Complex fracture development related to stratigraphic architecture: Challenges for structural deformation prediction, Tensleep Sandstone at the Alcova anticline, Wyoming

Zahm, Chris; Hennings, Peter

doi:10.1306/08040909110

Cited by 54 publications

(16 citation statements)

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“…The presence of dolostone and dolomitic cements in the lower Tensleep sequences, for example, makes them more brittle and easily fractured. Zahm and Hennings (2009) suggest, however, that a greater intensity of sequence bounded fractures occurs in the cleaner eolian sandstones of the upper Tensleep and thus probably offers the greatest connectivity and fracture permeability. Joint observations made by Kennedy (2011) and Kennedy et al (2012) in several areas throughout the Laramide of Wyoming and Colorado revealed fracture systems dominated by three prominent sets throughout the region.…”

Section: Previous Surface and Subsurface Fracture Observationsmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…She assigned fracture intensities of 0.1 ft −1 (0.32 m −1 ) in the high porosity sandstones, 1.1 ft −1 (3.2 m −1 ) in the dolomitic sandstones, and 0.33 ft −1 (1.1 m −1 ) in the heavily cemented sandstones. Zahm and Hennings (2009) conducted additional analysis of the LIDAR data collected by Gilbertson. They emphasized the importance of complex stratigraphic controls and mechanical properties on reservoir fracture intensity distribution in addition to structural controls such as folds and faults.…”

Section: Previous Surface and Subsurface Fracture Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Developing a model discrete fracture network, drilling, and enhanced oil recovery strategy in an unconventional naturally fractured reservoir using integrated field, image log, and three-dimensional seismic data

Wilson¹,

Smith²,

Brown³

2015

Bulletin

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In this study, we develop a model discrete fracture network (DFN) for the unconventional, naturally fractured Tensleep Sandstone oil reservoir at Teapot Dome, Wyoming. Reservoir characterization is based on three-dimensional (3D) seismic data, fracture image logs from Teapot Dome, and field observations of the Tensleep exposure in the Alcova anticline and Fremont Canyon areas. Image logs reveal that the dominant reservoir fracture set trends parallel to the present-day maximum horizontal compressive stress (S Hmax ) inferred from drilling induced fractures. Analog field studies of the Alcova anticline and Fremont Canyon suggest fracture heights and lengths are power-law distributed, while the fracture spacing distribution is best described as log-normal. Image-log-derived fracture apertures are also log-normally distributed. These properties are incorporated into a model DFN. We assume subseismic folds, faults, and fracture zones control fracture intensity distribution and use composite 3D seismic attributes to locate subtle changes in seismic response interpreted to result from subseismic structure. Directional curvature defines aperture-opening strain normal to the dominant reservoir fracture set. Seismic attributes are scaled and combined to control fracture intensity variations in the model. Grid-cell porosity and permeability distributions derived from the DFN suggest the presence of northeast-southwest-trending reservoir compartments. We suggest

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Section: Previous Surface and Subsurface Fracture Observationsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Previous Surface and Subsurface Fracture Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a model discrete fracture network, drilling, and enhanced oil recovery strategy in an unconventional naturally fractured reservoir using integrated field, image log, and three-dimensional seismic data

Wilson¹,

Smith²,

Brown³

2015

Bulletin

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“…Martel (2006Martel ( , 2017 noted that sheeting joints are conspicuously absent from weak rocks like shale because under large differential stress, they fail via shearing. Shang et al (2016) showed that rocks with even incipient (poorly developed) bedding planes have tensile strengths only 32%-88% of those of a structureless "parent rock" without visible discontinuities (also see Zahm and Hennings, 2009). Because the structureless sandstone bodies had greater strength in compression than the bedded rock that surrounds them, they withstood high compressive stress and failed under tensile stresses when they neared the land surface.…”

Section: Laterally Confined Sheeting Joints: Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sheeting joints and polygonal patterns in the Navajo Sandstone, southern Utah: Controlled by rock fabric, tectonic joints, buckling, and gullying

