Modeling core-scale permeability anisotropy in highly bioturbated “tight oil” reservoir rocks

A high-resolution simulation model of a heterogeneous low-permeability rock sample is used to investigate the effects of physical and biogenic sedimentary structures on scaling and anisotropy of absolute permeability at the core scale. Several simulation sub-samples with random locations and volumes were also selected for evaluation of the effects of scale and lithological composition on the calculated permeability. Vertical and horizontal permeability values (from whole core simulation) are in good agreement with routine core analysis (RCA) measurements from offsetting cores. Despite relatively good reservoir quality associated with geobodies of biogenic and relic bedding structures, results from the full diameter core simulation demonstrate that their limited volumetric abundance and restricted connectivity prevent these features from controlling fluid flow in these rocks. In fact, permeability seems to be dominated by the tighter encasing matrix, which exhibits average permeability values very close to those reported from RCA. Geometric averaging offers a better representation for the upscaling of horizontal permeability datasets; whereas, both geometric and harmonic averaging work similarly well for the vertical measurements. The methodology used in this work is particularly applicable to the detailed characterization of reservoir rocks with a high degree of heterogeneity caused by biological reworking and diagenesis.     

Study of Water Flow in a Single Clay Crack

A model has been constructed to study water flow in a single clay crack, and a new concept of the critical rise rate of water level in the crack has been put forward. When the water level rises faster than this critical rate, the flow in a crack will increase, and vice versa. The flow in a crack is not in proportion to the water level. The maximium water flow in clay is 30-40 times smaller than that in a rock fissure under the same condition. In the process of water discharge, the flow in a crack will lessen gradually, and the crack will grow narrower by 3.0-4.0cm, with its depth reducing by over 50%.     

“Cockade” formations in hydrothermally altered rocks of Ebeko central crater (Paramushir Island)

Strongly acidic chloride-sulfide hydrothermal solutions altered ejecta from the Central Ebeko crater. The solutions formed by oxidation of magmatic emanations and produced concentric zones of differential alteration in individual blocks known as “cockade” structure. It is postulated that chloride-rich solutions penetrated the core of blocks while chloride-sulfate solutions affected intermediate portions and sulfate-rich solutions were not active around the periphery of blocks. Chemical and mineralogical analyses indicate that Cl, H₂O and S were added to the blocks while alumina, the alkali and alkaline earth metals were leached. SiO₂ and porosity were relatively increased from the core outward. Alteration products include iron chlorides, hydromicas, zunyite (?), alunite, leucoxene, rutile, sulfur and opal. — R. C. Epis.     

The trinity pattern of Au deposits with porphyry,quartz–sulfide vein and structurally-controlled alteration rocks in Ciemas,West Java,Indonesia

The Ciemas gold mining area is located in the Sunda arc volcanic rock belt, West Java, Indonesia. Ore bodies are associated with Miocene andesite, dacite and quartz diorite porphyrite. To constrain ore genesis and mineralization significance, a detailed study was recently conducted examining these deposits, which included detailed field observation, petrographic study, petrochemistry, sulfur isotope analyses, zircon U–Pb dating, and fluid inclusion analysis. The results include the following findings. 1) Ore types have been identified as porphyry, a quartz–sulfide vein, and structure-controlled alteration rocks. 2) In host rocks, zircon LA–ICP-MS U–Pb dating of quartz diorite porphyrite, amphibole tuff breccia and andesite yield ages of 17.1 ± 0.4 Ma, 17.1 ± 0.4 Ma and 17.5 ± 0.3 Ma, respectively. 3) Fluid inclusions in the quartz from ore are given priority to liquid and gas–liquid phases, and their components are of the NaCl–H₂O system with homogenization temperatures of 240–320 °C, salinities of 14–17%, densities of 0.85–0.95 g/cm³, and fluid pressure values between 4.1 and 46.8 MPa, corresponding to metallogenic depths from 150 to 1730 m. Fluid characteristics are identified as similar to those of high sulfur epithermal deposits. 4) The sulfur isotopic compositions are notably uniform, the δ³⁴S values of wall rocks range from 3.71 to 3.85‰, and the δ³⁴S values of ores vary from 4.90‰ to 6.55‰. The sulfur isotopic composition of ores is similar to that of the wall rocks, indicating a mixed origin of mantle with a sedimentary basement. 5) The trace element patterns of different ore types are similar, which indicates that they originate from the same source. Au deposits primarily occurred during the late magmatic activity. Finally, we have set up the regional metallogenic model, confirming that this gold deposit in the Sunda arc volcanic rock belt belongs to a metallogenic system from porphyry to epithermal type.     

