is sharply overlain by a cross-
bedded Facies t sandstone. Sample feom well SFE No.2; depth equals 9,923.5 ft.
(E( Water-escape pipe io fine-grained Facies 1 sandstone. Dark coloration
caused by the presence of bitumen in the sandslone. Sample is 7cm wide and is
from the C. W. Sam Hughes well (#8, Fig. Ill) al a depth of 7.093 ft. Some
structures may app ear nnclear because of the maturity of the Travis Peak
sediments.
i liii .uui
111111 11111
Floodplain 111111 uui i
liii!! 11111
111111 uii
ii
L'lui uii iii Corn
P0,05,
Channel
IIi 111111
I'll'
Channel
..,.
...'. Floodplain
DaSS
IIIII L!III1 "i,'
Feo. 7A.Compa ison of the core profile, gamma-ray, resistivity, and density-
...
IIuI
--u.-
Ovorback
Sandstone
porosity logs, core porosity, and sedimentary facies for sandstones (8,230 to
8,255 fI; channelbel C; well SFE No.2) in Zone!. Shallow solid line) and deep
(dashed line) resistivity curves are shown. See Figaro SB for explanation of Fec. 7B.Comparison of the cere profile, gamma-ray, resistivity, and density-
symbols. porosity logs, cope porosity, and sedimentary facies for sandstones (8,260 to
8,292 fI; ehannetheti B; well SFE No.2) in Zone!. Shallow (solid line) and deep
(dashed line) resistivity carves are shown. Seo Figure 9fl for esplanalion of
symhols.
ii
Fervent Sandstone Environment Gamma-Roy Log tog Coro Resistivity PorosIty
DepOSitrona( Denin Depth
En viro n m a nr Gamma-Ray Log Log 0es nr Porosity (API I Intl
(ta-il Rl ca-on
200
Channel
111111
uiliiiiIurli
lIIIIIlUIIii
ht I
Èu
-'N
IIIIlIII74IIIIII
IIIIIIII4lIIIII II UIuIi lIt
.,III Ii UlIl, L Uil.
VAU
iiiiir..iiiii Channel
r
I
FloOdplalrr
Floodplain
iii i _uiuii
UI I I'4jlI111
¡i Ill I iIIIlII
UI HIPJII il 1uiii
UI
iih'lii
I
Ululi) uII I I
'ui:
IIIIIIIII
11111 iuui
ulIuli_ull
IlIIIIliIII
I
C honre
UI
.
Abandonad
Channel
uIIIIIIII&III I
i,iiiililllui
IIIIIliIII
I
II'
rAr.
'UEU
'U.
Feo. IAComparison of the core profite, gamma-ray, resistinity, and density- Etc. SBComparison of the corr profile, gamma-ray, resistivity, and density-
poresity logs, cere porosity, and sedimentary facies for sandstones (9,912 lo
poresity logs, care porosity, and sedimentary facies for sandstones (9,887 tO
9,912 Pt; floodplain deposits and base et cbonnelbelt Z; well SFE Ne. 2) its 9,942 fI; shannelbelt Z; melt SFE No.2) in Zone 4. Shallow (solid line) and deep
Zone 4. Shallow (solid tine) and deep (dashed tine) resistivity carves are sbossn. (dashed line) resistivity cernes ere sbnwn. See Figere 9B for esplanalion of
See Figere 9B for explanation of symbols. symbols.
j; trI
SOpth
(Fr)
roo
Forcent Sandstone
Cere
oWts
Im)
0030
900istiu)ty
9iIM
u,uJII)t.IIuIII
ui.iuri..uuiii
IIIIIIIIL:'ulIIIII
uuIIulIIuIIIII
1111111 j.uIiIlII
uuiiiiii.,iiiii
IIIIIIIIEIIIIIIII
ava
Porosity
Depositional
Environment
Ovndsank
Gannrtra-Oay Log
lop
'so
Lag
Depth
Ft I
too
Percent Sandstone
o
Cora
oopis Resisheity
seoiR
Des
Porosity
IIulIlIiMlIIIIi
uuiiiuiiiuiiiii III I1I1II i:
uuIllIll_kiluIlli IuiiiIiiklui III
IIiiiliiIiUili Ii iiiilUi lii II
.niuiiiruiiui Channel
Snoordary IuIullliIPiili
uIulIlIiNlIlJII
I
Contant
uuuiuiir.iuuiuii
IIIIlllI';!lIIll
9500 uIlIuIuIEuuIiuI
uiuiiitiiriii
IIlIIlIILIIflhi
UuIIlIIIUI4lIlII Eoplanatioo Of Cone-Description Symbol
uimuiuuitii
uuuiiiuiiuiiui 'y Planar-Tabular Cross-gods Water -Eooapn Feetures
uuuuijui.iuijti
uuiiiuii..ui iii Planar-Tangential Cross-Beds Lontioular Bed
uuiuiiii.uiuu iii
uu'u'iuiuuu'ql
.uIIIlIIu,uIIit Trough Cross-Beds ví'V Pebble; Mud Ctest
Floodplain
-.
'L
Porallel Laminations
Ripple Laminat)ono
-sg Burrows
Root Traoos
..
Ovnrbank
vAr ç1j SlumposllOoorstnnpenod Beds 44 Organic Dnbris
Sandstone
Floodplain
vero
.I.
rcz
Ftc. 9A.Comparison of the core profite, gamma-ray, resistisity, and density- Psy. 9B.Comparioon of the Cere profile, gamma-ray, resislisity, and density.
porosity legs, core porosity, and ordimentary ravies for sandstones (9,930 ta
porosity logs, Core porosity, end sedimentary facies fer sandstones (9,970 to
9,970 fI; base of clsaer.elhelt Y; Prairie Prodaotion Mast Ne. t-A) in Zone 4.
9.990 ft; npper part of channetbrtl Z; Prairie Prodootion Mast No. l-A) in Zone
Shallow (solid tine) and deep (dashed tise) resistivity verses are shown. See 4. Shallow (solid lier) asid deep (dashed line) resistisity Corses and an
Figare 9B for explanation at symbols.
rsplanation of core-description symbols are shown.
Tye
Fluviul-sundstone reservoirs 178
A
ii la-t 98
I
B
Do-
t2-t98 HUSK CO
C
i
RUSH CO
NU50000CHES CO NACOG DOCH ES CO
NACO9DOCHE9 CO
H,-,,,'
D
// / / b,
//
S 12-199
2-t 99
lt-399
/
t t-399
r2-599,
t l-399
93 u- 12-498
t2493 -u t2-S99
2-498
t
_S595 ,.'r2-595
,, - 12595
IIu
L
-- 11-497
2-495 t' t r-497 t2-499 e'
/ 11-497 12-495 /
I
' S S
L
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s' s' r2-492
12-49 t2-492 ru-496 s' ru-496
IS12-496 s'
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y
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r2-497 S t2-497 L
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2 Km
12-798
12-788
Ìi t 2-798
ru-893
Eotrlanat{on t2-893
-
Than 30% Detleotion or
Gamrm-Oay Curve From Shale BaselIne
u,JGreater
Li I 2-797
12-797 S 2-707 't
I,/
2-190 12-197 S
RUSKCO
/ 'o
/
RUOKCO 12-197
12-190 RUOKCO
ff
N000GDOCHESCO NAC0000CHESCO
15// NACOGDOC H ES CO
/
93
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li-3995
/ il-399.
I
I iz,ioo
f,
,
tI-399
S,
12-199
/; ff/
/
f,
/ I2-599./ / 12-59OS
f
// 12-498 / /
/
/ /
/
/ f
// //
S 12-493 512-408 2-493 2-490
/
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// /
/ 512-595 I / / St2-505 I
// /
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T2-595 I 304.7811 304.7811
/ / z-405.
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St t-097
37427 / 12-4
137.42 ¡
/ \ /
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I 111.367
IS
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83.991 S 12-597 .12-402 I 12-597
12-4925 - j
111,367
512-496 12-496 I
12-496 3jo9 I
t 2-497 8
19 5 24 9,
'
12-494 9,
9, S 12-499 \ 502-499
9,
S t2-895 r2-0O5S
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I Mi 50
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2 KIT,
12-798
12-794
i'.9r,,o,, S 12-700
\S r)' 428,926
8 4t2-093
l512-697
512-603
12-807
o0l9rl9l9rll
420.029
TIran 30% Dotleoti0501
Gerrom-RuyCurue Fr011 Stale Baseline l27g7T
T2_t65" 502-297
]Groaner
S SFENO 2 WelLocatan
S Well Penlosated ir Chavnelbolt Z
I
overlie orare inlerbedded with fine.grained Facies 3 nod Facies 4 deposits. Their deposition (bed-loud to mixed-lard sedimenlutien). Fixern ceosn-beds domioale at
internal steatificalion coo be extremely complex. Typically, this facies is ao upward- chaonel buses. and in Ihr middle neclions of channels planar cresx.bedn are oserluiu
fixing seqoence of nipple.trough tamixaled beds ovrelaix by sofl.sedimentdefornned by thinly bedded cuerenl-nipplr laminuliont. Episodes of rapid nethmeot deposilirn
and ripple.latninated lo burrowed woddy suodstones (Fig. 7B). These xandslones can am implied by intervals of planar croxx.bedx with steeply dipping bounding suefaces
form halb upwd.coarseoiog and apward.fioiog sequexces, aod they have lobale te (chute-channel deposition), overnlrapened forexein and verlical beds, and abxndant
I
irregular flue ditneoxioes (Fig. 13). walar.encape stesclsees. Chaaoel taps are ripple laminated and harrowed. Deposils
that reflecl low-flaw or channel-abandonment phasen (Facies 2) are thicker in
Envi roornenlat !elerpretations Zone I than in Zone 4. lnterhrddrd mudutoues wiinhin the sandstones may represent
post-flood clay drapru on point bars (Fisk, 1947; Bernard and others. 1970; Gagliano
Fluvial channel bellaFacies land 2 are inleepreled as being sedimeots deposited and vas Berk. 1970)0e fixr-gmined channel benches (Nannex and Page. 1983).
io she aclive and abaodaned poetices of braided fluvial channel belts. The vertical The inlerbedded sequence of planar cress-beds. parallel-laminated beds, and
I
neqoencex described for the SF0 No.2 and Prairie Mast No. A.l wells (Figs. 7109) nwall.ncale ripple lamination resembles the sequence of structures described by
cannol be placed oeady irlo any Gavial clasnificalioo scheme (Moody.Staart, 1966; McGowen and Garner (1975) fon the modern Amite River. Louisiana. The Awite
Miall, 1978; CantandWalker, 1978; Root. 1972). bntexannioalion and intrrpretalioo River is characterized by short-duration flashy discharge, slabiliratieo of the books
of three.dimensional sandbady geometry and internal stratification provide insights (low channel sinuosily) by vegetation, mined.vediment load, and steep gaadieot.
Interpeetalions of sedimentary processes from the Norlb Appleby cores indicate that
I
into the deposilional processes that were active. lo comparisoo lo meandering Itavial
systemv, few examples vfbraidrd.slream depovilian have breo addressed. However, similar conditions prevailed during tale Travis Peak deposirion.
among recenl studies (Chilalc. 1973; Campbell, 1976; Cant, t978; Galloway and FloodplainRooted and harrowed Facies 4 mudataxen were deposited in
Hobday, 1983; Miall, 1977; Rost. 1970; Smith, 1970,1971; Walkerand Cant, 1984; espansive floodpluins that developed adjaceot to the channel belts. Carhonale
Dotava and Erik550n, 1989), agrrrmrat aboxl several points is apparros. These urn: concertions and the absence of pyrite xsggeal shut lloodplainx were well drained
I
I) braided vyxtrms convint of broad channel belts thai contain mxltiplr chaxnrls; (Coleman, 1966). Facies 4 and 5 sandstones aad silty sandstones are isterpeeled le
2) preserved sedimentary seqxrncrn are variable and cyctic; 3) channel fills arr broad, have been depoxiled by Iraclion processes daring flood events bat later reworked by
tabular. dip.rlaogate sand.badirn that nvhibil low thickorsn.to-widtb ration; and biogenic processes in crevasse-splay or Iacastrmnc.dclta environments. However.
4) basaI scones are generally Sal with law erosional relief. because of limited data axd uncertainties in discriminating between crevasse-splay
The relatively shallow and wide Travis Peak sandstones possess many of these avd lacnstrmne-delta dvpoxilx ix ancirnl fluvial sequencen, these sedimeots une
Iraits. Within their lowermost occurrence (Zone 4 sondstonex), 0.3 Ia 0.75-m-thick referred toas overbank nuedstones.
planar cross-stratified beds grade upward iota beds that arr massive appearing or The degree of 000dylaio development in fluvial sections sachas the Travis Peak
exhibit parallel lamivatioe. Grain size decreases concurrently with bed thickness as muy peevide dxcv ta dcicrmining whether depanilirn occurred in straight veesas
the channelbelt lops, where cxeernl-ripplr lamination daminalen. Trace fauxils al the ain000s fluvial syxtemn; however, little afreemeol exists. Miutl (1977) coosidera
tops of sandbodirs mark the poivs of channel abandaxmrnt. A vegetated floodplain floodplain developmrsl lo be less exteosive io u braided system than isa meandering
(Facies 4) rapidly buried the channelbelt xavdxtanes. system. Addiliexally, Friend (1983) stales 1h01 the overall proportion of fine.geained
Basal Travin Peak sandstones (Zone 4) da not ceotain Ihr trough crosx-beddrd sedimenls is notan iodicaliro of channel pollees, bai Cant (1970) pointed out 1h01 the
channel facies described in Cant's (1978) Sassery Creek asd South Soxkatvhewan absence of floodplain deposits is commonly cuased by fluvial reworking raiher than
examples. This perhapx implies that the Travis Peak channel belts were levs by poor decelepmenl. Smith (1971) reported shot the Pialle Riven floodplain was
chasnelired than rivers such ax the Sooth Saskatchewan. Sheet-flaw deponitsen was 30 times wider than the chavoet; thus, the presence of floadplaio sediments in ancient
more dominant in the broad Travis Peak chuorel bcltn (as indicated by planar ceoxs. dcpexilv is dependent en thy degree of fluvial reworking anden subsidence rutes on
bedding and parallel luwixatian). er Ihn portion of she Tmvis Peak chanoel belts Ihe alluvial plain. Therefore, ullheugh it is considered la have been relulively stable,
rxawioed was located distally within the bonin and therefore damivantly experienced ihr alluvial plain in theEavl Tesas Basin mast have subsided al nufficiently rapid ruten
migration of lingeid transverse barn (Smith. 1970, 1971; Rnxt, 1972, 1978; Allen, lo provide for prcnervolion of thin hai laterally evtcnsivc floodplain depoxils.
1983).
In cbannelbelt Z of SF0 No.2 (Fig. OB). vertical sandstone continuity is brukrn by
a floodplain madxtanr. The xppee sandstone in chanvelbettZ ix typified by medium-
Fis. 12.(A) Borrowed maddy sandstone in Facies 2 irs well SFE No. 2 from bedded, trough crexn-bedded, and current ripple-bedded nundntene that gradnatty Suadbody Gerroerry
a depth of 9,905 ft. (B) Ripple-laminated, harrowed, organic-rich maddy finen upward into ripple-laminated and bumewed muddy sandstones. A similar
Facies 2 sandstooe in well SFR No.2. Pyrite has replaced organic material (see contact inchannelbetlY (well 11.497, Fig. 13) is readily visible onlhrgxmma-eay leg The majority of the channelbelt sandutenea correlated within Zones I and4 aro gas
Irns above the ping hole). Sample depth is 9,912 ft. (C) Calcareoas nodales in a and in Ihr core. The differences io stratification styles between the two xandxtonen productive. Ten channel belts arr present wilbin Zone 1, although noI all 10 ore
cooled and burrowed mudstone. Sample 56.5cm wide and is from the Amoco (basal planar ceass-bedn versos overlying trough cress.beds and ripple tamioatiaos) peexenl in any 00e welt. Three channelbelt saodulenes occur in SEE No.2 (C. B, und
CaIdwell G. U. No.2 well in Harrison Coaoty ala depth of 6,808 ft. Sandstones inchannetbetta Y avdZ imply initial channel abandonment followed by reaccaputien A, in descending order; Figs. 14 and 15). Channelbelts Band C, thelmo apperroust
and madsiones are ioterpreted as floodplain-soil deposits. of the old channel by a misar channel. Chien (1961). Moody-Stuart (1966), Rast sandstones in Zone i, are perforaled. Pesl.xtimalasion daily production values arr
__.s_._....____ .__.__....____..._.a.__._._
ma...aa...a RNNS
65 MeS of gao, 41 bbl waste, aod 3 bbl coodaosata. Io Z000 4, 12 chonoel balls are Brahmapslea River (thicknens-to-widlh eatia = 1:700; Coleman, 1969; Beistow, 1987)
tv-rol prosent, aod theeo of these clra080l bells acose in SEE No. 2 (X, Y, atrIl Z, io and ancient braided-channel deposito in the Morrison Formation, New Mexico
12.190 OUSK CO daocandiog order-neck woo perforo/od; Figo. 16 aod 17). Daily pOOl.sliwclalion (thiekoess-rrs-midth rutio = 1:740; Campbell. 1976).
NAC0050CHES CO predactioo for Zona 4 io 330 Mcf of gao, 150 bbl waler, and 5 bbl voodeesatr
(B. Rabiosos, pees. common). Pzrzoisy, Prrrnrabiliay, ansi Flaid-Saaapamion Relasianohipe
112.100 Chanoelbelt thicknesses range from 2.4 698.7 m; (average = 6m) io Z000 land
ni-399 from 2.4 to 13.2 ni; (avreage 8.1 w) io Zone 4. The gamma-ray lag character Net-sandstonr and log-focies mapa arr goneeallp considered to give a coarse
13.199 S 12-599 tv-603 betweeo 9,002 and 9,947 ft (log depsh jo well SFE140.2; Figs. 4. 16. aod 17) implico approsimotion of 1h ereservoar potential 0f a nandbody; however, in many instances
16e presence of three slacked, spwsed-fining 550dslooes ja 16e lower Travio Peak
-l5 Formalian (-58m abase she lop of the Callan Valley Formation). As indicated by the
and particularly in low-permeability reservones, this corollary does not apply. For a
low-permeahtlity sandstone In predare economically, O to 10% porosity mast ho
A rI-493 12-601
12-400 serrated gatnma-ray log nignasare, the sharp-based blocky sandstones ace separated presenl (O. Luffel, pers. commun.). Therefoee, net-foot poronily mops were made of
vertically by thickly bedded (0.6 m) shaly saodslooes aod oboles. Many nhsly breaks each channel belt asing 8 and 10% porosity-coloff saInes. These maps displayed
noted by gamma-ray logo ace actaally channel-lag deposito. mrd stackiog of these consideeably compten trenda (Pigs. 10 and 1 I).
r z-sos channel deposito gives the sandstones an ieregalar serrate appearance. lo the cored Few wella contained a nignificant thicknena of sandstone with 210% poroniry;
intervals, beds of clean sandstone vary in Ihickneos from 01310 6.3 m, whereas shaly Iherefore, only the nd-foot porosity maps repeesenling sandstone thickness with
- lO - ri-497
2.495
sasdolonen mrd oboles range from latesinations 0.502m thick lo beds np 6069w thick. poeosity are shown. Channetbelt B averaged 2.7 rn of sandstone with porosity
erz-Saß
Zone tie well SEE No.2 (Figs. 7 and 14) cossints of a basal 10.5-rn-thick sectiao 28%, whereas channelbelt Z averaged only 2.4 ni. For sodelerminod reasons, a
5 of istorbodded sandsrosen aod mudslonos that were deponiled in abandoned-channel, dcscrepancy exists between core- and tog-measured poeosity. Io 0FB No. 2. log-
Sf2594 r2-600s lacaslrine, asd floodplain environments. These fise-gmined beds overlie as 8.1-m- derived porosity averages 4.4 porosity units grealee than core pornnities measured at
t 2-492 r 2-597
thick channel saodstose (Fig. 7). Two slacked sandstones that hase a combined reseevoir presnaro. In channelbelt Z, log porositios exceed core poeouitiea by an
n 2-496 512-694 aveeage of 3.4 porosity unils in SF0 No. 2 end by 6.65 porosity esita is the Prairie
512-697 thickness 0612.6 m occae above. Sandstones ace sanable in thickness (1.5 to 5.4 m)
r 2.692 bol thicken opward. Madotones hove Ibicknesnes feom 1.2102.7 m. Significant shale Moot No. 1-A well.
S 2-596 breaks noted by the gamma-cay log al 8,254 and 8,200 ft (Fig. 7) are acloally layers The pOrotily map of chanselbolt B indicates that the thickest high-porosity
ït 12-497
.12-eon
of cloy rip-sp davIs with thickoesses of 0.15 and 0.6 m, renpeclisely. Channeln
scoured into the floodplain msdstoses and Ihn scour conlacls eec lined by clay np-ap
randulone occars in a prong-shaped oortkeast-nouthweat--orienled interval that lien
adjacent to the western asd eastern channelbelt margino (Fig. 10). Thickness nf
tv-655 clasts. Channel sandotones are dominantly planar cross-bedded. horizontally poroas sandstone decreases in Ihr vicinity of wells 12-199 aod 12.493 (SF0 No.2),
r2-499
S 12-896 laminated, and rippled. Some soft-sediment defoemation in appaeent. Ranted red and and thts trend continues to the nonlbweal through an area where the choonelbell width
gray floadplain madolones that cap the channel deposito farm reservoir seals and namrowa (node). The porosity-thickness value at well 12-798 indicates a porosity
S 12-095 vertical and lateral Said-flow barriers. Perosily-occluding quaelr cement asfments increase to the southwest of the nodal paint.
1 Mi the msdstone seals. Porosity Ihickness in channelbelt Z also is variable (Fig. 11). Thickest porous
Net-sasdslose maps foechannelbelt B, Zose 1, and cbannelbelsZ,Zonr4 (Figs. 10 sandstone occurs in Iwo lens-shaped areas that liete she nortkwenl and soulbeant of
2 KlO
and 11), depiel Ihevariable thicksessenand orientationvofthesechannel bells. There a poInt of brasching in the channel belt (ace ncr-sandstone map). A narrow norlheasl-
sandslones were deposiled by nameeous braided-to-meandering flavial channels thaI noulhwest-ortenlod trend of low-porosily sandstone separaten these two regionn. As
12.790 formed and migrated 6911km the 4.0 lo 9.6-km-wide channel belts. Channelbelt Z han In channelbelt B, a low-porosity area is preoont io a oaenom palor node in the channel
Exolanation SI 2.099
a oortheast-soathwesl orientation, whereas ehanoelbell B leends norlh-soath. Dolled bell (Fag. Il). Wtthtn the name chennelbels sandalose, decreased poronities et the
- Greater Than 35% Detleclion or e 12-093
I2-097 Sic-007 linen desole the appeosimate locations of Ihe channetbelt margin. chaunel nodes creale lateral barriers lowell commanicalion.
Gannena-Oay Corse Frani Shale Oasalioe
2-0O4 Wells in 140db Appleby field arc deitled on 640-acer spaciog, and the entent of Another aspect of reservoir qoality is shown by the deep-ersissivily () maps
individual channelbell nandstooes is sack that they can generally be coeeelated ines (Figs. IO and 11). Howard and Hunt (1906) hace shows that troditiooal methods of
A SF6 No.2 12-707
Well Lr000500 many aI 20 adjacent wells. Since prodactise sardsl000s enleod beyond the limits of log analysis Io evutuato light-gas saodslonen can be inadequate. The prodact of
Ihe study area (Figs. 14 asd 16), ills difficutl to deteemise meanisgfut thickness-to- porosIty uod waler nataralion gives the bulk-water volume of the mck (Asqoilh,
Sandstone Perforated
width relationships. In a oorth-soulh direction (parallel to deponilional dip), moan 1982). Therefore. the combination nf a poroas and tow-resistivily sandstone should
Con/Our lo/e/val = 5 Feel channel bells are continuous across the entire field (Figs. 15 and 17). One margin of be os iodivolion of a poor reservoir (high bulk-water selume; D. Luffcl, pers.
each channel belt is generolly present in an east-west cress section (parallel ta common.). Thon, the porosity and Rt maps give a qualitalise picture of the reservoir
depositional strike). Oropile the inability Io determine the posilioor of both quality oc potential in the Band Z channel belts. loterentingly, the resistivity trends
channelbelt macgins, some prediclions nf lateeal continuity based on sandstone thick- mimic the porosity and not-sandstone pallems. Boat reseevoir qanlity with e combi-
neos are possible becaase both margino of ehaenelbell Z eec present (Fig. 16). With sation of high porosity-thickness nod high rcsinlisity in developed in Iho widest
Fia. 13.-Net.sandstone map of a Facies 5 sandstone in Zone 1. This overbank an average thicknenn of 8.4 m aod width of 7.4 lan, channelbelt Z heno thicknesn-ta- poettons of the channel belts. Cumulative production data compared with the porosily
sandstone liesjaot below shannelbell B and ocoers between 8,290 end 8,297 fI (log width retieof 1,867. Otherchanoelbellsrange feom 5.7 509.6 min tbicknessasdhave and reacntrvrty mops generally agree that west prodadlion in from the thickest, porous.
depth; Figs. 7,14 end 1g) in well SFENo. 2. Thisoandstenewas perforated in well widths thaI enceed 5.6 to 8.0 km; thin sandstones are manI likely tobe more lateeelly and highly resistive intervals, bat becaase of the imprecise methods of reporting
11-399 from which 13r189 MaP of gao were prodneed. This well io now resteicled. loan obliqae orienlalion across channelbell C (Zone I. average lhickrlesn perforaliono and the practice of eeporliog production for an entire formation, theoe
abandoned. = 57m), the width is rqoal to approsimately 6.4 km. The enaclhoundary of braided comparisons csn be 0000idcred ooly appronimations.
channel belts is difficult to determine even in modem braided flasial environments
(Coleman, 1969); however, there dimensions agree well with meaonremenlo from the
CITIES SERVICE
STEWART CN0.1 AMOCO PRODUCTION CITIES SERVICE
AMOCO PRODUCTION
il-399 SA HOEDITCHANDASSOC RB McFadden Lee "E' Na i
o RS McFadden AMOCO PRODUC11CS4 AMOCO PAODUCI1O1I CITIES SERVICE
PRARIE PRODUCTION
Mast Na A-i
S FE. Ns 2
*
1 2-493
*
12-495
*
12-496
NW Hart Jr
12-597
B. Olount
12-5 96
0. Delaney
12-094 *
1 2-695
*
11-497
o * EXPNATION
FIoodplan
Ovenbonk Sandstone
Podora9ons
--
.-. Cored 11101051
-
In
VE. 264o
1u.-
Datum
.n
.
U A
1 0905 1.12 Ini. 053 05 0.8 076 Ini. 0.9 ni 1.4 Ini.
*
12-4 95
*
1 2-5 97
* *
1 2. 590
*
12-694 12-09 5
*
11-399 li-497 12-493
Datum
EXPLANATION
Floodplain
Ovarhank SafldstOfla
Cvanoslbnll Sandsiono
PorisiaSons
Corud InturAal
V.E 264o
1 O9ns, 1.12111i. 0.53 rrs. 0.0 no 576 05. 0.5 tri. 1.4 mi.
Fis. 16.Stratigraphic cross section A-A' illustrates the occurrence and are separated from each other vertically hy averbank deposits, and mudstunes
geometry ai channelbell sandstones in Zuna 4. Note the relative increase in interfingeeing with the chaunel deposit s result in some internal lithologic
multilateral fluvial channel sandstones in Zone 4 compared with those in heterogeneity. Erasionaljuslapasition ofdiscrete tensen is greater in Zone 4 Ibau
Zone t. The braided channethall.sandslone deposits reach masimum in Zone I, thus indicating a higher degree of channal scour und lateral migratiun.
thicknesses or 80.5ta t3.5 w, and their widths range from 5ta 8 km. Sandstunes Gamma.eay log curves are shown.
B B'
North
South Ocring Travio Peak deposition, fluvial Styles molDed from dominantly bed-load
braided systems near Ihr baso of the formation ta moro ftne-grained mixed-load,
PRAIRIE PRODUCTION fluvial syolems al Oso top of the formation. Paleogeographic rOconstractiono (Tpo,
PRAIRIE PRODUCTION RB. MoFadden
AMOCO PRODUCI1I RB. McFadden 1988) indicate that risiog sou level was the major proceso that caused a shift from
M Saner AMOCO POODUC31ON 12-49 7 braided bed-load to mixed-load Gavial uodimonlatioo. In odditior lo flavial chaogoo
Gas Unii No i
12-195
AMOCO PRODLCThY4
LE. Binant
SA HOLDITCH AND ASSOC.
5FF No.2
i 2-493
N.B MoFadden
1 2-495
1 2-492
* * io rosponse to sea level. Gavial stylos cao bocomo modified ¡na dowoslopo direction
and dariog basis evolution by variations io slope, sodimool load, baok resistance to
* 12-199
* * erosion, climate, or tcctonic regime (Miall, 1987). Channel bolts in the appor and
* lower Travis Peak are arranged multilaterally and cover 164km0. However, barasse
of lower Gavial gradients Ibas existed during lato Travio Peak depovilico, the
floodplaio mudssooes that separate upper Travio Peak channel bello are thicker and
more evtenvive than those in Ihr lower Travis Peak.
Flavial sheet-oandstooe reservoirs aro comprised ofahieraecby of channel deposits
that form sandbodios of varions dim005iono. Allen (1983) describes Gavial-
sandstone sheets in Iho Brownst0000 as hoieg composed of interlocking lenlicalar
compl050s. The dimensions of the Travio Peak channel bolts (average = 7.7 m
6.4 km) fall within the middle of the rangos described by Campbell (1976) and Maros
and nthees (1988). In the Travis Peak, secondary-channel contacts (Figs. SB, 16. and
Datum 17) arr recogoizoblo and coreetotablo on well logs and in core, and they imply the
partial reneespation of an earlier ekannol belt. These contacts are Ike nasise as the
third-oeder contacts described by Altee (1983). Chansetbelt eroecupation and bonis
EXPLANATION sahsidroce rosatI in their multilateral arrangement. McGowen and Gorree (1975),
Rust (1978a), and Beistow (1987) propose that the pvecenlage of fine-grained
Floodplain sediment present influences channel wigeation and therefore its steatigrapky. This
relationship is manifested somewbutby the greater vertical separation of ckannelbelts
Oaerbonir Sandstone A and B in Zane 1 than brtween the channel belts in Zoned; however, the lobent
migration of the channel systems thaI formed ckasnelbelts A, B, and C does not seem
Citannelbolt Sandstone to have boon inhibited by the presencv of floodplain modolnres. In oddition, Marzo
Pr ri o reilo n s
and others (1988) have demonstrated dial in a prosimol-to-dislal baRemo throvgk a
fluvial-Shoot sondsbane, saodstone asilo become moro individualized and
Cored Interval disconnected. A Similar decrease is vertical 000dstone cantinaity that was induced
by transgression of the Toavis PoAS Uavial deposits is evident in comparing Zonen I
Secondary Clrornel Soeur and 2.
