Geometry and architectural associations of co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds in basin-margin strata, Carboniferous Ross Sandstone (Ireland): Applications to reservoirs located on the margins of structurally confined submarine fans

Co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds are most commonly found in distal basin-plain settings and basin margins. This study documents the geometry, architectural association and paleogeographic occurrence of co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds in the Carboniferous Ross Sandstone with the goal of reducing uncertainty in the interpretation of subsurface data in similarly shaped basins where oil and gas is produced.The Ross Sandstone of western Ireland was deposited in a structurally confined submarine basin. Two outcrops contain co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds: Ballybunnion and Inishcorker. Both of the exposures contain strata deposited on the margin of the basin. An integrated dataset was used to characterize the stratigraphy of the Ballybunnion exposure. The exposure is divided into lower, middle, and upper units. The lower unit contains laminated shale with phosphate nodules, structureless siltstone, convolute bedding/slumps, locally contorted shale, and siltstone turbidites. The middle unit contains co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds, siltstone turbidites, and structureless siltstone. Each co-genetic debrite–turbidite bed contains evidence that fluid turbulence and matrix strength operated alternately and possibly simultaneously during deposition by a single sediment-gravity-flow event. The upper unit contains thin-bedded sandy turbidites, amalgamated sandy turbidites, siltstone turbidites, structureless siltstone, and laminated shale. A similar vertical facies pattern is found at Inishcorker.Co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds are only found at the basin-margin. We interpret these distinct beds to have originated as sand-rich, fully turbulent flows that eroded muddy strata on the slope as well as interbedded sandstone and mudstone in axial positions of the basin floor forming channels and associated megaflute erosional surfaces. This erosion caused the axially dispersing flows to laterally evolve to silt- and clay-rich flows suspended by both fluid turbulence and matrix strength due to a relative increase in clay proportions and associated turbulence suppression. The flows were efficient enough to bypass the basin center/floor, physically disconnecting their deposits from coeval lobes, resulting in deposition of co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds on the basin margin. The record of these bypassing flows in axial positions of the basin is erosional surfaces draped by thin siltstone beds with organic debris.A detailed cross-section through the Ross Sandstone reveals a wedge of low net-to-gross, poor reservoir-quality strata that physically separates sandy, basin-floor strata from the basin margin. The wedge of strata is referred to as the transition zone. The transition zone is composed of co-genetic debrite–turbidite beds, structureless siltstone, slumps, locally contorted shale, and laminated shale. Using data from the Ross Sandstone, two equations are defined that predict the size and shape of the transition zone. The equations use three variables (thickness of basin-margin strata, thickness of coeval strata on the basin floor, and angle of the basin margin) to solve for width (w) and trajectory of the basinward side of the low net-to-gross wedge (β). Beta is not a time line, but a facies boundary that separates sandy basin floor strata from silty basin-margin strata. The transition zone is interpreted to exist on lateral and distal margins of the structurally confined basin.Seismic examples from Gulf of Mexico minibasins reveal a wedge of low continuity, low amplitude seismic facies adjacent to the basin margin. Strata in this wedge are interpreted as transition-zone sediments, similar to those in the Ross Sandstone. Besides defining the size and shape of the transition zone, the variables “w” and “β” define two important drilling parameters. The variable “w” corresponds to the minimum distance a well bore should be positioned from the lateral basin margin to intersect sandy strata, and “β” corresponds to the deviation (from horizontal) of the well bore to follow the interface between sandy and low net-to-gross strata. Calculations reveal that “w” and “β” are related to the relative amount of draping, condensed strata on the margin and the angle of the basin margin. Basins with shallowly dipping margins and relatively high proportions of draping, clay-rich strata have wider transition zones compared to basins with steeply dipping margins with little draping strata. These concepts can reduce uncertainty when interpreting subsurface data in other structurally confined basins including those in Gulf of Mexico, offshore West Africa, and Brunei.     