Loope

Burberry

2018

Geosphere

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Sheeting joints are ubiquitous in outcrops of the Navajo Sandstone on the west-central Colorado Plateau, USA. As in granitic terrains, these are opening-mode fractures and form parallel to land surfaces. In our study areas in south-central Utah, liquefaction during Jurassic seismic events destroyed stratification in large volumes of eolian sediment, and first-order sheeting joints are now preferentially forming in these structureless (isotropic) sandstones. Vertical cross-joints abut the land-surface-parallel sheeting joints, segmenting broad (tens of meters) rock sheets into equant, polygonal slabs ~5 m wide and 0.25 m thick. On steeper slopes, exposed polygonal slabs have domed surfaces; eroded slabs reveal an onion-like internal structure formed by 5-m-wide, second-order sheeting joints that terminate against the crossjoints, and may themselves be broken into polygons. In many structureless sandstone bodies, however, the lateral extent of first-order sheeting joints is severely limited by pre-existing, vertical tectonic joints. In this scenario, non-conjoined sheeting joints form extensive agglomerations of laterally contiguous, polygonal domes 3-6 m wide, exposing exhumed sheeting joints. These laterally confined sheeting joints are, in turn, segmented by short vertical cross-joints into numerous small (~0.5 m) polygonal rock masses. We hypothesize that the sheeting joints in the Navajo Sandstone form via contemporaneous, land-surface-parallel compressive stresses, and that vertical cross-joints that delineate polygonal masses (both large and small) form during compression-driven buckling of thin, convex-up rock slabs. Abrasion of friable sandstone during runoff events widens vertical tectonic joints into gullies, enhancing land-surface convexity. Polygonal rock slabs described here provide a potential model for interpretation of similar-appearing patterns developed on the surface of Mars.

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“…Mechanical stratigraphy is a major control on the development of fracture networks and their influence on fluid flow pathways (e.g. Hanks et al 1997;Underwood et al 2003;Cooke et al 2006;Zahm and Hennings 2009;Sonntag et al 2012;Couples 2013). Mechanical stratigraphy partitions stratified rocks into mechanical units based on physical rock properties including tensile strength and elastic moduli, with Young's modulus being particularly important (e.g.…”

Section: An Integrated Interdisciplinary Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic

Spence

Couples

Bevan

et al. 2014

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Naturally fractured reservoirs, within which porosity, permeability pathways and/or impermeable barriers formed by the fracture network interact with those of the host rock matrix to influence fluid flow and storage, can occur in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. These reservoirs constitute a substantial percentage of remaining hydrocarbon resources; they create exploration targets in otherwise impermeable rocks, including under-explored crystalline basement, and they can be used as geological stores for anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Their complex fluid flow behaviour during production has traditionally proved difficult to predict, causing a large degree of uncertainty in reservoir development. The applied study of naturally fractured reservoirs seeks to constrain this uncertainty and maximize production by developing new understanding, and is necessarily a broad, integrated, interdisciplinary topic. Some of the methods, challenges and advances in characterizing the interplay of rock matrix and fracture networks relevant to fluid flow and hydrocarbon recovery are reviewed and discussed via the contributions in this volume.Global estimates of conventional hydrocarbon resources are typically subdivided based on lithological reservoir types for example, carbonate or siliciclastic (e.g. Roehl & Choquette 1985). However, many of these sedimentary rock reservoirs may contain fractures to a greater or lesser degree. The recent boom of unconventional reservoirs highlights once again the key role that natural fractures can play in helping production of fluids. It also requires an improved understanding of the geology and physics of natural fracture networks to meet public expectations regarding safety issues. Moreover, fracture networks can be present in otherwise impermeable crystalline basement rocks (e.g. Sanders et al. 2003;Murray & Montgomery 2012;Slightam 2012) and igneous intrusions (e.g. Gudmundsson & Løtveit 2012), also allowing these rocks to form potential fractured reservoirs. Historically, fractured crystalline basement rocks have been under-explored as potential hydrocarbon reservoirs. Naturally fractured reservoirs constitute a substantial percentage of remaining hydrocarbon resources. Naturally fractured reservoirsA reservoir fracture is a general term used to describe a 'naturally occurring macroscopic planar discontinuity in rock due to deformation, or physical diagenesis' (Nelson 2001). Reservoir fractures encompass both extensional ( joints) and shear (faults) structures. Fractures formed by brittle tectonic deformation are the most common focus for studies of naturally fractured reservoirs. However, reservoir fractures may also include structures that formed by desiccation (e.g. shrinkage cracks) and syneresis (e.g. chickenwire texture) in sediments, and structures that formed by thermal , as used here. Naturally fractured reservoirs are generally defined as such when the fracture network has a significant influence on fluid flow in the reservoir such that: (1) the fracture networ...

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Complex fracture development related to stratigraphic architecture: Challenges for structural deformation prediction, Tensleep Sandstone at the Alcova anticline, Wyoming

Cited by 54 publications

References 54 publications

Developing a model discrete fracture network, drilling, and enhanced oil recovery strategy in an unconventional naturally fractured reservoir using integrated field, image log, and three-dimensional seismic data

Developing a model discrete fracture network, drilling, and enhanced oil recovery strategy in an unconventional naturally fractured reservoir using integrated field, image log, and three-dimensional seismic data

Sheeting joints and polygonal patterns in the Navajo Sandstone, southern Utah: Controlled by rock fabric, tectonic joints, buckling, and gullying

Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic

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