Differences in fluvial drpssitional stylos probably have had little influroco on
SE-2645 variations io basiowido Travio Peak producAno t000ds. Upper Travis Peak sandstones
(Zane t) hone generally been considered to be more prolific thor those that are
slratigeaphicalty lower (Fracassa and others, 1988). This has barn attriboted ta u
slight decrease in porosity and permeability in the deeper sandstones doe to greater
quarts cementation (Dutson and Land, 1988). Although Ike drgree of quarte
064 nil. 0.8 tini. 062 1 22 Oli. 055 vi cementation increases with stratigraphie depth (Dulton and Diggs, 1988), cement
abundaeco in Ihr Travis Peak does not correlate with grain size, sorting, bed
thickness, or vodimentary slraclare (Dattos and Diggs, pers. commvo.).
Fm. 17.Neeth-xooth-.oeje64rd stratigraphie cross section B-B' of Zone 4. At the reservoir scalo. highest porosity within the channel belts in generally within
Croce section ¡s sobparallnt to drponitiooal dip nod illustrates the stacked aod Ito 1.5mal the channelbelt baso (Pigs. 7-9), and although so statistical correlation
vertically separate arraogement of channel belts. Note the geeater lateral esisls, Ihn f realevl thickeens of porous sasdstonv approximately follows the not-
cootiooily of Zooe 4 chaoorl hells compared with those is. Zoor I and Ihr Sandstone trends. Porosity relationships are complicated by the occurrence and
iocreased incideoce ofstacked chanoelbell sandstones that cee in direct contact. uneven dixtribuliOn of natural fractores that croate loculiaed regions uf high porosity
and peemeahility. Zone I sandstones are not as evlensivoly fractured as those in Zone
U
R23 R22 R21 ROO 919
ItT6
RIB RIT RIB RIS
T6
-- --ii
16 4
TE
. wJTI
TE
9
O
Fis. 2.Base map showing well logs, core control, townships (T), and rangen
(R). Each township measores5O km'. Approximate limit of sand deposition in
the so-called "Donvegan Della" (Berk, 1963) s shown in inset map. Oil fields ere
indicated with letters, B = Big,tone; S = Simonette; A = Ante Creek; W
Waskahigan; L = Letor; J = Jayar.
=
ARTA N___iI
---.-__
II:
59
57
56
I.... .
55
<\O a '' '':'
154
I 25w1 I
153
152
ONLY i
: L
UUU,:'"::'-i" 15I
i
I
although welt-developed shocateing-ohaped nandslenen were net noted. In shingleE3
ISOPACH ALLOMEMBER E 35
(Fig. 6) two major shoestring sands are uppaeent, associated with a rather irregular
serien of overlapping lohnt te the earl. Shingle £4 lien largely is the northwest nett
CONTOUR INTERVAL 5m comprises two nemewhat inrgatar lehen (Pig. 7).
The sandbody geometries indicated is Figuren 4 through 7 strongly nuggets dettaic
I I I
RÌ5W5
deposilional systems. Three major anal cemponeets cas be recognized on the maps:
R25W5
I) toben, 2) channels, and)) interlebe and interchannet aseas. The major charnels
Eso. 3.Lsopaeh of allomomber E shows that it in pod shaped and rarsges from (shoestring snodo) split iste a distributary channel network, which is lam feeds Ihn
20 to 65m in thieknrss. Doto indicate dota points. Sor test for discussion. depesitioeal toben and sub-lobes to the seulheast. Thin in especially prominent in
In this section, typical facies soccesnioss through allomember E are described and
inleepeeled. Disconnion of sirene facies successions helps to characterize the
SIMONETTE nodcmentaey processes that operate in the various cnwponesls of Ike depnsiliooal
CHANNEL systems oudined above. They also provide u basin foe interpreting the lateral facies
relationships, which are explored is talee sections.
Sevro commonly occurring vertical facies successions have bees identified in the
sediments of she Danvegan Foemotion (Bhottaclsurya, 1989a>. Facies successions 2,
4, and 7 characterize attomembee E. Favi es succession t represents the sandy deposits
of a wave-dominated shoreface butin not common in allowemberE (Bhatlachaeya,
1989a>.
liii! !o.iII
25miles oftendis thedella front. High-sedimensasionraten alar am naggentedhy Iheyresesce
i
I
T60 Jnterprrtarion.The basal lag is derived feom erosion of the underlying marine
sediments. The upward fiuing indicates a progressive decrease in ennegy, whereas Ihn
sedimentary stenctares indicate a predominance of unidieectiooal fawn. The absence
of wave-feetoed feuluren suggests a lack uf marino influence, although the presence
of eure Asrerosoeta burrows may herald the beginning nf marine influence toward the
4Q top of the facies succession. Facies saccnssion 4 in simdar to fluvial sandy channel
filIn described by Walker aud Carts (1984), although 500wariue mudntones weer nut
observed here, This example uf facies succession 4 is interpreted an a flaviatty
dominated distributary channel that fed the seutheastem tobes in shingle El.
The contact between the top of the sandbody and the oveelying marine shales
represents the truosgeessive surface that separates allowember D from ullomemberE.
Facies successions 5 and 6 represent upward-fining facies successions
characteristic of tidally influenced ettuarine systems and tidal-inlet facies in
the Duovegan Farmation (Bhattachurya, 1989b). These are earn tu absent in
T 55 atlemembee E.
i 25miIes
I I
GROSS-SANDSTONE ISOLITH o.
SHINGLE E2 Flu. 5.Groxn'nandstnne isolith map, shingle E2. Dots indicate dala peinlu,
CONTOUR INTERVAL 2m The 4.m enntnur shuwn three majes tubate nandbudirs, although they do nut seem
I I I
R20W5 R15W5 In hr assncialrd with prominent shoestring sands, The tebe io Ihr middle
R25W5 narroms opdip (northwest), where it is rended by the himonette nhassaet (shingle
EI, Figs. 14a and 14h),
i I 25miles
GROSS-SANDSTONE ISOLITh
SHINGLE Ep
I
o,
separated by a significant erosional surface la Ihn northwenl that underlies Ihr
Simonelle channel (El). Thin surface dips to the southeuul, where it evensually
becomes eosfortnablr with the lop of E2 (egal 2m in well 2.25-60.22). Sundstnoes
is shingle El are shown orlupping thin surface bolween melln 10.34-61-26 and
10-22-60-22.
CONTOUR INTERVAL 2m Numerous shaly interheds avene is the wells in the Bigslone orna. lo addition,
R20W5 R15W5
R25W5 sumeroon erosional surfaces are indicaled by mad rip-ap horizoss (e.g., well 14-16-
Fm. 6.Gross-sandstone isolith map, shingle E3. Dots indicate dass OintS. outheast narrow npdip into these shoestrings. Sob-lobes attached to the sides 60-21. Fig. 12h). The tentative ceerelalion of the shaly beds indicates lateral
The map indicates a major northwest-oriented shoestring sandstone n the of the southern shonstring may represent crevasse-splay deposits. eonlinaity of the xaodstonen of -201045km, as oullised rarlire. Coerelalion of Ihr
southwest and a second (but wider) shoestring farther north. Lohate sands to the miser erosion xuefaces was not atlempled and way imply a finer scale of lateral
The lack of in-nils eros tracen or coals saggruls tIrai shin porlien of Ihr El delta lobe
was deposited prrdominaollp nubaquroasly. TIse cemplon lateral freien relationships
and presence of osmerous overlapping sand lenses separaled by shale anita suggrsl
that depositi on was episodic. This may have been a result of flodlualisg discharge in
55
she Siwoorsto feeder channel or of swisching of the delta sah-loben. The shaly
interbedn probably represent significant permeability barriers.
R5W6 RIW6 Cross section CC' (Fign. 14a and 14h) illustrates the corrrlatioos ard facies
relationships ocrons the Simonette charnel (shingle El). The cross sections clearly
illustrate the chanreliord calare nf Ihr Simonette channel belwreo wells 14.35-62-27
and 6-9-63-26, where is cats into Ihr irregular upward-coarsening fasics suce rasions
50km prrserved in Ihr adjacent wells. Correlation of Ihr basal erosion surface indicates an
SSSS
Bhutlacharya Facies architecture of river-dominated delios 195
RIOW6 R 5W6
/ R25W5 R2OWS
containing mud rip-ups. The facies SUCceSSiOI55 in the adjacent wells (wells 6-35-62-
27W5 and 14-35.62.27W5, Fsg. 14b) are more similar lo facies succession 7. Thick
RI5WS sandstones arr completely absent in weil 14-35, although a cunde upwaed.cnarsnning
I I I
is seen in welt 6-35.
Cress sevens DD' (Figs. ISa and 15b) illustrates the correlations and facies
relalsenships in the delta-plain environments nf allomember E In the noethwest. his
oriented along depesitional strike and transects two chasuctized shoestring
sandstones. The El channel (Simonette channel) cats mie shingles £2 and E3 in welt
il-22-64-2 andin about 17 ai thick, althongh it ives rot cored in this well. The
T65 shoestring nandssnnr in shingle E3, indicated in Figure 6, in penetrated in meS 3-6-61.
4 (again, not cored). isis about 18m thick and indicates significant cension into the
distai portins nf a sandy lohn belonging lo shingle E4 (Fig. 15h). The southern edge
nf Ibis channel is cored in well 12-22-60-5 and is typical of facies succession 4. The
underlying erosional surface is correlated with a rooted ceuly horizon in the adjacent
well te the southwest (welt 12-7.59-5, Fig. tsb), although the channel ia no longer
present su this well. The channel in-5 tuns wide. anis aten indicated on the isolith map
(Fig. 6).
In addition to the mujer channels, Isenmueisn facien are aise present ut various
places uleng the cross section (e.g.. welts 12-7-59-5, 12.3 1-62-2, and 14.36-64.2,
Fig. 15h). The facies successions in the wells between these twe majnr chounetized
sandbodins arc irregular and arc similar to facies succession 7. Coirelaliens in the
middle nf the cross section shom that Ihr furies relatienships are comples and indicate
a high degere of lateral discontinuity sud intcrtongaing (Fig. 15h). Several
T60 interpreted deltaic lehrt cul by thin distributary channels are shown at vannas places
as the crnnn sectimt (e.g., melts 14-36.64.2 und 12.7.59.5, Fig. 15h). These lehen
pinch oat laterally.
- I 50km
25 miles
T 55
I) The sandbedy geometries (Figs. 4-7) arr similur to other nncieutard modern riser-
dominated dollan (e.g., Coleman and Wright, 1975, their Sg. IS-I). The highly
lobate to dtgttatc shape Of the sundbodies is altomcmbee E indicates that buninal
processes were insufficient Insignificantly redistribute delta-front sands.
2) Interpretation of the delta-freut lithofacies (facies succession 2) indicates z
R5W6 o predominance of flunial processes and high-sedimentation rates. The effects of
marine processes (e.g., storms and waves) is the interpreted delta-front sandstones
are low, und the sedimentary structures do not indicate a high dcgree of
[1 SHINGLE E sedtmentury er biotogical reworking. Some sedimeuln in the inleryrefed
Interdtntrtbnlzry.bay fills, however, away from the aneas of masimnm fluvial
SHINGLE E2 discharge, do show seme stonai and tidal influence, as might be espected.
c,00r-cradcs cuvaudo
prOmoI
p,sdelts O
D
at M 5cv
/prodelts/
it
Fsu. 9hCure photos from well l5-31-62-26W5 (1,924-1,937 m). A minor Ocb/oivv,PRO
marine.flooding surface marks tbe transition between E3 and E2. The sop of
hG MG9iRvc,
allomemher E (E arrow on right side of figuro) is indicated by a major wonne-
flooding surface marked by-lOom of hioturhated sandy mudstonr. Note well.
developed root traces (R) in cross-budded sandstones at the top of the upper
succession. See trot for further explanation.
a
Distributary
Channel
ea
EROSI
gasisa lug.2'
coi'
085
(t'
ts
,
0
re
1
$2
'
re'
re
I,"
sl M
t.
cè't'
q,t reO l
ci
BIGSTONE
'V
4,
up
re0
a,'SO
CU'S
,,t.
S
S
4,
na
4,
,
o
ir
cored
nterval
'About 100km >
I
A' Esa. 12a.WeIt tog crosS unction A-A', oriroted down depooitional dip. The
cross Section iS hung co the top of attomemher E and extends for -loo km. Alt
wetl traces are gamma logs. Verlicat lineo represent intervals shown in
b accompanying core cross section (Fig. 12h). Stipple ioicatessondstone. See
rigore 8 for location of cross section. Sen text for interpretation.
DATUM
meters
I0 FiG. 12h.Core cross section A-A', oriented down depositionat dip. The cross
section is hong on the top of attomembee E and entends for -80 km. The
nnpatterned areas in welts 10.22.65.22, 2.25.60.22, und etsewhere indicete
interpreted tithotagy from wetl.tog patterns where core data were miosing.
5 Correlation between the Simonette and Bigstone areas soggests that the sands
are not continuons sheets. The internat stratigeaphy of the dettaic sandbodies
indicates many skate breaks, The sands are tocalty cnt by channels (e.g., welt
14-6-63.26). Wett 2.25 ties with cross section B-B' (Figs. l3a and 13b), whereas
O
wett 4.8 ties with cross section D-D' (Figs. ISa and 1Db). See Fignre 9e for facies
legend. See text for fnrthre esptanation.
Bigstone
.Dutum
i
meters Chsarroel.Thc mosl distinctive fealuro of Ihr Danvrgan della-plain facies in the
60 major, crosively based. chanseliecd sandsloorn. The Simonctto channel wan
ebsereed lo bifurcate dowsdip. indicating that is wan probably the trunk stream thaI
fed the dislribnlary-ctsaosel setwork associaled with the Bigulone delta. tt is possible
lo estimate the original chassel paleomorphology. Masimum probable channel
40 depths can be rslimated from the sandstone thicksesnen, which range np lo 18m io
shoestring sandstones of allomember E. Sandstone midAn are more likely to reflect
rho width of paleorivee valleyn (or meanderbelt width) rather than Ihn actual channel
w:
(or thalweg) widlh, andin the Duovegan are usually -5km or less. The channels hase
20 baro traced for lengths of up to 70 km. Facies successions Ihrough Ihr obassels
indicate a sandy upward-fining association. Mad-filled channels, or csluarmne facies,
are relatively uncommon in the river-domioatcd deltaic systems of the Dunvngan
0 Formation bel were soled io places. In an euploratioo coolest, these chasneln,
especially where they cul iota muddy, older, interlobe areas and where they are
overlain by tranngresnive marino mudstones, represent the most attractive exploration
cored targets. Oil and ganare produced from channnlized sandstooes in the Simooettr area
interval (Fig. 2).
< About 75km > Scale arid Comparison with the Miooiooippi Delta
B e0.22w5 2-25 0O-22W5 32560 22W5 I6.r.6I.22w5 B' Pto. 13a.Well log cross srction B-B oriented along strike through shingle
El (Bigstone tobe) and hnng on the top of atlomember E. The top of shingle E2 Probably the best stuthed of all modem river-dominated deltas is Aal of the
defines a hroad vuttey.shaprd depression into which the sediments of the Mississippi. The river-dominated nature of D005egan drpooitional systems io
b meters allomember E merits comparison with Ibis system.
Bignlone lobe (shingle El) are deposited. The El sandstones onlap the sides of
this "vatley" Note the composite Balare of sandstones io shingte El. See test Cor Io Figure 8. the oullinro of naodbndies io alt of the shingles arc oupesmpooed,
farther esptanation. See Figure 13h for cored intervals. Wett 2.25 ties with A-A showingarelatisely tom degree of overlap. Figmr 18 shows amap of the deponitionat
(Fig. 12). See Figure t for locatioo of cross section. Iobns of the Misnissippi drlta plain deposited mithin the last 6 ka (after Frazier, t9h7)
suprnmposrdovrramap of the study area Thnarealestentofdeltacompteses within
the Mississippi iv similar lo the areal esImI of dettes in Ihr Dunvegun and averages
-1,500 tan5 (compare Fig. 8). mete aro seme similarities belmeon the thicknesses of
some of the older shoal-mater deltas of the Mississippi end those of the Dunvegan.
The thickness of the Teche delta comptes (including prodelta sholes) averages
BIOSTONE LOBE
between 10 and IS m (Penland and others, 1987), which is comparable to the
thicknesses of lohale portions of shingles E2 andE3. The Bigolono delta. so contrast,
lies furthest seaward of any delta complen in the Dunvegan Its sandhody geometry
and lateral sod vertical facies relationships arr the most similar to bar-finger sands of
Fto. 13h.Core cross section B-B', oriented along strike through the Bigstoae the modere Mississippi (Fisk. 1961), reaching 30 m in thickness, and may reflect
lobe (shingle El). Blank areas in wells 7.11-60.22 and 2-25-60-22 represent depositioo io deeper waler (Le, 30 m) than any other delta in the Dunvegan
lilhnlogy interpreted from the well-log trace where core data were unavailable. Fortoation.
Delta-front sandstones are interpreted as thinning toghe norlheast as they onlap The sodimools of allomemherE comprise -50% sandstone The Mississippi detta-
the valley defined by the lop of shingle E2. Arrows indicate upsnard.coarsening front deposita, io cootrast. comprise -75% mud and sillslone and -25% sandstone
I
facies successions, typical of facies succession 2, Note abundance of soft. (Fish, 1961). The Mississippi River transports ooly -19% fine-and nery fino-grainrd
sediment deformation features and mud rip-up horizons and the lack of sandstone (Wright, 1985) Shifting distributary chunnels io the Duovegan probably
ABOUT IOkr'r> hummonky cross-stratification or wave-rippled sandstones in all of the wells. deposiled considerably more sandstone and produced more widespread sandbodies,
Cross section hung en the top of allomember E. See trot for further esplanatisu which appear more similar ta the shari-mater deltas of the Mississippi delta plain
and ser Figure 9a for facies legeud. (penland and vIbres, 1987: thlioll, 1986) These differences in nundbody geometry
L
O is tectonically indoced basin nobsidener (Bhallachnrya, 1989a). This contrasts with
the ruslalicatly driven changes in Ihr Missisnippi delta plain intcrprrlrd by Penland
r
and others (1987).
roe
/ Thin siudy han divided the Dasvegnn Formation into a necios of ssccessively
smaller intervals. Allomembers and shingles erpreseni genetically related
heireotithic sedimentary packagen bouodrd by physical narfaces reyrewniing timen
of nondeponition 0e erosion. Farther suMisision of the shingles is based on the
recognition of broadly cootigsous liihofacien assemblages, which are interpreted in
ienns ofnpecificcoinponrols inariver.dominateddelsaicdrponitional system. These
components are noi interpreted as being distinctly separate, and for the most pant
probably have gradational boundaries, as suggested in Figaw 16. The cancepl of
Ftc. l4b.Cnre cross section C-C' across the Simonette channel (shingle El). boandreg surfaces as osilined by Miau (1988) may therefore noi he applicable in
Blank regions in svelto ll-5.63-26W0 und l.g-63-26W5 represent lithology designating these Islhofacies assemblages as architectural comyenests ne elements.
.EABoul 5kw > interpreted from the well-tog trace where core data were unavailable. Cores In addilion, many of the subdivisions made in this siudy at the altomomherand shingle
through the channel in wells 7-6.63.26W5 und ll-5-63-26W5 show typical type scalo are bused on flooding narfacns and nel nrosiooal surfaces, as is more commos
4 facies successions, Irregular facies succession in well 14-35.62-27W5 is typical in fluvial deponitional syntems. Thene sorfaces are at the name scale as the fifth' and
of interdistribulary and inlerinbe arras (facies succession 7). Upward- ninth-order surfaces defined by Miall (1988). Farther archilecineal subdivision has
coarsening and upward-fining facies successions are indicated with arrows. The nOlbeen alirmyted in thinsiudy, although ii may bepennihle in nome ofihepeoducing
cross section is hung on the top ofallomember E. See test for further explanation pooln within ihr Dunvegan. A final summary of the orchiirciueul asd allostiatigeaphic
and see Figure 9a for facies legend. hierarchy of oeils recogniord io this study follows:
Co,a,rard vn page 206
Bhattacharya Facies archilcctnre of river-dominated deltas 202
D'
D
st
a
DATUM
40
30
20
I0
o
Cored interval
< ABOUT 100km
Fm. isaWell-log cross section D-D', oriented along strike. The cross section
io hung on the top of altomembrr E and extends for a length or-100 km. Alt welt
tracen are gamma togs. See Figure 10h for cored intervals. This cross section
penetrates predominantly restricted marine to delta-plain sediments of
allomomber E. Channels are seen at different stratigraphie levels, and two are
prominent in nllomember E (coarse stipple): E3 in well 3-6-61-4, and Et in well
11.22.64-2. The latter is correlated with the Simonette channel to the sontheast
(Fig. 4). See Fitner $ foe location of cross section. Well 4-t-63-2 ties with A-A'
(Fig. 02).
DATUM
DELTA LOBE
CHANNEL
4NON MARINE
LOBE LTH
About 65km- Fo,. 15b.Core cross section DD, oriented along depositionat strike. The
facies relationships between the two major channels (El and E3) are complex and
indicate inDIting of shallow inleedistriholary-hay environments. Blank regions
in the wells indicate that the lithotogy has been interpreted from welt logs io Ihr
ahsence of roer dala. See text for discussion. See Figure 9a foe focies legend.
Prodelta shules
Pnodelto and interdeltaic sandston
Dello-tronI und thstribctary sundslo
DuIto plum
AIIavial plain
T 150km I
o
SHINGLE E2 SHINGLE Ei
PALEOGEOGRAPH Y
SHINGLE Ei
MARCO ROVERI
buleto pro la Geologia Marina,
CNR, VAt Zareahoeti 63,
40127 Bologna, Italy ... ............ ............
AND
GARY NICHOLS
Depw'tttsetat o/ G0]dogy,
Royaal Hollotetay taed Bad/tod Nate Collage,
Vtticoroity of London. .-..o' .
in Getane They a0000alated chatee] to the nety steep mangos of l.stno.tao]t Hooka. The delaale Raised beaches and terraces
cemp]rnrs tessin. at nerv think )tgto 700 w) keetet package, that pata into cettoatart sesta.
n tien, pasa teto thin-bedded t,,tbidite,. Topee] deposits are wet pensatorI sad sto the keys to
it]eepretieg the tan-delta bodies in set]ntectnenl treats The feomee,, pattern u dnc,stnd o tennis ot FIG. 1.Thn GnIf of Corinth with the major ntosaeteaoal fralssres of the Foreset beds Kerinitis
eeenmmcds500, Isst ,a the netted] trite nu de anulable lot the s,dinteatsttna. lettere three ja an
urna. The faeatioa.n of Figs. 2 and 3am shown. Fan Delta
s000,nmdast]On, the topan] enneroantent i, bypassed sed. geoneta]oa]ly. toptap botndaeies tintine With
Topset beds System
,tceeasing snton]modat]oe, float,] ogset testa ste tnee.ed; they pass dnsndip teto the torete] Orda. A]
htghen at]onmndehne saIsis. ]eaangeeastoe depnstta atete. If anenmnateantio, a ton 598. the
I- Fault
0
]annttgresaiee sediments see droented sed teee,et bett, toen ne top. Calcareous basement Paleocurrent
INTRODUCTION
FIG. 2.Geological sketch nf the Kneitaifis fmi-delta synt cm. Fur location
The Gulf of Corinth Basin in southern mainland Greece s an extnnstonai bastas see Fag. 1.
related to late Neogene to modern nxtension in Ihn Aegean region (Ftg. 1). Ono of
the ment stoilting features of this basin is Ihn pretence of steep margins on winch
Gilbert-type fan deltas accumulated during the Pleistocene and which are still Conglomerate of Ori and Roved, 1987, and thn Crats Basan deltas of Colds, 1908) show changes in gradient between the river ansade Ihn valley and the delta sarfaco. that trends approximately east-west perpendicular to the compressive tectonic strike
forming loday (Brooks aad Freentinos, 1984). There is a remarkablo similarity delta bodies am stacked one on top of the othee; they are the results of repeated The examples of fan deltas in the Gulf of Corinth are thy result of very rapad and of the Hdllenides. The basin is pan of a sot of major fusIls and basins related lo
between the oidor fan-detta bodins and those forming today (Ferestinos and small movements on the faults. Fan deltas can be confused easily wnth the bratd dramatic movomente of the faults that provided the steep scary agamsl winch the Aegean extension, which affecled the whole Hellonic peninsula (McKenzie and
others, 1988): they oit consist mostly of geavel-sizo deposits and form bodies that deltas which, together with f nn deltas, form the family of coarse-gramed deltas Gilbert-type fan-delta bodies dovefoped (Fig. 5). Jackson, 1986). Tho major faults of the Gufi of Corinth Basin ace located an Ihn
ruhend ont inlo deop water (np te 700 or 800 w deep). The older fan bodies have (MePhorsan and others, 1997). Braid deltas do not show thr charactenstacs of a fan: The aim of this paper is to show the ieternal and external geometnes of these sonthern tide; on the northern side only small antithetic faults occur (Fig. 1).
brou nplif ted and their topant beds are now at 600 to 1,200 at above sea-level a few they ave not ocmi-circular in shape, they do not show sharp changes w gradient, and large.scale fan deltas and to relate thom lo relative changes of the sea level Entensionat fnniting has been active tinco the Miocene. Ploisloccue fan-delta
they are geneeatly not formed against tnaeginal faults (On and Ricei Lncchi, 1983). peodneed by either tectonic or eustatic effects. deposits (the subject of this paper) are uplifted apto 1,500 n above oca level in the
kilometres feom the present-day ooastlinn (Ftgs. 2 and 3; Oes, 1989). Tho exposed
Fae deltas aro alluvial-las bodies which boild oat into a standing body of water, hanging wall of the master faults (Fig. 6). The bade fleer in the Gulf of Corinth is
toenset beds form single ants of cross-stratified gravels np 10784 an thick (Pig. 4).
and the dettaie deposits of the Gulf of Corinth show many of the fn.nftsres that GEOLOGIC SETFING peesently np to 800 w doep.
The large-scal e Gilbert-typo deltas of the Gulf of Corinth are the sedimentary
peodaot of streng extensional mevemenls prndnoang steep fault scaeps ninth vnry characterize lose fan-deltas: 1. when free to expand laterally, they show a fan The Miocene to Pleistocene deposits of the southern side nf the galt can be splil
morphology in plan view; 2. they ame fnrmed agamst margsnal faults; and 3. they The Gulf of Corinth is a deep half-gonbera basin, Miocene to Hotoonne n age, into two cycles, corresponding to two tectonic photos (Gel, 1989). Tho deposits of
high displacements. In other onamples of Gilbert-type deltas (ng., the Motnora
r
DERVENI
IJIII
Foreset
ij FAN DELTA
ini:::: 'rse''''
BOttOrrrset J SYSTEM
Ist pirase
deposits
M MAVRON A: Slacked bodies B : Siegle body wtlh complex iopsel beds
Caloarrous basornnnt
Locus Leous Erosion Deposition
of erosion et deposition
FIG. 3.Geolegir map of the Evrostiai and filas faa-delta systems and the
odjoitsiag arco. Cemparr the dimensions of the andraI faa deltas with the
snbaereul porteous of modrea fan deltas, Por losrotioa sor Fig. t.
the first cycle consist of alleviaI ned shnllow-watrr (lacasleiee to maeiee) deposito.
Fas-delta systems formed dsniag the seoond cycle of deposition, which iecledes all
characteristic of Gilbert-type fan deltas is Ihe tripartite atsoriation of lopset-f ornent-
bottomed sirotaI palIeres (Figs. 4, 6). This geometric lentece depends on the Seoeral fault
L II
the Pleisloeeee fats deltas ned the modere Gilbert-type delta sodimeets (Ftg. 1). preseeco of morphoingie steps atad ne abuodaet seppi y of flaviatifr coarte-graieed
These deposits are coeLrolled ned affectent by two sets of Inulto 1. the major deleites. The dimeesioet of the delta, atad, is particular, the thickness of the sets are R Fault Fault
estcasioenl fanils, parallel to the basis aals, which gave eine ta listric blocks dippieg controlled by ihn height alike tmderlyiog step.
lattdwaed ned agniast which the fas-della bodies lie; aed 2. Iraesfer fatdtn, almost The step con be produced basically by two mechanisms: sea (lake)-levet rises, or
perpeedicitlac to the majne faalts, which formed blocks titat acted as latoral melt movemeats, le the case of the Gilbert-type deltas of the Gulf of Corioth, the FIG, 5.Comparison hermosa typical Gilbert-type della complaces, with
coelmemeets foe the delta systems. considerable thickness of the foretell is the delta compleses isdicatos that fault vertically-stacked fomento, and the Gilberttype deltas related to large-
movements were the mechanism for the formatioe of the step (Fig. 5). However, amplitude fault mosnmrnlu.
SEDIMENTARY FACIES the isteenal morphologies of each faa-delta body form architeelural paeeres that
cae be attributed to base-insel changes an a scale which could be the result of
Gilbert-type deltas have boce recogeized te noverai envirosmeets aed structural either iecionic or rustatic effrois.
tcttiegs (Nemeo ned Steel, 1988)r they may noose is hikes or is sens, sed they are This paper is based oe the siedy of fose Gilbert-type delta systems is the Gaff of
usually associated with esiesdoeni ee strike-slip faaltiag. However, the mais Corinth (Ilias, Evrostim, Akeata, Fig. 3; nod Kerioitis, Fig. 2). However, many other
Ori, Roveri, and Nichols Architecturai pallore of large-scab Gilbert-iype delta deposits 208
similar examples are observable at the southern rim of Ike gulf. The Eveoslins tan- insolviog cohesiontess-debeis flow dominated by laminar-shear and dispersive-
detto system (Fig. 6) is a very well-exposed Pleistocene sequence that preserves its pressure effects.
oeiginat somi-eircntar shape. The top is flat and is composed of lopset beds, which
are al person! 1,200 m above sca level. The Olas system is less weil exposed, but Bettorrseet beds
contains a thick saquease of distal lnrbiditic deposits. The Keeirntis fan-detto system
is well exposed in a valley section and shows detailed internal geometries which, Betlomsel strata arc nearly liorizentat stud are beth thicker bedded (t-5 m) and
anforlueatety, are ditticult lo observe because of the iaaceessibility of the oatcrops. coarser than the foreset beds. Cenglomeeates occur in facies similar te those
The Akoal.n fan-detta systems are younger and eau be divided into a nnmbee of occurring in Ihr forcsets, except fee she presence of massive beds, more than 3 m
subsystems of different ages; the youngest subsystem is still active and the peeseol thick, of organized conglomerates. Frequently, large scours filled with
feedre riere is dissecting the uplifted older subsyslems. conglomerates and sandstones are observed. These scenes are 5 to 100 m wide and
Alt the fan-detta systems show taege-srair iuctincd stratification eangiog in lIetO m deep and arr eloagaled parsOn! to the puteotlow.
thickness teem 100 m 10700 n, and averaging around 500 m. The thinner sels ace The thickness of the strata, the coarseness of the doposils midi rnspect to the
in the Akeala tan-delta, which aecretest oea shallow-water platform fee a part of its foreset beds, and the scour fcatnres snggnsl deposition as a result of a dramatic
history. decrease in the hydraulio energy. This hydranlic change cerersponds te the change
of siepe angle at the base of foresets. The presence el large soeurs in the
Topaet bede boltomsels is probabty dur to the erosion produced by the very fast-moving
cneeents flowing down the teertet, as observed by Prier and Bernhotd (1009) in
Basically, Iwo types of topsel facies can be recognized 1. poorty organizes! and modern cearse-grained deltas (obste channetn).
poorly sertes! sediments, and 2. well-stratified und modeentety welt-sorted deposits.