Quantitative characterization of connectivity and conductivity of sandstone carriers during secondary petroleum migration,applied to the Third Member of Eocene Shahejie Formation,Dongying Depression,Eastern China

Studies on migration pathways remain qualitative, albeit extensive quantification of migration forcing. In this study, hydrocarbon carriers are defined as carrier units and their corresponding carrier beds for the Third Member of Eocene Shahejie Formation in the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, eastern China, on the basis of their lithofacies and physical properties, spatial relationships, and data availability; secondary migration conduits are then quantified. A carrier unit is defined as a stratigraphic unit that contains microscopically porous and permeable carrier beds and is covered by regional seals. The carrier beds are macroscopically and physically connected to each other within a carrier unit and are hydrodynamically connected during secondary migration. A method of quantifying sandstone carrier units using common physical properties is developed. First, a carrier unit containing potential carrier beds is identified on the basis of lithofacies and their lateral changes. Second, physical connectivity of sandstone carrier beds is assessed on the basis of percolation theory. Third, the hydrodynamic connectivity of a sandstone carrier unit is analyzed using effective parameters that may reflect the hydraulic circulation in the carrier unit. Last, the conductivity of a sandstone carrier bed is quantitatively characterized using appropriate physical property parameters. The results for sandstone carrier units in the Third Member of the Shahejie Formation are used in numerical models addressing Pleistocene secondary migration. The model results explain the discovered accumulation and hydrocarbon shows well; and the model predictions on exploration targets have been confirmed by drilling.     

Deposition of laminated shale: A field and experimental study

Intermittently laminated shale of the Jemtland Formation in Maine is characterized by thin lenticular silt segregations interlaced with argillaceous and organic material (including graptolites). This shale is thinly interbedded with nonlaminated shale, siltstone, and thicker turbidite graywacke beds. Experiments suggest that the intermittently laminated shale was deposited by silt/clay-laden currents and may have been part of an upward turbidite progression from parallel-laminated silt (>60% silt), through intermittently laminated mud (40 to 60% silt), to nonlaminated mud (20 to 40% silt). Intermittently laminated mud may be produced from silt/clay flows that are: decelerating at a constant silt content, losing silt at constant velocity; or both decelerating and losing silt.     

南海北部湾盆地迈陈凹陷中南部古近系储层特征与控制因素——以区域探井Y井为例

北部湾盆地迈陈凹陷中南部Y井井壁取心分析、岩屑样品的薄片鉴定结果及地球物理测井综合评价表明,其钻遇的不同层位层段的储层类型主要以含泥质较高的砂岩、粉砂岩及泥质粉砂岩为主,少量砾岩,多属于近—中物源快速沉积充填、储集物性偏差的储集层类型,且成岩程度偏低(处在早成岩A或B期或中成岩A期),总体上属于岩性较细、泥质含量偏高、孔渗参数偏低的中孔中渗和低孔低渗及低孔特低渗型砂岩储层类型。其中,钻遇的渐新统涠洲组砂岩储层总体上偏细且泥质含量较高,砂岩有效孔隙度和渗透率偏低,属于储集物性较差储层;始新统流沙港组二段砂岩属于差—较好储层,储层孔隙类型以粒间孔为主,其次为粒间溶孔,还发育有少量或微量长石溶孔和粒内溶孔,具有一定的孔渗性;古新统长流组砂岩孔隙类型以粒间孔、粒间溶孔为主,发育少量长石溶孔及粒内溶孔,储层致密储集物性偏差。总之,本区储层发育主要受控于碎屑物物源供给远近与沉积相及成岩作用,但总体上储层成岩程度较低,加之溶蚀作用及胶结作用普遍,故严重影响了储层储集物性。     

The application of geostatistical inversion in shale lithofacies prediction: a case study of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi marine shale in Fuling area in the southeast Sichuan Basin,China

