Facies controls on the distribution of diagenesis and compaction in fluvial-deltaic deposits

The Upper Triassic – Lower Jurassic Åre Formation comprising the deeper reservoir in the Heidrun Field offshore mid-Norway consists of fluvial channel sandstones (FCH), floodplain fines (FF), and sandy and muddy bay-fill sediments (SBF, MBF) deposited in an overall transgressive fluvial to lower delta plain regime. The formation has been investigated to examine possible sedimentary facies controls on the distribution of cementation and compaction based on petrography and SEM/micro probe analyses of core samples related to facies associations and key stratigraphic surfaces. The most significant authigenic minerals are kaolinite, calcite and siderite. Kaolinite and secondary porosity from dissolution of feldspar and biotite are in particular abundant in the fluvial sandstones. The carbonate minerals show complex compositional and micro-structural variation of pure siderite (Sid I), Mg-siderite (Sid II), Fe-dolomite, ankerite and calcite, displaying decreasing Fe from early to late diagenetic carbonate cements. An early diagenetic origin for siderite and kaolinite is inferred from micro-structural relations, whereas pore filling calcite and ankerite formed during later diagenesis. The Fe-dolomite probably related to mixing-zone dolomitization from increasing marine influences, and a regional correlatable calcite cemented layer has been related to a flooding event. Porosity values in non-cemented sandstone samples are generally high in both FCH and SBF facies associations averaging 27%. Differential compaction between sandstone and mudstone has a ratio of up to 1:2 and with lower values for MBF. We emphasize the role of eogenetic siderite cementation in reducing compactability in the fine-grained, coal-bearing sediments most prominent in MBF facies. This has implications for modeling of differential compaction between sandstone and mudstones deposited in fluvial-deltaic environments.     

Systematic sequence-scale controls on carbonate cementation in a siliciclastic sedimentary basin: Examples from Upper Cretaceous shallow marine deposits of Utah and Coloradao,USA

Whilst the relationship between stratigraphic development and carbonate cementation within siliciclastic succession has been documented through a number case studies, these studies have been generally restricted to observations upon individual sequences and/or limited sub-surface data. In this paper, long-term (5 million years), large-scale (>200 km) stratigraphic controls on carbonate cementation patterns are documented from the Upper Cretaceous Panther Tongue Member, Blackhawk Formation and Castlegate Sandstone exposed in the Book Cliffs in Utah and Colorado, USA. Together, these comprise eight progradational wedges of sandstones, which interfinger with the Mancos Shale, deposited within the Western Interior Seaway foreland basin. Petrographic analyses of ferroan dolomite cement bodies within these sandstone wedges show that the ferroan dolomite cements are all early, relative to burial diagenesis within the host sandstones. Stable isotope analyses indicates that a significant meteoric component was present in precipitating fluids and this is consistent with the observation that cements, are always present down-dip of sequence boundaries and/or leached whitecaps beneath coals. In addition, the lateral distribution of cement bodies increases consistently up-succession from less than 5 km in extent in the older sequences, to 30 km in extent in the youngest sequences. These changes in distribution are in response to the increased progradation and increased and more aerially extensive sequence-boundary development in younger sequences. The implications of these data are that whilst localized spatial patterns of diagenesis, and in particular carbonate cementation, are predictable and controlled by the nature and presence of individual stratal surfaces, systematic diagenetic alteration patterns are also present at the sedimentary basin scale and controlled by the nature of larger-scale stratigraphic development and basin evolution. This evolution may be driven by eustatic shifts, or through tectonic or climatic driven base-level shifts. These observations allow an improved insight into the basin-scale processes that control the macroscopic diagenetic properties of sedimentary successions and sub-surface hydrocarbon reservoirs.     