The rost type consists of ctast-snpported conglomerates arranged in strata 1-2 m OE0McTnY
thick with eeotional bases. The stratification is laterally discontinuons und forms
concave-np lenses. The sediments ace mederalety to poorly sorted, and extensive The Gull of Corinth fan deltas arr remarkable becaase of their targe size. The
imbrication indicates pateoflow toward the gull in all cases. This taries is dettate compleuns are several times thicker than any other Gilbert-type delta
interpretes! as a flaviat-channet fill in a braided-stream environment. The second described (Fig. 5). Overall, the fan deltas were constructed by the vertical
taries consists of well- to moderately-sorted conglomerates and sandstones. aggradation of topsot and bottomset strata coapind with the lateral progradatian of
Slratificalion is horizontal and single beds show gradational contacts, tu pteces, tow- the foresel (Fig. 4). Thus, single fan-dette bodies may be thicker than the set of
angle wedge-shaped cress-stratification occurs. This facies is interpreted as fluvial inclined stratification in the foreset. Unforlimately, the contacts between the earliest
gravels reworked by marine-wave action in shoreface-to-toreshore settings. deposits of an individual delta and the substratum are not well exposed in most et
Gradations between the two facies are observobte in a few places with the fluvial the deltas examined. Where the contact is trou, a esegutsrrccio eau be observed at
deposits underlying the wave-reworked sediments. the boundary, a chaotic accumulation of large blochs that probably termed dnring
Minor (as far as the volume of sediments is concerned) facies also associated the early stages el faulting (Fig. 4). Foreurs beds, and in places bottomed strata,
soldi the wave-reworked sediments includo- I. stractureless etayny saadslone with rest directly en these deposits.
oysters and barnacles in life position, interpreted as tagoonat deposits accumulated The toreset thickness in the early stages of the evolution et a detta can be
in abandoned arcas or during teensgeessive periods, end 2. single sots of relatively deduced only is the Eveectini lan-delta syslem. te lles case the set thickness can be
tow-angle (less than 16') inclined conglomerates. seen lo be more lIsas 400 w. This indicates that the downlantting associated with an
individual Gilbert loreset was el the ordre el 400 es in this case. The youngest
Foreort bedo feretrI strata preserved in the Evrostini fan delta forma single set 700m thick (Fig.
6). An increase in the thickness of the sets has beco obsorved aise es Ihr Olas and
Foreset beds underlie the tepset bodies and extend taterully far beyond the Kerirntis systems. The topsrt unit is very thick in the Eerestiui system (ap to 500
mappable limits of the topsel beds (Fig. 3). The foreset beds dip at angles apse 35' m) as a result of the vertical aggradation et subaerial deposits dnring contienous
in the upper part, diminishing downdip te merge with the nearly horizontal subsidence. Other lan-delta systems have very thick tepsot deposits, although it is
Fies. 6The Eveostini faa-delta system topoet strata rest at 1,000-1200 bottomsel beds. These ore particularly well shown in the Eveostini fan delta (Fig. not possible lo demenstralr their exact thicknesses.
w above sea level, whereas bottomset beds are at 500 m above sea leve!. 6). Single feeeset beds are 30 te 100 cm thick and are composed of organized The topset deposils are composed et a nnmber of stacked bodies separated by
Changes of dips m the foresets are dne ta the lateral migration of flavia! conglomerate with minor sandstone. The conglomerate ts imbeicated with Ike 'a' major erosional boundaries or stratigraphie discontinmties (Figs. 7-10). In contrast,
channels on the delta top and are flot connected to neconformities within the anis parallel to pateottew. tnverse and normal gradsug are common and the strata the loersel and bottemset deposits do not coetain disceutinuities and are the result
topset beds. display stighdy erosional bases. Backsots, i.e the form of 10- le 40-cm-thick sets of of wore continuous sedimentation (Fig. 12). Fluvially dominated lepscl facies are
apslope-dipping cress-strata, are very commoe within the foersets. These bachsets organized into tequrnces bounded by wave-reworked deposits (Fig. 7). fa the
are considered lo be formed by depesitionat sliplaces magealtag u the ap-flow Kerirntis fan-delta system the only major diucootinoily in the toreset is e huge
direction, in much the same way as antidanes migrate and accrete in upper-flow slnmp scar filled with stratified conglomerates (Figs. 9, ti). This slump soso does
regime conditions. nel correspond to a major discontinuity surface, but is attributed to earthqaahe
The characteristics of these foresel gravel beds indicate that the mechanism of activity.
the transportation and deposition of the gravel ou the steep delta dopes was one Ftavialtopset deposils are considered te have been deposited when deltaic
Ori, Roveri, and Nichols Arcititectorul paIlero ef large-scale Gilbert-type della deposits 209
[_,,
.m..*.
N_......
A
Transgiessice
deposits
Transgressor
deposits
agtieri
B
progradatioo was motched by vertical accretioo. They are usually seen to pass
downstream iuto the foresets as eontussoao bedded ooits (Figs. 7, 8A). Wave-
reworked deposits, os the other hand, do sot pass directly oto foreset lacios, but
are usually truncated by later topset und foresct strata (Figs. 7, 8B). These
relationships, and the wave-dominated facies, ssggest depositioo daring
traosgressive events.
Gdbert-type della compleses mimic, ou a smaller scale, busio-margio Fus. 8.Topsut - formel relationships. A. Topant brai n passing seaward
sedimentary wedges; the steatal configuration and general geometry are simïar to (murhed by areown) into foresut beds. Thin is a typical feature forming
simplified pictures of progradiug continental maegiss sees in couventiosat seismic- during vertical aggeadatiou (Evrostini tau-delta syntem). B. A tranngrensivn
reflection profiles. On this basis, we will try to apply some et the coeeepts and surf ncc cutting foreset beds and overtain by traungresnive deposits. The 'X'
trehniques of seismic sequence steatigeaphy (Vail 1987( to define the architecture of indicates foroset butin above trauagrrsuive depositn (lilas fan-delta system).
these detta systems.
Topset beds are considered to be of greatest sigeifieaoee in this approach
because here the variable factors that interplay daring the growth of the whole
system leave their majcr imprints. Unconfoemities, lateral facies changes and
verttcal stactaug aceangemeuts can be observed in the lopset beds, but urn not
recognizable in the equivalent foreset und bottotnset strata (Figs. 6, 7(.
Transgeessive and regressive events (wlevee the caoses( produced a variety of
facies aud geometries in the topset, whereas in the deeper parts of the systems
(foreset and bottomset(, these events did oct baer au appreciable impact ou
sedimetstation. Re-sedimeotatios on the fronts of the modern Gilbert-type dekan in
the Gulf of Corinth is toiggered by earthquakes, rather than other factors
Costisued or, puar 213
Ori, Roveri, and Nichols Architectaral paltere of large-scale Gilbert-type delta deposits 210
FIG. 9Photomoic (A) olId Iho drowh. (B) of the Kenmijo fo.. delto
tyotem ohowi..g topoet to foretet fociet. For loelion eee Fig. 2.
aa......a.**SSSSSM
Slump scar fill Bounding surface
'II Bedding
Paleoflow direction
Fig.l 1
'i
1lF
Major erosional
surf.ce (1)
- Fig. lo
Ori, Roveri, and Nichols Architectural pattern of large-scale Gilbe ype delta deposits 212
(Fereetinos and others, 1988). The key to aodersfanding Ihn topsef dyo.nmios seems
to be the coacept of accommodation (Posanscntier and othoru, 1988), that is, the
vertical space made available by rotative rise of the base level (in oar ease the vea-
level) above a previous depositiooal surface.
Changes is accommodation clearly depend osa comber of variables sock as local
tectonics, regional subsidence, eustatic changos, and sediment rnput and compaction,
aed the interplay of fhese is still poorly known. The aecommodatson carve for o
particular case is the only objectivr parameter available and should be used as the
basis for further interpretation (Fig. 13). A simple interpretativo approach can be
used to assess a single variable as the cod member of a coutinaum interplay. la our
approach, the facies architecture wilt br considered in relation to changes in
accommodation, the oeil of which is the vertical spare added m a Otee mlervat. A
high accommodation rate corresponds to o period of vertical accretion by fluvial
deposition on the topset, il there is sufficient sedimrat input to match the rato of
transgression (Figs. 7, 8A, to. 13). If vertical spare is not added, but progradation
still occurs, aondepositioeal or erosional surfaces arr formed m the topset and
toplap terminations of thr forest units occar (Figs. 7, 88, 13). When the
accommodation rate is low, lransgeessivr drapes cache formed (Figs. 7, OB, 14).
So far, we have discussed depositionat events, and have not taken into account
the drgeadational phases. Dugradational phases are rare in the Gulf of Corinth
Gilbert-type deltas and usually occur at the end of the life of the dettas. In these
cases pateovatleys are entrenched on the top of the delta. Only one degradational
event has bren recognized in the Evrostini fan-delta body. The paacity of strong
degradationat evento io probably doe to the very high regional subsidence.
Oar esamples show different architoclural patterns dint eau be correlated with
accommodation curvos. To interpret these curves we have chosen two end
members oval trctonism and eustasy (Fig. 13). Eustasy has bees rroogntard as u
major factor in the production of spare available for sedimentation (Fosamentier
and Vail. 1980); local tectomsm is also important, especially in an area such as the
Gulf of Corinth, where frequent earthquakes cae produce al least t m of vertical
displacement on a singlo fault. Sediment inpat and regional subsidrnre are
censidered to be steady and uniform throughout the time. The rost assumplion s
justified by the observation that the relief oldie source areas (partially inherited by
the earlier building of the Hrllenides erogenic belt) remains remarkably ugh m
spite of tens of meters of changos in base levels.
Several basic configurations of the topset beds can be recognized n the Gulf of
Corinth deltas. These are, of course, only a few cases ruleapolatesl from the large
number of stratal configurations present indie four Gilbert-type deltas rnvrsltgated.
The example in Figure l4A shows a slow accommodation rate (It . T)
wilnossod by an aggradation of flavial deposits, followed by a sadden mcenaue ('17.
P) in accommodation due to a marier transgression. The toed aocommodatton is
given by the thickness of lransgeessive deposito plus the height of the loresel
produced in the regressive phase. This configuration could be due to t. a local
tectonic phase, which caused an enhancement of the regional subsidence, followed
FIG. 10.A single deltaie body from the Kermitin fan-della system (see
location on Fig. 9) Foreset beds (F) pasu upward mto topsct aggrading
deposits (TA) composed of fluvial facies accumulated daring progeadation
stages. Topset deposits composed of wave.reworked facies (T) were
accumulated later during teansgeessive events. Note the erosional base at the
bottom of these deposits.
Ori, Roveri, aod Nichols Architectural pollero of large-scale Gilbert-type delta deposits 213
*aNaNm.. by a rapid return lo normal, regional subsidettee valons, or 2. slow sea-level rise
followed by a still stand.
fo Figure 14B, a fast arcononodation rate (T' - Ta) follows a stillstand phase (To -
T') with sediment bypavsiotg and a consequent formation of toplap terminations.
Dnrmg the T' - P phase, flavial deposits aggrude above the bypass surface, and
pass into nearshore and starved shooelacn doposits. As in the previous esample, fast
progeadation (T' . T') twvues at the end of the accommodation increase. The
architeceaeal pattern can be explained by 1. a shorter and stronger tectonic phase,
or 2. a very rapid sea-level rise.
The case shown in Figure 14 is similar to the previoas cases. The major
difference is the upper regressive phase (T' - T'), which is characterized by
accommodation and conseqncnt topsel aggradation. lodging from the development
of the latest lopsct beds, this can br explained by 1. a tectonic phase with a gradaal
waroeg or 2. a long-toron ecstatic oscillation.
la the example shown in Fifxee t4D, accommodation (T' - T') follows a
stillstand phase (15 - T'). Thick aggradalional lluvial deposits characterize the lopxet
beds. The bypass surface is related lo a time ixtcrval (T' - P) in which thero was
no accommodation formed dneiag topsot aggeadalion, and corresponds to toplap
termination in the distal part of the system. The architectural pattern may be
explained by either t. small tectonic pulses, or 2. short-term eaxtatic oscillations.
CONCLI)SlvtNs
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FIG. 11.A hirge-main slump none (Y, oreown show the bouc) un the
forennt of the Kerinitin fno-delLu system (son loention ou Fig. 9).
Ori, Roveri, and Nichols Archilecloral pallere of large-scale Gilbert-type delta deposits 214
KERINITIS FAN DELTA
B (Eastern Area)
A
C
-- Bedding (foresets)
- Base of sequences
Topset deposits
Ori, Roveri, and Nichols Architectural pattera of large-scale Gilbert-type delta deposits 215
/urrrcsc000anN
H!
Vrac, sotad eu,, et
Dllflco Su Su
FIG. 13.Schematic reconstruction and interpretation of the eyclicity of foresef pattern and loplap relationships) are duo to the lack of space
the Gulf of Corinth fan deltas. Regional subsidence is considered steady and available for the vertical accretion. Tranegressive events (with the formation
an interpretation eau be made using two end-member controls: tertonism of wave-rewnrked topent strata) are prodneed when * large amount of space
and enstasy. However, the eyclicity is considered to be the product of was added. See the variability of these patterns in Fig. 14.
changes m accommodation. Regressive events (with the formation of the
ososo :c.scc':
roc
REFERENCES
Berces, M., axe Feoe,trrocs, G., 1984, Teetoaics oed sedimrntotios io the Gulf of
Corinth and the Zatcyuthos and Kefatinio chausels, western Greece:
Tect000physics, y. liSp. 25-M.
Posao,ovros, H.W., Jeeves. MT., ase VoR., P.R., 1988, Esslatic coulrols on clastic
depositiots t - Cooceptotat framework, io Wilgsx, C.K., Hastings, B.S., Kendall,
C.G.St.C., Posameetier, H.W., Ross, CA., and Voto Wagoner J.C., cdx., Sea-
level changes: an integrated approach: Society of Economic Patoontologisls oed
Mineralogists Special Publication 42, p. 109-124.
0.5e Vas,, P.R., 1988, Esstatie eootrots os elastic deposition H - Seqaetsee
h
Core, s, A., 1988, Faoll-eoolrollrd marine Gibert-lype fao delios: Geology, y. 16, and Systems tract models, in Wilgus, C.K., Hastings, RS., Keedall, C.G.St.C.,
p- 1031-1034. Posamrotirr, H.W., Ross, CA., and Van Wagoner J.C., eds., Sea-level changes: .53
Feucosysos, G., Parasoeoc000u, G., aso Cosceo, MB., 1988, Sedimeet traosporl and oo mtegcotrd approach: Society ofEconomic Paleontologists and Mineralogists
processes On ao active ssbtearine faalt escarpmenl of an asymmetric graheo. Special Publication 42, p. 126-154. teses ado, D
Gulf of Corinth, Greece: Marine Geology, v.83, p. 43-01. Pete,, DB., oso Boevscco BD., 1989, Sttbmarise sedimentation on s developing
McKeoz,e, D., see Joonsos, J., 1986, A block model of dislribstod deformation by Holoeeer tan delta: Sedimentology, v.36, p. 1053-1076.
faulting: Geological Society of London Journal, V. 143, p. 349-353. Vats., P.R., 1987, Seismic slratigraphy interpretation osing sespornee stratigraphy.
McP,oasos, J.G., Ssos,aooa.o G., ase Mccca.o, RL, 1987, Fac-deltas aud braid deltas: Part I: seismic stratigeophy interpretation procedure, is Bally, A.W., rd., Ados
varieties of coarse-geaiaed deltas: Geological Society of America Bellelin, v.99, of seismic sleatigraphy: America Association Petroleum Geologist Short Coarse
p. 331-340. No. 27, p. l-10.
Ne.ssec, W., see Soso., RJ., eds., 1988, Fao deltas: sedimeotolegy and teetome
settings: Glasgow, Blackie, 'trip. FIG. 14.Facies and architectural patteenu in the fan-delta deposilu.
Dot, GD., 1989, Geologic history of the extensional botito of tIte Gall of Corinth
These eaamples show the wide variety of facies and geometries that occurs
in the Gilbert-type deltas. A, B. Traasugreanive deponita consist 0f beach
('Mioeeue-Pleisteeene), Greece: Geology, y. 17, p. 1031-1034. deposits overlaiu by starved deponils composed of sandy mndstonc with
ase Bruco Lucen F., 1983, Aneiest fas delta systems: Abstract Voltmse, oystors (and other fanna) in lilo position. C, D. Fluvial topnetn accnanalated
4th Regiooal Meetiug, International Associatioe of Sedimenlologists, p. 117-119 during periods when there was little accommodation. See tent for discussion.
aso Rosent, M., 1987, Geometries of Gilbert-type deltas and large
chantretx in the Meteoro Conglomerate. Meso-Helleoie basin (Gligo-Miocene),
central Greece: Sedimeototogy, v.34, p. 845-859.
Ori, Roveri, and Nichols Architectural paIlero of large-scale Gilbrrt-lype delta deposits 216
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS OF FAN-DELTA
COMPLEX IN PENNSYLVANIAN SANDIA FORMATION,
TAOS TROUGH, NORTHERN NEW MEXICO
KRISTIAN SOEGAARD
Programs in Geoocienceo,
Tho Uni 'or-oily el To.eao at Dallar,
born identified in the Taco Trough, iucfndiug fan deltas and braid deltas (Soeguard,
1906; seo McPherson and others, 1987, foe terminology). Dixliuetion betrveon fun
deltas and braid deltas in the Tuco Trough is based primarily on archttectraral-
element analysis and is critical to nuderstanding evolution of the trongh, since the
two conese-gruineol delta types are characteristic of eery different tectonic setliugtt
(Soeguard, 1990).
NEW
MEXICO
¿- FACtES TERMINOLOGY AND METHODOLOGY
s
Amehhtrenonal elemeels of allosiat-tan estrgtamneuten see defined by third- atta to,,tTh-ttednn
'Granite Wash' of the southern Anadarko Basin (see Outran, 1982). the bounding surface hierarchy scheme of Miall (f988 ond 1989) dard- and leonada-
tetosd,eg eefaean and fall nro tmo nategonire Tabainn bodies neesetueed erereatly by toteoedant. 3ga
patallel'ateahtted eenglomeeate bed, eepeetent nemefired sheetfteod deposita. The armad categoey of The teeslern margin of the Taco Trough is defined by the tJncompattgre Uplift oeder bounding surfaces are related strictly to macroforms. Since moeroforms,
along the Pieuris-Peeos FantI (Fag. t). The troagh is bounded to the cast by a which are particularly common in alluvial environments, une only eue type of
arehithetoral elements ajan eooa,tta of paeallel-athatified eonglomeeute beds. Homeeee, these mas
passive positive element termed the Sierra Grande Arch (Roberts and others, architectural element, Miall's definition of third- and fourth-ordor bounding
teneteieate against the tosser tRied- ne tourth-nedee teosditg surfaCe. f)Iaeoedunt. paealtet-aOatifird
1976). The Pecco carbonate shelf outlines the southern portion of the basin whIch surfaces is restrictive. Moreover, tying died- and fourth-order boundmg surfaces lo
couglometate bran oneopy ehastrel ompleses and enfoha u de aaarmblagr of nOsotonea tnteeontty
a specific architectural elemrul, such as alluvial macroforms, results in a genrtic
Intentai geometry of altooial'faa ehanflels ta related lo etraneet-fiti meohas,aus in earn terminates afasust tho Pedernal Uplift (Sutherland, f963). The northern _A0t-
tOeponita teen the aubaq000m peetins nl fan deltas tensiat of lentio,l eoeglomeente and
sandstone bodies eneaned by dark-colored baaieat msdat000a. Conglomreate/aaodatone ream
boundary of the Taos Trough is presently defined by the Cimaeron Arch, although
Casey (1900a) urgaes that the Taos Troagh and Contrat Catorudo Trough to the
n e
-'.:------
Toss
conaOlatioa of the bounding surface scheme. In this paper the definition of third-
order bounding snefaces is estended te inclade any architecttaral element with
north may have been conurelnd pericolicully (sor Lindsey and others, 1906). aniform composition of facies or facies soq000ees. Fer enaonple, a discrete channel
ola nemea of ataoked aebeedinate roars, eneh nf nrhiett ta e000leped by fifth-ceder boarding asefama.
Two discrete orogruic elastic wedges are present m the Taos Trough: 1, Lus_in inlilted by a succession of facies, suck as concIs of Irough cross-bedded sandstone,
Sabmanee mid-tan channelS see ostlined by third' urd fourth-order hoosdiag nuefatea and are nutted
Morrowax-middle Desmoinesiau Sandia Formation, and 2. late Dosmomesian- Vegas passing upward into ripplr ecess'lafed sandstone, and capped by mndstone,
by higlodeetity. gesoity-eon, depentls. The fringe of ssbaqueoss msglOmeente and naedatore jenaro
Wolf cumpian Sitmgee dc Cristo Formation (Casey, 1980a; Catdweil, 1987; Soegaard, would be enveloped by a third-ordee bounding st,rlace. The trough cross-beds
toaatttsofstset,ed. tatreully mnaintem beds tomponed of remplete ned iseompleto Botmr aeqoaeeea
1990). The Sandia Formation, which is the subject of this paper, consists of farst- would be separated by first-order boanding snrfaces whereas transitions betwncu
Booma neqtenons meee deposited by dilute turfltdity Roma on submaune tomer-fan lobeb neto med-fan,
cycle srdiments derived from grauitac highlands in Ihr Unoompabgre Uplift te the different facies within the channel-fall would be designated second-ordre surfaces.
ettsntneta ,,eeeeeueuated PE CO S EXPLANATION This definition at third-order bounding surfaces os eonssstcnt wtth that of Maul
Reo,on ni d,tsh eRaeatti ne the ntboetist to, nl letin mple5ea aed west. Canean feldspathic conglomerates in the hundas Formation were deposited as SHELF
(1989), both in terms st scale as well as the relationship belseecn the thard-ordee
eeeognision of related s,rbmseine-fae deposita rOhe Sanata Foemstioe raarot be made term stodies of responso to rastward therastieg by the Uncompahgoe highlands along the Pacanas- Younger Cooer
Peces Fault, leading to deyrlopment of the Taco Trough fereland basin (Soegaard, architectural clement and its surrounding sedtmeets.
neuicut sequences bot ser banes. nuthee. opes aeettteebsnal'eleneeel analysts e mnjuaetten asile
1990). During active thonstiug in Atokun and early Desmoinesiau tame, rapad Sangre de Cristo Fm. Fourth-order bounding surfaces outline a couples of stacked architeelnoal
peceent-oeiented lacten noalyata.
subsidence eccorred in the meseern paulan of the trough, resulting in steep basm- Magdalena Gresip clementi composed internally of oimitar facies associations. Agam, tIns defnmSon of
margine gradients along which fan-della seqatences aecumalated. Feldspattnc
fourth-order bounding snrfacrs is consistent with that of Mmli (1988, 1989)
INTRODUCrION Pracombrian Basement nithoogh, in this papee, fourth-order surfaces are not restncted to the upper surface
conglomernlns in the faa-delta complenes interi ingre with black basinal mudstanes
Io the cast and south (Fig. 2), which in tern halerfinger with shallow-marine of macroforms. As def'med here, fourth-order boonding surfaces may also eneelop a
The fundamental premise to theec'dimensional facies analysts of elastic sedinnents Contours. hey, of Precambrien
carbonate sediments of the Madera Formation to the cast and south (Sutherland, complex of stacked, similar, third-order chaonel falls.
is to ondine and identify aechitecturat elements of depositsonal systems at varions Basement (Into. 500 ft.) FaIth-outer bounding surfaces outline rntire depasitional environments m whack
scales in outcrop, and/er subsurface, and to rase this hieraectay el architectntoaf 1963; Casey, t980a). Together, silioiclastie sedimcuts in the Sandia Formation and PECERNA
elements as building blocks for reeonstestcling the geometry of eneleonmonts,
,°,actnitrcltaraf elements, in turn, are outlined by a hierarchy of borsndiug surfaces
that envelop architectural elements ut different scales,
carbonate sediments in the Madera Formation make up the Magdalena Group.
Following cessation of thrnsting along the Picuris-P000s fault in und to late
Dvsmoinosian time, the Taos Trough became infilled, and braid-della complexes
UPLIFT il O
E-aa-a I-a
lo
-i
2Imi genetically related architectural elements wathine the enenronment are encompassed.
Filth-order bounding sartaces may envelop channel complexes consisting of several
dissimilar architectural elements, such as attselal macroforms, channel lifts, aud
The objeotive of this paper is two-fold. First, architectural elements arc nssed for prograded across the troasgla (Fig. 2). Diminnation of the Uucrmpattgre highlands led 10 0 10 20 30 ¿0 km point-bar depesils.
to redneed silicielastie input, which enabled accumulation of shallow-manne Finally, siolh-Order surfaces separale depositional eregooeqaencer whose
rnsolving depositional processes on the subaerial alluoial-fan surface of a fan-della
carbonates in the Madera Formation in latest Desmoauenaa nme (Fag. 2). distribution is generally dictated by allocyclie effects (sor Howard, 1978). Both
comptes. Second, the utility 0f adopting a hierarchy el bonndmg surfaces (and FIG, l,Sabsnrfuru and geolugie map uf late Pafnueuie Taos Trnugh,
Rejuvenated orogeuic activity in Misnourian through Wotfeampoan time resulted in lif da- and sixth-order bounding surfaces are similar te those of Maull (1908, 1989).
rotated architectural elements) for dieses-fing the anatomy of internally comptes northnrn Nnw Mnninu, Principal straelnaral elnmnnfsannueiatnaf with that
conglomerate nud sandstone bodies from the subaqueous portion of fun deltas is deposition et alluvial feldspathic conglomerates and mudstones u the Sangre dr froagh are ilnatmateal, Snbsumfaaon data from Fnster and Slipp (1961) aSad
outlined. Cristo Formotion (CaIdwelt, 1987). Detritus in dio Sangre de Cuoto Formation was Ruberf n and others (1976), The Magdalnna Gmunap inclndns both silirinlaslie
The fur-delta complexes are fenm the Peuusytvaman Sandra Formatnon m the derived from the Cimoeron Arch to the north, which was upldled in responso to sediments of flan Sandia Fummalinn and carbunutn sediments uf the Madera
Taco Teregh, northern New Mesica. A variety of coarse-grumed delta types Inas eompressioo in the Marathon Fold Belt (see Ross, 1986; Caldwol, 1987). Formation. X-X' represents Ineation of cruna seetion in Fig, 2,
.
the tione of sedimentation und, theref mee, are not gcnctically related. The
F 1G. 5c bounding surface separating discordant sheetfinod depositional elements is
Posti S defined as a fifth-order surface (a). Fonrth-nrder bounding surfaces
oS DEPOSIIS separate unrestricted sheetflood deposits from stoeamflood deposits
DEPOS1 SHEEiOD contained within olluvial-fnn ephemeral-ehanuel elements (b) Third-order
SHEE°°° bounding surfaces separate similar architectural elements, such an single-
chanuel elements within alluvial-fan channel cnmpleues (e), or
--Limit of Exposure -- - -- superimposed concordant sheetflood deposits (d). Finally, first-order
bnundiog surfaces separate superimposed parallel-stratified tabular
FIG. SAlluvial-fan channel elements from Fig. in which the spectrum
of internal geometries of strata are illnuteated. tufereed channel-infilling
cooglomerate bedo. process fer each nf the three channel types is also shown.
_.._.__...._a *SRMN
Soegaard Architectural elements of fao-della deposils 219
Lenticular conglon,erose anal sandstooe complex: graded conglomerates (Fig. 9h). Laterally diseontinoous, line-geained saudstenes,
subaqueous ¡an-delta association sdlstones or modstoues freqaentfy cap conglomerate beds und are scoured by
reerlying conglomerole nuits. Mudstone veneors may also drape Ihr base of
Description. Looticalar conglomerate and saodstone complexes >20 na thick aod channels (Fig. 9k). Conglomerate beds with similar internal straciures are separated
opIo 340 m in seidth, ore encascsf by she black basieal-madctooe facies asxocialior by first-order bounding surfaces, whereas dissimilar facies arr separated by second-
(Figs. 7, 0). The tcoticular coegtomerate/sanststoee complexes are restricled lo the order surfaces (Fig. 9h). These lower order sarlaces either trtmcale against the
western part of the Taos Trough and occur within the same stratigraphie section as basal, third-ordrr bounding surface at both esdx, or may be truncated against the
the mont distal portions of alluvial-fan complexes. Conglomerates and sandstones upper third-order bounding surface at one en J (Fig. 9h).
are poorly sorted (oc l.lø) and have mean grain sizes ranging from 0.6-4.0 mm. The secood type of channel element tcilhis the channel comples has highly
Mnnimnm einst sizes within lenticular bodies are in the medium-pebble range. irregular upper und lower bounding surloces and dons not outline well-def med
Unlike the parallel-stratified nllnvial-fan conglomerates, which are essentially channel geometries. Internally, these poorly developed channel elements are
desoid of detrital matrix, conglomerates and sandstones in the lenticular complexes composed of a single depesitional nuit of either manier er trough croc bedding
contain 5-t2% altogceic clays. Moreover, black madstone mssnclasts are very with ill-defined forrsels (Fig. tu, r). Individual dcpositiounl units arr np Io I na in
common in the conglomerate and sandstone beds. thickness and bee e erosive lower contacts.
Lenticular conglomerate and sandstone complexes are separated into a series of The scored lacies association, consisting el laterally continuous beds within the
discrete lenses based upon boundnsg-snrlace relationships and primary sedimentary lenticular eonglomerale/saudstone comptes, is composed of cosrw- lo line-grained
structures. Fifth-order bonuding surfaces ondine discrete conglomerale/sandslonr sandstones that extend from the central channel cumplen onlward lo the fringe of
bodies containing all constituent depositional elements recogniaed willsin the the conglomerote/sandslone lens (Fig. Ob). These sandstones eouwil ol complete
teoticolar conglomcsalc/saudstouo complex (Fig. 8). tu Fignre Ou xix major und and meomplete llonma (1962) sequences, including T. T,a,, T. T, aud T0
three mmor saperimposed discrete lenses constitute an entire lenticular divisions (Fig. 8).
congtomcrate/sandstoue complex. Individual lenses are bctwecn 2 and 6 m Ihick Interpretation. Abundance of complete and incomplete Bouma sequences in
and 40 to 280+ m in width. Within individual couglomerate/sandstone lenses sandstone and sdtstoue units, and obseecc of abnndanl, wrll.dreeloped, traction-
fourth-ordcr bounding surfaces wparate two principal lacios associations: 1. a generated stmctures within the lenticular conglomerate and saudstonr complex are
channel complex composod o! laterally discontinuous couglomeratr beds, aro inlerpreted as sedimentation by gravity-flow processes. A high allogemc-clay
contained within moro or loss well-defined channel etements (Figs. 8, 9), and 2. content in couglrmerates corroborates the tenet of deposition by gravity-flow
na ore contin000s sandslore urntx, which extend for >60 m lrom the margin of peocesses. The abue4anl clay matrix and lack of wuvo-generaled structures further
channel complexes and ultimately terminate at higher, fifth-order bounding surfaces imply that deposition tools place below rllectier wave base.
