Prediction of thermal conductivity in reservoir rocks using fabric theory

An accurate prediction of the thermal conductivity of reservoir rocks in the subsurface is extremely important for a quantitative analysis of basin thermal history and hydrocarbon maturation. A model for calculating the thermal conductivity of reservoir rocks as a function of mineral composition, porosity, fluid type, and temperature has been developed based on fabric theory and experimental data. The study indicates that thermal conductivities of reservoir rocks are dependent on the volume fraction of components (minerals, porosity, and fluids), the temperature, and the fraction of series elements (FSE) which represents the way that the mineral components aggregate. The sensitivity test of the fabric model shows that quartz is the most sensitive mineral for the thermal conductivity of clastic rocks. The study results indicate that the FSE value is very critical. Different lithologies have different optimum FSE values because of different textures and sedimentary structures. The optimum FSE values are defined as those which result in the least error in the model computation of the thermal conductivity of the rocks. These values are 0.444 for water-saturated clay rocks, 0.498 for water-saturated sandstones, and 0.337 for water-saturated carbonates. Compared with the geometric mean model, the fabric model yields better results for the thermal conductivity, largely because the model parameters can be adjusted to satisfy different lithologies and to minimize the mean errors. The fabric model provides a good approach for estimating paleothermal conductivity in complex rock systems based on the mineral composition and pore fluid saturation of the rocks.     

Simulation of flow over pool-riffle topography: A consideration of the velocity reversal hypothesis

Computer flow simulations using the HEC-2 step-backwater routine are used to demonstrate the effect of systematically varying river channel width, riffle spacing and channel roughness on the shear velocity, section-mean velocity and energy slope in fixed-bed pool-riffle sequences. Initial scaling is obtained by utilizing published information on hydraulic parameters within reaches of the River Severn. Subsequently this restriction is relaxed and the effect of varying parameter combinations within realistic limits is explored. The purpose of this exercise is to isolate those scenarios which may preclude or promote the occurrence of a competence ‘reversal’, such that pools scour at high flow whilst deposition occurs on riffles. It is concluded that rivers in which pools are hydraulically rougher than riffles are likely to demonstrate a competence reversal. For prescribed conditions, the critical discharge at which a reversal occurs is a negative function of riffle spacing and riffle width relative to pool width. Downstream variation in hydraulic roughness also has implications for the phase relationship of shear velocity maxima and minima in relation to the extremes in pool-riffle topography.     

A numerical method for obtaining multiple linear regression parameters with physically realistic signs and magnitudes: Applications to the determination of equilibrium constants from solubility data

A common problem in experimental geochemistry is the derivation of equilibrium constants from solubility experiments. A simple method of deriving these equilibrium constants, multiple linear regression, often results in the appearance of negative values. This has been a significant obstacle to continuing research in this field. The problem occurs for the most part because of significant correlations among the “independent” concentration variables. These correlations are an inescapable result of the nature of the experiments and the physical model being fitted. Ridge regression is an appropriate modification to simple linear regression which overcomes this difficulty. Ridge regression results in a simple procedure to obtain physically plausible, yet statistically rigorous stability constants. Of course, other problems may further degrade the quality of derived equilibrium constants, e.g. uncertainty in activity coefficients and no purely statistical method can overcome these types of problems. However, ridge regression is an effective procedure to overcome the multicolinearity which is the main cause of negative equilibrium constants. We demonstrate the use of ridge regression with a general mathematical model and then illustrate its use in the determination of iron-chloro complex equilibrium constants from solubility studies of pyrite-pyrrhotite-magnetite in NaCl solutions at 250°C. Ridge regression may also be of use in other geochemical problems where one must estimate parameters with a physical interpretation and where the independent variables are significantly intercorrelated.     

The Askervein Hill Project: Wind-tunnel simulations at three length scales

Wind-tunnel simulations of neutrally-stable atmospheric boundary-layer flow over an isolated, low hill (Askervein) have been carried out at three different length scales in two wind-tunnel facilities. The objectives of these simulations were to assess the reliability with which changes in mean wind and turbulence structure induced by the prototype hill on boundary-layer flow can be reproduced in the wind tunnel, and to determine the relative impact of certain modelling approaches (surface roughness, model scale, measurement techniques, etc.) on the quality of the simulations. The wind-tunnel results are compared with each other and with full-scale data and are shown in general to model the prototype flow very well. The effects of relaxing the criterion of aerodynamic roughness of the model surface were limited to certain regions in the lee of the hill and were linked to separation phenomena.     

New aromatic biomarkers and possible maturity indicators found in New Albany Shale extracts

Aromatic hydrocarbons from benzene extracts of New Albany Shale were characterized. A biomarker that has a molecular weight of 546 and a structural configuration consistent with that of an alkyl-aromatic hydrocarbon (C₄₀H₆₆) was tentatively identified. It was found that the relative concentrations of the biomarker are indicative of differing levels of thermal maturity of the shale organic matter. A 40-carbon bicyclic carotenoid (C₄₀H₄₈) is proposed as the geochemical precursor of this biomarker. Thermal maturity of the shale organic matter can also be differentiated by observing differences in “fingerprints” as obtained by field-ionization mass spectrometry on the aromatic hydrocarbon fraction. Using this technique, we found that the more mature shale samples from southeastern Illinois contain more low molecular weight extractable aromatic hydrocarbons and the less mature shale samples from northwestern Illinois contain more high molecular weight extractable aromatic hydrocarbons. It was demonstrated that field-ionization and tandem mass spectrometric techniques through fingerprint and individual compound identification, are useful for shale aromatic hydrocarbon fraction characterization and for thermal maturation interpretation.     