东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷南部花港组砂岩储层成岩流体演化特征：来自岩石、矿物及同位素地球化学的约束

渐新世花港组是东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷发育的最主要储层,基于普通薄片、铸体薄片、扫描电镜和荧光显微观察,结合同位素地球化学对东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷花港组砂岩储层的成岩作用、成岩序列及成岩流体演化进行了研究。结果表明,花港组砂岩储层目前处于中成岩阶段B期,主要经历了机械压实、绿泥石粘土摸、酸性及碱性溶蚀作用,石英次生加大,碳酸盐胶结和自生高岭石胶结等成岩作用。研究区发育有三期碳酸盐胶结物,早期菱铁矿胶结物,中期铁方解石和晚期铁白云石。根据碳酸盐胶结物的碳氧同位素特征分析认为早期碳酸盐胶结物是由过饱和的碱性湖水沉淀造成的,而晚期碳酸盐胶结物的形成与有机酸密切相关。研究区存在两类溶蚀作用,酸性溶蚀作用和碱性溶蚀作用,早期的酸性溶蚀作用主要是有机酸对长石、岩屑及早期碳酸盐胶结物的溶蚀,晚期的碱性溶蚀作用主要是发生于碱性环境下流体对石英及硅质胶结物的溶蚀。研究区发育有两期油气充注,早期发生于晚中新世,早期发生于晚中新世,早于中期碳酸盐胶结,晚于长石溶蚀和石英胶结充注,充注量较大,第四纪以来研究区发生了第二次充注,第二次充注发生于铁白云石胶结之后,此时储层已非常致密。     

西沙岛礁白云岩化特征与成因模式分析

关于碳酸盐岩的白云岩化作用至今仍是一个争论颇大的科学问题。在2012-2013年期间,中海石油（中国）有限公司湛江分公司在西沙石岛钻取了长达1 268.02 m的“西科1井”岩心,在0~1 257.52 m主要由碳酸盐岩组成的岩心中存在有7个白云岩层。本文基于西科1井岩心样品的矿物组成、常量、微量及稀土元素含量等地球化学特征分析,探讨了西沙岛礁特有的白云岩化作用过程。结果表明:西科1井7层白云岩在成因上与埋深和压实成岩作用无关,其分布与海平面下降的地质事件有良好的对应关系,白云岩层元素地球化学特征表明白云岩成岩流体为浓缩的高盐度海水。根据白云岩层的矿物学和地球化学特征,提出了礁滩潟湖环境下高盐卤水渗透回流作用的白云岩化模式:伴随海平面的升降,礁体处于淹没与暴露的交替之中,海平面下降导致了礁滩潟湖的形成,由于西沙海区蒸发量大于降水量而使澙湖中海水盐度增高,最终形成富Mg卤水;澙湖中高盐度富Mg卤水在礁体内下渗和侧向扩散,Mg逐渐替代早期CaCO₃晶格中Ca而形成白云石;海平面的升降变化和礁体淹没与暴露的交替导致了钻井岩心多个白云岩层的形成。海平面升降直接控制了岛礁碳酸盐岩的发育和白云岩化作用,导致海平面升降的古气候变化在岛礁的形成发育中起到主导作用。     

Waulsortian-like mounds of the Mississippian Pekisko Formation, Northwestern Alberta: Petrographic and chemical attributes

The Tournasian age Pekisko carbonates in the Normandville Field (northwestern Alberta) form waulsortian-like, bryozoan/crinoid mounds that developed in fairly deep, low energy, cool water systems, close to the ramp margin. Three main depositional environments occur: (1) crinoidal apron with wackestone, grainstone and floatstone facies; (2) mound flank with grainstone, wackestone, packstone and floatstone facies dipping 35°; and (3) bryozoan mound core, composed of rudstone and floatstone facies with fenestrate bryozoa, minor crinoids and carbonate mud. Local highs due to fault-bounded blocks, created from the collapse of the Devonian Peace River High, may have controlled the location of mound nucleation.Diagenesis of the bryozoan/crinoid mounds included calcite cementation, compaction, dolomitization, silicification, and hydrocarbon emplacement events. The mound core facies contains submarine fascicular optic calcite and bladed/prismatic calcite cements, and later ferroan, brightly luminescent, pore-filling blocky spar cement. The crinoid apron facies contains syntaxial cement associated with crinoids, and the ferroan blocky spar cement. The mounds are dominantly limestone; however, in one well, dolomite dominates the lower section. Four types of dolomite have been identified: partial replacive; chemical-compaction-related, pervasive dolomite and saddle dolomite cement. All dolomites are non-stoichiometric (CaCO₃ mole% 56.6–62.6). The partial, zoned replacive dolomite replaces micrite and syntaxial rim calcite in mound flank and crinoid apron facies. The chemical compaction-related dolomite is found along dissolution seams and stylolites and has similar CL characteristics to the replacive dolomite. The pervasive dolomite is fabric destructive and has dull cores and bright rims in CL. Saddle dolomite (0.15 mm) has brightly-luminescent, concentric zoning and occurs in vugs and fossil pore spaces.Chemical and isotopic analysis of the bryozoan/crinoid mounds indicate that the original marine signatures in micrite, early cements, some crinoids and brachiopods have been preserved. However, carbon isotopic values for some crinoids, matrix and dolomite show more positive values compared to known Mississippian carbonate values. Recrystallization during shallow burial has reset the oxygen isotopic composition of some crinoids and micrite. Oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions of most dolomites overlap with altered crinoids and early calcite cements. However, saddle dolomites have lighter δ¹⁸O values, similar to saddle dolomites from the Devonian Wabamun Group in this area. The isotopic variations in later ferroan calcite cements show an inverted-J trend, possibly due to variable amounts of water-rock interaction. While the Sr-isotopic ratio of submarine calcite cement coincides with that of Mississippian seawater, the later ferroan calcite cement is more radiogenic, indicating a different source of fluids.     