(Fig. 8b). The close proximity of these lenticular congfomerale/sandstoue complexes with
The channel complex consists el congtomerate-size material and cccnpies the allueial laus in the northwestern Taos Trough signifies that the lenticular
FIG. 6Large allnvial-fan chamad (CH) ehnraetnriaing banhfnll central portion of cooglomerale/sandstone lenses. Two types of channel elements couglomerate/sandstouc complexes represent the deeper water, sabaqueens portion
depos.tior.. Note lateral acerotion sets (LA) and right-to-left migration of are identified. The liest possesses well-defined channel geometries with concave- ola fan-della system.
channel asia. Channel deposit is 16 m thick and approxirnntnly 250 m wide. opwaed erosive lower surfaces that truncate underlying steala (Fig. tu). This Architectural rlrments within the submarine depositional system ore outlined by
Sec Fig. 2 for location of allttvinl-fan chasse!. channel element is outlined by third-order bounding surfaces and is mIlled by a third-, fourth-, and fifth-urder bounding surfaces. Filth-order bounding surfaces
variety rl facies, mcfndmg massive, normally graded und inverse-to-normally contain all depositional elements identified within the subaqueous fan-delta
FIG. 7.Pkotomosaie of northern hail of snbaqneons fan-dotta nongloninratc/sandstone romplen is illnstrutnd in Hg. 8. White arrows depint
congtomeratr/sandstone eomplou, passing laterally into black basinal location 0f measured sortions in Fig. S and white hash marks represent 1-m
mudstones. Facies map interpretation of subaqueous fan-detta intervals within the sections in Fig. 8.
Co,ajnard on paco 222
Soegaard Architectural elomrels of fax-della deposils 220
FIG. 8.& Cross section of northern half of subaqueous fun-delta
conojomerate and sandstone complex encased by black basinal mndstones.
This north-south cross section ix constructed from the photomosaic in Fig. 7.
The outcrop is parallel to depositional strike with flow east mto the figure.
Hash marks between section location arrows delineate meter increments
within sections and correspond to the hash marks shown in Fig. 7. Nine
stacked conglomerate/sandstone lenses, enveloped by fifth-order bounding
surfaces, constitute the entire conglomerate/sandstone complex.
Relationship between mid-fan channel complexes and lower-fun tobes is
illustrated. B. Single congtomerote/saadstoue lens in which the internal
geometry of beds within mid-fan channel and lower-fan tobe deposits is
itlastrated. See Fig. 2 far geographic and stratigraphie location of
submarine-tan deposit.
BASINAL MUDSTONES
o-
Inversely-graded and internally slasicluoctess conglomerate beds, aching consistent with definitions for depeumtioxat oyoteruo tracto in soismic-strutigraphic
10m significant erosional relief at their base, represettl traction-carpet sedimentation (S analysts (see Miteham and others, 5977; Posamentier and Vail, 1988).
of Lowe, 1982). Graded bedding capping the traction-load and traction-carpet
o The bouedmg surface hierarchy outlined bere provides u systematic way in which
0.5
-. S5 "
s3
s23
depesits signifies suspension sedimuntation caused by frictional freezing as liquefied
flows lout momentum (S of Lowe, 1982).
Nou-ehanudlized, laterally continuous beds, competed of complete and
incomplete Bouma sequences, were deposited within a lower-lan tobe setting. A
falsare geometry is interred for the uon-channetizrd tower fan based on the
architectural elements may be defined al all scales. Moreover, a genetic link
betweeu the smallest depesitionat units and the targesl architectural elements in
sedimentary baxinx may uow be conducted within a well-defmed framework.
15 50 0 FLETE
s2 MUD
51h,0c55 lenticular geometry el the nun-ehaunetized part of this fifth-order architectural
ait0Cae CINGL. element. In the prosimat pardon of lower-lan lobes, mid-fan channels scour into the
MUD S2 U) SAND
SAND lobe surface.
53/ lt thoold be noted brrr that neither lower-fan tobe deposits nor mid-lan channel
1.0 elements are identified by eoarsening/thickeuing-upward or fining/thinoing.apwurd
/ sequences, respectively. Rather, the two subeuvironments are interpreted on the SUBAERIAL
MUD FAN DELTA
DRAPE
basis of geometric analysis of aechitecftaral elements and reconstrnctiou of
MUD vI ve CONUL depesilianul processes.
SAND
o DISCUSSION
y':LSTEiSL
'uccuErtes SECS
1.0-1 -
Fan-dotta comptrses in the Sandia Fermatiou consist of alluvial-fan congfomeratea
m VEo 2 and related, subosamior-fan conglomerates uts! sandstones that ave enclosed by dark-entered
l4ID.FAs
fi mudstouet of basinal nfftuity. Within conglomerases aus! sandstones of these fan-delta
compleort, a spectrum of architectural rtomrun bus bevo identified at various scales SUBAQUEOUS
0 (Fig. 10). Those architrcsaeal elements, in tarn, ore outlined by a hierarchy of bounding
sudecoc
FIG. 9.A. Gnomcteic elements associated with unid-tan channel complcn for chamen! in (B). Arrows lu (B) puinl toward critica! buemding surface
m subaqueous portion of fan-detta complex. B. Dntuilnd map uf wnIl-dcfir.nd
chamen! element with mud doape along chamen! base. Location of chamen! in
relationships discussed in lent. C. Poorly developed trough eruss-bnds within
thick lenticular eunglomnratn in mid.fan chamen! complex. Son Fig. Rb for
As defined, first- and second-order bounding surfaces separate similar facies and
genetically related, bat dissimiar, furies, respectively. Both first- and second-order
buanding surfaces outline elements that were deposited during short-lived events.
Trous
01x00 OPE
\ \ nustsal.
OUI500ÑES
(B) is illustrated by stipplee! pattern se (A). Naln ensima! exaggeration of n2 location of detailed facies map within conglomnraln/sandslonn cumplen. e nons E L
flurs!- and fourth-order buanding surfaces define meseseopic and mucroseopie
depesitionol elements, such as channels oe channel complexes. Fer crumple, in the
un ut n
submarine-fan deposits in the Sandia Formation, fourth-order bounding induces Flans
envelop either mid-lan rhaunef comp!oses vr lower-fan lobes. Since mid.fau
complexes. These include chaunelizod conglomerates assigned lo the mid-fan mud-draped chanuol floor implies that opeu channels esisted during the dormant channel complexes occupy the proximal portion of submarine fans and lower-lan
poeteon of a submaeine fan, whereas laterally continuous sandstone beds were stages ou the mid-lan regioc. These open channels may be analogous to submarine lobes the distal portion el snbmariue fans, both depesitionat elements consisted in
deposites! within a lower-lan lobe setting (terminology al Mutti and Ricci Luechi, Lone
"chutes", described by Prior and Boruhold (1988) in moderes "submarine fjord lass time. Thea, dard- and fourth-order bounding ssrfuces doline urchitrcfural elements Ott. U T E
1972). Coexisting mid-lan-channel conglomerates and lower-fan-lobe sandstones r unotel T E S
deltas", ve "gssllies" described for the Upper Jurassic of East Greenland (Surlyk, used in reconstructing depositional palceenvieonments in accordance with Walther's
ne cuntameat within the same fifth-order depositional olemeul and are separated by 1987). Multiple beds occupying the channel elumonts indicate that submarine Law.
a fourth-order bounding surfaces (Fag. Su, b). gravity flows were preferentially funnelled down through theme open channels in Fifth-order bounding surfaces envelop all meso- und macroscopic architectural FIG. lll..-flnpoxitioral mude! for fan-detta complus in Sandia Formation.
Two types of chamret elements are identified within the mid-lan realm. Well. the mid-fan reglen. elements existing wiltsin a given subenvironment at any point in tiene. Both mid-lao Spatial dislributior of utluvial fan, submarine fan and basinal mudstonen is
developed channel elements enveloped by third-order bounding surfaces, are The second type of submarine mid-fan deposisiunal element consists of single channels and lower-fan lobes in Sandia submarine loes are contained within Ihr illustrated. Also showu are principal architectural elements associated with
iufdled by multiple beds and commonly hice a mud-draped base (Fig. 9h). The thick (03-1 w) eougtomcoale beds that do eat outline small-scale channel same depesidonat clement defmed by fifth-ceder bounding surfaces (Fig. Sa). the subaerial need subaqueous portion of the fan delta.
cstsatnue aaad aboala. tons the bann of s tracagarmix, srqannm. deposited in the Western Intoner Seaway during the Ceflaceons. It is well exposed Ibe close of the interval represented by thr Gallap Sandslone.
tfaaimam reganaaron may cerned Ore Ilmo of 0.1,51 000x0, sca 1,0er Itone000n. rhcec la 50 along the west and south odes of San Juan Basin, Now Mexico and, te the east and
cndepeodaar oxideart of aro-leonI changs. Ca,nnrr modela Inox prapeea to rapIna chang, io foliar north has a complex intorfingeriasg relationship with the Manean Shale, which LOCATION AND METHODS
0000nofartor apace eath nntereem o drang, lx hase Iroel oar flaof. and so attemartoo model of occurs moody rn thr subsarface within tho basin. In outcrop the Gallup Sandstone
rcgional a0000trism sod na011ttrag nrneaana ta serxtrnonraoppty caxsei hr toted ox. aS a mechataiam ter consists mainly of a series of marine-sandstone tostgnes separated by wedges of Síu stratigraphie sactixas ois the south and west sides el the San Joan Basin were
the geaeaat.oeot ftoatal tocgooa n fotelaed baanta.sooh m the Tronolo Member Mancos Shale. Each demonstrates a pattern of regressi on and renewed measured and desetibed. Their locations are shown in P'tgure 2, and the
transgression of Ihr seaway, with the marine Gallup Sanded one bagnes represcntiag stratigraphy, facies and paleocurrent dota are sxmmarizod un Ftgrare 3.
INTRODUCTION baoeieeslrandplain systems drveloped along the mangia of the seaway. To the west, Spectacular cliff exposures of the Torrivae Member decor northeasl cf the town
the manar Gallnp passes into a succession of nonmarine beds. The marine tongues of Gallup. A pholomosaic of one of these cliffs (location 4), which is abonO 480 m
Sotpaonce stratigeaphy ni the study of the oednerd succession of fados dopostlod of the Gallup Saadstoxe were interpreted as the prodoxct of Wave-dominated long, is shown in Figure 4. Thr ostcrop was photographed esing a telephoto lors
daaring the traasogeessiona atad engeossions that rossaIt foam colativo claaaigns ita hoa sltoeeline sedimentation by Campbrll (1971) and thr Gallup Sandstone has since teem a distance of more than t ans. Beanding surfaces wore defined by carefal
level. Coeeolation of sotgxences within and bolineen basins leads to the devolopmonl boon widely cited as a type example of this style of sedimentation (e.g., Harms atad examination of the rratcrop und were drawn on a photo overlay m the hold.
of local and regional charts of saa-lovel change which can be interproted in tonno of others, 1975; McCabbin, 1982). McCabbin (1982) also recognized lagoonol and Although much of this cliff is nearly vertical and inaccessible, a consideroblo
fcctooic atad/roe eustatic controls. Recent developments in soqaonce stratigraplay tidal-inlet facies, but did noI denenibe these deposits in dotail. amoont of deacriptive data was obtained by traversing along the base of the cliff, op
have sorvod to revinalie' thu sltady of voetical lilhofacios profiles as interpeetive The strotigrnphy of the Gallup Sandstone was studied in detail by Moleuaar the sides, and out along a few prominent ledges. A generaltzed vertacal profile mas
tools. They hayo also ,oeealed dan inadeqaacy of conventional liilaostoaligeaphic (1983), who cotastoucled a series of detailed slratigrapbic cross sections throogh the constructed from these dola and is shown m Figure 3. Soctaon 1, near the old
somonclaftaro and Ihn good foe a different approach fo stratigraphie subdivision, San Juan Basin. Ftgnee t is adapted from ono of these sections. Thu Torrone Sundance Miau, sosth of Gallup, is also a large oulcoop. Accessibility is escetlont m
rcsxlliasg in the dofixition of the xnconfo,naily.boandod anis. Member ix def'med as a predominantly pinh ftsvial sandstone that oecues at the top this case, and the outcrop was studied in detail in order to construct a complete
Dopositional modelo fo, soqraenco dovelapanont sxggesl simple lwo-dianenoioaal of the Gallup Sandstone. According to Molenaar (1983, p. 34) St consists of as laloral prof'de (Fig. S). Lithofacies types were classified using thu fanes
progradational and rotrogeadational coastal prisms (e.g., Posamotalice and othoes, many as three tandslone beds separated by inlercbannel carbenacoom shale, classificatian et Miall (1977, 1978), with the addition of a lithefacios lype ter cress'
1988; PosamestliOr and Vail, 1988), and mauy publiohod stradins confiam lito general sillstane, fine-groused sandstone, and minor coat beds.' The member Was stated by hod sets interpreiod tobe of tidal origin (aro laien discossiou). Distinctive lithofaeies
AL8UQUE ROUE
applicability of vxch mxdols (e.g., sor mamy examples in Ncamxmedal and others, Moteuoar (1983) to range feom a maxamum of SO su duck to a pinchoat scella and assemblages were classified wherever pessiblc into architocicaral elomonss ssmg the mule euferop bnlf
1987; Jamos and Lochie, 1988). Howovrr, many local variations in coastal east of Gallup. A snecession of fino.grained beds, inclndiag shale, siltstono and coal, methods of Miall (1985), and bounding snrfaues onere defined and classified lasi,g nf Gallup SandstOnr
steatigeaphy can decor along sleilco in rospoaso to chaages io local subsidence cales, occurs between the Tornsio sandslones and the marine Gollup Sandstone in most the techniques of Mial (1988a, b). 0 50km
m shoroliac configuration, and in wave. and lide'eegimo, and bocauae of the oreas, and is refereed to as the 'nosmaeiee Gallsp.' Above the Torsivio is a similar Al each location as much orientation dota as poxsible were obtained. A careful
pecsonce of the moaths of dyers and tidal chaaucls (Namtatedal and Swill, 1987). suit of fine-groined rocks, assigned to the Dilco Coal Momboc of the Couvasse record was made of the type and scale of each measured sirautiare, and its location
Those load to morn coorples xoqaence aachilocfxros. Caeyosx Formation. Above this are marine shales and distinctiee brown shelf- within a profile. Vuelen statistics wenn calculated far each bed or aechileetural Fm. 2.Lunging uf mnasnred straeagraphae seetiuns.
el4.
plane-bedded and herringbone-cross-bedded sandstoue. The neta 10m of beds (Fig. saudstone. lo subelement 2.2 the sets are sp te 1.2 m thick and may represent
3; beds net thesen in Ihr prefile, Fig. 5) correspond so the nonmarine Gallup and lissguoid bars (large-scale 2-D dunes, in the classification of Ashley, 1940). Vector
7J consist of poorly indurated sandstone inlerbedded with carbonaceous shale and meas cress-bed orientation toe element 2 is 319'.
sillstene. Rootlets are abundant. Three is an abrupt but appaernlly conformable Bounding surface B shows up le 2 m of erosional relief. lt truncates the
LJ
F1o. 4.Photomosair and ixterproted lateral profile, section 4, near Nose
Rock Pomt. Major bounding surfaces mdicatrd by heavy lines and letters A
to D. Ranks (5 or 6) indicated by small letters (elassifiralion of MiaU, 1988a,
b) Noto that rank of saetare B changes along strike (see text). Arehiteetreal
elements mdieated by two-letter eodes LA lateral aecretion, CH
channel, LE levee, CS crevasse splay.
0450
st
0'
I
2 3 st
I0m A 2-LA
=t Sp
/Sp f
- Sp
I J
Pro. 5.Photomosoic and lateral profile, section 1, Snndunce Mine. Aroows imlitute individnut patoocu000nt reudingn. To facilitsto visnul
Boassdrng surfaces and clement codes atm Figuoo 4. Element 2 is subdivided mtorprotation these are plotted so that flow parallel to the face is shown by
into fono parts Z.t to 2.4 by minor (second-order) snrfaees A' to A". horizontal aroown (azimuth 045' points to the right, azsmnth 225' points to
Litbofacics typos inctude Sp planar cross-bedding, St: trough cross. the left), and flow perpessdicutar to the fato is indicated by vertical arvows
bedding, Sbp: bundled planar cross-bed sots (neo toot for eoplarsation). (azimuth 315' points up, 135' points down).
t'
A drtcrtption of the beds in this profde follows. Encense of the inaccesuib'dily of
Ihr cliff, il mau not possible lo develop a detailnd subdivision of the outcrop into
elements as was done for section 2; thus formal element numbering is not proposed.
The warme Gallup Sandstone conuisls of a well-sorted, while-weathering, l'me- 'i
grained sandstone showing plane lamination and ripple marks. The basal nonmarine
Gallup, in Ihn 'channel' helseenn surfaces A und B, consists mainly of a heterolithic 10cm
assemblage of thin mudstone, sillstonn and sandstone beds with carbonaceous aud Ftu. 8,Lateral accretion enit airant 13 m thick, defining one side nf a
coaly slrrahs. The sandstone beds are fme- to medium-grained, thin- to medium- 1ss. 7,Bnndlnd planar cross-bndding, donan, from a photograph (section small uheneel near base uf pontile shown in Faguare 4 (location indiratnd an
bedded, und contain trough cross-bedding showing oppesing flow directions 1, location shown in Fig. 5). Notn also vertical borrows lrnncnted by a minor Fig. 4). Serface B monos between baso of LA neil and lop uf resistant Fin. 9.Trace fossils in silty mndstooe neit. section 3, 4 un above base of
(passible hrrringbone ceoss-bodding, although espasmo is peor). A loace-fosail erosion snoface at bate of view. sandstone that farms bottom uf cliff, section.
j9
The Usi cersity of Texas at Austin sequence wan the moo vigorous progradational pulne in Ihn Milza Formation,
Austin, Tesas 78713 PEN reaching the presenl rastren cousdine ef the lake. Thz upper sequence sIns was
MARINE domsnunlly pregeadattosal. The middle and upper sequences arr eslledlively and
The Maracaibo Bunin occupies abroad depresnion belween Ihe Venesuelan Andes
Anernnyr: lstespretutisns st net- nd/percent-sasd mIps. well-lsg cessa sections, nrrtical
log-psttrrn aesds. csrr deaceiptisns, sod log facies suggest that seneenl sggrrdrtionol tide- / lI-' £FRAC und Ihn Perija Mountains in Western Venezuela (Fig. I). The structural histery of the
unformally mferred loar the middlrEscene"B vunds"(WulIon. 1967). To theeuvl the
B nands are leansitional willI a thick assemblage nf marine mudstones known an the
dominated dsltuic cycles meer deposited in Lssuvillus field. Westom Vrnrssrtn, donne s basin entends from late Jurassic rifling through Tertiary compressionol lrctsnicv,
Fuujs Formution (Fig. 2). Eeesional remnanlo of the Puaji Formation in the eastern
widespedtesssgressineenrntsttheendoftheMiddleEscene. Reseenoirljltcnfacesspesnnnt During Ihe Cretacenus through Paleecree, a pusoive-lype carboonte and open-marine lake and in dowotbrown fauliblocks in the deSleal lake suggest thaI the Pavji
ser rumaome distributary-channel sandstsnrs, tidal aasd-nidge sandstones. pesdelta/alcrlf
j
ansnnbtuges. sad tidsl-chansel facies. Gnsmrteies of the sandatsne bodies urn highly dip
nlnngstr and stoike lenticular. These shsrsuing sands maintain theie widths in a landwsrd
direction (west) and splay outward at their seaward limit (east), where bei of sand deposition
VENEZUELA
occurred. Enatwaed,thnneqxence thicknnacovcnmitantwilhadecseaneionsnd-ts-shaleeasio.
lndinidusl sorrel stable drpoaitionat voila sen mtreprrtnd to ho discrete dolts lobes established PROGRADATIONAL SEQUENCES
dosssgpeogesdstinnnfrslvunino diutnibutuoy systems. Those siogle delta lobes shifted laterally
nlong clothe during iofilting nf deltaic depnsitinoal anna. Laterally pessistenl tnw-eesiatisity
SW DURING THE EOCENE NE
"MARACAIBO -
Oli macmUles co
shalemaekersanatigeuphicutlybound seneeatdeltalobes,whicheogrtheecsnstitstennrnffive
dnituic cecIne pensant in the uppesoeaeonnioa nf she field. BASIN e'. in Ensene Fran area
Source ai EOCENf UNcONFORMItY
h o
Sedimenls i
o an es
The Maracaibo Basin, Wenlern Venezuela (Fig. 1), is houl te many lunge oil fields cross Santon
ranging in age from Cresaceous to Mincree (Gonzalez do Jnana and others, 1980). ere Iflriguesl
Among the most impnrlanl of shone are tho Eoceno eeservoirn lItaI meen deposiled in
fluvial lo drllaic 000irOnmenls. The peonosance of the Encene sedimenls was Is the
southwest. Those oodiwenln were lensspoelOdby tho genol norlh-so-nerlhrastllowing
ancesleal Magdalena and Orinoco Rivers (Forero, 1974; Bsckmnvlen and others,
1983), whore they wore deposited mninly as dellaic sends is udepscenter that now lies Flu. 1,Middle Encene paleogengraphy of the Maracaibo Basin and location
beneuth Lake Maracaibo. The Eocrsr reservoirs in Lake Maracaibo produce mainly nf Ihr EoceneFrae area. Flaviul.deltaie depositional systems covered mont of the
from the deltaic.facios toad (Fig. 1), area at thin time. The shelf break did not prograde significantly dseing the
Considerable variation in erseenoic quality occurs osa regional seule within the middle Eneene und tronsted apprnsimately nnrth.northwest ts south.soolhrast - TRANSGRESSIVE SURFACE
Eocene dellaie reservoirs of Lake Maracaibo. Parlieulaely important aro Iho low- along the present rastren coastline nf Lake Maracaibo,
permeabilily rrsrrvoirs in Ihn easlern Lagnnillas field in eastern Lime Maracaibo. -,---.,,, PROGRADATIONAL WEDGE D-
which are informally refereed loan Ihn "boceen Frac" renerveies, These reservoirs canins, anas BOT Sed PEnasen Im,); ue,nvvu ana Mesas loe,)
conlainod -'5.1 Bbbl of original nil in place, and Ihey characteristically eshibil low
primary-recovery efficiencies 0f-14%. The Eecene Feue reseevoirs are composed of Fac. 2.Three main depositinnal seqnrnnrn nf the Enerne Minna Fnrmation,
highly eemrnned sandstones and normally require fracture stimulation lo facilitato oil Maracaibo Basin, The two upper progradational sequences arr bsnndrd by
marine.flooding transgresnivr surfaces, Within tbene upper sequences,
flow lo the well bore, The resernoirs respond well ta fracture nlimulatïen, typically maximum progradatisnal peaks mere reached in the B.2.X and B-e.X nnits.
'Pecares sddrnss. Intevrp, SA.. Apaotndo 76343, Coencss, 1070-A, Venezuela. displaying a five-fold increase is daily production (from uvreage pee-stimulation Remnants of Pauji shales indicate open-marine assemblages that n'ere drposifed
productions of 100 bbl of oil per day lOposl.frucluee productions sf000 bbt per day). durieg the apper Eocrnr traengresnine rvrnt.
ii
isla "B-i-X" ta "B-9-X" and "C-t-X" laC-7-X" rands, mnpeciivety (Fig. 2). of the faults, creating a graben in which thicker Encrnr srdtmrnls arr preserved
Following deposition, the Focose sediments throughout Western Vennaueta were (Fig. 3), Fault throw is variable, ecco along individaul fruits.
subjected to two phases of tectonic deformation. Daring the upper Boceen, northwesi- The final phase of the upper Eocrnr comprrsnionai lucinnic event in the Eoceoe STRUCTURE OF GENERALIZED STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN
soatheasl compression was dominant, resulting in reaclivalton of pre-esisting rtfl- Frac arec of Lagunilias find was uplift und nubneqoeni rroniooal iruncalion of the EOCENE UNCONFORMfl'Y
associated fault rones (Audemard and others, 1987). The product of dro Eocenr Encrer sedimeniary assemblage (Fig. 2). Progressively toward the west, yoaoger DELTAIC CYCLES
tectonic event in the Eoceno Froc area is expressed as northwest-trending, mostly Eoceno sirntigraphic markers were truocaled aguinst the flower-typo structure, which
normal faults (Fig. 3) associated with a north-northeast flower-type structural high wan a topographic high daring the Laie Eoceno and probably Oligoceno (Fig, 3). The
located lo the west. The second tectonic event (Miocenr so Recent comprensmooal Pauji Furmalion, the uppermost pari of the B sandm. and uptheown fault blocks were
betonen relamd In uplift of the Menda Ander)did not significantly affect the Eocene pinned off during erosion. Miocene marine mudslone unconformably overlying ihr
Miura Formation in the Earner Frac arec composes the reservoir meal. In response le 5
subsidence-related lilting of the basis since the Mmccxc, the persess sirneture of thin
Eocrmsr unconformity surface dips to the sands (Fig. 4).
IL
uubdividrd into correlation intervals thai constituIr dmscrele deposiiiooai events thai
cao he defined throaghoat the Eocene Frac arec. The higher rnsnlaiioo correlation 3
intervals (A-O) ihal were selected for delailed study of depostuonal geometry und
continuity are shown in Figuro S for the lower Iwo dnilaic cycles. MAPPED
MARKERS
INTERVALS
Groen
X
Fose facies are dmslingamnhed io this study: i) rsluanioe distnibolaey-chaonni Dark Blue
sandslaorn. 2) tidal sand-ridge sandstones. 3) prodelia/shelf facies, and 4) tidal- F
chanonl fucien. The first three are weil characierired using log-fucirs patterns and Orange
cares, und the fourth is iulerpcntcd from well-log pallerns and from its inferred areal
Brown E
dislnibutioo. 2
Flu, 4,Structure nf the upper E orme uncnnformity, which currently dips D
111
Esivarine Distributary Channel gently ssmuth.snuthwest, The smnothnrss nf Ibis surface muggestu that no major YeI(ow
',
ESTUARINE Genie size: Slightly upward-lining from fine- to very fine-
Tidat sand-ridge sandstones are distinctive, upward-coarsening sasdbndirs grained sandstone.
grading from sits size to very fire-grained sandstone at the base to upper fine-grained DISTRIBUTARY ,,,
sandstone at the tapin wetl-devrloped deposits (Fig. 7). Upward-coarsening trends Sorting: Well lo very wett.
aee better defined by prugrestivety thicker and moro frequent sandstone layers at the CHAN N EL
sep in contrast to shale layers (e.g., shale with sandstone tenses graden transitionally trot
Clay interbeds: Thin. lenticular at the top.
into sandstone with shale tenses and finally into clean sandstone). Tidal sand-ndge ESTIJARINE
sandstones typically exhibit sharp upper contacta either with laminated sham orwists Clay dusts,
other sandstone facies. Thickness of these sandstones ranges fmm t to 4 m and D (STR ( B UTARY shell dusts and
averages 2 m. Differences in thickness relate to location within the furies tract. wood feugments: Fzesenl nl any level; were common at she base.
Thicker tidal sand-ridge sandstones (3 to 4 w) were found in front of estuarine CHANNEL
distributary syntews. where higher sediment discharge in present.
lo,
Sedimentary Structures
Typical sedimentary structures are ripple and small-scale wavy tasnination, which
are present in the tower two-thirds of welt-developed tidal sand-ridge sandstones Medium. to small-scale trough cmss.ntrutificasinn. Most common ut
(Fig. 7). Small-scale truugh ceosa-stratifscation is sometimes distinctive in the opper ESTUAR(NE the base.
third andin associated with clean, very welt sorted und coarser sands.
Tidal saud-ridge sandstones ore strongly harrowed; locally pervasive biotarbation DISTRIBUTARY Farutlel and wavy lamination cowman at oIt levels of entoarmne
totatty disrupts the original sedimentary structures (Fig. 7). Horicontal traces channels.
(chondeiles) memore common within the shaly sections in the lower tidal sand-ridge
sandstone, and vertical traces (ophiomorpha) uro frequent in clean sandstone levels CHANNEL
Ripples are very common ut the top.
(Fig. 7). Charactreistics of tidal saud-ridge sandstones are summarized in Tabte 2.
Bezeown
20'
Very common in Ihr muddier levels (horizontal burrows) and frequrot
mithin the sands (ophiomorphu).
ESTUAR(NE
DISTRIBUTARY
Ftc. 6.Stacked estoarine distrihalary-ehannet sandstones Ibatindividsatty Pradeltu/Shelf Furien
rshibit subtle upward-fining vertical trends and a decrease in scale nl CHANNEL
sedimentary stroctores. (A) Ernsive basal contacts eummnnly srparatr fine- Frodettuishelf fuetes consist of highly laminated shales intercalated with very thin
framed sandstones at the hate from very hoe-framed sandstonrsatthe top nf she lenses of siltstone asd very fine-grained sandstone (Fig. 7). Horiovntal chondrile
noderlying channel. (B) Mudstone interbeds at the top nf estoarmne channels traces are scattered throughout these shaten. These thicker, low tog-resistivity
iodtcate snaning nf caceent energy. Shell fragments at alt levels soggest 30'
peedelta/shelf shates wree used to define bnundurien nf genelicatly related
csntisuoosmollsenee nf tidal eorrrnta ea pable of lranspsrting binclasts frsm deposstsasat packages (events) und were useful in delineating the upper and lomee
shallnw.martsr arras into the distrihutaryehannrl. (C) Ophmomnrpha tracesare boendaries of deltaic toben.
scattered throughnat the estoarmne dmstrihutary-ehannet sandslnnes. Thicknesses of this lithofacies within the field area (und in the dellaic drpuccntrr)
(D) Commonly, the losere eslaarine.channel deposits within an estuarine ruege from decimetres to a few meters; seaward, the facies espands rapidly.
dtslribntary complex nhnsv a greater degree nf binloehation in eenpnnse tu the Typically, prodelto/shelf shales rest abruptly en tidal sand-ridge facies hut are
isflaence uf sballvw-marine cundilisos. (Key to nymhnls in Fig. 8). gradulieoal upward into the sand-ridge facies (Fig. 7).