Diffusion spreading of middle-latitude ionospheric plasma irregularities

In contrast to the way that the spreading of irregularities in a plasma is usually considered, the diffusion spreading of irregularities stretched along the geomagnetic field B is examined using a three-dimensional rigorous numerical model of quasi-neutral diffusion in the presence of a magnetic field, in conjunction with the actual height variations of the diffusion and conductivity tensors in the ionosphere. A comparison with the earlier constructed approximate model of unipolar diffusion was made. As in the previous case, the same peculiarities of irregularity spreading in the inhomogeneous background ionospheric plasma were observed. The accuracy of the approximate model for describing the process of spreading of anisotropic ionospheric irregularities is established. Time relaxation effects of real heating-induced ionospheric irregularities on their scale transverse to B are presented using the approximate analytical model for the case of a quasi-homogeneous ionospheric plasma. The calculated results have a vivid physical meaning and can be directly compared with experimental data on the radiophysical observations of artificial heating-induced irregularities created by powerful radio waves in the ionosphere.     

Geology and eruptive history of the Rabaul Caldera area, Papua New Guinea

Rabaul Caldera is the most recently active (1937–1943) of four adjoining volcanic centres aligned north-south through the northern extremity of eastern New Britain. Geological mapping after the 1983–1985 Rabaul seismic and deformation crisis has partially revealed a long and complex eruption history dominated by numerous explosive eruptions, the largest accompanied by caldera collapse. The oldest exposed eruptives are the basaltic pre-caldera cone Tovanumbatir Lavas K/Ar dated at 0.5 Ma. The dacitic Rabaul Quarry Lavas exposed in the caldera wall and K/Ar dated at 0.19 Ma, are overlain by a sequence of dacitic and andesitic pyroclastic flow and fall deposits. Uplifted coral reef limestones, interbedded within the pyroclastic sequence on the northeast coast, suggest that explosive eruptions in the Rabaul area had commenced prior to the 0.125 Ma last interglacial high sea level stand. The pyroclastic sequence includes the large Boroi Ignimbrites and Malaguna Pyroclastics both ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dated at about 0.1 Ma, and the Barge Tunnel Ignimbrite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dated at around 0.04 Ma. Few reliable ages exist for the many younger eruptives. These include Holocene ignimbrites of the latest caldera-forming eruptions—the Raluan Pyroclastics variously dated (¹⁴C) at either about 3500 or 7000 yr B.P., and the ca. 1400 yr B.P. Rabaul Pyroclastics. At least eight intracaldera eruptions have occurred since the 1400 yr B.P. collapse, building small pyroclastic and lava cones within the caldera.A major erosional episode is evident as a widespread unconformity in the upper pyroclastic stratigraphy at Rabaul. Lacking relevant radiometric ages, this episode is assumed to have occurred during last glaciation low sea levels and is here arbitarily dated at ca. ?20 ka. At least five, possibly nine, significant ignimbrite eruptions have occurred at Rabaul during the last ?20 ka. The new eruptive history differs considerably from that previously published, which considered ignimbrite eruption and caldera collapse to have first occurred at 3500 yr B.P.Rabaul volcanism has been dominated by two main types: (a) basaltic and basaltic andesite cone building eruptions; and (b) dacitic, and rarely andesitic or rhyolitic, plinian/ignimbrite eruptions of both high- and low-aspect ratio types. The 1400 yr B.P. Rabaul Ignimbrite is a type example of a low-aspect ratio, high-energy, and potentially very damaging eruption. Fine vitric ash deposits, common in the Rabaul pyroclastic sequence, demonstrate the frequent modification of eruptions by external water probably related to early caldera lakes or bays. Interbedding of these fine ashes with plinian pumice lapilli beds suggests that many early eruptions occurred from multiple vents, located in both wet and dry areas.     

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF FERROUS IRON IN EIGHTEEN UNITED STATES GEOCHEMICAL REFERENCE STANDARDS

Iron (II) oxide in 50 mg samples of silicate rocks, deposits, and soils is measured after digestion with HF and HCl in the presence of ICl. The iodine produced is measured spectrophotometrically. Results are presented for the eighteen available USGS geochemical reference standards including the GXR series.     

Fluid convection and mass transfer in porous sandstones—a theoretical model

When porous, fluid-saturated, bodies of geologic dimensions are subjected to temperature gradients on the order of the normal geothermal gradient (25°C/km) it is shown that large (km) scale eddy currents will spontaneously arise and persist in these bodies. The velocity of these fluid currents is on the order of 1 meter per year, but taken over a period of several million years, the mass flux accompanying the fluid flow is large enough to produce significant porosity changes. It is shown that diffusive mass transfer is generally a negligible component of the total mass flux when characteristic distances are greater than grain diameters and it is concluded that most post-depositional reservoir cementation is due to slowly circulating fluids. In terms of a broad perspective, reservoir diagenesis can be regarded as a low heat flow analogue of hydrothermal alteration, occupying the low fluid flow regime of the spectrum, and passing into the hydrothermal regime as the heat flow and fluid velocities increase.