Based on cores, well logs and seismic data, we established the isochronous sequence stratigraphic framework of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation and predicted the shale lithofacies distribution within the sequence stratigraphic framework using geostatistical inversion. The results of our study show that the Lower Member of the Longmaxi Formation is a third order sequence that includes a transgressive systems tract (TST), an early highstand systems tract (EHST) and a late highstand systems tract (LHST). Four lithofacies units have been recognized, specifically siliceous shale, argillaceous shale, calcareous shale and mixed shale. The results of geostatistical inversion reveal that the TST is characterized by flaky siliceous shale and some sparsely distributed calcareous shale. The EHST is dominated by mixed shale with minor amounts of siliceous shale, which occurs in only a small area. Moreover, in the LHST, argillaceous shale occupies almost the entire study region. Comparing to traditional geological research with geophysical research, the vertical resolution of the predictive results of geostatistical inversion could reach 1–2 m. Geostatistical inversion effectively solves the problem of precisely identifying the lithofacies in the Fuling shale gas field and predicting their spatial distribution. This successful study showcases the potential of this method for carrying out marine shale lithofacies prediction in China and other locations with similar geological backgrounds.     

东非坦桑尼亚盆地油气地质特征与勘探前景

近几年,东非海岸坦桑尼亚盆地发现了14个大中型气田,使得坦桑尼亚成为全球深水油气勘探的焦点。以收集到的盆地最新地质基础资料和油气田资料为依据,归纳总结该盆地构造沉积演化特征,分析烃源岩、储集层、盖层及含油气系统特征,预测其勘探前景。研究认为,盆地发育3套烃源岩,主力烃源岩为中上侏罗统页岩、下白垩统三角洲相页岩和上白垩统海相页岩。主要储层是下白垩统河流三角洲砂岩以及上白垩统、古新统和渐新统的深水水道砂岩。潜在储层包括卡鲁群河流三角洲砂岩、中侏罗统砂岩和灰岩。盆地内具有优良盖层质量的黏土岩层序出现在整个侏罗系—新近系地层,形成了区域和层间盖层。陆上及浅水区以构造成藏组合为主;深水区以重力流砂体在陆坡形成的构造—地层成藏组合为主。勘探的目标应着重于白垩纪以来重力流砂砾沉积物及河道充填沉积物形成的斜坡扇和海底扇。     

Growth faults at the prodelta to delta-front transition,Cretaceous Ferron sandstone,Utah

Cliff exposures of synsedimentary growth faults at the base of the Cretaceous Ferron sandstone in central Utah represent outcrop analogs to subsurface growth faults. Delta front sands prograded over and deformed less dense prodelta muds of the underlying Tununk Shale. Detailed fault patterns and associated facies changes demonstrate a complex fault history and style for growth fault development rather than a simple progressive development of faults in a basinward position. The most proximal and most distal fault sets were the earliest active faults. Growth faulting was initiated by deposition of cross-bedded distributary channel and mouth bar sandstones that reach 9 m thick in the hangingwalls of the faults. Curvature of the beds in the hangingwall of the faults nucleates smaller conjugate fault sets. Cross-bed sets in the hangingwalls of faults decrease from meter to decimeter scale away from the faults suggesting decreasing flow velocity or decreased preservation of cross sets as a result of decreasing accommodation in distal hangingwalls. Shifts in depositional loci, including upstream and downstream accretion of mouth bar sands contribute to the complex faults history and internal heterogeneity and development of potentially isolated sandy reservoir compartments.     

Sequence stratigraphy of an argillaceous,deepwater basin-plain succession: Vischkuil Formation (Permian), Karoo Basin,South Africa