Fractal-like adsorption kinetics of Pb^2＋ in rocks

The adsorption kinetics of Pb^2＋ in rocks has been studied using ion selective electrodes and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that the adsorption process is a fractal-like reaction. The adsorption rate was relatively high before 30 minutes, and then dropped. The saturated adsorption capacity （a） of Pb^2＋ and kinetic parameters （b, a, D and k） increased with increasing initial concentrations of Pb^2＋. These parameters （except a） decreased while Na^＋ was present in the solution. Furthermore, the smaller the rocks were in grain size, the bigger these kinetic parameters would be, though the parameter a was almost constant.     

Redox problems in the “metallogenic specialization” of magmatic rocks and the genesis of hydrothermal ore mineralization

Considering the history and current state of the problem of the so-called metallogenic specialization of magmatic rocks, the paper places emphasis onto various aspects of the genesis of ore mineralization depending on the redox state of magmas (as a logical continuation of S. Ishihara’s works), fluids, and host rocks. These problems were inadequately poorly explored and discussed by researchers dealing with ore deposits. Various possible variants of ore-forming redox processes for different types of mineral deposits, with ore mineralization affiliated to granites (Ta, Sn, W, Mo, and Be) and mafic magmas (Au, Ag, U, Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Sb, and Hg) and, accordingly, to crustal and mantle origin, are discussed. On the basis of analyzed geological data, including those published over the past three decades, it is shown that the redox state of ore-producing magmas commonly significantly impacted not only the ore potential of magmatic complexes but also the genetic type of the ore mineralization. The redox state of the fluids predetermined the transport and precipitation speciation of metals. Influence mechanisms of hydrocarbons from sedimentary country rocks and gaseous products of their pyrolysis on ore deposition of various metals are considered. Understanding these mechanisms can be helpful for predicting the possible precipitation sites of ore mineralization of noble, radioactive, and chalcophile metals.     

Amphiboles and coexisting ferromagnesian silicates in granitic rocks in Mahé, Seychelles

A variety of granitic rocks from granodiorite to alkaline granite is developed in Mahé island, Seychelles, Microprobe analyses were made on amphiboles and coexisting minerals.Amphibole constitutes the most prominent ferromagnesian minerals in the Seychelles granitic rocks. Its chemical composition ranges widely from calcic through sodic-calcic to alkali amphiboles and amphibole composition evolves systematically from Fe-poor to Fe-rich: magnesiohornblende → ferrohornblende → ferroedenite → silicic ferroedenite → ferrorichterite and ferrowinchite → riebeckite. Riebeckite occurs abundantly in the alkaline rocks as subsolidus minerals. Throughout the evolution two types of isomorphous substitution, Mg ⇌ Fe²⁺ and Al + Ca ⇌ Si + Na principally took place. Compositions of clinopyroxene and biotite also evolve from Fe-poor to Fe-rich varieties. All these compositional evolutions of the constituent minerals suggest a comagmatic origin of the Seychelles granitic rocks studied.In the Seychelles alkaline magma, ferrorichterite crystallized at the late-magmatic stage under conditions of 650–700°C in temperature and of slightly above the QFM buffer in oxygen fugacity. With falling temperature, oxidizing condition prevailed and riebeckite crystallized.Generally, in alkaline granite and quartz syenite magmas, ferrorichterite evolves continuously to arfvedsonitic compositions when oxygen fugacity is defined by QFM buffer even during subsolidus stage. On the other hand, ferrorichterite evolves to riebeckite composition when oxidizing condition prevails. But, in this case, continuous solid solution between ferrorichterite and riebeckite is not found, presumably owing to an existence of a compositional gap between them.     

Distribution of major hydrocarbon source rocks in the major oil-gas-bearing basins in China

The distribution characteristics of major hydrocarbon source rocks in the major oil-gas-bearing basins in China were discussed in this paper, and differences between the East and the West basins in tectonic setting, age, lithology, sedimentary environment, and hydrocarbon generation feature and potential were also studied. Considering the Lieiliang Mountains-Dalou Mountains as the boundary, source rocks in the East basins are distributed mainly in three NNE-trend subsiding belts, and those in the West basins are distributed in the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains and Qilian Mountains. They are mainly NWW trending and can be divided into four basin groups.     