东海盆地西湖凹陷中央反转构造带花港组盖层特征

针对西湖凹陷中央反转构造带花港组盖层封闭机制及影响因素不明确的现状,采用岩心观察、镜下观察、X衍射、岩性特征分类及成岩演化等方法进行盖层有效性因素分析,并在此基础上进行了突破压力试验与分析。沉积影响因素分析表明,中央反转构造带花港组泛滥平原相盖层总厚度最大,分流间湾相次之,水道间微相最小;成岩作用研究表明,压实、胶结与交代作用为建设性成岩作用,溶蚀与泥质收缩作用为破坏性作用,不同成岩作用在不同深度下对孔隙发育的影响程度不同,直接影响了盖层的封闭能力。研究区泛滥平原相为最有利的盖层发育沉积相,胶结与压实作用为最有利的成岩作用。结合盖层岩性与突破压力的分布特征,建立了研究区盖层4级评价标准。     

Petrological and geochemical constraints on diagenesis and deep burial dissolution of the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Deeply buried (4500–7000 m) Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin, NW China show obvious heterogeneity with porosity from null in limestones and sweet dolostones to 27.8% in sour dolostones, from which economically important oils, sour gas and condensates are currently being produced. Petrographic features, C, O, Sr isotopes were determined, and fluid inclusions were analyzed on diagenetic calcite, dolomite and barite from Ordovician reservoirs to understand controls on the porosity distribution. Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area are controlled mainly by initial sedimentary environments and eo-genetic and near-surface diagenetic processes. However, vugs and pores generated from eogenetic and telogenetic meteoric dissolution were observed to have partially been destroyed due to subsequent compaction, filling and cementation. In some locations or wells (especially ZG5-ZG7 Oilfield nearby ZG5 Fault), burial diagenesis (e.g. thermochemical sulfate reduction, TSR) probably played an important role in quality improvement towards high-quality reservoirs. C2 calcite and dolomite cements and barite have fluid inclusions homogenization temperatures (Ths) from 86 to 113 °C, from 96 to 128 °C and from 128 to 151 °C, respectively. We observed petrographically corroded edges of these high-temperature minerals with oil inclusions, indicating the dissolution must have occurred under deep-burial conditions. The occurrence of TSR within Ordovician carbonate reservoirs is supported by C3 calcite replacement of barite, and the association of sulfur species including pyrite, anhydrite or barite and elemental sulfur with hydrocarbon and ¹²C-rich (as low as −7.2‰ V-PDB) C3 calcite with elevated Ths (135–153 °C). The TSR may have induced burial dissolution of dolomite and thus probably improved porosity of the sour dolostones reservoirs at least in some locations. In contrast, no significant burial dissolution occurred in limestone reservoirs and non-TSR dolostone reservoirs. The deeply buried sour dolostone reservoirs may therefore be potential exploration targets in Tarim Basin or elsewhere in the world.     