The 380 m thick fine-grained Vischkuil Formation comprises laterally extensive hemipelagic mudstones, separated by packages of graded sandstone and siltstone turbidites, and volcanic ash beds, and is an argillaceous precursor to a 1 km thick sand-prone basin floor fan to shelf succession. The Vischkuil Formation provides an insight into the process by which regional sand supply is initiated and for testing sequence stratigraphic principles in a basin plain setting. Regionally mapped 1–2 m thick hemipelagic mudstone units are interpreted as condensed drapes that represent the starved basin plain equivalents of transgressive systems tracts and maximum flooding surface on the coeval shelf (now removed during later uplift). The section above each mudstone drape comprises siltstone turbidites interpreted as highstand systems tract deposits and a surface of regional extent, marked by an abrupt grain size shift to fine sandstone. These surfaces are interpreted as sequence boundaries, related to abrupt increases in flow volume and delivery of sand grade material to the basin-plain. The interpreted lowstand systems tract comprises sandstone-dominated turbidites and is overlain by another hemipelagic mudstone drape. The upper Vischkuil Formation is marked by three 20–45 m thick debrites, with intraformational sandstone clasts up to 20 cm in diameter that can be mapped over 3000 km². In each case, debrite emplacement resulted in widespread deformation of the immediately underlying 3–10 m of silty turbidites. A sequence boundary is interpreted at the base of each deformation/debrite package. Six depositional sequences are recognised and the interfered energy shift across each successive sequence boundary and LSTs include a larger volume of sandstone increases up section. The lower two sequences thin to the NW and show NW-directed palaeocurrents. The four overlying sequences show a polarity switch in palaeocurrent directions and thinning, to the E and SE. Sequence 6 is overlain sharply by the 300 m thick sandstone dominated Fan A of the Laingsburg Formation. The LST debrites may indicate gradual development of major routing conduits that subsequently fed Fan A. The polarity shift from westward flowing turbidity currents to an eastward prograding deepwater to shelf system represents establishment of a long term feeder system from the west. Sand supply to the Karoo basin floor was established in an incremental, stepwise manner. Given the early post-glacial setting in an icehouse climate, glacio-eustatic sea-level changes are considered to have been the main control on sequence development.     

珠江口盆地白云凹陷珠江组深水牵引流沉积特征及其地质意义

研究深水牵引流对古大洋环流重建、陆坡位置判断及沉积矿产和能源资源勘探具有重要意义。珠江口盆地白云凹陷中新统珠江组取心段发育丰富的、与远洋低密度浊流和半远洋-远洋悬移沉积有明显区别的深水牵引流沉积,产物包括平行层理细砂岩、双泥岩纹层、双向交错层粉-细粒砂岩、波状层理和脉状层理灰质粉-细粒砂岩、波状层理和脉状层理抱球虫灰岩、透镜状沙纹层理粉砂岩等岩石相类型。珠江组深水牵引流沉积的发现具有重要地质意义,由其可以推测自渐新世末(23.8 Ma)白云凹陷陆架坡折带形成之后就开始存在沿着陆架坡折带活动的深水牵引流,并可能影响和改变沉积物的物质组成和区域分布,这将为南海北部古大洋洋流循环重建起到重要启示作用。     

Hybrid event beds in the proximal to distal extensive lobe domain of the coarse-grained and sand-rich Bordighera turbidite system (NW Italy)

The Upper Cretaceous Bordighera Sandstone of NW Italy is a coarse-grained, sand-rich elongated turbidite system (ca. 15 × 45 km in outcrop) up to 250 m thick, interpreted to have been deposited in a trench setting. The siliciclastic succession interfingers with muddy calcareous turbidites, which become more abundant toward the lateral and distal domains. Bed type associations allow the distinction of a proximal channelized domain which transitions to a more distal lobe domain, characterized by abundant mudclast-rich sandstones and by bipartite and tripartite beds with a mud-rich middle or upper division (hybrid event beds). The transition between the proximal and distal domains occurs over a relatively limited spatial extent (ca. 5 km). The presence of lenticular bed-sets made up of coarse grained and mud-poor sandstones throughout the distal domain suggests that distributary channels were present, indicating sediment bypass further down-dip toward the most distal and not preserved parts of the system. Hybrid event beds - commonly associated with distal and marginal fan environments such as fan fringes - are present throughout the lobe domain and extend for up to ca. 30 km in down-dip distance. They are more abundant in the proximal and axial depositional lobe domain and their appearance occurs within a short basin-ward distance from the inferred channel-lobe transition zone. Flow expansion at the termination of the channelized domain and the enhanced availability of cohesive substrate due to the presence of intra-basinal muddy calcareous beds are interpreted as the key controls on the widespread occurrence of mudclast-rich and argillaceous sandstone beds. The abrupt appearance and the persistent occurrence of such beds across an extensive domain have implications for characterizing bed-scale (sub-seismic) heterogeneity of deep-water clastic hydrocarbon reservoirs.     