Sedimentary Stractnres
Frequently in high cancenoalions at the sop. depositional feci of successise intervals.
Comparison of percent-sand cOnLentt in internats A and B (Fig. 8; which together
compose deltaic cycle 1, Fig. 5) aed in inlercals C-G (Figs. 9 and IO; which
collectively compote deltaic cycle 2, Fig. 5) shows a progrennise increase in sand
!C I6127'-6132'
Wavy lamination and ripples are dominant is the lower two-thirds of the content serticalty within each of these two dellaic cycles. That is, areas mapped sa
containing >60% sand increase in armi entent stratigrophicalty upward. TIDAL-SAND RIDGE C
Cyclic areal shifting uf deyocootern is well ittasleated by deltaic cycle 2. During
Small-scale trough cross-stratification is usually present in the upper deposition of intervals C-G, depocesters alternated between northern and soulhom
one-third facies. bei 0f sedimentation (Figs. 9 and 10). The oeca separating these two centers of
sedimentation had persistently low-sand content. u
Burrows
Most common within Ihr lower half nr at Ihn nnry sop of the facies.
Frequently muddy sandstones are homogenized by biolurbatton. Analysis of set-sand and percent-sand maps, core descriptions of three wells.
Gyhiomoepha traces are common in sand-rich levels. seeLical log-pattern trends, and log-facies interpretation ted to the definition of fine
deltaie progradational cycles (Fig. 5). The lower two cycles are well constrained by
the data discussed above; the upper three cycles were largely defined by well-log
character and are onty locally preserved within the graben io the eastern part of the
Eocene Frac area. Each of the five deltaic cycles contains slower, thin progradalional
paine followed by aggradation followed by abandonment and coastal innandation.
PRODELTA /
Ftc, 7.Tidal nand.ridgr sandstones coarsen and thicken upward. A SHELF FACIES
gradational hasal cansad wish prndelta/shelf faoirs is defined by upward.
Tidal-Channel Facies iroreasing sandstone content (left column in A(, Flaner.Iypr srdimentaryntrae.
Inert (B) and hintarhation (C) are common in the loner Iwo.thirdn of the fanes,
Lithofacirs description of tidal-channel facies is limited Io well-log character (D) The sops of wetl.deseloped tidal saod.ridge sandstones are computed affine.
basasse this facies was not intersected is available cores. lsterpretalsos of Ihn tidal grained sandstones and small-scale tenogh eross-stralification. The complele
channels was is part based on meal facies assncialioon. This lithofocies is found in vertical necrion shosen is not atways present and probably responds to relative
areas of low set-sand content, which are interpreted as irterdislribelary shoals posititsn within lbs tidal sand.ridge sandstone hody. (Key lo symbols in Fig, 8),
.................u.a*sS Samsumsmsus
Maguregni and Tyler Evolution of tidedomioalod dellaic sandstones 236
N..aa....m. .... Based on wettlog character. aggradation was the dominant process (Fig. 5). Most
N
SAND
o e M I F 55F
b O.st a1lP CLAY mrd.
abandonment deposits are not tatorotty estensivo and represont tocat tobe foundering
. Tsmrd. N und rowoeksog. An encnptlon occurs with the abandonment of dotlaic cycte 2; muds
compO55ng is masker UmS are comnbamd a0m5 t estoc mea
INTERVAL A
.
....
R
r
-r2
r
uC
r 3'
rat reconoced
etto'
i INTERVAL B
dettaic sodimeniation. The sandbody dip orientation (east-mont), funnel-shaped
depocenters, high sand-to-shale ratios, shsckening of cycles seaward, aod basat
. . N ET SAN D, / SAN D ---- -i-- . N ET SAN D, / SAN D upward-coarsening units provide evidnnce foe the dottaic origin of these sediments.
..
. .
. .w:__,______- ' -.o_--.- -,- ,. , Eoidonce for thedominance oftidat proc canoni s the strongly dip-oriented mear trend
:-'' ' / .
-:r__m ... . ofthe nearshoee, shattow-mthne sandstone facins, the high degree of biotarbatinn in
all tithofacies typos, and the presence of lasdward-seasspoetod marine bioctasts
*:;r
.
: :t: dobtao:htf
:: dtk
-.
- ----. -
-
_..
-'
- --::-- '' g g g ph are lt flh p g dt f
Those detta lobos shifted laterally along stodce during nUtting of detiaic drposiiional
gt t d lob tury
'. -j / - EXPLANATION . '-- ' - anrs. Eslaarioe deposition alternated from nords to south between badsymetricatty
n t ti ectdby
11117 . t doet
-
I
Sn
," j., t 6km
th d gd p k fd lt pl 2)
rk
suC G)w 1ml dt b IP
'
I
StrarpOanaint
a
:.... -- . The principal feature of each delta tobe is the nslaarïne distributary-channel
- z : :mt±hc
1117
' ' .. . . : IA ,
-
=
onions!. nartmerat bsrrnsi
alay tsars
........ ... . ,_.- (Figs. 9 and to).
(A)
o
r
2000es
6000 ft
®C
E n al I mss
d
Distributary snarse
c tau intern
6070% sand
Dtbotsry
95g55j5 t
0
t i
2000m
I
60005
Cared well
E na anal Isnit
aai
Distributary saurnu
60 70% sand
Its
A
k
I
d IdI
t h
t)
t
hn
(B) 1h
1h
d:l
wrst, dip-oriented nandhody lrrnds and locistiard sand-rich depocenlers. Core
t1
sand map nf internat B presents even mare remarkable dip-orienlrd trends. The
rare draeription for the towrr purl of internist Il (inset) reveals the presence of at
least ano typical estaarinr distrih t yh
Continuous strorstring-sand depncentrrs in intrrval B suggest wrtl-rslubtished
I na dslo e.
d
IA
dg
ggrt
S
dt
d h,
- -
ii ° w w ' -
\ /
"\5Tj \_J
Note\/
ssr
m - - -
G . Cil - --
Fin, 9.(A-D) Net-sand/percent-sand maps of intervals C-E, lower part of
deltaic cycle 2. Net-sand and percent-sand trends or these three intervats fotlow -- ... - ,
the same persistent dip-oriented pattern. Areas of higher sand conoentratiOn
(>60% sand) mimic thicker sand areas, ta generat, fnonrt-shaped net-sand
, ' Contoti Internai' 10 5E
- ,
Contour internal: 511 - Contour InternaI: 5*
contour tines drn:reate Ilse prece of bsbuarm d:trintary eyttems ophip t: ® Cored well 60'70% sand ® Cored well ®
2000m L o 2000m H 60-70% sand o 2000w 60-70% sand
Eros anal I mil Erosional I mit Eeos rial lint
ptt lyf m th t tCt th t tD dh kt 5h
> 70% sand
I
>. .
/
. .
-..
-
-:--. Estuarine
-
- t
A Distributa-
J' Channel
--
(a t a a a
- Corn ex
dip
dpt dmpf dGPPpI
"' .IIIII7'
d
hg d d wts h 55 ty
ht
h d y tr th t f'tt r Id
- - -
-
.
.
.
. ..
e
-::iiiIi::
/
Ç
\t_x
-
5
t
ss etcrvat F but extred aver mast of the firtd arca in ictervat G. The
À
'
Estuarine
-
- Distributa-
- -
Channel
-
Cornplex
Cnataur interoaI 55 Cnotnae intervet: lOft Ç .-
Cnredwell Carodwell
2000m 60-70% sand 60-70%sand í-,
Eroainoallimit
0
I
2000m
-- Ernsionallimit __a__-
60005 Drntribatary snurce
> 70% sand 6000 ft > 70% sand
Distributary soarne
.4 Net-sand contour major estaarine disleibularirs are referred Is as tidal delta-plain arras, which
inciade lidal-plain sandsinnes aod mndslones and lidal-ubannel facies. Cross
seciiens A-A', B-B', and C-C' arr shown in Figares 12-14.
detta complex (Fig. 17). Total dimensions of the tide-domioaied delta nuggesied for
ube Eocrnn Frac area could only be determined by delailed facies interpreistinnos ihr
regional scale, which is beyond the scope nf ibis niudy.
ildOOnud FOdgus
O 600m
2000 ft
2000 ft
Estuarine
Distributary 3O'
Channel
TIDAL-DELTA PLAIN
Fsa, 15.Interpretation of rstsarsne distribntary progradatien processes
Tidal-Sand Ridge within interval F, drltuir cycle 2. Three schematic putrngeogrzphic maps show
the location nf active estnarine distribatary channels and the puleacaastline
ihrnngb time (1, II, and III represent saceessive intervals nf time). Wells M and
S show lithnfucirs variation lathe dip direction. The core dencniptias. presents
the vtratigraphic central for the three pragrudationul events. Frogradutional
processes are indicated by lateral migration afalt facies seaward (e.g., rstnarino
channels reached well S later than well M). As purl nf this process, shifting nf
t 2000 nr active channels redistributed sediments in front of the estoary (see funnel'
shaped nrt.sand unntanr lines), Finally, abandonment of the estaariar
distribnlury system followed by sea.tevel antup resulted in u laterally estensicr
lnw.resistive marine shale. Geometric relationships of pateacoantline und
lithofacies taken from she Muhaham detta (Allen and ethers. 1979) and Golf of
Papaa (Fisher and others, 1969, p.47).
Morn. R., 1987. Estudio dei Eoceno dei Lago de Maracaibo, Parte Norte y ExIe:
Internal Report. Caracas, Lugoven S. A.. 197 P.
Mcenes., L. D., 1975, tIolocene send bodies in the Colorado delta area, northern GaIf
of Califemia, in Beoussurd, M. L. , ed., Deltas: Hoaslon Geological Society.
Interval F p. 87-98.
Deltaic Cycle 2 Nnvvo.s. E. R., 1961, Recoeeelatiou of the Eoceue Upper "B" Members in the Tie
Juana, Lagunillus. aod northern Bachaquero areas: Internal Eepoet. Curacus,
Lagoven, SA., 8 p.
Ors, T., 1963, Rhythmic linear sand bodies caused by tidal currents: American
Association nf Petroleum Geologists Bulletin. v.47. p. 324-340.
MAHAKAM DELTA Swnnsox. D.C.. 1982, Slrssclaee and distribution of resisliverenervoie deposits in Irr
Eoceno B-2-X.68, E-2-X.69, B-2-X.70, und B-2-X.7l eexerooirn, Lake
Mndioed utter Allen ned Others, 1979
Maracaibo, Venrznela: Internal Report, Caracas, Lagoven S. A.. p. 26.
WALTON, W. M., 1967. The informal units of the subsurface Ensene: Asociacion
Venezolana de Geologia, Mineria y Peteetro Bulletin, y. IS, p. 21-30.
O 2Kw Wasotso, L. D., Cot.sstnu, J. M., ovo Tisons, B. G., 1973, Processes of channel
development in n high-tide-rungr envieonment: Cambridge GuIf-Ord river detta,
Western Auntratia: Journal nf Geology. v.81. p. 15-41.
Mdljgh bar
ZnMno.xvs, E., VasQuez. E., Devon, E., Lanaetu.e, M., aso Coveecunen. B., 1972,
Submarine levees
Puleegeagraphic and Peteoleam Synthesis of Wettern Veneenelu: Pods, Editions
Techoip, 62 p.
Enlumine Rossons, L. G., 1977, tutorare geoldgice preliminar del urna piloto del yacimiento
Dintrib. B-2-X.75: Internal Report, Curacas, Lag000n S. A., Shp.
Chart.
INTRODUCTION
Dmenrg the ant frw yearn, knowledge of the internal birractrare of intertidal
bedforrna, an a kny for nmdenntaaading theie faenmatinan, han ingreannd nigmificasatly
(Boersrna 1909; Kleiaa, 1970; Bnersrna and Terwimdt, 1981; Datrympte, 1984; asad
others). Compaeatively, ksaowlndgr nf large sabtidal bedfarrnn eemaien veay parer,
as mentiomed by several anthaes (Allen, 1982a; MnCave, 1985; Beldernom, 1985;
Keniaa arad Malafa, 1986; Rinhardn, 1866). Mont of the nnaaceptmal mndetn of stach
large flow-geaanveese bedlorms arre bannd am the interpretation nf the steatigraphic
renard, am theoretical considerations and/er em the interpretatinm al smaller
badloerns (Reinnch, 1963; McCave, 1971; Allem, 1980; Walker, 1984). The amly
denceaptiam direndy related ta a knawm aaabtidat environmeat was givem by Visser
(1980) learn saab-Holonene etatneops of the Onnteenchetdc (Nethnrtandn).
The first aitcmpt lo provide ialorsmatïon aboal the internal structure of large FIG. 2.-'Siaaaplifimd bsltay-anmtry of the studied arms; tide onrrmetios from
srrblidat domen al thn Eagtinh Channnl was presented recemdy (Berné and athera, gangr mmasuremmnts prnvidrd by tian Pnrt Autonome dr NantmC. Vsiumm
1988), amd wan based an the non al new sainmac etpaipmant. Is order la confirm the refer to the lamant law tide; internals between enflions lisies see I m. See
Pto. l,Lmmstton nf tiar study area,
esasteace nf nach reflactoen another nene with large dimes was snrveynd in 1986 Fig. 1 for loestimn asad nrims,taliom,
.....s...s.Na...S*aS.SN................U..
2°16 2°15 2°14 2°13 2°12 2°11 2°10470
470 I T I I I
I I
05 I I 05
.-
-
-
'i"LJ.
'
;tp
Pb.fl 444.Ç .
'I
o
..*1 'n
-- f ' / -
0 1km
I I I I i I I
\
, \
'"\ '%
-
/
-
/
oo o-0 0.00
I g g g g g
I
I
I
I
I
g g g g g g
g g g
I
I
I u
I i
$
I
I
I
i a
I
I
u
TABLE 1-Cb efnriotieo of 16 donna of the Boorgneuf neon. Only
profiles perpendicular to the erestline were employed
FIG. 6A.Mosaie of siuuoun large doues from the ceutrul port of the
study orna; small doues (megaripples) are roughly parallel to the erestliun
on the stono side of the very tange door, but they are sometimes
perpeadies.lor at the bottom of the lee side. See Ioeatioo ou Fig. 4B.
C D
0 50m
(1)
(1)
(3) (3)
(2)
A - -,,------. -
(I)
(3)
50m
5m
o-
'ri
'f3
Y5
b
's VI 5O
FIG. 8A.Mosaic of large and very large dunes of fbe ccotral part of the
study arco. Sec location ¡n Fig. 4B.
FIG. 88.Interpretation of the mosaic and bathymctnc profiles; i.
medium sand, 2. coarse sodinscnl, 3. dune crest, 4. comet mark or sand
ribbon. CD and EF refer to the seismic lines on Fig. 8C.
Comparison of sessmtc and core data is difllcolt because the core is nat lucated
esactly os the setsmic rection but aboat 18 m away. The dune doss, however, Depth True D;recfiuv Type
(em) Dip angin
clearly extend ta the seismic line (as shon'u by the sidesean sonar) aud the
reflectors observed on the seismic profile can be related to some of the more
eeideal erosion surfaces in cere. This is the case for the sab-horizont.nl reflector
observed in the upper pael of the seismic section, which can be related luths major 67 22 344 Dl
dieconlinuity Dl located ata depth el -67cm in the core. This is probably the case 70 29 118
loe the gently-dipping second-order crimea surfaces of the seismic sactioa, which 71 27 118
77 22 118
can tre related to 'medium discoatinuilies' sitssaled around -134 and -171 cm in the 78 29 68 03
core. The latter discoutiaaity, in particular, corresponds well loa major reflector, lu 84 24 98 02
order lo contiens this interpretation, synthetic seismograms were calculated truing 85 23 118
densities measured from the cere and signalises measurement of the seismic reseco 86 21 118
that we have employed. The calcalation was done foe parallel and horizontal beds. 69 29 118
The results show (Lericolais und Meunier, 1989) that a coarse layer less than 1 em
92 34 ff8
93 30 350 03
thick, interbedded in medium sand, is sufficient to create a contrast of impedance at 94 32 ifs
the origin el a seismic rellecler. On Ihr other hand, mont of the steepesl layers 99 29 liS
(sandfiow deposits) are probably nos rinibla docto the diffraction of seismic waves 102 30 118
and to their limiled lateral culent, 104 30 118
105 34 f18
106 30 75 03
FIG. 8C.Se.smic pratilrs acrnss lise same zane; letters C, D, E, F rnfnr Origirt o( oleep laminar 109 32 fill
ta Fig. SB. Thn dip ar.le nf the lee sides at tise dsmes and nf thu ¡alamaS 115 26 355 02
refleetars are abaut 30 - The beginning at an impactant channel till can be Soveral authors (McCavc, 1971; Alten, t982a) emphasized the fact that the lee 117 21 118
santa an tise right side al each pral ile. slopes of the saud waves (our very large dunes), as measured from bathymetric 121 27 118
f26 22 118
surveys, were very gentle, except usar the crest, escladlug the possibility of large- f27 25 110
scale avalanche deposits. On the other baud, most of the descriptions of audient 128 24 118
deposite mterpeeted as fossil very large or large dunes, mentiou the ruistence of 131 26 ils
large-scale cross-beds dipping as angles eaagiag from 25 Is 37' (Van der Lindru, 132 22 118
1963; de Raal and Borrsma, 1971; Nb, 1976; Visser, 1980; 1-lomewoud and AlIcu, 134 >15 02
138 17 118
1981; AlIra, i982b; Ceumeyrolfe, 1984; Teyseon, 1984; Buck, 1985; Mutti and 141 21 118 L
others, 1985; Jorzylaewico und Wojewoda, 1986; Kreisa and Meiola, 1996; f42 23 118 L
Richards, 1986; Santielebau aud Tabeener, 1988). 145 24 118 L
sedimettt foyers (0.300 to 0.450 mm) show the rernimam contesst (from 15 to 20%). the right side of the eodiogeaphs (Fig. liB). One explanation of this apparenl contradiction mighl be on onderestimalios of 146 18 118 L
Thm soclioas (Fig. 12) show that coarse layers cossrast of bioelastie shell debris ottd The lamsuac arc interrapted by three types of discontiussiliec Mojar Ihr leoude elopes, due to low sampliag raIes and wide emissiou lobee of most of Ihr 148 17 118 L
that fiac layers are moistly silleictastic. These layers are called lamistac, in the tease d,rcerrtoruities (Dl) display a sharp augsdar uucoaformily aad dip 'ni a different 149 25 118 L
classic echosoanders. Asrother explauation, especially for the dunes ou the outre 151 22 118 L
of C.smpbell (1967), as the thiooest recogssizable beds. All of these lamirsao dip direction (Table 2) from the uudcrtying beds. The only example is provided by the shelf, is that they are 'moribond' bedlorws where thc morphology is nel in
roughly lu the same directiosr, at a tette angle rangreg from 17' lo 34' (Ihr truc 152 19 118 L
bouadaty belweon the upper aud ccutoot nuits (67 cm). Medium diocortsiouitizo cquskbeium with preteut dynamics. 154 21 118 L
angles are calculated from two perpendicular moasaeemenls of apparent aegles). (D2) dip in tIse same dieeetiou as the rsudeelyiag and overlying beds (Table 2) bat lu the Boargacuf area, the measured angles of the leesides of the duces make 155 21 118 L
The slab direction of the core was determined from scauner radiographs in order to they dearly erode the ssuderlyiug beds. These surfaces arc sometimes audulaled. possible the developmrat of large-scale flow soparatioa aud large-scale avalanchiug, 157 2f 118 L
determino the direction of mosissrtass dip of the layers of the contrat surit. As this One of these discoeliauilios appears at the lower litnil of the unit (depth 171 cm), as mellas related soskmealary slnsctures. 159 21 118 L
dircctioa was not measured during the coring, its vaIne is assumed lo be the three others are preseut at -84, -115 und .134 cm. Mirror diocorrtiouitieo (D3( 161 22 118 L
Mechanisms of sedtmeulatioa iu the Ire of traneverse bedfoems were previously f83 19 118 L
dsreccou of migracou of the dour, aboat azimuth 118 tu most of the casos, the
.
correspond so a small change of the augle of dip (from 2' to 6') and gentle described in roliau deposits (Baguold, 1941). Field observations (Hunter, 1985b), 164 19 118 L
lamiaae preseas a sharp aud plaaao (at the scale of tho core) contad, bat in other reworking of the uaderlyiag bed. flume esperimenta (Allen, 1965; Joppliug, 1865; Hontre and Kocurek, 1986) aad f66 18 118
cases, perpoudsealar (vertscal) gradmg of the sediment inside individual layers is The loner eins (171-268 cm) is rery biolarbaled. The harrows and Ihr press mathematical modeling (Hunter, 1985a) have showa thaI Ihr foreset deposits of 167 19 118
peesosst. In some casos, grading is normal (tirnag upward) as in the caso of the slructares (flleinrck and Singit, 1980, Fig. 240) likely represent tower sedisstenlation small subaqualic doues or other flow-transverse bcdforme were the product of f70 13 112 02
lamiaae located betweca .115 and -109 cm aud .142 and -141 cm. Ou the other rate and weaker hydeedyuamic condifiour. Sedimentary els'actuers are difficult to saudflow (Bagnold, 1954; McKee und others, 1971) and saudfall (HunIer, 1977) 201 34 85 D37
baud, Ihr thickest (and coarsest) layers sometimes present grade reverse grading, as 208 23 62 03?
Irterpret because of the biological activity. Nevertheless, vague, small-scale planar processes. Criteria for idealificatiors and diecriminatiou el sack deposits include
sa the case of the layers located bctweon -126 aad .121 cm und -98 aad -94 cm. As cross.bedding (angles of dip from 26 to 30 ) can be recognized as the upper part geometry of the layers, augle of dip, sharpness of the contacts, type of grading of
most of the steadtuoes are inclined, their position is systematically measured along (between 171 and 210 cm). goaius, and porosity.
xl X2
t_../'
't
\44 VK2
X3- /' X4
X5
X4
::H2030
X5 - X6
Ion-u-.
20-
30
FIG. 9A.Mosaic of the corrng zone. See location on Fig. 4B. FIG. 9B.tnterprelalion of the mosaic and bathymetoie profiles. i.
medium sand, 2. coarse sediment, 3. dune crest, 4. sand ribbon or comet
mark, 5. orientation of small dune (meguripple). VKS2 location of the
core. AB location of the seismic profile (Fig. SC).
f3D-Ripples
Depth CaCo3 (%) A0O4
STICK PLOT AND GRAIN SIZE INTERPRETATION
(m) 20 40 60 1.6 1.8 2 l0'20 40 200 300 500p
- Dl SET BOUNDARY
°' i,,,,
02 Erosion surface
" - 0 -j- Erosion surface
n.
AO B
D2 Erosion surface
2
Ç" J 20-RIpples
"T
2,5-t K' BOTFOM SET
N298' Nils'
2
ill lOo
180-
II
260-
D2 40-
4O
I
-
1 20-
FIG. 11B.X-ry rdiogephn, orin.ted in Ihn amn dieontion m Fig.
lIA. Difforonnen of nontrost nro mdssno4 by chnngns of smb
intnntntion m Fig. IO nod 'roble 2. 200-
D2
p.,
60-
I ' J.
40-
220-
afr
K -
: o - 7
O '
ore Tenerme, J. H. J., 1981, Nrap-sprmg tide soqnences of mtertidal Koexx, R. D. see Mosxo, R. J., 1986, Sigmoidal tidal bondies and other tide- saxd woce complex ix the Southeast margin of dio Eocene Catalan Basin,
shoal deposits in a mesolidol estnaey: Sedimoatology, v.28, p.151.170. generated sedimentary stroclxees of the Curés Formation, Utah: Geological Spant, is de Boce, P. L., van Gelder, A,, and Nio, S. D., edo., rule-influenced
Boceto, A. H., Hooreror, M. A., axe On.acoo, R. C., 1977, Sand wovrs and other Society of America Bulletin, v.97, p.301.307. sodrmvnlaey envtronnscats and facies, Reidel Publisldng Compaay, Dordoeoht,
bodlorms m Lower Cook Irdel, Alosko Marine Geotechnology, v.2, p. 291.308. Losoeonse, D. N., 1982, A stttdy o! dim dynamics of o marine sand wave: Holland, p. 123-138.
Bromorero, M. E., 1977, The origin of bormdiag surfoces in ancient rolan Srolimentology, v.29, p.571-594. Seren, N. D., 1972, Some sodimenrological aspects ot planar orosx-stratificatioe in a
saodstoaos: Sodimontology, v.24, p. 303.332. Lnercousn, G., Au.eoou, J. P., Ber.se, S., ore Hcn000v, 3., 1988, SINUP: o new sandy braided river: Joxmnal of Sodirnextamy Petrology, v.42, P. 624.634.
Bu05, S. G., 1985, Sand-flow eroso-strato in lido! sands of the Lower Grronsand eqsrpmmnt for aequixilion and processing o! very higlr.eesolulion seismic Sswce, AH,, 1982, Offshore tidal sands: processes and deposits: Chapman and Hall,
(Early Crrtacooas), Southern England: Joarnal of Sodimentory Petrology, v.55, reflection: 20th Geean Technology Conlrrencr Annnal Meeting, Housta, Paris, 222 p.
p. 895-906. USA, peserr'rSsgs, p. 337-343. Sorer, D. J. P., 1985, Response of tire shelf floor to flow, is Tillmun, R. W., Swift, D.
Coseonu, C. V., 1967, Lamina, lanxinosel, bed and bedxet: Srdimentology, v.8, p. 7- Lerrcot.ox, G., axe Mrvxmn, J., 1989, Sismiqoo reflexion, qoelqars sismogrammes J. P., and Walker, R. G., eds., Shell sands and saadstoae moservoies: 1RPM
26. synthétiqxeo inlernat report Institut Français de Recherches pour 'Expl citation Short Coseno 13, p. 135-241.
Cooxrao,me, J. M., Denser,, J., Lone, B., axe Lsr,00nm, B., 1989, Apport do sommer à de la Mer/DIT/SOM/RD/89-227, 27p. Teeueree, J. H. J., 1971, Sand waves indie soathem bight of the North Soro Marine
la géométrie des réservoirs non consolidés Btdlrlin Conter Recherche McCaxe, I. N., 1971, Saud waves in the North sca off the coast of Holland: Marino Geology, y. 10, p. 51-67.
Esploratioa-Prodnclion, Elf Aquilaine, e. 13, 1, p. 167-174. Grology, y. IOp. 199-225. Teerws, T. A. L., 1954, Sedimvalotogy of the Minrete oolitie ironslones ot
Coscones, J. D., 1970, Bodfortns of the Tono rivor, Norway: Geografisker Anoaler, 1985, Recetit shelf clastic sediments, is Bernchley, P.J., and Williams, B. Luxembourg and Lorraine: o Jurassic sobtidal sandwavr complex:
v.524, p.31.55. p_J., cdx., Sedimeolology - recent developments and applied aspects: Bicchwoll Sodimentology, v.31, p. 195-211.
Cnusmonoac, P., 1984, Géométrie 01 faciès d'an complexo do barres de plato-forme Soirotific Publications, Gxford, P. 49.65, Voy Den Lsveeo, W. J. M., 1863, Sedimentary struetsmos and facies inlerpeetatioa of
(fllerdren des Corbières): Diplôme d'Etodes Approfondies, Umvelosilé de McKee, E. D., Doverose, J. R., ose Re-sesnovee, 5., 1971, Deformation ol leosido some Molosse deposits, Srnse-Sohworowassor area, Canboe Bore, Switoertand:
Bordeaux 3,22 p. laminac as colian dones: Bulletin oldie Geological Society of America, v.82, p. Geologica Ultraiectiea, e. 17,, 'Op.
Do,.nrrar,.s, R. W., 1984, Morphology and 'mIoma! sl000Ixee of sand waves 're the 359-378. Vasen, M. J., 1980, Ncap-speing cycles reBooted in Hobocene subtidal largo-scale
boy of Foady: Sedimrntology, y. 31, P- 365-382. Meynvsa, R. M., Jr., Van. P.R., ose Saxonce, J. B., 1977, Straligeaphir interpretation bedloems deposits: a peeliminary note: Geology, y.8, p. 543-546.
Dsvnx, C. M., 1980, Evidence for the lormotioo end age of a commrrvial sand of so,smrc reflectron pattems m deposréoaal sequences, io Payloe, C. E., od., Worsen, R. G,, 1984, Facies Models, second edition. Geoscience Canada, Reprial
deposit ro the Brislol Channel: Estoarine and Coastal Marine Science, y. Il, p. Scssonc Stoatrgraphy - applications to hydrocarbon exploration: Americac Series 1, Tomonlo, 317 p.
83-99. Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 26, p. 117-133.
Fmro, M. E, Nnane, C. H., Cocomose, D. A. axe Dross, D. E., 1981, Sand waves on Moon,,, P., 1988, Etude qxaetitativr de la morphologie des capees sableases en
an ep.conlrnontal shelf: northern Bering sca: Marine Geology, v.42, p233-230. domaine subtidal: Rapport dr stage ENSG. lotstital Français dr Recherches
Gocr.osc, D., 1968, Etnde hydrologiqno el rédimealologiqoe dr la baie dr pour l'Exploitation de la Me'/DERO/GM., Bresl, 127 p.
Boorgneuf: Thèse dr 36mo cycle, Université de NonIos, tO7p. Moves, E., Rosen, J., Atoes, GP., Fosrrerv, t'., ose Soovots,, M., 1985, The Eoccne
Haexe, J. C., 1969, Hydranlie vigrsificance o! neme sand ripples- Geological Society Baeouia tide domiaalc,! delta shelf system in dir Ager basin, is International
of America Bslletin, y. 80, p.363-396. Association of Sedimneelologists 5th European regional meoling, Losida,
Horn, A. C., 1977, Lily bank, Bahamas: history of an active nelle sand shoal: Excursion guido book, p. 579.600.
Jonmal of Sedimentary Petrolology, v.47, p. 1554-1581. Nio, S. D.. 1976, Marine transgrrsxions as a tactoe in the formation of saudwave
Hooew000, P. ose Anar,, P. A., 1981, Wave-, Tidr- and cooeet,t-controlird complexes: Geologie ea Mijnboxw, v.55, p.!O-4O.
sandbodies of Miocene Molosse, Western Switzorland: Bullrfia of American Pmoro, G. M. E,, oso Luonsce, J. C., 1984, Geomomphology of a sand wavn in
Association of Petroleum Geologists, v.65, P-2554-2545. Lower Chesapeake Buy, Virginia, USA: Gro-Marine LoIters, v.4, p. 105-112.
Horneen, R. E, 1977, Basic types of stratification in small rolan dones: Roue, J. F., De, roe Boenssss, J. R., 1971, Tidal deposits and their sedimentary
Sedimenlotogy, v.24, p.361-307. struclttees: Geologie on Mijabouw, v.3, p. 479-504.
l985a, A kmemat,c modrl for the slrxtctttre of beside doposifo: Romeos, H. E., 1963, Srdimentgefoge im Bereich dem Sadlichen Nordsee:
Scdimrntobogy, v.32, p.409-422. Abhandlungen Senekeabeogischen Na.xofoscheaden Gosellsehofl, 0.505, 138 p.