High-resolution characterization and integrated study of a reservoir formation: the danian carbonate platform in the Aquitaine Basin (France)

This paper provides an example of an integrated multi-scale study of a carbonate reservoir. The Danian Lower R2 carbonate reservoir is located in the South of the Aquitaine Basin (France) and represents a potential underground gas storage site for Gaz de France. The Danian Lower R2 reservoir was deposited as a prograding carbonate platform bordered by a reef barrier. The effects of sedimentary and diagenetic events on the reservoir properties, particularly dolomitization, were evaluated. In this study, the reservoir quality has been assessed by seismic analyses at the basin scale, by log-analysis at the reservoir scale, by petrographic methods and by petrophysical tools at the pore-core scale.Two dolomitization stages, separated by a compaction event with associated fracturing and stylolites, have been identified. These diagenetic events have significantly improved the Lower R2 carbonate reservoir properties. It is demonstrated that the reservoir quality is mainly controlled by the pore-geometry, which is determined by various diagenetic processes. The permeability values of the reservoir range over 4 orders of magnitude, from 0.1 to 5600 mD and the porosity values range between 2 and 42%. Reservoir unit 4 (a karstic dolomite) shows the best reservoir properties with average porosity values ranging between 11.1% and 19.3% and an average permeability ranging between 379 and 766 mD. Reservoir unit 2 (a fine-grained limestone) shows the worst reservoir properties. The cementation factors range from 1.68 to 2.48. The dolomitic crystal carbonate texture (mainly units 3 and 4) shows the highest value of the cementation factor (1.98–2.48) and formation factor (9.54–36.97), which is due to its high degree of cementation. The saturation exponents vary between 1.2 and 3.4. Using these experimental electrical parameters and the resistivity laterolog tool we predicted the water saturation in the various reservoir units. The permeability was predicted by combining the formation factor with the micro-geometric characteristic length. The best fit is obtained with the Katz and Thompson's model and for a constant of 1/171.     

Dolomitization of the lower Ordovician Catoche formation: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration in western Newfoundland

The lower Ordovician St. George Group in Western Newfoundland consists of a sequence of subtidal and peritidal carbonates, which are extensively dolomitized. The current study investigates the diagenetic evolution of the Catoche Formation from the Port aux Choix and Port au Port peninsulas in order to study the controls on reservoir quality in western Newfoundland. The Catoche Formation dolomites are classified into three main generations. Early and pervasive replacement dolomite (D1) indicates that dolomitization began during early stages of diagenesis. Stable isotope and trace element data indicate significant variations between D1 dolomite on the Port aux Choix and Port au Port peninsulas. The depleted δ¹⁸O signature of D1 dolomite fluids (−8.7 ± 1.3‰ VPBD) on the Port aux Choix Peninsula is consistent with partial dolomitization associated with mixing of seawater and meteoric waters on the flanks of structural highs. In contrast δ¹⁸O values (−6.1 ± 0.7‰ VPBD) and trace element data from the Port au Port Peninsula indicate that pervasive D1 was associated with mixing of possibly post evaporitic brines with meteoric waters.Later-stage replacement dolomites (D2) are associated with enhancement in porosity through the development of intercrystalline pores, while latest stage saddle dolomite (D3), significantly occluded the pores in some horizons. D2 dolomite formed due to the influx of warm (>100 °C), saline (>15 eq. wt% NaCl) fluids. Intercrystalline porosity in D2 formed due to the dolomitization of precursor calcite, due to the lower molar volume of dolomite compared to calcite. Therefore porosity development is lower on the Port au Port Peninsula, with no significant volume change during the recrystallization of the pervasive early (D1) dolomicrite. Similarly, extensive porous horizons on the Port aux Choix Peninsula are related to the limited extent of D1 dolomitization. This suggests that the quality of a potential dolomite reservoir is strongly controlled by tectonic and diagenetic history of host carbonates.     

北黄海盆地东部坳陷不同物源影响下储层的成岩演化

以北黄海盆地东部坳陷中生界碎屑岩储层为研究对象,运用岩石薄片光学显微鉴定、阴极发光和扫描电镜等技术方法和手段分析成岩特征,探讨不同物源-沉积体系控制下储层的成岩演化。研究认为,东部坳陷中生界储层主要处于中成岩阶段A期,发育的主要成岩作用类型为压实作用、胶结作用、凝灰质脱玻化作用、交代作用、蚀变作用和溶蚀-溶解作用,其中,东部地区压实作用强度要高于西南和北部地区,北部地区碳酸盐胶结物的含量明显高于其他地区,东部地区以凝灰质胶结为特征并发生凝灰质脱玻化作用,西南部以黏土矿质胶结为特征并发生明显的黏土矿物转化现象,西南和北部地区的溶蚀/溶解作用的发育程度要好于东部地区。综合分析认为,研究区不同物源沉积区储层具有差异的成岩特征,表现为不同的储层序列,从而影响储层的成岩演化。     