A dual-porosity model for evaluating petroleum resource potential in unconventional tight-shale plays with application to Utica Shale,Quebec (Canada)

Unconventional tight to shale reservoirs vary from tight sandstone/siltstone to organic-rich mudstone/shale, commonly with mixed lithologies. In such reservoir systems, matrix pores and organic pores with different origins and distinct physical and chemical properties co-exist for hydrocarbon storage. Traditional resource assessment methods, designed for conventional reservoirs, cannot handle the two pore systems properly. This study proposes a dual-porosity model to respond to the need for a new method in assessing hydrocarbon resource potential in such reservoir systems. The dual-porosity model treats the two types of pores separately and derives the resource estimates from different sources of data, thus better characterizing unconventional reservoirs with complicated pore systems. The new method also has the flexibility of assessing resource potential for the entire spectrum of mixed lithologies ranging from a complete tight to a pure source rock (organic–rich shale/mudstone) reservoir. The proposed method is illustrated through the assessment of the in-place petroleum resource potential in the Upper Ordovician Utica Shale of southern Quebec, Canada. The results of the application suggest that the proposed approach effectively handles the two pore systems in tight-shale reservoirs effectively and provides a useful tool for estimating resource potential in unconventional plays.     

井一震结合进行高分辨率层序地层划分——以南苏门答腊盆地N油田U组为例

N油田U组上段地层发育粉砂岩和钙质泥页岩的三角洲前缘一浅海过渡相,多变的沉积相加大了小层对比的难度。针对此特点,结合层序地层学理论以及地震地层学的理论与研究方法,进行井一震结合对比划分地层,利用地震资料和标准层控制,构建大套地层等时格架;然后运用地震反射轴的等时性结合沉积旋回在地层格架内对比小层,确定研究区80口井6个分界界面。建立了区域高分辨率层序地层格架,形成了可容纳空间控制下的高级次层序格架建立的技术方法。     

叠前地震反演在清水地区砂砾岩优质储层预测中的应用

辽河坳陷清水地区沙一段广泛发育了扇三角洲砂砾岩沉积,与同期沉积的暗色泥岩形成了良好的生储盖组合,是寻找岩性油气藏的有利地区。沙一段主要储层为含砾砂岩、细砂岩,受含灰质成分影响,含灰泥岩、含灰粉砂岩等非储层与储层的波阻抗相互重叠,利用常规叠后波阻抗反演无法准确预测优质储层。基于岩石物理分析,指出λρ和μρ为识别优质储层的敏感弹性参数。在叠前道集优化处理和横波预测的基础上,通过叠前地震反演得到λρ和μρ,对扇三角洲砂砾岩优质储层的分布特征进行了预测,为清水地区砂砾岩岩性油气藏勘探提供了依据。     

西藏比如盆地生储盖条件分析

根据野外地质调查资料和采样测试分析,对比如盆地的生油岩、储集层、盖层条件及其生储盖组合特征进行了分析。认为盆地中发育的主要烃源岩有两套,岩石类型主要为板岩,有机质类型好,热演化程度高,以生气为主;储集层主要为碎屑岩,岩性以含砾砂岩、粉砂岩、中-细砂岩为主,属于低孔、低渗型;盖层较发育,岩性主要为泥晶灰岩、板岩,厚度大;最有利的生储盖组合型式为中上侏罗统拉贡塘组自生自储自盖式。     