1985b, Subaqurons sand-flow cross sIrota: Jotteoal of Sedimentary ore Sorse, L B., 1980, Depositionol sedimentary eavironments, second
Petrology, v.55, P- 886-894, edition: Springer-Verlag, Berla, 549 p.
axe Kovunas, G., 1986, Aa experimental study of sobaqx000s slipboco Rocxooes, M. T., 1986, Tidal bedfomm migration in shallow marine eavironrnenls:
deposition: Jouruot of Sedimentary Potrology, v.56, p-387-384. evidence from the Lower Triaseis, Western Alps, Frouer, is Knight, R. J., end
Jeszsssrnsrz, T. airo Woneono, J., 1986, The Radkow end Srczelioirc sandstones: an McLean, JR., cdx., Shelf sands and sandxlones, Canadian Society of Petroleum
example of grant foresets on o tectonically controlled shelf of the Bohomiva Geologists Memore 11, p. 257-276, Calgary.
Crelacrosx Basin (Coalral Europe), ist Knight, R. J., and McLean, J. R., rois,, Rento, G. M., 1987, Crms-Beddirg, Bedforms and Paleocameenls, SEPM Concepto
Shelf sands and sandslones: Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologist, Memoir in Seriinxentology and Paleontology 1, 188 P.
11, p. 1-15, Enronar, J. C., asas Lsoeen, P., 1988, Etude par modèle mathématique de quelques
Joworo, A. V., 1965. Hydooelic lactors controlliug the shape of lamieue in aspects dr lo circulation marine entre Quiberors el Noirmostier: lnstitxt
laborolory deltas: Joornal of Srstimentary Petrology, v,35, p.777-791. Français de Recheeches pour l'Esploitotioe de to Mee inlemnal report DERO-
Kuno,, G. dcv., 1970, Dopositional end dispersal dynamics ob intertidal sand bars: 88-26-EL, Brmst, Franco, 8Sp.
Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v.08, p. 1095-1127. Saxrsseensx, C. see Tousnxrrr, C, 1988, Geometry, structure end geodyxomics o! a
Suclyk aod Nee-Nygaard Sand bank and dirse facies uechilcclurc 261
25° 24° 230 71°' w f
MILNE JAMESON Insu
LOUD
v,p,,bòiz tu 2
l J/'/
- /_'_/
7\\f\
'-
/'\_/ JL/
p- \\'5 ;(1-_' Pto 2.Strotigrophic tnhnmn of tien Middle Volgioo.lowcrunost
Raukeiv Formation Volaugirnau sraccnnsioos lu Jomnnou Loud (Surlyk and others, 1973) nod
Milun Land (Biekelund nod others, 1984).
and correlatives
Older Mesozoic and
Upper Palaeozoic sediments
conlinenlal-margin profiles, which normally have a gender dip aoci are much larger.
síi Crystalline basement The element thus represents huge Sund batiks with sheet geometry und a minimum
.700 30' volume of 300 300 0.030 ken' = 27 km' of coarse-grained, poorly-sorted, texturally.
immature quartz sand. The satire element type occurs in the Hennigryggen Member in
25 km
Scoresby Sund Mdae Laud more than 80 knt went of the outcrop urea (Birkelnod and others, 1904), and
the total sandbank sottane may have been of the order of neveml hundred kesn.
25° 24° 23° 22°
Element SD Sanad dune
Thin element has sheet geometry, as de the preceding SB and SD elements, and
comists nf low-aesplisude sough cross-bedded, diffusely crens-laminatosi and horizontally
lumisoled medium-and coarse-framed sandstone (Fig. 14C). Element thickness is 2-10
m and the beundarics are sharp. The sassdsteses are glaucorsitizect and intensely bssstawed
by the hairpin U-burrow Diplocraserdon hsubichi. Bivalves. cetsoids, ammeoises and
helrmoitrs occur in abundance. Puleocureenl directions ase difficult te measure due to the
high degeso of burrowing and the low asnplitade of the trough cross-bedding, bot they arr
consislendy toward the south, encept in ene small area where northerly dips were
observed (Fig. 16).
The element represents slow deposition and reworking of suad ondin omission surface
lopping the sandbanks by relatively slow cousl-parallel currents. The bimodalily of the
puleocuerents muy reflect tidal actisity era lanaI reversal of the coast-parallel current
system.
The successios consists of a setal of Iwelee stocked elements representing four SB,
0SD three SD. daten SS and two SI elements (Fig. 3). No clear systematic vertical slacking
order has been observed. Each unit ir given an element letter cede, und a nsanhor
OSS i
--
.s.sN__._._.._..a
Surlyk and Noe-Nygaard Sand bank and dune facies architecture 264
-JNW ESE
U
-L-- SB2topset
Q UjTÌ U
SB2
U
V u
u
SB2
Sarlyk and Noe-Nygaard Sand bank and dnne facies architectare 265
SW 0SD2 NE
SD 2 _- 78 D. hobichi, glauc., pebble lag
0SB 2 0SD2
0SB2
.12
170
SB2
w E
FIG. 7.A shows top port of mngo-erosn-bed of element SB 2. Note avolanche bnds. Migration dienction towacd the east. Loe. 7 in Fig. 1. C
sigesoidal foreseto that geadoally steepen dowodip. Migeation direutioo shows the toageotial basal portion of mega-breado of element SB 3. Loe. 12
toward the east. Lou. 8 is. Fig. 1. B. shows the steep, middle portion of a in Fig. 1.
mega.eross-bed of element SB 2. Foresets are simple, SO- to 30-em-think
Surlyk and Noe-Nygaard Sand bank and dune facies architecture 266
A
FIG. 8.A, shows compound mega-cross-hed of element SB 3.
Migration toward east. B and C show details of sandstone tower to Ihr
right in A. Note the large-scale trough cross-bedded inlrasets formed hy
3-D dunes, which migrated toward the southeast at un ohliqnr angle
down the slope of the sand hank. Loe. IO in Fig. t.
Surlyk and Noe-Nygaacd Sand bank and dune facies architecture 267
SE SW
----0SB 3
B3 0SD2 0S3283
0SB2 5D2
SB -- SB2
SB2
0SB 2 12
Sunlyk and Noe-Nygaard Sand bank and dane facies archirectare 268
SB- 0-SB 2
A B C
FIG. 11.Aerial photographs showing horizontal section lhzongh large-
scale planar crosn-bedding representing fields of linear sand dunes.
Migration dinection in connislently lo the sonth. Loc lin Fig. 1.
Surlyk and Noe-Nygaard Sand bank and dune facies architecture 270
N
-- -- OS82 -
27
- 98
Surlyk and Noe-Nygaard Sand bank and dune facies architecture 271
. -!
- oSS
SS
os ___
96
114 r-104
Surlyk and Noe.Nygaard Sand bank and dune facies architecture 272
E
A B C
FIG. 14A shows large-scale cross-bedding of element SD i hori000tI bottomart or 100501 or element SB 3 (compare Fig. 7C).
overlain by low-amplitude trough rross-brdded od burrowed elemeot Migratioo toword the sooth. Loo. 2 in Fig. 1. C shows low-amplitude
SS 2. Migrutiou toward Ihr south. Loc. 2 io Fig. 1. B shows large. troogh cross-bedding of elemeot SS 3. Very high density of U.borrow
Saale planar cross-bedding of rlemeot SD 2 overlaon by the near. Diptocraterioo hobirhi. Migratiou toward the north. Loo. 3 in Fig. 1.
INIFJSFISrTAO1000FTIIEELOMcNTS
rrpeenentiog brnthir rommunilien with different species composition. Thin suggests that
fully-grown popalolions were dcveloped on the hank and along the buck margie brlween
successive avalanching events. If the average horizontal forereI thickneon is 30cm, and
¡ n
the growth to adulthood of the beethic nperieu is assumed tabo 3 yearn, il is possible te
Archiiretsral rlemenls airive ata foot-outer approvimatine of bank growth raIe of 10 cm/ycar. SB 2 cmps oat
Foor main elemeeln are eecognized in the Fyeselv Member, t. The SB (sandbank)
for 30km in an 000hore-offuhore transect. The duration of migration of this poet oldie
bank in thus 30 s 3/0.0003 = 300,000 years, with orale of 10 mo/year. If we further
/ 1,
elemeet forms sheets 15-50m thick, which cover at leant 900 km2, and have volumes of assume a uniform pmgeadatioe role armus the 125-km-wide banjo, the duration fmm
about 30 km'. Migraline wan mainly offshorr to the cant. Pour SB clemenl sheets are bauli initiation in the Mine Lund aera to bunk oelup along the eastern havis margin can r =205
recogntred (Fig. 3). 2. The SD (sund-duce) element ternis sheets 2-8m Ihick, vehivh also be calculated ai 125,0.0001 = 1.25 m.y. Thin Bgarn, of coarse, in based Onu number nf
n = 122 coves ut trust 900 kot5. and have volumes of about 6 kin'. Migoatioe of dune fields was very crude assumptions, the mont important of which is thai the ease of nzdimrnt nupply
southward, parallel to the coast and lo the banjo anis. Three SD-elrmeet sheets arr ta the bank margin was ucifoen during all stages of bank growth. The enleemely
recognized (SDI, SD2 and SD3) (Fig. 3). 3. The SS (sand-shoot) clrwent femes sheets uoifomn nausee of the SB element lends seme credeuce ta the hypothesis. The part of the
2-10 m thick, which, like the SB and SD rlrmentu, cover ut leant 900 kw', and huvr Fynselv Member studied here is of Middle Volgian L. gi-ozelundieuo Zone ne a slighdy
volumes of at leant 2 tan'. Transport direction was coanl-parallel lathe nouth Orlo the earlier age, to Early Ryaaanian basa] H. Oozed Zone age. The duration of this interval in -,,, SS
noeth. Three SS domed sheets arc recognized (551, SS2 ucd SS3) (Fig. 3). The SS about 8 my. according ta the time scalo of Hoq and others (1987). Daring this period,
sheets arr slighdy more variable, however, und their total lateral entent is probably tens four SB elements were formed. This gives a toed duration of each SB and associated
B than she former rlemcntn. 4. The SI (sillotone) element forms sheets varying in elements of 2 my. When allowance is made for the time repmuroied by the much r'_f SD
thickersn frema few metern lo about 20m, and which cover al least a few hundred km', thinner asnociated SD, SS nr St elemects and the hiatal (omission) narfucen, the
but wedge cot tolezally. At leant two SI sheets ase recognized in this member (Fig. 3). calculated urne foe bock progrudatios acrons the basin seems fully acceptable. Bark SB
The SB element is the most prominent of the four doc lo the thickness, volume, and apparently formed within one or several ammonite zones, and there in titee orno overlap
exIenI of the mrga-ceenn.bedn. The hautin formed along the western coaudine, hut details hvlween biostratigraphic ages of the bucks, although Ihr data arr Ion scarce Io allow 0) s,1
of Inioutine aod relation to coastal features are ankeown due te lack of outrrop. The more precise coocluviom lobs drawn. Thus. SB 2 in fully cootained within a few rones
banks mageated nlowly eastwards until they nolapped nr merged with the easiem basin in the Middlr Volgion.
margin. Water depth in front nf the bunk al least equalled the thivknesn of the pmgtaiting
unit, i.e.. 15-50 es. The cxtrrme sheet geomelry, and the lack of scooting and wave-
formed structures on the buck narfare suggest that the waterman relatively doep over the Errol of bunk ikpesiuos
bunks, probably up te ahnat 50m deep, whereas the depth seaward of the bunko wan up
to 50m higher. A decrease in raie of sea-level rise resulted in u decrease in bank uggradatios, wheeled
The two mao, naedbaisks, SB 2 and SB 4, migrated oree offshore silinlone (SI I and by thinner or missing topsels. Thin trend wan nlighdy increased daring masimum
FIG. 15.Rene diagram (non-liurae frrqnonry scale) showing dip 2). le the cane of SB 4, an SD oeil (SD 3) occurs between the ndtotone and the bank. FIG. 16.Rene diagram (una-linear frequency scale) tor the large-scale
directions of the megn-cross-beds or elinoforms of the SB elements. The plot h,ghstaud and beginning fall in sea level. Increasing este of sea-level fall eenulled in
The progoading banks are analogous ta continental-margie ctinofoncs ucd almost drceease in accommodation space. During high ante of fall, book taps osperiruved pIazze cross-bedded SD elements (black) and nome nf the Ibis trough cross-
is cnmntntive for all recognized SB elrmrnts. The sample gronp to the upper
approach sowe margins in dimensions. It in thus tempting ta compare the two typeu of noodeponilion followed by sheet erosion (Fig. 17C). This in reflected by the formutios
bedded nets of the SS element (stippled). The SD dale include nil recognized
right represents SB 2 und SB 3, the gronp to the nppee left SB t and SB 2, SD elements, whereas the SS data are from one sample area only. Note the
and Ihr gronp at Ihr bottom SB 4. Notr the nnimodal distribution showing deposteonol system and ta apply nequence-slratigruphic concrpts ta hank interpretation. of grovel veneres, by the lack of topsel, and by non-uigmoidal tangential formels asures
The Iwo types of harm differ in onvhoee-offuhore teetanic-vuhnidence estes, and offnhoee in SB 4 (Fig. 3). nnimodal southwards migration nf the large dune fields represented by the
an average migration direction due east. The average alrecurrent direction SD elements. Locution area shown by rectangle in Fig. t.
of the intranets in the gianit foresets in toward 135 i.e., defleetrd 45 water depth. The subsidence rute ieceeunes in o seaward direction io the continental- Sea-level lowvtand was followed by ,ea-Ievrl rise. If the initial mIe of rise wan high.
toward the southeast of the bank foresels. The parallel lines in the three margin selling, whereas the iutracraloeic basin shows o nlight increase in subsidence rote the anca of sedbeesiation moved far westward toward the coasdine, und the bunk top
sample-group areas ore trend lines of the sandbank margins. Location of mward the center of the fouie and thee a decrease tomant the opponite margin. became a narface of noedeposition and was gluaroeitiaed and btarowrd by D, hiabiohi
area shown by rectangle in Fig. 1. The tower contact of the SB dominI isa dosunlup suefaee, ucd the banks migroled over (Fig. 17E). Under icleresediate rates nf tise, thr bauktop sedimeets were rewothed by
a gluuconitieed. burrowed omission surface nr over a highly binlurbated, condensed npplra or low-amplitude 3-D dunes into o Iruesgreosive sheet nand uoder relatively lower-
sitatune (SI). Bank growth wan initiated during nra-level rim loading te highotand (Fig. flow-eegsme cnndtuons (Fig. l7D). 'fltis phase in repreneeted by the thin, strongly.
17D). Thick SI surctssionu uuggrst a high este of nra-level rise, whereas their absence bintarbated, glauconitizeol SS elemeets, which overlie SB 1, 2 and possibly 3. During
ssdicateu a nomewbat lowez rate, Thin in substantiated by thr absence of an SI domed increusrng mte of rese the surface nf the lop of the tiunsgressive sheet-rand sIso became u
below the thinnest hunk (SB 3) (Fign. 3, 18). surface of nondeponiline. It became intensely bueenwed and glauconilized, and deponition
of offshoro silty mudntooeu (SI) was eeentually initiated. In nome cases the area of
Saflyk und Noe-Nygaomd Sand bauk and dune facies archilectorn 274
nedimonlaliao woved ao fue weslward dual only vory liuto fine-gruiaed aedimcel reached offshare toward the east, the bantou would rapidly have paused into floe-grinned dependo
Decreasing rate of sea-level ruse n highstand Sea-level highstand the distant offshore areas, and the SS (or SB) Surface ja ltda casa eepresents an inspartast analogous to the pussdelta clays ofacentanentat-margin delta.
Sara dure vela hiatal omission siurface. The diffreenee between seismic scale and Iba scale ef most oslceeps is fondamental and
Send bank prvgradotivr N
Altoenalisely, il is possible dial dur lowsiaod isleraal was short and tIse following atar eequirea serious attention. The Fynselv Member is analogous too neinmic oequence.
oapid aad of low awplitvdr, no that a new SB element rapidly progouded into the basin Some of the elements desecibed here also satisfy due reqnirements of a neqarece in the
before a significant amoaal of mad was deposited. This aroma la bave been dio cuse fact dual they are boasdod by anconfonnities. They are, however, abaut an anden nf
betwore SB2 and SB 3 (Fig. 3). magnitude thinner thon the whete fermation nod duos of a scale mainly betew seismic
lo some peoiods. fields of rapidly noudsward-migsntisg lierar to slightly sinuous dunas nesetutina. Van Wogosee and others (1988) and Posameatire add ethers (1988) inlnodoced
appear to banc covered the sea bellom seaward of dur slowly progeadiog sand banks. In the concept efpue-asequences te cocer thinner building blacks of their sequenceS. A
thin way as estensivo SD sheet was dcvcloped dual oveobsally booawr covrerd by the par-aoeqarnce is dehned mn relatively conformable maccession of genetically related beds
sand bask, which is soon in the SD 2-SB 3 ardue SD 3-SB 4 contacts (Fig. 3). If nra- ea bedsots bauodrd by esarieeflaadiog susfacee md their correlativo suefacm. The genetic
Ipso! riso occurred again before duo back reached dio oce.a, a dime field was loft behind as a bachgeeued for the formation cf poravequencro versus sequencer still remains to be
rebut, ucd a Iroesgeessine sheet sand (SS) er jans as omission surface was fanned endue satisfactorily evptinned. lt is not immediately ebvieus why o sequence, which is
top of the SD clemeoL An esample of this is the SD 1-SS 2 enormI (Fig. 3). interpreted an deposited belween custode-full isfieclien peinls, should comprise a
hieraechical system of poronequeruce Orts asd purasrqarncen. lt may be speculated, of
Subaidraee ned ordiurteot atspply coarse, dial this hierarchy roflects short-leon low-amplitude sea-level fluctuations
superimposed es long-tees higher amplitude fluelvations (Posamentier and ethers,
The Fynsrlv Member con duos be inlerpretrd withis a arqsence-straogoaphic 1988). If so, dur scaling pmblem becomes oven more critical. The anderlyieg couse of
Slow rate of sea-level rise foawawerk, with sea-level variatiecs as the wino costeolling fader. The ethee key ma-level Suctastions bas been intemely debaled since the pnblieation of AAPG Memoir
Sea-level fall
Ernsivn, cobble lass Tranoaross so shoot-nord parameters, rotc cf sedimeot supply and rate nf subsidence, aro difficult Io samas. The 26 in 1977 (Paylon, 1977). The Esson School still adheres ta a orce eustatic
CcoO parallel nod ettshsre Small 3-D dures esifemely sniform nattier and perfeul short gromelay of due elemects sleongly suggest esplanaties. Tectasium, snub as the intruptate-sterns field hypothesis cf Cloetiegh
that sediwent-iopss ruta was essentially soiform. The dowiaant wode of sand transport (1986), is another popular isteepeelation. The concept of o hierarchical system of
appears te have been in essensive soathward-wigrating dose fields drivas by wiad-dnvea ountatie changes with twe or there orders of time amplitude would probably reqaiec
and tide-enhanced coast-parallel connesso. Rifling and basin-margin uplift north of different causal mechunmama for oauh level in the Itierarchy.
Jameson Land created renace areas gar the r00000un amounts nf coarse elastic material, Io contrast there is sothing in the hypothesis of Ctoething (1986) that escIndes
and asnisted is funneling currents in a coast-parallel direction ceorespontheg lo the smaller scale variations in strass superimposed endue longre wavelength stress patterns.
orieatatiaa of the tectonic geuis.
The Succession deposited in Juenesen Land during this period shows pmnounced sheel CONCLUSIONS
geometry en several scales. This is soggestive of relatively uniform subsidence by
thermal eoolractica, io markod vedessi lo the estreme wedge goewetey of The Fynsele Membee wan deposited ia an inenemlonic seaway undergoing relatively
eeatempnraaeoss nyn-sifI deposits farther north (Sarlyk, 1978. 1984, 1989). steady subsidence, during a period of uniform aedimenu supply. Fose basic aochiiretural
elements neo recognired, which can be interpreted mithin a framework of regional neu-
DlSccssloN level fluetuatioos. A regional sea-level corvo is constructed foe Ihe Jcransic and
leuconnosl Cretaceecs of EasI Greenland (Sartyk, 1995). A detailed nea-tovel carve based
The essential sea-levcl cnoteol of due system prompts a few comments on seme of duc en the pmsenl study is shows in Fig. 18. Note that the vertical anis shems thickness,
key dogwan basic te the acqeonce-atratigraphic cencepts. They are presesled most not time. This resells in relatively sharp defleetivon oldie hiatal levels marked by the
Rapid rate of sea-fecal rise omission surfaces.
recendy in a arries of papers io SEFM Special Publication 42 (Wilgus and others,
Glaucnnvnation ('I The migreties rote of the sasd buck (SB) cleanest has beco estimated al about 10
U-burrows -
1988). Third-nader am-level changes are regarded as eastatic in salare. Thus has never
been proved, and compariseos beIw000 different ocean-basin macgins are net convincing, enicyear, enrrespooding In a period of 1.25 m.y. for the migration oea land bunk areoss
escept fee 100g-tees secular trends, as described foe the Jitrasoic by ¡Tallons (1958). It in the basin. lt is posaïble to reoghly estimule due amphtude of the relalive sea-level
Iduely that most nf the regionally valid sea-level curves reflcdl ledlenic platr-margss tlucntouions mspssmibte berthe bank fesmnatioa and pregradation. The repeated occurrence
effects of changes in inleaplatr stresses, sa suggested by Cloelingh (1986). Thin would of the autunasl, thick and highly characleristie SB elemenl and its estreme lateral
still espIno correlation of nra-level fluctuations over very large arras within or along a coetinoity and uniformily tsggest that the nea.levol rise wan mughty the same for each
majar ptate. There ase se obvious diffeecnces regarding ceolrol and unfluenco on SS element. The thickneo of the SB element fives a minimum ligure for the rise, and
sedisnentatino willsia a basin belweest this type of regional sea-level changr widna large compaction effects can be eseluded in most cours dueto the dominant coarso-grained sand
areas and truly custode flarWalions. liduology of due member, and the scarcity of mudvt000 units. The atached occarrence of
Ftc. 17.Block diagrams relating bank-tap modifications and The sequence-stratigraphic appeoach is based mindly on passive ceulmrntal margeas, accecaI SB elements suggenus that due minimum figure for each rise is fairly etase te the
processes ta variations in rate of sea-level movements. A shows bank whereas ment edlcrep succestiess represent introcralanie or foredeep settings. The actual rise. Relative sea level dims serma ta bave uctuaued within a 30-50 w range
progradatian (SB element). B shows formation of sand-dune sheet sand dseiag depositiea ef the Fyearle Member SB elements. These oseillatiem huta duration
Jameseo Land basin iv ieteucrateaic, but this tends te simplify due sitsatien compared to
(SD element). C shows erasian of the bank top and formation nf the passive margin, in that tretenie sabaideauce in not inemeasiag armas duo basin from cf aboul I m.y. and were superimposed on a long-term lomstand following the
pebble lag. D thaws the farmatian of a transgressive sheet-sand (SS Kimmeridgias highnuaod (Sarlyk, 1990). The lomstand bada dueauieo of abaul IS m.y.
element). E shows the formation nf a glauconitiaed and burrowed the coastline to due continental margin. This may espIna the entremoly regular dieci
geomelay of the aecbilocluaol elements. If tedlouic subsidence iaeeeased uyulemascalty
and systems tonal models, in Wilgssn. C. K., Hastings. B. S., Kendall. C. G. Sc C..
Fosamratirr, H. W., Ross, CA., and Van Wagoner, J.C., edn.. Sea-level research:
FIG. 18.-Regional sea.Ievel curve interpreted from the succession. an iategmtrd approach: Society of Eannamic Paleontologists and Mineralogists
Special Pabhcatien 42, p. 125-154.
Surlyk and Noe-Nygaard Sand bunk und dune facies urchileclore 276
FACIES CHARACTERIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE
OF A MUDDY SHELF-SANDSTONE COMPLEX: RIO BLANCO
MANCOS B INTERVAL OF UPPER
CRETACEOUS MANCOS SHALE,
NORTHWEST COLORADONORTHEAST UTAH
DUCHESNE
RANGELY
MAIN
.
MEEKER
REX D. COLE
Unocal Corporation
POSSIBLE
SHELF EDGE
MANCOS B
UINTA
Science and Technology Dicinioet IDAHO
' PRODUCTION
Bran, California 92621
-'
ROBERTO. YOUNG
CAAON
Cannulting Geologist
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
----H WYOMING
PRICE GARFIELD
w
cgt
RIFLE
Asetnucr The Manear B internal of the Upper Certscroue Msncos Shine ir rnpreneoted by w Q
op to 372m of thinly inleeateatilirdclryatonn, siltstona. sodncey foto. to f000.gesiurdssodntooe IS 'e--- ---- PRAIRIE CANYON
depoaierdotfrhoer,bnloerrsann-eesoebrsr,inthrWrstemloteoioeSnsway. TheMs000rBia
brasdexnloprdrlongDoogtrrCrerkAchinocestenColoradnsodateooUtah.wherritirs
major peodocoe of notereI gas nod r minor producer of oil.
zw I
aedirnent.terrtapnel direction to Ihn rnnehesnt (lll(. Terco fossile roo ctsaerctmiatic of the JUNCTION.
Cmairnrichnotrcier. LetnestlithofacirrcseistionsinMrncoeBpaoaseqoeoccr roechre.ceoe.
iced by Oansitinnr from biotoebstod moldy emdstoor litbnfscirn tito sandst000.clsyseoee
GREEN RIVER i' DELTA
oi MESA
litholacier then into randy siltalone nr silty clayrtone lithntroins. Hoeianns of randy dolomite
lithnfrciercrpmnatpreanrqorncrr and eepeerent peeiodanftoee aedimentrtion. UTAH COLORADO
o
MANCOS B
fr
ARIZONA
OUTCROP
NEW MEXICO o
Tho Mancos B, an infonnal member of Ihr Mancos Shale, is a thick sequence of
open-marine fior-geained sediment deposited in lhe Woslern Interine Seaway (Fig. I)
during Late Centacenas limo. The Mancas B isa major source nf eslaral gas and a
161 Klar
Or
32.2 Km
o, xa
<tJ Q
515
100Ml
minor source nf nil ou Douglas Creek Arch, n complon north-trending structure
approximately 10km wido and 81 km long, characterized by a socios 0f northwest- 20Ml
Io COLO.
troeding anliclinox and namorout esnrtbnaSl-trfnding faalln (Kellogg. 1977).
tO
Tho total areal extent cf Ihn Mancos B in not known with cortainty. It fnemsahroad, MOAB
poorly dofsned outcrop bell adjacoot Indie Book Cliffs nf eastern Utah and westem
Colorado (Fig. 2). From Douglas Crook Arch, the Mancas B can be Icacod in Ihr
sabsarfacr westward into 1ko nnalh-contrnl Uinta Basin, eastward into the south.
central Piorance Cmok Basin, and northward lo near Rangety. Colorada. South of loan. 1.Palengengraphic msp ni Western Interinr Seaway during early Fru. 2.General indos map nf eastern Utah and westren Cnlnradu illustrating
Douglas Creek Arch, Ihn Mancos B kan been eroded. Campanian time. Geaeral map mudifird 1mm MoGnnkry and nthers (1972). general nulcrnp pattern mr the Manens B and primary area nf Manonn B gas
Published mock on the Mancos B has focused primarily on its subsurface Pnsitinn nf shelf edge is postulated by Swift and nthers (1987). praduetinn nn Douglas Creek Arch.
characteristicS. Kopper (1962) first defined tIto stoatigraphic range of Ihn Mancos B
on Douglas Creek Arch and described its basic lithotogic and production
as-SILT MARKER"
Much of the Upper Cretaceoan section is eastern Utah and western Colorado
LGARFIELD
ersonostas ,r.'ww
rs
an
D
t UNIT
TOP (KELLOGu, 1SC7(
ulanos (51,040 ri
(Fig. 4) i n represent by the Mancos Shale, which ranges is thickness from 1,0671v
1,524 m (Young, 1955, 1959; Kopper, 1962). Dincosery of unreal gru in sandy
GRAND IIIIIIIHUIIIIUII ow
-J UNIT
TOP (KOPPER. 1082)
UTAH ICOLO. ai @2,445 FT
intervals of the upper Mancos Shale is the tate 1950s led Io the informal designation PRAIRIE CANYON AREA
I
I.) .5
of the Mancos B in General Peiroleam Douglas Creek No. t neun 1ko crest of Doaglas
Creek Arch (Figs. 3 and 5; Kopper, 1962). In Ihm well, Ihr bane of the Mancas Bis 16.1 KmIIIU
MESA
Fis. 4.Generalized chronostratigraphic chart for Upper Certaceous ranks in I-as
ut to
BMB SURFACE
002,031 FT
chroacierired by a well-defined geophysical-log kick (depth of 871 mor 2,830 fi in
eastern Utah and westrrnmosl Coloradn. Eustatic sra.level curve frnm Haq and
nthrru (1987). Stratigraphie terminology modified PErm Young (1900; 1909),
tf-)Oo
the type well; Fig. 5) located -762 m (2,500 fI) stoatigeaphically above the Dakota
Sandstone. This log evcsl can be coroeluied throughoat the erstem Uinta Basin,
Fau. 3.Indes map of eastern Utah and western Colorada showing locationS uf
wells utiltred in e ore studies, field Study area at Prairie Canyon, and outline nf
Peterson and Ryder (1975), Peterson und nthern (1900), and Fnach and uthers t z.5
'U LOWER t IFT BREAK
(1983). Depnsitionat trqurnce names arr new, A depositinnat Seqnence is a a- BLUE SATE
Douglas Creek Arch, and western Piceanco Creek Basin. and in herein called the main Mancos B gas production. Crnss.neelion A-B in presented in Figure 6. relatively conformabte paukagr nf Strata hnnnded above and hrinw by regional a- SHALE
"honnI Mancos B (BMB) surface." D
nncnnformitten nr thriE oneretative eunfnrmitirs (Mitchnin and uthers, 1977),
Is the Pinto Wash aeon (Section 8, Township 21 Soath, Range 22 haul) of the
outcrop belt in rastree Utah, and at mattered other locations, the BMB surface is
overlais by a 4- to 14-rn-thick interval of marine, shale-filled, nod satsdnlone-osd-
shale-filled channels, herein called the"Psnto Wash interval" (FWI) of the Mascot B.