Structural properties of fractured and faulted Cretaceous platform carbonates,Murge Plateau (southern Italy)

The Upper Cretaceous carbonates cropping out in the Murge Plateau are good analogues of the fractured and faulted carbonate oil reservoirs of southern Italy. For this reason, a detailed field analysis focused on structural architecture of fault and fracture networks has been carried out in the Murge Plateau. The well-bedded carbonates exposed there are crosscut by a set of bed-parallel stylolites and two sets of bed-perpendicular cross-orthogonal joints/veins. These structural elements were likely formed under vertical loading during burial diagenesis and flexure of the Apulian foreland of the Southern Apennines fold-and-thrust belt. Bed-parallel stylolites and bed-perpendicular cross-orthogonal joints/veins represent the background deformation that was overprinted by the fault-related localized deformation. The fault sets documented in the study area are arranged in two kinematically-compatible fault networks. The first one is made up of WNW-ESE and NNW-SSE oriented strike-slip faults, right- and left-lateral, respectively, and NW–SE oriented normal faults. The second fault network consists of WNW-ESE oriented left-lateral strike-slip faults, and NE–SW oriented normal faults.First, both architecture and dimensional parameters of the fault and fracture networks have been characterized and computed by means of statistical analysis. Then, the permeability structures associated to the aforementioned networks have been assessed in order to determine the role exerted by fault architecture and dissolution/cementation processes on the fluid storage and migration pathways within the studied platform carbonates. Network 1 faults show a quite variable fluid behavior, in which the fluid flow is strongly affected by inherited structural elements and karst dissolution, whereas network 2 faults show a more uniform, fluid conduit behavior.     

塔中地区志留系储层成岩作用及孔隙演化

塔中地区志留系主要为无障壁海岸及潮坪沉积体系,其储层以岩屑砂岩、岩屑石英砂岩为主。通过观察岩心和对薄片、扫描电镜、阴极发光、物性、碳酸盐含量等大量资料的研究,认为塔中地区志留系储层砂岩经历了压实作用、胶结作用、交代作用和溶解作用等多种成岩作用,目前已达到晚成岩A2期。孔隙演化与该区的成岩作用关系密切,特别是次生孔隙的发育。孔隙演化经历了原生孔隙的破坏、次生孔隙的形成和次生孔隙的破坏3个阶段,其中机械压实作用和胶结作用是原生孔隙损失的主要原因,溶蚀作用产生的次生孔隙是重要的储集空间。     

Diagenetic evolution of the upper Cretaceous limestone and sandstone exhumed reservoirs in the western Basque–Cantabrian Basin,North Spain

The Basque–Cantabrian Basin (NE Spain) has been considered one of the most interesting areas for hydrocarbon exploration in the Iberian Peninsula since the 60th to 70th of last century. This basin is characterized by the presence of numerous outcrops of tar sands closely associated with fractures and Triassic diapirs. The aims of this work is to establish the diagenetic evolution of the Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks with special emphasis in the emplacement of oil and their impact on reservoir quality. The studied rocks are constituted of carbonates and sandstones that contain massive quantities of bitumen filling vugs and fractures.Petrographic results indicate that the carbonate rocks from Maestu outcrops are bioclastic grainstones and wackestones, whereas the tar sandstones from Atauri and Loza outcrops are dominated by quartzarenites and subordinated subarkoses. The paragenetic sequence of the main diagenetic phases and processes include, pyrite, bladed and drusy calcite cement, calcite overgrowths, silicification of bioclasts and microcrystalline rhombic dolomite cement, and first stage of oil emplacement, blocky calcite cement, coarse crystalline calcite cement, calcitized dolomite, calcite veins, saddle dolomite and stylolites filled by the second phase of oil entrance. Together with the above mentioned diagenetic alterations, the arenites are affected by early kaolinitization of feldspars and the scarce formation of clay rim and epimatrix of illite. All sandstones and dolomitized carbonate rocks show high intercrystalline and intergranular porosity which is full by biodegraded hydrocarbons (solid bitumen). The biodegradation affects alkanes, isoprenoids and partially hopanes and steranes saturated hydrocarbons. Aromatics hydrocarbons, like naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, dibenzothiophenes and triaromatics are also affected by biodegradation. Results indicate that the first HC emplacement corresponds to early stage of calcite and dolomite cementation, and the second and more important emplacement is related to fracturation processes resulting in the formation of excellent reservoirs.     