Mafic Late Miocene–Quaternary volcanic rocks in the Kamchatka back arc region: implications for subduction geometry and slab history at the Pacific–Aleutian junction

New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and published ¹⁴C ages constrain voluminous mafic volcanism of the Kamchatka back-arc to Miocene (3–6 Ma) and Late Pleistocene to Holocene (<1 Ma) times. Trace elements and isotopic compositions show that older rocks derived from a depleted mantle through subduction fluid-flux melting (>20%). Younger rocks form in a back arc by lower melting degrees involving enriched mantle components. The arc front and Central Kamchatka Depression are also underlain by plateau lavas and shield volcanoes of Late Pleistocene age. The focus of these voluminous eruptions thus migrated in time and may be the result of a high fluid flux in a setting where the Emperor seamount subducts and the slab steepens during rollback during terrain accretions. The northern termination of Holocene volcanism locates the edge of the subducting Pacific plate below Kamchatka, a “slab-edge-effect” is not observed in the back arc region.     

Geology and geochemistry of reworking gold deposits in intrusive rocks of China—I. Features of the intrusive rocks

Most gold deposits in intrusive rocks were formed as a result of reworking processes. The intrusive rocks containing gold deposits and consisting of ultramafic-mafic, intermediateacid and alkaline rocks of the Archean, Proterozoic, Caledonian, Hercynian and Yenshanian periods occur in cratons, activated zones of cratons and fold belts. Among them, ultramaficmafic rocks, diorite, alkaline rocks, and anorthosite are products of remelting in the mantle or mantle-crust or mantle with crustal contamination. However, auriferous intermediate-acid rocks are products of metasomatic-remelting in auriferous volcanic rocks or auriferous volcanosedimentary rocks in the deep crust.     

Experience in classification of ore-bearing metasomatic and hydrothermal rocks in the Eastern Aldan—Stanovoi Shield

The available stored, published, and original materials on the ore-bearing mesomatites developed in the eastern Aldan—Stanovoy Shield are systematized with their classification according to their formation and facies affiliation. Data on the age, structural localization, mineral composition, metallogenic specialization, and genesis of the ore–bearing formations are disc ussed with consideration for their spatial distribution patterns.     

Further evidence for a Jurassic mineralizing event in central Europe: K–Ar dating of hydrothermal alteration and fluid inclusion systematics in wall rocks of the Käfersteige fluorite vein deposit in the northern Black Forest, Germany

The hydrothermal fluorite vein deposit of `Käfersteige' ranks among the biggest in central Europe. It is located along the suture zone that separates the Moldanubian and Saxothuringian units in the northern Black Forest, and is hosted in Bunter sandstone and underlying granitic basement. K–Ar ages of authigenic illite from the wall rocks give a Jurassic formation age of around 145?Ma for the deposit. Age data scatter down to 80?Ma in illite from the clay gouge and indicate a younger Cretaceous-Tertiary hydrothermal overprint. The pyrophyllite component in authigenic illite from wall rocks and the re-equilibration of illite suggest a formation temperature around 200?°C. Secondary fluid inclusions in quartz from the wall rocks define a syn-mineralization fluid episode involving Ca–Mg–K–Na–Cl-rich brines (about 27 wt% NaCl_eq) with a T _h of about 125?°C, and a post-mineralization Na–Cl-rich fluid overprint with a T _h of about 100?°C. Both generations of fluid inclusions relate to the final event of each cycle, while authigenic illite composition and re-equilibration of illite in the clay gouge may document initial temperatures of formation. The Upper Jurassic fluid system can be traced all over western Europe. It is probably an expression of continent-wide rifting and concomitant regional fluid circulation in connection with major tectonic disturbances, magmatism and abnormal heat flow during the opening of the North Atlantic ocean. The younger barren fluid overprint could be related to the onset of the Alpine orogeny.     