世界热点地区高饱和度天然气水合物有利沉积储集条件

天然气水合物是全球未来能源的接替资源,高饱和度（Sh＞50%）水合物储层是未来面向工业化开采的首要选择。截止到目前,高饱和度天然气水合物有利沉积相带与储层条件之间的关系仍缺乏系统研究。根据公开发表的文献资料,系统总结了墨西哥湾、日本南海海槽、韩国郁陵盆地、印度Krishna-Godavari盆地以及南海神狐海域等全球5个天然气水合物热点钻探区64口井取芯及井-震联合资料,对含水合物储层岩性、沉积环境、水合物饱和度等参数进行的详细总结分析表明：在必要的温压环境和气源条件下,深海平原区块体搬运沉积和浊流等高沉积速率的深水砂质沉积物赋存孔隙型水合物,水合物可分布在砂岩、极细砂岩、粉砂岩、粉砂质黏土和泥等粒级沉积物中,但高饱和度水合物主要赋存于粉砂-细砂岩中,储层孔隙度与饱和度具有一定的正相关性。中国南海神狐海域发现含有孔虫黏土质粉砂或粉砂质黏土这种特殊的细粒沉积物,其水合物饱和度可达到中高水平（20%～76 %）。上述研究成果及认识奠定了下一步寻找优质天然气水合物储层的地质基础,也可为高饱和度水合物商业化勘探开发提供理论依据。     

Utility of GOI,QGF, and QGF-E for interpreting reservoir geohistory and oil remigration in the Hudson oilfield,Tarim basin,northwest China

The physical mechanisms responsible for hydrocarbon migration in carrier beds are well understood. However, secondary migration is one of poorly understood facets in petroleum system. The Carboniferous Donghe sandstone reservoir in the Tarim Basin's Hudson oilfield is an example of a secondary (or unsteady) reservoir; that is, oil in this reservoir is in the process of remigration, making it a suitable geologic system for studying hydrocarbon remigration in carrier beds. Experimental methods including grains containing oil inclusions (GOI), quantitative grain fluorescence (QGF) and quantitative grain fluorescence on extract (QGF-E) -- together with the results from drilling, logging and testing data -- were used to characterize the nature of oil remigration in the Donghe sandstone. The results show that (1) significant differences exist between paleo- and current-oil reservoirs in the Donghe sandstone, which implies that oil has remigrated a significant distance following primary accumulation; (2) due to tectonic inversion, oil remigration is slowly driven by buoyancy force, but the oil has not entered into the trap entirely because of the weak driving force. Oil scarcely enters into the interlayers, where the resistance is relatively large; (3) the oil-remigration pathway, located in the upper part of the Donghe sandstone, is planar in nature and oil moving along this pathway is primarily distributed in those areas of the sandstone having suitable properties. Residual oil is also present in the paleo-oil reservoirs, which results in their abnormal QGF-E. A better understanding of the characteristics of oil remigration in the Donghe sandstone in the Hudson oilfield can contribute to more effective oil exploration and development in the study area.     

南黄海盆地“三明治”结构的页岩气保存条件探讨

为了促进南黄海盆地中-古生界页岩气勘探的早日突破,开展了美国福特沃斯盆地巴奈特页岩气藏、四川盆地页岩气藏以及贵州潜在页岩气藏保存条件的对比研究。结果显示,“三明治”结构的保存条件在页岩气成藏中至关重要,其中,“三明治”结构是指泥岩/页岩层与其顶、底板的灰岩/白云岩层构成的一种很好的储-盖组合。结合下扬子中-古生界发育特征以及南黄海崂山隆起所具有的古生代构造变形弱且隆起两侧边缘存在逆冲断层封堵等条件认为,南黄海盆地下寒武统和二叠系很可能存在“三明治”结构的页岩气保存条件,是南黄海页岩气获得突破的关键层段;而崂山隆起两侧边缘很可能是页岩气钻探的首选目标。     

Stratigraphic and provenance evolution of the Southern Apennines foreland basin system during the Middle Miocene to Pliocene (Irpinia-Sannio successions,Italy)