西永2井中新世白云岩储层特征及成岩作用

西永2井中新世发育厚度较大的藻礁白云岩,以此为研究对象,通过岩心薄片、扫描电镜、X衍射分析及岩心CT扫描等研究手段,结合常规储层物性分析方法等,研究了西沙群岛中新世藻礁白云岩储层特征及成岩作用,结果表明:西永2井中新世藻礁白云岩储层发育良好,储集岩主要以粉晶—细晶白云岩为主,晶间溶孔、藻架孔、铸模孔、晶间孔和生物体腔孔为主要的储集空间,孔隙度变化较大,主要集中在8.39%~37.71%;渗透率为(0.17~3 291.9)×10-3 μm2,具有高孔、高渗显著特征。储层在成岩阶段经历了压实作用、胶结作用、白云岩化作用、重结晶作用及多期溶蚀作用。压实作用及胶结作用使得原生孔隙大幅减少,对储层形成具有破坏作用,白云岩化作用、重结晶作用和溶蚀作用改变孔隙结构,进而提高储层的有效孔隙度。研究表明西永2井中新世白云岩处冰期海退阶段,受大气淡水林滤作用影响,而多期溶蚀作用产生了大量的次生孔隙成为现今主要的储集空间。     

Hydrothermal dolomite reservoir in the Precambrian Dengying Formation of central Sichuan Basin,Southwestern China

The Precambrian Dengying Formation is maximum buried carbonate reservoir in the Sichuan Basin. Reservoir types are thought to be dominated by sedimentary facies or karst controlled. Precursory sedimentary fabrics have been intensively superimposed by medium-to coarse-grained dolomite in most areas. Dolomitized intervals contain planar and saddle dolomite, quartz, and few hydrothermal replacive minerals. Fluid inclusion analyses of dolomite suggests that rocks are formed at temperatures ranging from 132.6°C to 218.7°C in the presence of dense brines, while the dolomite phases are demonstrated by negative δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C VPDB values. Strontium isotopes enriched in ⁸⁷Sr, and the fluid source could support the conclusion. The dolomites of the Dengying Formation in central Sichuan Basin that formed around basement-rooted wrench faults, in turn mainly oriented towards the North-South and East-West strike-slip faults, are detectable. Lastly, the grabens take the form of negative flower structures-the result of an intra-cratonic rift that took place during the Sinian and early Cambrian period through tensional faulting.Our primary contention is that basement fault, which resulted in the magmatic or deep clastic fluids migration, was key for the formation of the obvious high-temperature coarse dolomite and saddle dolomite replacement. Subsequently, hot fluids that circulated within the matrix dolomite were aided by fractures or vugs and (1) leached into the dolomite, producing vugs and pores; (2) precipitated saddle dolomite, and (3) led to hydrofracturing, fractures enlargement, and further brecciation. The dolomite eventually formed porous hydrocarbon reservoirs through diagenesis. This model better illustrates how fluids that originated from deep basin migration along strike-slip transfer faults and fractures flowed out to structures in Precambrian basement-rooted faults, inheriting the rift in the Cambrian. The data involved offers a fresh perspective pertinent to deep hydrocarbon exploration of dolomite reservoirs in Southwestern China.     

The role played by carbonate cementation in controlling reservoir quality of the Triassic Skagerrak Formation,Norway

