Numerical modelling of the displacement and deformation of embedded rock bodies during salt tectonics: A case study from the South Oman Salt Basin

Li, Shiyuan; Abe, Steffen; Reuning, Lars; Becker, Simon; Urai, János L.; Kukla, Peter A.

doi:10.1144/sp363.24

Cited by 35 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(47 reference statements)

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“…In recent years, a number of numerical studies about the deformation of salt structures have been published (Schultz-Ela and Jackson 1993;Poliakov et al 1993;van Keken et al 1993;Koyi 1996Koyi , 1998Chemia and Schmeling 2009;Li et al 2009;Ings and Beaumont 2010;Li et al 2012a). It can be an effective method to study constitutive equations for salt flow based on natural deformation and will deliver reliable reference in salt tectonics and also salt mining engineering.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rheology of rock salt for salt tectonics modeling

Urai

2016

Pet. Sci.

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Numerical modeling of salt tectonics is a rapidly evolving field; however, the constitutive equations to model long-term rock salt rheology in nature still remain controversial. Firstly, we built a database about the strain rate versus the differential stress through collecting the data from salt creep experiments at a range of temperatures (20-200°C) in laboratories. The aim is to collect data about salt deformation in nature, and the flow properties can be extracted from the data in laboratory experiments. Moreover, as an important preparation for salt tectonics modeling, a numerical model based on creep experiments of rock salt was developed in order to verify the specific model using the Abaqus package. Finally, under the condition of low differential stresses, the deformation mechanism would be extrapolated and discussed according to microstructure research. Since the studies of salt deformation in nature are the reliable extrapolation of laboratory data, we simplified the rock salt rheology to dislocation creep corresponding to power law creep (n = 5) with the appropriate material parameters in the salt tectonic modeling.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rheology of rock salt for salt tectonics modeling

Urai

2016

Pet. Sci.

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“… Ings and Beaumont [2010] treat shale layers as viscoplastic Bingham fluids [ Bingham , 1922]. Salt décollements are defined by a layer of much lower viscosity than the overlying material with linear [ Simpson , 2010; Yamato et al , 2011] or non‐Newtonian rheology [ Chemia et al , 2009; Li et al , 2012].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical investigation of deformation mechanics in fold‐and‐thrust belts: Influence of rheology of single and multiple décollements

2012

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[1] Thin-skinned fold-and-thrust belts related to convergence tectonics develop by scraping off a rock sequence along a weaker basal décollement often formed by water-saturated shale layers or low-viscosity salt horizons. A two-dimensional finite element model with a viscoelastoplastic rheology is used to investigate the structural evolution of fold-and-thrust belts overlying different types of décollements. In addition, the influence of multiple weak layers in the stratigraphic column is studied. Model shale décollements are frictional, with lower friction angles as the cover sequence. Model salt layers behave linear viscous, due to a lower viscosity as the cover sequence, or with a power law rheology. Single viscous décollement simulations have been compared to an analytical solution concerning faulting versus folding. Results show that fold-and-thrust belts with a single frictional basal décollement generate thrust systems ramping from the décollement to the surface. Spacing between thrust ramps depends on the thickness of the cover sequence. The structural evolution of simulations with an additional low-frictional layer depends on the strength relationship between the basal and the intersequential décollement. Tectonic underplating and antiformal stacking occur if the within-sequence décollement is weaker. In the frontal part of models, deformation is restricted to the upper part and imbrication occurs with a wavelength depending on the depth of the intermediate weak layer. "Salt" décollement with a viscosity of 10 18 Pa⋅s leads to isolated box folds (detachment folds). Multiple salt layers (10 18 Pa⋅s) result in long-wavelength folding. Our results for both frictional and viscous décollements are in bulk agreement with the Mohr-Coulomb type, critical wedge theory.Citation: Ruh, J. B., B. J. P. Kaus, and J.-P. Burg (2012), Numerical investigation of deformation mechanics in fold-and-thrust belts: Influence of rheology of single and multiple décollements, Tectonics, 31, TC3005,

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“…The hydropressured stringers close to the centre of the siliciclastic minibasins are structurally highly segmented (Figs 4 and 6). A strong influence of minibasin formation on stringer breakage was also predicted by finite‐element modelling (Li et al. in press).…”

Section: Overpressures In the South Oman Salt Basinmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Separate hydrocarbon phases and pressure gradients in up‐dip fields suggest that the stringer sequence is currently disconnected. Structural modelling indicates however that these have been connected in the past (Li et al. in press) and that deflation has occurred during connection with the minibasins.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and mechanisms of overpressure generation and deflation in the late Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian South Oman Salt Basin

Kukla¹,

Reuning²,

Becker³

et al. 2011

Geofluids

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Late Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian intra-salt Ara reservoirs of the South Oman Salt Basin represents a unique self-charging petroleum play with respect to hydrocarbon and overpressure generation and dissipation. Reservoir bodies (termed 'stringers') are isolated in salt and frequently contain low-permeable dolomites that are characterized by high initial production rates because of hard overpressures. A database of more than 30 wells has been utilized to understand the distribution and generation of overpressures in intra-salt reservoirs that can be separated by up to 350 m of salt. A temporal relationship of increasingly overpressured reservoirs within stratigraphically younger units is observed, and two distinctly independent trends emerge from the Oman dataset; one hydrostatic to slightly above hydrostatic and one overpressured from 17 to 22 kPa m )1 , almost at lithostatic pressures. Structural, petrophysical and seismic data analysis suggests that overpressure generation is driven by fast burial of the stringers in salt, with a significant contribution by thermal fluid effects and kerogen conversion. Structural and geometric information indicates that present-day hydrostatic stringers have been overpressured in their earlier geologic evolution. Evidence for these initial overpressures in currently hydrostatic reservoirs is provided by hydrocarbonveined cores from halite overlying the reservoirs. A proposed pressure deflation mechanism can be related to the complex interplay of salt tectonics and fast deposition of early Cambrian to Ordovician age clastics.

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Numerical modelling of the displacement and deformation of embedded rock bodies during salt tectonics: A case study from the South Oman Salt Basin

Cited by 35 publications

References 54 publications

Rheology of rock salt for salt tectonics modeling

Rheology of rock salt for salt tectonics modeling

Numerical investigation of deformation mechanics in fold‐and‐thrust belts: Influence of rheology of single and multiple décollements

Distribution and mechanisms of overpressure generation and deflation in the late Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian South Oman Salt Basin

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