The paper deals with original stratigraphic, petrographic and structural data concerning the evolution of the southern Apennines chain (Italy). The main Langhian to Pliocene deposits cropping out in the northern sector of the southern Apennines foreland basin system (Sannio-Irpinia area) have been studied and correlated in order to document the effects of tectonic changes on the evolution of sandstone detrital modes and stratigraphic architecture. The studied sandstone units can be grouped in five key intervals: a) Numidian Flysch, mostly formed by Langhian mature quartzarenitic deposits and conformable Serravallian post-Numidian successions, formed by arkosic and calciclastic arenaceous-pelitic beds (foreland depozones); b) Langhian to Tortonian San Giorgio Fm., mostly composed of quartzofeldspatic sandstones (foredeep depozone); c) Tortonian to Early Messinian, quartz-feldspatic and partly sedimentary-carbonatoclastic petrofacies, thrust-top successions (Vallone Ponticello, Villanova del Battista and San Bartolomeo fms.); d) Late Messinian quartzolithic to quartzofeldspatic sandstones (Torrente Fiumarella, Anzano Molasse and Tufo-Altavilla unit), which can be referred to infilled thrust-top basins; e) unconformity-bounded Pliocene quartzofeldspatic sandstone strata (wedge-top depozones), characterized by synsedimentary tectonic activity.Detrital modes of the Serravallian through Middle Pliocene sandstones of the southern Apennines foreland basin system testify clear provenance relations from the accreted terranes forming the southern Apennine thrust-belt. The studied clastics show almost the same blended (quartz-feldspatic) composition; this condition could be related to the tectonic transport over thrust ramp of source rocks, as suggested by the tectonic evolutionary model. This study, dealing with sedimentary provenance analysis and tectonostratigraphic evolution, provides an example of the close relations between clastic compositions and foreland basin system development in southern Apennines.     

Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Great Oolite Group in the Humbly Grove Oilfield,Hampshire

The main reservoir of the Humbly Grove Oilfield comprises variably dolomitic grainstones and packstones representing the Bathonian Great Oolite Group. The Bathonian sequence commences in Lower Fuller's Earth claystones which coarsen upwards into oncolitic claystones and skeletal packstones probably equivalent to the Fuller's Earth Rock. Above is a variable succession of wackestones and thin packstones which have a distinctive sandstone at their base. This sequence is named here the Hester's Copse Formation. The succeeding Great Oolite Limestone is predominantly oolitic and cross-bedded on a variety of scales. It exhibits both coarsening and fining sequences which have locally well-developed capping hardgrounds and burrowed horizons. The Great Oolite Limestone is subdivided into three Members: the lowest (the Humbly Grove Member), and the highest (the Herriard Member) begin with massive shoal oolite deposition, but each then pass upward into more interbedded sequences representing a more transgressive environment. The middle member (the Hoddington) is a thin but widely correlatable wackestone. The overlying Forest Marble commences abruptly in claystones, but there is an upward increase in both the incidence and thickness of discrete oolitic limestones. Both the Great Oolite Limestone and Forest Marble were affected by early fresh-water dissolution and cementation in addition to the localized development of submarine cements. The top of the Great Oolite Group is represented by the Cornbrash. The Lower Cornbrash is a thin micritic limestone while the Upper Cornbrash is a calcareous claystone which passes upwards into the Kellaways Clay. The Bathonian sequence overlies the dolomitic limestones of the Inferior Oolite, the Lower Fuller's Earth claystones being interpreted as a basinal marine mudstone sequence, marking a substantial deepening and transgressive phase at the opening of the Bathonian. These mudstones shoal upwards into the quiet, but photic, water deposits of the Fuller's Earth Rock. The Hester's Copse Formation represents the temporary development of wave-dominated terrigenous shoreface and lagoonal conditions. Renewed transgression established a high-energy, tide-dominated, carbonate shelf upon which the Great Oolite Limestone was deposited as a series of shoal oolites, channels, tidal deltas and spill-overs. Periodic exposure of the carbonate sand-bodies led to the production of early dissolutional and cementation fabrics that post-date (and largely obliterate) submarine cements. The Forest Marble opened with a further phase of deepening, and the temporary establishment of muddy facies. Subsequently discrete tide-dominated ridges and linear channelized oolitic sands prograded into the area. The latest Bathonian is marked by subsidence of the carbonate ramp to the south of the London Platform, the Cornbrash-Kellaways Clay sequence accumulating under progressively deepening waters.