Anomalously high porosities up to 30% at burial depth of >3000 m along with varying amounts and types of carbonate cements occur in the fluvial channel sandstone facies of the Triassic Skagerrak Formation, Central Graben, Norway. However, porosities of the Skagerrak Formation are lower in the Norwegian sector than in the UK sector. In this study, petrographic analysis, core examination, scanning electron microscopy, elemental mapping, carbon and oxygen isotope, fluid inclusion and microgeometry analysis are performed to determine the diagenesis and direct influence on reservoir quality, with particular focus on the role played by carbonate cementation. The sandstones are mainly fine-grained lithic-arkosic to sub-arkosic arenites and display a wide range of intergranular volumes (2.3%–43.7% with an average of 23.6%). Porosity loss is mainly due to compaction (av. 26.6%) with minor contribution from cementation (av. 12.1%). The carbonate cements are patchy in distribution (from trace to 20.7%) and appear as various types e.g. calcretes (i.e. calcareous concreted gravels), poikilitic sparite and sparry ferroan dolomite, and euhedral or/and aggregated ankerite/ferroan dolomite crystals. This study highlights the association of carbonate precipitation with the remobilisation of carbonate from intra-Skagerrak calcretes during early burial stage i.e. <500 m. During deeper burial, compaction is inhibited by carbonate cements, resulting high intergranular volume of up to 32% and 29% for fine- and medium-grained sandstones, respectively. Carbonate cement dissolution probably results from both meteoric water flow with CO₂ during shallow burial, and organic CO₂ and carboxylic acid during deep burial. The maximum intergranular volume enhanced by dissolution of early carbonate cements is calculated to 8% and 5% for fine- and medium-grained sandstones, respectively. Compaction continues to exert influence after dissolution of carbonate cements, which results in a loss of ∼6% intergranular volume for fine- and medium-grained sandstones. Reservoir quality of the Norwegian sector is poorer than that of the UK sector due to a lower coverage of clay mineral coats e.g. chlorite, later and deeper onset of pore fluid overpressure, lower solubility of carbonate compared to halite, and a higher matrix content.     

Depositional and diagenetic controls on deeply-buried Eocene sublacustrine fan reservoirs in the Dongying Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,China

This paper investigates the reservoir potential of deeply-buried Eocene sublacustrine fan sandstones in the Bohai Bay Basin, China by evaluating the link between depositional lithofacies that controlled primary sediment compositions, and diagenetic processes that involved dissolution, precipitation and transformation of minerals. This petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical study recognizes a complex diagenetic history which reflects both the depositional and burial history of the sandstones. Eogenetic alterations of the sandstones include: 1) mechanical compaction; and 2) partial to extensive non-ferroan carbonate and gypsum cementation. Typical mesogenetic alterations include: (1) dissolution of feldspar, non-ferroan carbonate cements, gypsum and anhydrite; (2) precipitation of quartz, kaolinite and ferroan carbonate cements; (3) transformation of smectite and kaolinite to illite and conversion of gypsum to anhydrite. This study demonstrates that: 1) depositional lithofacies critically influenced diagenesis, which resulted in good reservoir quality of the better-sorted, middle-fan, but poor reservoir quality in the inner- and outer-fan lithofacies; 2) formation of secondary porosity was spatially associated with other mineral reactions that caused precipitation of cements within sandstone reservoirs and did not greatly enhance reservoir quality; and 3) oil emplacement during early mesodiagenesis (temperatures > 70 °C) protected reservoirs from cementation and compaction.     

Diagenesis and reservoir properties of Middle Jurassic sandstones,Traill Ø, East Greenland: The influence of magmatism and faulting

The c. 500 m thick Middle Jurassic sandstones of the fluvial Bristol Elv and marine Pelion Formations of the East Greenland Basin are evaluated here in order to improve the understanding of the processes that influenced the diagenetic evolution. The study may help to predict the reservoir properties of sandstones affected by magmatism and faulting, both in general and specifically in undrilled areas on- and offshore East Greenland and, in the Vøring Basin on the Mid-Norwegian shelf. The study shows a variety of authigenic mineral phases dominated by quartz cement, carbonate cement, illite and iron-oxide. One of the clear differences between the two formations is the presence of early carbonate-cemented horizons in the marine sandstones; these horizons are inferred to reflect a primary concentration of biogenic clasts and fossil shells. Intense quartz cementation occurs primarily in the fluvial sandstones but the marine sandstones are also highly quartz-cemented. Two episodes of burial and uplift are recorded in the diagenetic sequence and widespread grain-crushing in coarse-grained intervals is believed to result from overpressure and subsequent compaction due to sudden pressure release along major faults. Maximum burial depths may only have been around 2000–2500 m. Cathodoluminescence analyses show that grain crushing was followed by intense quartz cementation. The quartz cement is to a great deal believed to have formed due to increased surface area from crushing of detrital quartz grains, creating fresh nucleation sites for the quartz. Cathodoluminescence investigations also show that only minor pressure dissolution has taken place between detrital quartz grains and that the ubiquitous quartz cementation displays several growth zones, and was thus in part the result of the introduction of silica-rich extra-formational fluids related to the flow of hot fluids along reactivated faults and increased heat flow and temperature due to magmatism. This interpretation is supported by fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures between 117 and 158 °C in quartz cements. In one of the two study areas, the development of macroscopic stylolites has significantly enhanced quartz cementation, probably in connection with thermal convection flow. As a result of the magmatic and fault-related quartz cementation and illitization, the reservoir quality of the sandstone formations deteriorated and changed drastically.     