Reply to the comments on “Xenoliths in ultrapotassic volcanic rocks in the Lhasa block: direct evidence for crust–mantle mixing and metamorphism in the deep crust”

Stepanov et al. (Contrib Mineral Petrol, 2017) question our conclusion that the UPVs in southern Tibet were derived by partial melting of an old, metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) of the subducted Indian plate. Instead, they propose that these ultrapotassic volcanic rocks (UPVs) are shoshonitic and were generated in two steps: direct melting of crustal rocks first, and then the melts interacted with mantle peridotite. However, the trace element, isotopic, thermal, structural, and seismic evidence is consistent with the xenolith evidence (Wang et al in Contrib Mineral Petrol 172:62, 2016) for hybridisation of ascending Indian subcontinental lithospheric mantle-derived UPV magmas with the deep, isotopically unevolved, Tibetan crust. This necessitates a model whereby partial melting of subducting Indian SCLM generates the UPV suite of southern Tibet.     

Modelling relationship between bulk susceptibility and AMS in rocks consisting of two magnetic fractions represented by ferromagnetic and paramagnetic minerals — Implications for understanding magnetic fabrics in deformed rocks

Measurement of Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) has become an important tool for Structural Geological analysis in the past few decades. In the past, AMS data have been used for petrofabric analysis of deformed rocks as well as for gauging strain. However, the AMS of some rocks can be carried by both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic minerals. Separating effects of these mineral groups on the rock’s AMS is difficult because of expensive and commercially less available instrumentation. On the other hand, instrumentation is available in most rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic laboratories for resolving bulk susceptibility into ferromagnetic and paramagnetic components. Mathematical modelling was made of the relationship between bulk susceptibility and AMS. If the contribution of the ferromagnetic or the paramagnetic fraction to the rock susceptibility is dominant (let us say higher than 80%), the resultant AMS is relatively near to the AMS of the dominating fraction in all aspects, the degree of AMS, shape parameter and orientation of principal susceptibilities. In the interpretation of the AMS of rocks with dominating one fraction, the resolution of the AMS into paramagnetic and ferromagnetic components is not necessary, the resolution of bulk susceptibility into components is sufficient that can be made using the instrumentation available in most rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic laboratories.     

Permeability and P-wave velocity change in granitic rocks under freeze–thaw cycles

An extensive experimental investigation of microstructural changes in granites under freeze–thaw cycles using permeability and P-wave velocity measurements is described. Two types of natural granite rocks are considered and tested under dry and saturated conditions. The specimens were subjected to 200 heating–cooling cycles (??20°C/?+?20°C); each cycle had a duration of 24 h. The results indicate that the ageing process decreases the permeability and the P-wave velocity. The reduction in P-wave velocity is likely to be due to microcrack development (material damage). In dry samples, the microcracks result from the repeated differential contraction–dilatation of the mineral components. In water-saturated samples, there is an additional effect of freezing and thawing of water in the porous network. The decrease in permeability in the dry samples is due to partial closure of existing microcracks. In water-saturated samples, there was no increase in the permeability. A physically acceptable explanation is that new microcracks are not necessarily connected with those that already exist. Therefore the physicochemical process resulting from water–rock interactions also affects the permeability. This phenomenon reduces fluid flow in the material.     

Clinopyroxenes from space-and time-associated “within-plate dominant” and “subduction-related” Variscan basic rocks (Tazekka,Morocco)

A study has been made of clinopyroxene phenocrysts from within-plate dominant and subduction-related basic lavas, which are within the same volcanic pile of the Lower Namurian volcanic complex of Tazekka (Eastern Morocco). Twenty-one clinopyroxene phenocrysts (113 probe analyses in total) have been analysed from two thin sections of the within-plate lava sample, and 17 clinopyroxene phenocrysts (82 probe analyses in total) have been analysed from two thin sections of the subduction-related lava sample. Petrographic and microprobe data on clinopyroxene phenocrysts from the two lavas indicate specific textural and chemical features according to the source, namely: relatively low pressure and high temperature crystallisation conditions for the sector-zoned crystals from the basalt of the first group, although such a sector-zoned growth in clinopyroxenes is usually considered as evidence for a continental within-plate affinity of host-rocks; intermediate pressure and relatively low temperature crystallisation conditions for homogeneous crystals from the basalt of the second group. Thus distinct P-T conditions for equilibrium crystallisation of the pyroxenes in each host-magma are proposed. Clinopyroxene affinities observed in specific discriminative diagrams are in agreement with trace element geochemistry of the host-lavas, i.e. continental within-plate features for clinopyroxenes of the group 1 host-rock and subduction-related features for clinopyroxenes of the group 2 host-rock, which often exhibit extreme parameters highlighting the problem of petrogenesis of these basic lavas in an unusual continental crust subduction-related environment.