Descriptions of strata eqaivaleni tribe PWI rluewhere in eastern Utah are given by FERRON SS
Newman (1985), Newman and Chan (1985), Chan and others (1987), and Swift and hippocrepio zone (early Campanian) are present in dolomitic concretions -244 m The Mancos B rangen in thicknotu from 274 io 372m in the Douglas Creek Arch TUNUNK SHALE
others (1987). Together, the EMB sarface and PWI are thought to represent r type 2 below thetop of the Mancos Shale (Katich, 1959; Young, 1959; Cobbau, 1973) in Ike area, and is sabdisidod into apper and lower intervals (Fig. 5). The contact is placed
sequence boandary between she Upper and Lower Bloc Gaie depositiosat sequences TOP DAKOTA SS
upper Mancos B. In the Prairie Canyon asca, Gill and Hail (1975) reported the at ornear the "silt mocker" (Kopper. 1962), u well-defined, geophysical-tog event
(Fig. 4). occaerenceofflaculiirssp. with weak flank cibi (early Crrnprnman) in u sandy interval -189m above the SMB surface. The tower Mancos Bis further subdivided into units TOP MORRISON FM.
The upper Mancos B contad is gtadational and has been picked at different of Mancos Shale that in-82m below ihe Casitegate Sandstone. Thin interval appeurn "B-I" avd "5.2." Unit B-1 in-98m thick on the structurally higher parts of Doug las (JURASSIC)
locaiiost by varions workers. On the bonis of Mascas B gas prodactios, Kopper Io be just above the top of the Mancos Bus defined in thin siady (Fig. 5). Therefore, Creek Arch and -136 m thick vn the flanhn (Fig. 6), whereas unit B-2 uverages
(1962) and Kellogg (1977) placed ii ut 745 m (2,445 fi) and 716 m (2,349 fi), these data saggnst that the age range for the Mancos B is laie Santonian Io early -98 won the higher parto of the arch and thickens Io 128w vr wore off siructure. The
respectively, tu the type well (Fig. 5). Cole and Young (1986) recognized thai other Cainpaniau, or ponsibty early laie Campasias. apper Mancos B rangea in thickness fmm 1101v 157m and alto shows thioning over
sandy intervals (generally nonproductive) esist throaghout most of the apper Mancos Previous straligraphic siudirs (Kellogg, 1977; Fouch and Cashion. 1979; Poach the crest of lhe arch. Mont hydrocarbon prodaclion comes from the lower Mancos B,
Shale in Ihr Douglas Arch asen and moscd the upper Mancos B contact loa depth of and others, 1983; Rice and Guatier, 1983; Johoson and Finn, 1986) suggest that the mainly unit B-2.
570m (1,870 f1) in the type well. Thin petition is approsimrtely 183 w below the top Mancos Bisan offnhorr eqaivalont of the Emery Sandstone Member of the Mancos
Flu. 5.Definition nf stratigraphie terminulugy fur Manens B interval uf
of Castlegatr Sandstone. Mancos Shale in the type well, au presented by Kopper (1962), Kellogg (1977),
Shale (Fig 4). The chronostratigraphie dala, however, saggent that the mnge of Ihr
Fossils of the Deosrtovcaphitzn bavoleri indes zone (latest Sanlonian; Kalich, 1956, and Cote and Young (1986), Location of writ shown in Fignee 3. Log eneses arr
Mancos B (as defined in this paper) is much greater and inclades a large part of Ihr SP (left) and resistivity.
1959; Cobban, 1976) have been identified wilhin the PWI nero Wonntnide und Upper Blur Gate doponilional sequence. Thus, Ihr Mancos B ii also partly tiwc
Wentwater, Utah (Fooch and others. 1983; T. D. Frack, por, commas., 1989). In Ihr eqaisalest Io the llar Point Sandstone and Blackhawk Formation, in east-central
Book Cliffs area north of Grand Sanction, Colorado, ammonites of the Scaphitro Utah.
o
1
A
I I I I
Internally, the Mancos B in characterized by upward-coarneoing (shale-b-muddy
uandstoue), high-feequescy (fourth- chrough fifth-order) paeuseqacscrs (definitional
I I UPPER
I BLUE GATE SHALE
I
sense of Weight und others, 1989). In Ihr exponed part of unit B-2 ut Prairie Canyon
I I I I I I
I (Fig. 8), four pueunequencns (A-D) urn present, eucging in thickness from lOto 32 w,
whereas in the Tenneco Bronci E.28.10 core (Fig. 9), night pamsequesces (l-8) are
I I I g
I
w
o-
lithofacieu, is also pecuerl is the Brand E-28-10 core.
Silty Clayetone Lirlsofurire
I
I
I
I I i I I I
o-
Lower parta of many of the oslcrop und core pazasequences arr competed nf fissile
silly cluyslosr, which is dark browo to black, carbonaceous, und shows good
I I I I I
lithofacies but huvr limited lateral diwensioos (Fig. lOA). Thicker lumtnue often
show internal micrograding. Burrowing is rare sad is represented by Clorndriieo.
I I I I g
The silty claystoon tilhefucizi is compositionally similar to the main body 0f Ihn
Mancos Shale (Uppre and Lower Blue Gute Shale Members; Fig.4). X-ray diffraction
I I I I w
analysis of the -2pm fraction of a sample from facies unit 14 al Pmirie Canyon (Fig.
8) detecled kaolinite (40%), dlite (25%), illite-smeclite (22%), and chlorite (8%).
I I I
UNIT B-2
joj Thnse values urn similar to those reported for the Mancas Shale in westrm Colorado
I I I
UNIT B-1
I I by Nadean and Reynolds (1981) sad Rice und Gassier (1983).
iu I I I I Sandrtone-Cluysrene Lithofacier
BMB
SURFACE
I I I DEPTH
seqacoce A (facies unit 4; Figs. 8. 11. sad 12A) at Prairie Canyon sad is present in all
1hz srquences observed in coren (Fig. 9). especially sequences Sund 6 (Fsg. 13). Thin
lithofacins is charactnrired by inteelaminuted, very fine- to fioz-grained silty
IN FEET nondstone sad silly lo very silty claystone (Figs. lOB, 12A, sad 125). Ssadstone
LOWER BLUE GATE SHALE control esagen from 3010 60% and increases upward through u fixen sequence along
with groin sien. Most sandstonr beds am <3 cm thick und have limited luterul
continuity, usually <30 cm. Primary sedimentary soue turent nclude wavy lumination.
Ftc. 6.Stratigraphic cross section of Mancos B from Prairie Canyon to lenticular lamination, flaser lumination (wavy und bifurculed waxy types
northern nosr of Douglas Creek Arch (are Fig. 3). Stratigraphie subdivisions of predominate), rippin lawination, und small-scale noIe works. Truce fossils include
Mancos B arr based on log picks. Plunolireo sad Choridriieo, plus small chexeon-shaped crawling tracen.
(
CASTLEGATE SURFACE ontcrop belt and locations of measnred sections. Upper and lower Mancos B
XO j (1 contacts were projected from snbsnrface (see Fig. 6), then mapped on
4I- -J T7S topographic quadeangtrs. Cross section C-D docaments the 1go 5" dip of the
TENNECO OIL
DO L)
h T8S
I -- _"( i. Mancos B to the north. Becaose of the weathered natnrr of Ihr outcrops, the BRUNEL "E" 28-10
positions of alt contacts are somewhat generalized.
.1UPPERBLUE
i, I GATE SHALE BAXTER PASS
ROAD
FACIES
UNIT
CORED INTERVAL
14
ûÛ
.--.--..- GARFIEióUNry
MESAcOUNTY;
13
PRAIRIE CANYON 12 --
- SEQUENCE D LITHOFA CIES
RoAD::; EXPLANATION --
- - 1- I MIOTAOnATED MUDDy
I-..'1 SANDSTOnE
11 :-:-:i P11SANDYSILTSTONE
MANCOS B -- SILTY CLAYSTONE
T8S
A MEASURED SECTION
4 t -- SEQUENCE C lTY SANDSTONE.CLAVSTONE
ICOMFOSITE)
BMB SURFA B - u: - SANDY DOLOMITE
T9S - (CONCRETIONS)
2 MI
gj
O
t
--) SEQUENCE B
LOWER BLUE. 3.2 Km zw
U)
w
4 os
GATE SHALET. -20
z to-
4
4
MANCOS B EXPOSURES SEQUENCE A as-
B
CASTLEGATE D
BEND IN SECTION MARKER
MESA GARFIELD
'. 5,400 oo usan sunFocE canna nay inni
BMB SURFACE BEST OUTCROPS (1646m) SCALE
- z Mossy SanDsTone
luresLapaluaree ns Ann nit
C
I-.
4
4,600 Fis. 9.Log section throogh part of Ihr tower Mancos B in Tenneco Brune!
-J E.28.10 showing position of the EMB surface and general sedimentologic
8.8 MILES w FIa. g.Componite ntratigraphicseetion ofnpperpartofnnttB.2 in Ihr Prairie characteristics of the cored interval. Note log kicks thaI define the BMB surface
(14.2 Km) VERT. EXAG. = 7.8 Canyon nera. and the contact between units B.1 and B.2.
SEQOENCE u The sandy sdlstone liuhofocies is best developed io the lower pacts of sequesces B.
C.and D (facies anits 5.8. and Il; Fig. 8)al Prairie Conyoo, and io soqoe000s 5.6.
aod 7 of Ihr Tenneco core (Fig. 13). This facies consists of clay.eich tiltslone with
saciable asnoants (201050%) of srry fine, to fine.grained sandstone. This lithofacies
LITHOFA CIES geseratly lacks stratification because of intense harrowing, which ranges from 501e
BIOTUO OAT E D
nearly 100% discaplion. Individual harrows are generally difficult to see hat are
:çI MOODY SANDSTONE probably Crsaiasa types.
SANDY SILT5TONE
BiosarbaId Muddy Sasdatase Liihofacirn
SANDSTONE.
CLAYS TO N E The bioturbated muddy sandstone lithofacies forms the most massive onIcrops at
o SILTY CLAYSTONE Peairie Canyon and dominsles the spyer yanta of seq000cen B.C. andO (facies antIs
ID 6, 9, and 12; Figs. 8, 14. ISA. and l5B) at Prairie Canyon, and Ihn upper parts of
- SANDY DOLOMITE seq500ces 5.6, and 7 in din core (Fig. 13). This lithofacies has the highest sandstone
0, 4 content ïn the Mancos B, ranging from 501080%. Correspondingly, this facies is an
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES imporlAsI producer of hydsncaebons.
iI
Vs'tseee preserved, sedimentary structuees in the bioturbated maddy nandstone
litltofacies include wispy horiaontal lamination und low.omptitude nvymmetrtc ripples
midi very thin mud doapes (Figs. lOC and 15C). BioluebaliOO intennity Tanges from
4Otn nearly 100% andin gesreally proportional Iodio sandstone content (Fig. 14).
Many harrows ace indistinctand not saitable for idenlification. Te,'brllioa (Fig. 15C).
nOniZONOAL LAMINATION Plasoliien, and Chasdritea meen the only types identified.
Fm. 12.Photographs of unit B-2 in the Prairie Canyon urea. (A) Thinly
interstratifled sandstone and shale in sequence Aal measured section 3; staff is
1.5 m high. (B) Ctosenp of sandstone-shale compositestratiTiralion in seqnenee
A at measured section 3; hummer for scale. (C) Detailed closeup of Composite
stealilication of seqnence A showing wett-defined ripple lumination and wavy
lumination with distinct mud drapes; bed io 6.O cm thick. (D) Bed of sandy
dolomite (facies nnil 7; Fig. 8), which caps burrowed muddy sandstone of
sequence B at measured section 5; hammer for scale.
seouence 7
SCOUE5CE S
LITHOFACIES
-IRONSTONE
CONCRETION
[ sasos 5ILT5005E n.
z
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES
MISCELLANEOUS
FIs. 13.Dotailed core description of sequences 5 through 8 io unit B-2 in
Tennero Brouet E.28-1O.
rgcuesTICoL BossOnS
SEQUENCE C
Fis, ]5.Photographi of unit E-2 in the Prairie Canynn area. (A) General
lOO 150 200 outcrop characteristics nf upper part of sequence C and all of sequence D al
COUNTS/SECOND measured section 2, (B) Closeup uf uppermost part of seqnenre C (facies unils
9 and 10, respectively; Fig. 8) near measured seeliun 2; staff is 15m high. Note
Fis, 14.Detailed measured section of uppermost part of se queer e Cand all size and oval eeosssection ofdoloinitic concretion (facies unit 101 posilinuedjast
of sequence D at measured section 2. Facies units are same as in Figure 8; above staff, (C) Closeup of muddy bioturbated sandstone lithofacies nfseqnmnrr
lithologic symbols are explained in Figure 11. Surface gamma-ray curve D at measured section 6; lens cap is -6.1 cm across, Note remnant ntrati8oation
generated by handhold sciutitlometre; readings taken eveey foot. and Terebelliaz (donut) burrow's.
Cuncxacd cv pa5e 295
ma..........................
Cole and Youvg Muddy shelf-saodsl000 archileclore 283
E F
DOUGLAS
CREEK
PRICE ARCH PALISADE
GREEN RIVER
SUN N YSIDE
UTAH !CdLO.
V
SANDY t-
DOLOMITE w
BLACKHAWK FM. w
/ BUCK TONGUECASTLEGATE
STAGE 3
BIOTU R BATED SC AH
MUDDY lIIre._
STAR
SAND STO N E
POINT UPPER BLUE
GATE SHALE
EPISODIC
CURRENTS
SS.
/
EMERY SS,
BMB SURFACE & PWI
80.5 Km
LOWER BLUE GATE SHALE
Fis. 16.Diagrammatic, three-stage model for generation of paraSrqucoces Frs. t7.Generation nra prodetta.pinme comptes from the slrandline nf the
and litbofocics in Mancos B. Esplanation given in test. Western tntrrtor Seaway with transportation of mud and very One- to tine-
gratned Sand offshore. Ltnc or section ja Fignre ISis shown; PR = Prive, Utah;
SS = Sannystde, Utah; GR = Green Rtvee, Utah; SL state line; PL = Palisade,
Cotorado. Current vectors and position of shelf break from Swift and others
(t9S7).
B.
4
W
DATUM
O
U F
WE
OO
c'1
siiIÇ!' Jj
- BMB SURFACE
Fis. 20.West-east tog cross section on the cres or Douglas Creek Arch (see
Fig. 3 ror locagion) showing position or cored interval in Tenneco Brunet Eso. 21Conceptual rocies architecture ror the Mancos B. Scalr is
E-20-10 with respect to adjaceot wells; datum is contact between units B-1 and approximate. Symbols are enptained in Fignre Il.
B-2. Within the cored interval or E-20-10, correlation lineo at the top or
sequences 1, 2 (datum), 4, 5, and 7 are shown. Other sequences below cored
interval nrc correlated on basis or gamma-ray profiles. Note excellent log
definition or the BMB snrrace asd the similarity in log signatnres between wells,
suggesting that Mancos B parasrqnrnces bave latrral dimensions in escess
or p.o km.
PLEISTOCENE 2000
5t4 S74,
j
-__ - 4000
- 6000
- 8000
iS,500 cd
-12,000
50 mi FAULT
2' C. 8'
- ia.000
o 60km MlDDl,
EXPLANATION
middle Miovnnr EX PLANATION av s Uydip limit of submnnive
fouit none
prdiment and orinp nedqe
Prnnimal deltuie- burnier-strnrdpinin sandstone
n Well eoetrnl
lower Miocene shelf margin
Seismic line
Cr oss sec tins
Sinful deltuic-burrier-ntrardplais sandstone
Fis. 5.Principal geologic features and locations uf seismic linen and wells
Dominantly sand
Morire (prodelta-vhelf-vlope( shule penetrating Ike middle Minceur submarine pediment in the Galvrston area,
Submarine pediment I 2 3 4rni
offshore Texan.
n nterbedded sand and shale Fault O 2 8km Hydrocarbon prnduCtinn
biostratigraphie markers both below und above the sandstone facies in different wells
n Dominantly narine shale i0 Hydrocarbon produetioo Su 0900 (Figs. 6-8).
Fouit Zane Fatroecologic zones at a particular utratigraphic horizon generally indicate
Fm. 3.Structural croon section illustrating tithologier. biostratigraphie systematic luodwued decreasen in muter depth an copecied (Fig. 8). However, Ihr
markers, and structural style in the Galveston area, offshore Tesas. Specific Stute- federal boundary range of water depths (-1,500 m) exceedn the upparent accommodation space,
features include Ihr submarine pediment and middle Miocene espunsion fault indicating sea.level fluctuations as well osa steep seafloor gradient.
sour. Cross section location, shown in FigureS, coincides with seismic line B-B'.
Updtp limit uf pediment
From Morsas and others (19es). Q 4132 iO
Seismic Facies
onlap wedge are mom irregular aod may be composed of either mudttooe or cootinrotul slope. Furthermore, tIte middle Msocene tuebid.watee assemblage is Fis. 4.Regional genlagie map of offshore Tesas showing pnsitinn nf middle
interhedded madsione und ouodstone (Figs. 6-8). similar to that contained in other turbiditos deposited in both older and younger Minceur submarine pediment in relation In subjacent lower Mincene A broad, thick zone of irregular soïrmic reflections located abono und Iandward of
Saodstooe beds are conceotrated on the rastem aod western flanks of the Tertiary Gulf Coast embayments (Stackey, 1964). Thus, 1ko elocieic.log patterns drpusitinnul systems. Map modified from Macton and ethers (1985). the lower Miocone contincotal platform (Fige. 3 and 9) und near the Cibicideo opima
entrenched system (Fig. 15), aod they pinch out nene the margina (Figs. 6-8). Mont (Settoy, 1978), faunal evidence, und pateogeographic setting demonstrate that these steutigraphic bonzos identifies die submarine pediment und depositionul apron on
wells encounter net.nandstone thicknesses of <30 w, hot as mach as 120 m of sol deep.water sediments were deposited within the entrenched system by stamps and by backfitted deposits is prevented by tange stratigraphie displacements across the seismic linen. An approximate reconstraction of the submarine pedimeot and
sandstone han been penetrated. The asen of greatest saodstone thickness are aligoed small, restricted submarine channeln and fans. middle Miocene growth faults (Figs. 3 and 5). overlying onlup wedge provides a more accurate representation of prrdcfoemolionul
in roaghly north.soath trends (Fig. IO>. Howrver, these trends actually foros oblique Unconfined submarine funs, which extend businwurd of Ike lower Miocene shelf The reported tap of the Cibiciden opima faunul acne is inconsistent compared with continuity and attitudes of internal seismic refleclions (Fig. 9). As shows by this
southwesterly angles compared with the regional trend of deposilsonul strike. This margin, reprenrnt a second stylo of deop.malee deposition associated with the ntratigruphic carrelati055 made os ihebasisofetecteic logs und seismic profites (Figs. reconstruction, the basal pediment surface eshibiis a steptike longiludinal profile,
preferential snathwenterly orientation in also displayed by ynnnger incised channels Galveston slope system (Morton and others, 1988). Few wells have penetrated these 6-8). Those Iithnstratigruphic and bioutratigraphic dincrepuncirn can be explained by especially along its baniowurd limit. Stop Ivngth decreases heudward, bol step height
cat into the broad shelf (Breryhilt. 1987). nubmueine fans because of Ihele great depths seaward of Use fault none. Therefore, environmental controls on the beolbic population and possible reworking of may either increase or deceeuse io the name direction (Fig. 9).
The middle Mioceor strata contain arenace055 bonthic forasninifees that lived in they are not included in thin study. The narrow apron of muddy fans seaward nf the sediments containing the estinct species. The lust occurrence of the Cibicideo opima Seismic reflections of the pediment fill are discontinuous, have highly variable
outer-shelf to abyscul.plain environments (zones 3-6). The species are indicators of interdellaic emhuymrnt was supplied by sediments escavated from the entrenched faunarises in the section where subsidence raten were gnoaler and greater water depths dipn und umplitudem, and seenot arranged in simple geometric pulieron. Despite the
cotd bottom watercontuining high concentrati005 of suspended sediment (Echols and system and by slumping and other gravity.inducod processes opreatiog along the were maintained foro longer period (Figs. 6 and 8). Furthersoore, submarine erosion lack of synlemutic order, some generalizations can he mude about the ntacking
Curtis, 1973) nach an those produced by turbidity currents flowing down the unstable slope. Precise correlation belween she busin.flooe fans and slightly younger und subsequent redeposition of older sediments may nccoant for the uppeamoce of geometries nf seismic reflecoons. Retleclions are mostly mounded, tuodward
I
..)v indicate that these channel-fill sandstones mere deposused is upper- and lowrr-stnpe
sr sr ir sr -ac
sr -
H
e5
trh ¡Ï I environments (zones 4 and 5). ludividast sandslone packages nf ihn channel fill arr
v20 m thick. They have mixed blocky, upward-coarsening and upward-fining
profiles, are separated by mudstonen that are commonly 3 to 5 m thick, und are
laterally separated from ether sand-filled channels by these thin mudsiones. Thene
saud-filled ehansels near the sups of the submarine funs and attached sand tobes arr
the pnmat'y hydrocarbon ennervoirn in the section. The interval nf channel sandstnnes
in relatively continuous, but individnal nandbudies are highly cumpartinrotatized by
numerous nhate beds that reflect turbidite deposition,
As deposition continued, the sea Bane was eventually enntored to a position
comparable te that before the pediment surface was eroded. Sandstone deposition
dmsinished us the relative rise in tea level eounioeacsed the supply of coarse elastic
sediments. Aithal time, the teunsgressiee systems tract deposited mudutunen and thin.
highly discontinuous sandstones above the sand-prone internal, ut the top of the
pediment fill, and immediately above the pediment fill. Despite being deposited
tnairdy in outer-shelf envirunmenis (aune 3), this lithofacies exhibits hïghty variable
thece-dimessional archuloclarns that seenot repeated in nearby wells (Fig. 6).
The final phase of upward shouting was related to another highsiand in nra level und
renewed construction of the shelf margie. The highiiaed systems tract peegmded
across the sarfuce of maximum flooding, depositing saud-rich nearshure sediments.
The dominandy uandutnnn hthofacies consistently forms upward-coarsening and
apward-nhuatisg profiles at the top nf the tocsins (Figu. 6-8). These sandstones and
subjacent madslonrn were deposited io enter-shelf environments (zaun 3, Figs. band
8). Individual sandstone beds arr sery thin (l-3m) andare separated by mudstonrn
sr ssli rs a,Qez,,,nzOvvolr, uf comparable thicknenues (Figs. b-8). There wetl.snrted peogradationni sandssours
i, arr highly continuous and productive in nearby fields (Fig. 8).
J
Time.te-drpth cunsernions between seismic profiles und electric logs reseat the
ni.ze,i ovairisi relationships between facies architecture and seismic sirotai paiturnu (Fig. 9). The
basal-mounded, landward-dipping, and chaotic reflections are the seismic signatures
Ftc. 6.Stra graphie ulrike snntinis l-l' illustrating middle Mineene nf ee-nrdimrnted stampi nr deep-water madstnnen deposited as turbiditen. The
litbofanies, tail neuurrrnee nf henthie furaminirers, and pulenecutonen. Lncatinn Ftc. 7--Stratigs-uphie dip iretion 2-2' illnutratirig middle Minceur lithutanies,
tasi uzeurrenee of bruthie furaminifers, and palrnecnannes. Lunalinn shawls in slumps were locally derived from the flour and walls of the pediment but remained
shown in Figures. after the upper luyren were transported dowuslope. These residual slumps are overlain
Figures,
by muddy iarbidaleu derived from mure distant soured, such nu the shelf nr headward
erosion of the entrenched system. The sand-filled submarine channels occur above
dipping, or chaoLic in the deepest and moat seaweed pari nf Ihn onlap wedge. The reflections record progrudutinu of u muddy sholf and slope that produced as upward- shouting (Figs. band 8). The initial upward dreponing accompanied u retallen riso in the mounded and tnndward.dipping reflections near the tranuitiun with overlying
disconnected hummocky and chaotic patterns suggest disorganized mans movement shoaling facies architecture. sea teert und highstand that resulted in the Amphisieginu B regional transgression. horieostat to wavy reflections (Fig. 9). The strutigeophicalty highens seit of seaward-
and redeposition of sediment derived from Ihr shelf (Lehner, 1969). whereas the oshee Some sets of tandward-dipping reflections arr osertain by seaward-dipping Hcmtpetugic mudstase drupes und extremely thin turbithtes were deposited in outer- dipping reflections coincido with the apward-nhoaiing and upward-coarsening
patteras portray original dnpositional sorfuces. reflections. In these coses, the seau of thsergent reflections arr commonly separated shelf to tower-slope environments (rones 3-S) by tranugressive und highstand prograduttoeni suceossien of shattow-watee madstancs und sardslnnes.
Seto of reflneltotin dipping londward lypicolly occur immediately above and by a single reflecten or ses of hnrizosial in wavy reflectors. Some nf the wary systems tracts, using the terminology of Posausentier und others (1988). The basinul
lermsnate near or against the boast uneonforwity (Fig. 9). These luodwoed-dipping reflectors appear tabo ternes associated with channels of a submarine-fan comptes. mudssones contain no sandstone or only estremely rare sandstone beds (Figs. 6-8)
reflections have apparent dips nf as muchas 10'; slightly greater paleodips would be If present, u complete vertical succession nf seïsmie sirutat patterns consists of because the site wan far from the shoreline and active roue of sund deposition.
calculated if the profiles were adjusted for basinword till. Minor listric fantts and t) landward-dipping, moundrd, or chaotic, 2) subhorizontat nr wavy, and 3) seaward- The nest significant event was abrupt deepening euuued by degradation of the shelf
rotation of ntump blocks explain some, hut nul alt, of the landward-dipping sets of dipping reflections (Fig. 9). Some sets of lasdwurd- and busiswaod.dipping margin und erosion nf the uscooformily. At thai time fine-graisrd sediment was
reflections (Fig. 9). These small landslides appose to ho concentrated in the deepest reflections form bidirectional dowetupping mounds that way oudise uslremety small slumped and romuved from the continental ptulfoem and transferred lo the stope as Regional Setting
part nf Ihn rnlrruchrd system. Apparently the erosional unconfoemity acted as a tobes of submarine fans (Milchsm, 1985). mod-rich submarine fans. The few inlerbedded sundssonen depoxited us pediment fill
detachment sarfacn along which basmnward slip nccorrrd. or. conversely, the shallow- are c6 w thick, limited in arroI estros, und discontinuous (Fig. 6). Mudstoneu make Middle Plioceso strata investigated io this study (Fig. I) include those sediments
fault plane aerated the basal discontinuity at nome lovalinni. The predominance of Facies Architecture, Sasdssone Cononaiiy, and Renerroir Potential uts as leant half of Ihn eretico observed os electric lofs and account for nearly uil the bracketed by the regional estioctiun horizons nf din Otobigerina nepeniheo and
loadward dips without foals rotation nuggentn lateral accretion processes, with iotercal in updip wells (Figs. 7 and 8). Glzboquadrina aliiopira fasnat assrmbtagrn (Fig. 2). This strutigraphic interval
sediment hemg supplied by sources parallel te depositions! stellar. Sea-Irvet fluctuutinss nod attendant changes in fucint archuseetorr eantted she The upward-shoaling phase 0f depositino was initiated by development of a records the influence nf sea-level fluctuations und growth structures vn deep-water
Basiowued-dipping sets of reflections urn mont common in mid-dip areas near she positios and thickness of middle Minceur sandstones, their continuity, and their umstand systems tract, which deposited mud.rich funs as wett as overtying channel- sedimentatino both edward and busioward nf the paleoshetf margin. Emphasis,
inflnclion zonn, where ctinoforms and reflections subparatlel lathe upper boundasy potential as hydrocarbon reservoirs. Patrorcologic assemblages record initial fill sandstones with subordinate inierbedded mndssuoes. The thickest eonceotrutiosss however, in placed on the submarine channels und funs depunited on the tower ulope
characterize ihn uppermost pant of the wedge (Fig. 9, A-A' und C-C'). The clinoform upward deepening, then abrupt deepening, and finotty a prolonged period of upward of sandsivnr (Fig. 10) coincide with these sharp-based sandstones thatdisplayoseratt und basin goor.
EXPLANATION
Gos well
..
u
Z4
u
I
Dry hole
Estteeoted depth
of peditetent fill
.u
u
8h 5/gerettet/tee ho,nb/y/
u
Co
843
Cibic/deo op/teto
Redo/es 43
..
u Z5
Z4 Paleneen zone 4
.u
u Fts. 9,Lier drawing nf tnlrrpretrd seismic profilen illnttraling Iwo-
dimensional geometry and reflection characteristics of the middle Minrenr onlap
wedge. Thnsr dip-aligned profiles arr only partly rreonstrnetrd (along fanti
.u Z6
planes). They are not decompaeted nr adjnsted foe nonfaulting deformation.
LD = landward dipping; SD seaward dipping. Locations shown in Fignre S.
ft
oo
er
.u -150 km wide and 50km long (Figs. 12 and 13). The basal unconformity displays
>gag m of total relief, which decreaans landward. Releogreosive failure and erosion
of subjacent strata are indicated by intraformational slumping and internal reSeclions
te the west because thry mrrr deposited demuslope of the entrenched system and mere
set reworked by oceanic currents flowing subparallel so bathymetric contoneo.