石臼坨凸起西段东三段储层差异成岩演化及孔隙定量表征

为了定量评价成岩作用对石臼坨凸起西段X-1井区东三段不同粒级储层孔隙发育的影响,利用铸体薄片、扫描电镜、常规物性、X射线衍射等资料,分析了不同粒级储层孔隙演化的差异及原因。结果表明,中-粗砂岩以较高含量的自生高岭石和次生溶蚀孔发育为特征,砂砾岩胶结物含量中等,但次生溶蚀孔较发育,细砂岩胶结物和次生溶蚀孔欠发育。中-粗砂岩经历的成岩作用类型较完整,砂砾岩整体具有较弱压实、弱溶蚀、弱胶结的成岩特征,而细砂岩以压实作用为主,中成岩A期溶蚀、胶结作用基本不发育。东三段同生期-早成岩B期以机械压实为主,对细砂岩孔隙演化影响最大;中成岩A期早期以溶蚀作用为主,对中-粗砂岩溶蚀增孔效应最明显;中成岩A期晚期以含铁碳酸盐胶结为特色,对中-粗砂岩孔隙演化的影响较大,但其总体孔隙度仍然最高。东三段不同粒级储层中的中-粗砂岩平均孔隙度为15.1%,砂砾岩为13.4%,细砂岩为8.9%。由于中-粗砂岩受压实影响较弱,溶蚀作用最强,故孔隙最为发育;砂砾岩虽然受压实作用较弱,但由于孔隙结构复杂,非均质性强,限制了成岩流体的活动性,影响了储层的溶蚀作用强度;细砂岩泥质含量较高,受压实作用影响最大,孔隙发育相对最差。该研究对于中国湖盆近源快速堆积背景下中深层有效储层的预测与评价具有参考价值。     

The diagenetic history of Oligocene-Miocene sandstones of the Austrian north Alpine foreland basin

Diagenesis is an essential tool to reconstruct the development of reservoir rocks. Diagenetic processes - precipitation and dissolution - have an influence on pore space. The present paper aims to study the diagenetic history of deep-marine sandstones of the Austrian Alpine Foreland Basin. To reach that goal, sediment petrology and diagenetic features of more than 110 sandstone samples from water- and gas-bearing sections from gas fields within the Oligocene-Miocene Puchkirchen Group and Hall Formation has been investigated. Special emphasis was put on samples in the vicinity of the gas-water contact (GWC). The sediment petrography of sandstones of Puchkirchen Group and Hall Formation is similar; hence their diagenesis proceeded the same way. In fact, primary mineralogy was controlled by paleo-geography with increasing transport distance and diverse detrital input.Sediment petrographically, investigated sandstones from the water-bearing horizon seemed quite comparable to the gas-bearing sediments. In general, they can be classified as feldspatic litharenites to litharenites and display porosities of up to 30% and permeabilities of up to 1300 mD. The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of bulk carbonate cements from these sandstones range from−3.8 to +2.2 and from −7.5 to +0.2‰ [VPDB]. However, near the Gas-Water Contact (GWC) a horizon with low porosities (<3%) and permeabilities (<0.1 mD) is present. This zone is completely cemented with calcite, which has a blocky/homogenous morphology. A slight, but significant negative shift in δ18O isotopy (−2.5‰) is evident.During early diagenesis the first carbonate generations formed. First a fibrous calcite and afterwards a micritic calcite precipitated. Further siliciclastic minerals, such as quartz and feldspar (K-feldspar and minor plagioclase), exhibit corroded grains. Occasionally, clay minerals (illite; smectite, chlorite) formed as rims around detrital grains. Late diagenesis is indicated by the formation of a low permeable zone at the GWC.