Except for local channel-fill deposits, sandstone abundance decreanro tandward
having the same seismic espressios as channel cut-and-fill deposits. Backfillisg mhree the sequence onlaps the basal unconformity. The prircipal asen of abundant
sediments above the unconformity form as oulap wedge that thickens basinward sandstone are highly elongate, dip oriented, and 7 to 10km wide (Fig. 18). They
(Fig. 13). The wedge terminates updiy neue the upper Miocese shelf margin (Fig. 14), rshibit soatheely alignments 1h01 are parallel to the primary direction of sediment
500 50
and it panses dowedip iota confennoble obpo deposits that are dinrapsed by growth transpon. A secondary seis of sandstane deposition is poslaloled lo esist in Ihe
faults and satt domes (Fig. It). Some of the langent Ptio-Pteislovono fields in the eastern part of the study area where well control is sparse. This inferred depositinnal
o western Golf Coast Basic produce from deep-water naodssooen associated with these unis cannot be traced updip became younger sequences are extremely thick and few
or similar slope deposits (Morton und others, 1991). wells have been drilled deep enough to penetrate the Glohoquadrisu ultiepiro
o
ji Lithoutratigruphic CcrrrlalicsrS and Paleocovirootnenlo Most wells penetrating depositisnal ases encounter 301090w of net sandstone,
and a few wells penetrate us much us 180 w of nel sandstone (Fig. 18). Sandstone
The middle Plioceno stratigraphie interval in composed of sand-rich packages an thickness is greatest toward the basinmard terminus of each depesitiesal axis, in
R43
943 much at 75m thick nrpurated by mudot050s of variable thickneno (Figs. 19.-17). The palenbathymesric lows, and around young diapirs that postdate sandstone deposition
interval cas be subdivided into fose nella on the basis of lithofaciro and stratigraphie (Morton and ethers, 1991). Faults aodsaltstruclures on lheslopeeserledtocalcontrol
Pto. 8.Stratigraphie dip section 3-3' illostratiag middle Mioeene lithofacirn, position. Thick mudstoues deposited is lower-slope and abyssal environments on sandstone dislribstion, which is reflected in local facies variability around
last occurrence nf benthie foraminifers, and palenrcoaonen. Location nhown je compose the basal unit (Figs. 15 and 17). Overlying these mudntones arr producing oteadores. Seme large emergent structures trapped the coarse bedload of
amalgamated sandstosen deposited io upper-otope environments. These sandstones tarbidity Currents and prevented deposition farther downstepe. Still other
Figare 5.
are widely distributed within the middle part of the stratigraphie srqnencr. but three- bathymetric highs merely deflected she seganiand feed er systems and focused their
dimensinoal continuity of individual sandbodien is highly variable. The third discharge of sand between growing structures. Reduction er absence nf sandstones
The early Plioceoe geologic hiotory of the ooutheasl Teoao cootiocotal shelf aod obrupt inflas of coarse terrige000s clantics seto the slope and basin floor (Fig. Il). lithefacies unii overlies the tord-pence section and is characterized by mudslones and around some domen indicates shut uyodepesitinnal sail structures diverted om sud
slope began wish basinwide progradation aod platform coostruction (Fig. 2). Doring The soarer and conduit for these coo roe elastics masa broad submarine pediment inleebedded sandutoors of variable thickness. The uppermost nsit, like the basal unit, created downcurrent shod ow eones. This istrrfereoce with sediment transpon caused
this period of shoreline regression. dellaic depocentero rapidly advanced the (Figs. 12 and 13) eroded into the continental shelf on the soothwrotom flank of an also in composed of lower-slope and abyssal-plain mudotoneo that record a return to local thinning and shale-out of some potential saudslone reservoirs (Fig. 15).
continental margin of offshore Louisiana. while the Texas shelf subsided and early Pliocene delta. Sand and mad that were excavated from, and that bypassed deeper water conditions. Together, Ihn paleobathymeteirs, sandbody geometries, and The sand-peer middle part of the slope system is composed of thin inteebedded
remained a nondellaic margis. Progradolion of the delta-flask margin was limited through, the entrenched system were deposited on the slope and bario flanc an cannai stratification types indicate that these deep-mater sediments were deponited by a sandotsues and mudosones deposited in nuter-shrif and upper-slope essironments by
becanse it received only minor amounts of mud supplied by the Louisiana deltas sobmurine channels and fans (Fig. 14). The pediment was subsequently backfiIted, submarine channel-and-fun complex. shelf-edge deltas and small submarine funs. The fans overlap and coalesce
(Mortor asd others, 1991). Later, dnrirg the middle Fliocene, the monotonous and later the shelf margin was re-established by small, coalescing deltas. The sand-rich submarine charnels and fans that dominate the basioal part of the immediately baninwued of the shelf/slope break, fencing a narrow apron along the
depositino of progressively deeper water mudstones is Tesas was interrupted by an The middle Pliocene oabmaeise pediment in also a conves-taudward feature that is genetic sequence form a brood band -80 km wide (Fig. 18). They abruptly pinch eut puteomargin (Fig. 14).
$ :,,:
_o_g__, OthE
29°I5'
+29nA
JO
60
FAULT
V', 4r
The moot updip part of the onlap wedge, which coincides with the submarine arrongemerin are similar lo those observed in the middle Miocene pediment fill turbidite deposition. The these-dimensional sandstone heterogeneities aro primarily
pediment (Fig. 13), is composed moody of mudstone. The few disconlifluOun (Figs. 9 and 13). related to the principal components of the slope nyotem. From oldest to youngest they ont Breaks , 5ec6s5'6w
lenliculae sandstone packages, which are inlerbedded with mudstones, consist of Divergent reflections of the pediment fill are replaced basinwoed by alternating are loben of the lower submarise fan, submarine channels and leseen nf the upper fan, +27°45'
eesedimvnled oster.shelf te lower-slope deposits (zones 3-5). In opdip positions and high- and low-amplitude, parallel, continuous reflections, Is turn, these seismic and the nubmatine-pedimenl fill, including minor shelf-margin deltas. Sandstone
toward the lop of the wedge, sandstones become thicker, more continuous, and patterns grade laterally aud basinward into either low-amplilude. parallel, and discontinuitien may also be caused by erosional unconfoesnitics that locally remove D,
display upwaed.coaemning patterns that reflect deposition in peogressively shallower conlinuouu reflections ora thin 000e (0.2 sec) of moderate-amplitude, diocontinunus, as much as 120m of section (Fig. 16). O 2Omi EXPLANATION
water. huwmocky-to-wavy reflectionn. The zone of discontinuous, divergent reflections Puleobathymetey of the Globrquudrina altispira seqoence records a serios of un_0 Cross section - Well control
also contains local slump features and areas of chaotic reflections, indicating mass- alteennting upward-deepening and upward-shoatin g events (Figs. 15 and 17). Lower- 0 50km - Seismic line au 3222
Seismic Facies transport deposits. slope and abyssal-plain mudstones at the ham of the interval aod immediately above
The mostbasinwmd seismic.facies patterns consist of low- te moderate-amplitude, the Globigerina nepeuthes marker record systematic deepening of the slope. This Ftc, 12,Locutions of well control, seismic lines, and stratigraphie rrnsn
Seismic facïes patterns of the Globoqandrina ateispira nlealigrsphic oeqsence can moody discontinuous reflections. A few high-amplitude centinu050 reflections npwurd-deepentog phase of hemipelagic mudseose deposition was related te a nertinns osed to interpret middle Pliocene deep-water deposits of uffnhore Tesan.
be grouped into these distinct cenasen the basis of reflection strength, continuity, and commonly both underlie and drape ever the groups of variable-amplitsde regional riso in sea level and highntand (Fig. 2). Thun, these modntones are products
concordance. The most landward none, which coincides with the submarine pediment disconlinuous reflections. Fosl-depositiooal deformation obscures any entornal of tranngeessive and highslaod syntemn tracts.
(Fig. 13), consists of high-aosplitade, discontinuous, and divergent rrllrctinns that geometries such as bidirectional dowetup of reflections that would indicate The overlying sand-prose submarine channels and faon, which were deposited in
unconformably overlie and cascate high-amplimde, conli550ut reflections. Seme submarine-fan loben (Mitchum, 1985). upper- to middle-slope environments (eones 4 and 4.5), represent a sadden upward
pediment-fill reflections are moonded or wavy and many dip lasdward. shouting (Fig. 17) canned by lowering of sea levrl coupled with slope aggradation that
Bmiawurd-dipping clinofoenst are not well developed in the middle Pliocene Facieo Arrhiterture, Sandstone Continuity, and Resercoir Potential exceeded rotta of subsidence. The facies urchitecluee of the lowee towstand fan
sequence and are restricted to updip areas within the enleenched system. Where consists nf saadstones 61015m thick that hove irregular, spiky tospwaed-coaenening
ye050us, clin000ems occur near the top of the interval and downlop onto the divergent Facies architecture and sandstone continuily within the middle Fliocene slope log profiles (Figs. 15-17). Highest intruwell continuity is exhibited by these thin
and hummocky reflections, mete irregular seismic patterns and geometric dcpositv are highly variable owiog to fluctuations in sea level and shifting siten nf sandstone beds of the tower-fan lobes.
Fis. 13.Line drawing uf interpretad seismic profile illnstrating two' Many modern and ancient submarine funs were deposited ulong active plate
dimensional genmetry and refiretiun characteristics uf middle Pliueenr margins, where high tepogrophic relief and stery-seofloor grudiontv between she
deep-mater deposits. Ibis dip-aligned profile is not adjusted fur sediment source and basin 000e contribute In the tonsleuclius of coaese-grained radial fanv and
decompaetius. or nnnfaalting defurmatiun. LD = Ias.dward dipping; SD = debris aprons (Walkee, 1978; Nelson and Nilsen, 1984). Clearly the upper Neogene
seaward dipping. Lucatinn shuwi. in Figure 12. slope deposits of the western Gulf Coast Basiamo peoducts oft) unstable aboyen that
were reduced brtween source and deposilional site by shelf.margin failure und
creation of submarine pedimenln, 2) deposition of mad-rich elongate fans, and
Galunslun South Odds
3) formation of interfun chocada confined by levees that promoted domnnlope
leanspoel nf sasd fieros distances from she shelf margin.
In contrass to the lower fan, facies arcbitrcluee of dse upper fao in characterized by and the concomitant hemipelagic madstono deposition at the top of the sequence were There are distinct similueitiet between the middle Mioceno and middle Plioceno
aggradational and retoogradational sandstone packages 20 50 60 m thick having related to a relative rise in seo level. These deep-water mudstesea, which contain the submarine pedimeutu and deep-waler deposits. Beth submarine pedimenix me wider
blocky or irregular SP responses that exhibit an overall npwaed-fining and upwaed- regionol Globoqsadi'isa oluopit'a esliactien hoeieon (Figs. 15-17). represent than the shelf-embayed purl uf the Mississippi Canyon (Coleman and others, 1983;
thinning prefije (Figs. 16 and 17). These log pasterns represent sand aggendation deposita of a t000sgrensive systems toues. Goodwin ned Prior, 1989> eves though the y mero noi fnrmed by principal rivers of
within the upper-fan channels followed by diminished supply of Ilse coarse fraction. The facies aechiteclare 1h01 charncteeizen the pethment fill (sol shown) consists of continental-drainage systems. The two pediment surfaces represent the most
The basal sandstones in these packages commonly eroded into underlying madstenes stocked sandstnao packages having mised irregular npward.coarsening and upward- prominent nod essensive erosiouul unconfoesnities observed in the upper Neogese
of the lower faa (Figs. 16 and 17). Al the regional scale of mapping (Fig. 18), ases fining profiles (Morbo sud ethers, 1991). Thicknesses of these aggradutioaal basin fill of the western Gulf Couva Basin. Both anconfoensities wore eroded after
of primary feeder systems can be identified; however, the positions of individual deposits typically range freto tg 1045m, but they muy bean abichas 105 to. Updip regional marine transgressions flooded the costineubol plalforsn, depositing thick
channel-levee complenos cannot be predicted with great accuracy. componesls of the onlap wedge are bockfillisg and aggrodational lower-slope te blankets of deep-waler shale. Both unconformities formed broad, crescent-shaped
The channel-fill facies has the greatest vertical sandstone continuity but the lowest upper-ulepe mudubones ahoco the submarine-pediment surface. Theternasdual slump submarine pedimeass along nondeltaic slopes sod na the southwestern flanks of
lateral continuity (Figs. 16-17). Sandstone continuity decreaset toward the margins deposils and tarbidites are overlain by thin, outer-shelf deltaic deposits representing aubjocenl delta systems, ralhee thon at the mouths of mojor rivers. The submarine
nf she primary anis, where the number and thickness of msdnloso inteehadsincecano. minorprngradatios of thu"shelf margin" mithin theesteenched sysiem. Together, the yediments spread lsndward arrosa the vubmerged continental platforms by
The interchannel deposits eshibil ireegulur-to-serralo leg responses, reflecting Ihr mised upward-fining und upward-coarsening sandstones recerd submarise reteogeevsive fallere of the nhclf margin and prolonged collupvn nf sleep, unstable
greeter abundance of mudstenc tarbidites that accumulated in oveebank and levee entrenchment, slope nggradation, usd deltaic progradotion across the continental slopes, such as those described by Forre and obhers (1983) and Prior and Coleman
environments (Figs. t) and 17). Modstoses ef the channel-fan comptes aro thick platform. o Z5mi EXPLANATION (1978).
enoogh te isolate the sandstone beds, creating sepurate hydrocarhaa roseoirs, av The slump and luebidite mudstoncs at the bate of the pediment till correspond to The deep embayments Ihal carved mb ahe platform funneled neneshnee sediments
410
km
Dello and slrundpinin, sund rich downslope to mud-rich basiu.000r funs. Sandsionea ansociased with submarine
indicated by variable hydrocoehon/water contacts even within the tome well. she mounded asd hnmmncky seismic reflections. The shin irregular sandnloses ocean
The lowstand submarine channel-fan depositi may have ontupped the paleoslope above lItase divergent reflections, and the upward.coursening interval coincides with Slnpe, sand rich channel-levee complexes are the mosa prolific hydrocarbon reservoirs within each
und pinched nui before reaching the contemporaneous shelf margin, bat such a the clinoforms at the top of the pediment fill (Fig. 13). These seismic facies and depositionol sequexce. Each backfilled wedge above the unconformity and updip of
relationship is net indicated by composite sandstone continuity (Fig. 18). Sossmsc lithofacies relationships aro similar lo those of the middle Miocene pediment lilt Slnpe, mad rich the banin-flanr fana also is composed of deep-water deposito (slumps, fous, and
facies analysis it alio icconclanivu as to whether nennt the slope sandstones entend (Figs. 9 and 13). channel-levee complexes). These slightly younger slope deposils also include same
Flavial dellaic anis aundsbonen of msernnir quality. The sand-prose interval in generally located sear the
updip and intersect feeder channels osan attached fan system. The principal middle Plioceue depositiocal systems responsible foe teansportiag
Landwardef the lowsiand channels and fans isa Oese of peogeadaijonal saodslones reservoir-quality sandstones to Ihr slope were a tumstand submarine-fan comples and Submarine channel - fon guis bosinward part of she onlap wedge ir the middle of the zone of irsvgalar seismic
interpreted toben towstard wedge, using the terminology of Fosamestsee and others a lowntasd shelf-edge delta. The sandstones are composed of floe-framed lo vety reflections, rather than al Ihn base as would be enpected foe incision by fluvial
(1988). The facies architecture of the lnwstand wedge consists of aggradaunual, fiso-geaiued quartz with nome micaond feldspar graina. These were the coarsest grain I:. :1 Poleobathymelr)c low channels. The spdip sand-prose facies occurs above the basal mounded seismic
upward-coarsening sandstones that are 3 109m thick. The boundary between these sizes available becaasc they were derived from multicycle coastal-plum sedimoetn reflectmous and near the transition with overlying horiountal or elinoform refleelionu.
and mero deposited far from sources of first-cycle sediments.
Hydrncarbnns ou neon Unconfised funs deposited basinwued of the shelf edge are generally sand poor.
upward-coarsening sandstones and the moro bosinward upward-fining sandstones
closety apprenimutes the poleomargis (Fig. 12>. Nearly all mid-dip wells escnunter Sorting of the sand feuclion can be mndeeate to poor depending os energy of the Fis. 14.Principal depesitional systems nf the Globzguadi'ioa alliapir-a genetic Sandstones associoted with lower-fan deposits may exhibit high lateral continuity,
sandstone lenses, but sandulone thickness and concentration are highly variable tarbidily currents und opyoriunitien for removal of the muddy maoiu. Even the sequence in the western Gulf Coast Basin. The map represents a compnsite nr but they are generally thin und may have low peemeabilisien because of peor sorting.
(Fig. 15). The saud-prone islervalt are moderately continuous because of thickest sandslonc beds contain subatontial amounts of primary marris. Despite 1hz subjacent tnwstand systems tracts, teansgresaive systems tracts, and suprajacent In centrant, confined channels of the middle and upper fan uccount for the highest
overlapping leben and the vertical offnot-stacking areungement of sandy facies. lack of uniform soeling. these unconsolidated sandstones have excellent poro highstand systems tracts. Mudified from Morton and alhers (1991), sandstone cooceutrulions und benI pore properbien but the buwesb lateral continuity
The return in lower-slope and abyusol motee depths (zones 5 und 6, Figs. 15 and 17> properties because mosl have becs buried «3 km and have not boca diagonetically (Figs. 16 and 17).
I I. Z4.5 i
I a.
Per I
a-- su nu
Iu
I II
I
I
EXPLANATION
Dy InI. Sov000vn
EXPLANATION
G 0000eo.nI'i,,r un/Ss-fr.
Zn Paneen ,n. 5 M
G sos *111 Sendstsse
G Dry hule Mudsynne Z4.5
un 6/aboqeZOri,,. ama,,,.
Z4 Pnl.eeen asen 4
FIs. 15.Stratigraphie strike Irrsinn 4-4' illustrating middle Plineenr Flu. l6'Stratigraphic strikr section 5.5' illustrating middlr Plinrrne
lithofarien, last ocrurrence nf plaisktnnie foraminifers, and patenecoonnes. ltthufaeies, last occurrence nf plaaktunir foraminifern, and pate0000znnrs.
Loratinu nhown in Figure 12. Location shown in Fignre 12.
Components of both middle Mioceno and middle Pliocene slope systems consist of The upper Neogene deep-waler sandstosen are ideal targets for deep-basin
1) normal upwaed-deepening slope deposits, 2) a submarino erosional uncosfonnily, exploration because, in theiroenpnctivr areas, they are the oldest penneable beds with
3) submarino channels and facs and slightly yoanger slope deposits IhaL onlap and teals that can be charged with hydrocarbons. Thus, they repensent the liest available Portions nf this reseuech were funded by grants from the U.S. Depuronsens of the At.rsv, GA., 1972, A pruclicul approuch to defining reservoir heterogeneity: Journal
baclsfill she unconformity, and 4) progeodutionul deltas that roconstrs,csnd the shelf leaps for oil and gas migrating 0010f the basin. These submarine cbaunet-and-fan Interior, Minerals Management Service, ander MMS Agreement No. 14-12-0001. of Petroleum Technology, v.24, p- 841-048.
margin. Sandstones associaled with nubmaeise channel-levee complenes aro Ihr most deposils are similar lo those of the middle Frio Huckberry Embaymenl (Tyler and 30387. Appreciation is espeesuod to Fairfield Industries and TOO Offshore Inc., who Beouvtotr, H. L., Je., 1987, Late Quaternury facies and structure, northern Gulf of
prolific hydrocarbon reservoirs withïn each depositionul sequence. Al the regional Reistroffer, 1987) and other deep-water embaymeots that ocean throughoul the provided selected seismic lines, and to BP Enploratios, Texaco USA. and Mobil Mexico: American Associulion ofPetroleum Geologists, Studios in Geology 823,
scale of exploration, axes of primary feeder synloms can be idonlifleal (Fig. 18); Terliary of the Golf Coast Basin. However, Iho middle Mioceno and talo Pliocene Exploration and Producing. Inc., mho provided paleoxtologic repos-lu for the sludy. 287 p.
however. lhe positions of individual channel-levee complesen ruanos be accuralely submarine pedimenls and oelap wedges had briefer histories and toss relief, which The manuscript was reviewed by Tacher Hertz und Noel Tyler. Bornas, A. bi, Noesuslnt, W. R., ovo Barons. N. E.. 1985, Submarine Funs and Rotated
peedicled. resulted in thinner successions of deep-waler sandstones. Turbidile Syslems: Nom York. Springer-Verlag, 331 p.
IaI
very lom.angle subaqueous slopes, Mississippi dolts: Marine Geolechnology,
y. 3, p. 37-60.
Svu.cv, R. C., 1978, Dipmrlrr and leg motifs in North Sea uubmurine.fan sands:
Ia Z4.0
American Association of Petrelesm Geologists Bulletin, v.63, P. 905-917.
Smrrevn, G. S., 1906, Pleistocene entrenched valley/submarine canyon systrm,, Gulf
of Mexico (abut.): Ameeicun Association of Petroleum Geologists Baltelin, v.70,
I
u
EXPLANATION
p.1189.
STvexvv, C.. 1964, The stratigraphie relationships of the }tackberay, Abhevitte, and
Hueang faanal asnemblagen: Gulf Coast Ansociation of Geological Societies
O un, E-:: Sean,,, Transactions, y. 14, p. 209-212.
O Ony sul. U Uud$t, Tyi.nn, N., neat Rcs,rnorrea. J., 1987, Rrrnploration of usbmarmnr fan and canyon
resrovoir, at Port Arihar (Hackberry) Field, Jefferson County, Tenas: Contract
Report to Ga, Reanarch Institute. Contract No. 5004.217.0924,30 p.
Fia. 17.Stratigraphie strike sentina 6.6' illustrating middle Plineem.r J. B., Bean, J. N., aNn H.srt.v,.m, W. G., 1977, Seinmic ilratigraphy and global
Iitbofaeies, last occurrence nf planktanir foraminifers, and paleneenannes. changes in sea level, in Cluytoa, C. E., ed., Seismic SiraiigraphyApptications
Lacation nhnmn in Figure 12. io Hydrocarbon Exploration: American Association of Petroleom Geologist,
Memoir 26, p. 49-2 12.
Cot.ox,ov. J. M, Pta00, D. B., orooLeco,ur. J. F.. 1983. DomInic intluence, on ,hrlfedgr Guouwea, R. H., one Peton. D. B., 1989, Geomrlry and deposilional neqaencea af the Wortton, R. G., 1978, Deop.water sandstone facies and ancient submarine fans:
inulability prucosurn, in Stanley. D. J., and Moore, edu., The Shrlfbreuk: Cnticul Misninsippi Canyon, Gulf of Mexico: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, V. 59, models for exploration for stratigraphie traps: American Associaliun of
Interface on Continental Margins: Society of Economic Paleontologists and P. 318-329. O 25ml Petroleum Geologists Ballens, y. 70, p. 1189.
Mineralogists Special Publication 33, p. 121-137. lIco. B. U., H.sooevnot., Sven V.sn.. P.R., 1987, Chronology of flactaunng sea levels
Ecnos.s, D. J., con Cmerss, D. M., 1973. Faleoniologic evidence for mid-Mioeenr siocotheTeiassic (25ømillionyearsagelepresenl): Science,v. 235,p. 1156-1167. O ¡ 40lire
Leaven, P., 1969. Salt lecinoics and Pleistocene siratigraphy on conttnental slope of
EXPLANATION
refrigeration from subsorface marine shames. Louisiana Gulf Coast: Gulf Coati
Ansociation of Geological Societies Transaciioos, y. 23, p. 422-426. northern Golf of Mexico: American Association of Felroleam Geologists Salt
Faeno, J. A., McGoc500, B. A., Rece, W. B. F, ovo Rosa, J. M., 1983. Breaching ihe BoUdin, y. 53, p. 2431-2479.
shelf break: passage from yoolhfol to motore phuse in submarine canyon Meecoost, R. M., 1985, Seismic espressïon of submarine fans, in Berg, G. R., and s 10091
Woolverton. D. G., Seismic Stealigraphy 2: American Asnocialten of Petroleum
evolution, in Stanley, D. J., and Moore, G. T.,The Shelf Break: Critical Inlerfuce
on Continental Margins: Society of Economic Fateontelogisis and Maneralogists Geologists Memoir 39, p. t 17-136. r-i 00-500ff
Special Pablicalion 33, p. 25-39. Monroe, R. A., Jtonc, L. A., sen Focrre, R. Q., 1985. Deponilienal hiniory. facies ri1 500-l000fl
Gcu.owsv, W. E., Iront, L. A.. Mouron, R. A.. axe DuRen. J. R., 1986, Lower analysis, and production characteristics of hydeocarbon.bearing sediments.
Miocene (Fleming) depositionat episode of the Texas coastal plain and offshore Texan: The University of Tesas at Austin. Borran of Economic Geology
continental shelf: structural framework, facies, and hydrocarbon remaron: The Geological Circular 85.2.31 p. 00 ¡322:
Univrrsily of Tenas al Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology Report of
Investigations No. 155. SOp. Fas, 18.Composite net thiekneun nf Glabagaadm'iva altimpia'a ,andntn.men.
Mndit'ied fron, Morton and other, (1991).
Basin
Foaottr5 Channels, wounds 5- tS-m-lhick mod blanket (top);
eeouiooat baso (channel);
conformable base (mound)
Osardoved Lotus
%S
. DOWNSLOPE THINNING
PONDING IN TOPOGRAPHIC LOW
A
AMALGAMATION 8
OFFSET STACKING
SP SN ASN
#6+
OP LOWER WINT
#2
Fis. 8.Dip-oriented stratigraphie eroso oeclion A-A' of thick mudstoue interval al normal curves). Dotted liars show correlation of tow-resistivity shale marker beds.
top of lower member of Winters Formation. Ibis interval, which rifles upward from Of the right sandstone beds shown, att are tonal in esimI eseept bed 3, which rauhe
the base as recorded by the teftsvard deflection in short normat (SN) and amplified traced over >23 km parallel to regional strike. Some beds arr amalgamated (note
short normat (ASN) resistivity curves, represents abandonment phase of lower serrate SP log), others are separated by madstone beds that are third-order or higher
Winters fan. Oecasiouat high'density tsrhidity currents durieg this phase are order discoatinuities. Normat fastes (indicated by heavy dashed lines) based os.
indicated by thin, generatty dioeoutivaoos sandstone beds (nambered) and tateratty structure contese mapping. Location shown in Figore 9.
eqsivatent silty mndstone with moderate resistivity (mont evident on amptiñrd short
4thoRDER D MULNKETS
'SCONTINO! BASES
-
lOO FT
DATUM -7500 FT
500 M
500 FT
lOO Mf
GAS
STRUCTURE SECTION I
0001 FT
WATER
NO VERTICAL EXAGGERATION
2O M
Fis. 10.Stritce-orientedstratigraphicandstructuralcrosssectionsß-tVacrOssgas- gas-water contacts and reservoir pressures. Low-resistivity mndstone markers
bearing slope channes(fonrth-ordee etemrnts) in WrstThornton gas field, T5N R4E. separate the formation into severat depositional sequences, and more than one
Erosional bases und mud blankets npto -10m in thickness form discontinnities that channel is present within most sequences. Location of section is confidential
separate different sandstone.chaneet deposits into discrete reservoirs with unique
#23
- 4th-ORDER
bSCONTINUITIES:
5-TO 1O-M-THICK
MUD BLANKETS
MAT ION
ErostIloxol SEQUENCE #22
CHAN NEi
BASAL EROSION EROSION DUTUM: 0000EO #21
4th-ORDER ELEMENTS:
+................
t.,...........I CHANNELS & MOUNDS NON-CHANNELIZED MOUND
ISOPACH THICK
FT
SEQUENCE #22 4000 FT
20M_[loo
OFFSET STACKING
1000 M
ISOPACH THICK
SEQUENCE #21
D
DATUM TOP SANDSTONE BED 03
6ttr0R0 DISCONTINUITY:
4thORDER
---qK
ASN
20- TO 50 M T
ELEMENT: CHANNEL
MUD BLANKET
- 200 FT
50M-
6000 FT
2000 M
Fia. 12.Strike-oriented straligraphic crosssection D.Dacross upper-fan portion
of one fan lobe at top of lower member of Winters Formation. Datum is top of
sandstone bed 3(5er Figs. Sand 9). Lobe formo fifth-order riemeut, composed bere
of several partiafly amalgamated fourth-order upprr-fan channrls and mod-blanket
discontinuitirs. SPis the Spontaneous Potential curve, and SN and ASN arr the churl
normal aud amplified short normal resistivity curves. Location in Figure t3.
SOC '09
Pto. 13.Partial net-sand isopach map of fax lobe shown in Figure 12. Lobe ix
cnrrently not mappable on middle and lower fan owing lo sparse well conlrol and
amalgamation with undeetying lobes. Bifsrcation of 500-ft isopaehssggrslsdownfao
branching into two lobes, perbapn doe to diversion around u central topographic high
canned by a lobe in an ondeelying depositional sequence.
SLOPE
200
IGROSS INTERVAL
NET SAND
8000 FT
N $f s'\
OUND 2000 M
Fm. 14.IntorvI and oct-tond ioopach maps ofdcpositioot oeqoenco 22 (Fig. 11).
NotedowoutopetbimoiogofslOpe modotooe accompanied by downslopo thickrning of
fon sandstone. Contoor interval 25 ft (7.6 m) for the gross interval mop and 25 ft
(6m) for the net samt mop.
.*ø-s
Cherveo Submarine-fan architecture 305
adUUSR SSa**
1.7 KM 7.5 KM 1 2.3 KM 1.8 KM I 0.8 KM 0.6 KM 1.0 KM I 8.9 KM I 3.2 KM 2.6 KM I 0.9 KM 1.5 KM 0.3 KM 0.8 KM 2.3 KM 0.8 KM 0.5 KM I 0.3 KM 0.9 KM
M FT
-200
50-
NO HORIZONTAL SCALE
r,
FAN LOBE
a
FAN LOBE
r
MMN?N Ç c__i
ZJ.. ce::
Pto. 15.Amplified normal res ti ty-log correlation diagra.n showing log motifs to depositionol strike of the sequences shown. Note thinning and draping of nome
IÇ
-
of section -40 km. Location of section is vonlidentiaL Diagrams such us this
of distinctive low-resistivity marker beds mod to subdivide Winters Formation into sequences over fan lobes in underlying seqoeoces. Same logs as used to construct constitute the principle evidence for fifth- and sixth-order elements and are the basis
depositionol sequences (chronostratigrophic nnits). Section oriented nearly parallel Figure 16A, und heavy lines denote markers used in both ligares. Total length for cross seCtions such vs those in Figore 16.
#2 C:MIDDLEFAN
AMALGAMATION
F THINNING OVER
LOBE CREST
B: UPPER FAN F
#1 5th-ORDER DISCONTINUITY:
i:
MOO WEDGE
#1
I sandstones (sixth-order elements) composed of two or more lobes. Note offset
stacking and amalgamation of lobes and thinning and fining of lobe sandstone Onto
flanks of topographic highs formed by lobes in underlying deposilionat sequences.
Low-resistivily markers )unmbered as in Fig. tO) are hif bty reliable on slope und
upper fan but disappear on middle fan doe tu downfan thinning of alt deposilional
sequences, amalgamation of seqoences, and sparse well control. Vertical
eSaggeration 205. Locatiou is conSdrotial.
B
Fao. 17.Reduction of Figures 16 A sud B showing slope channels (A) and upper-
fats lobes (B) at 2l vertical exaggeration. Blank intervals arc mudstonr, dotted lines
denote marker bedsaud black intervals denotcsandstone. Note decrease in thickness
of all depositional sequences from slope to upper fan but tremendous increase iu saudi
shale ratio.
1500
5000
STARKEY FORMATION
0 10Ml
0 10KM
2000
7thORDER ELEMENTS: MEMBERS
7000 -
SACRAMENTO SHALE
LUPPER WINTERS
8000- 2500
LU
o,
n)
I-
- 9000-
6th-ORDER DISCONTINUITIES:
20- TO 50-M-THICK MUD BLANKETS
11,000' Ftc. 10.Strike-oriented structural cross section from near northern end 01
Winters depoxilional basta (T12N) to Stockton fault (TOS) separating Sacramento
Busm from San Joaqem Basin (location shown in Fig. 1). Only selected marker bedo 3500
and fanitx are shown for simplicity. Gua symbols shows! next ta producing eones. LATHROP FORMATION
Thick (100 m) mndstonc blanket (short dash pattern) formo se crush-order discontinaity
12,000-
that separates Winters Formation into npper and lower members (seventh-order
arcbitectnral elements), eacb of which is composed of several sixth-order sandstone
FORBES FORMATION It
sbeels, each of which contains a few fifth-order fan lobes. Note amalgamation and
offset slacking of fan lobes. Also note northward ontap of lobes und sheets and overall
tendency of lobes lo migrate northward over time. Thu section lies west of main gas
belt in lower member; hence, alt producing eones shown hcre are 'n upper member.
13,000 - Correlation of Luttsrop Formation lo basal Winters Formation is somewhat 4000
uncertain owing to lack of deep weil control in central portion of cross section.