Date of Award

12-2012

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Geological and Environmental Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. G. Michael Grammer

Second Advisor

Dr. William B. Harrison III

Third Advisor

Dr. Robb Gillespie

Keywords

Leonardian, turbidites, MTDs, architecture, borehole

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Characterization of reservoir scale (less than 1 meter thick) turbidites and mass-transport deposits (MTDs) using conventional subsurface data is complex, due to millimeter-centimeter scale architectural heterogeneity exhibited by these deposits.

Limited studies of the Bone Spring carbonate turbidites and MTDs within the Delaware Basin subsurface emphasized the use of conventional wire-line log and seismic data to evaluate reservoir potential of such strata. As a result, limited resolution offered by these data sets do not allow for accurate characterization of reservoir, and sub-reservoir scale, architectural and compositional variations.

The present investigation integrates high-resolution (centimeter scale) electrical borehole image logs with conventional subsurface data as a means to: 1) enhance recognition of reservoir scale carbonate turbidites and MTDs and evaluate stratigraphic cyclicity of these deposits within the UBSL, and 2) provide detailed analysis of architectural attributes characterizing turbidite and MTD facies.

Results indicate that integrating electrical borehole image logs with conventional data improves recognition and characterization of sub-reservoir scale UBSL carbonate turbidites and MTDs, and enhances current understanding of basin-centered depositional processes occurring during the Late Leonardian.

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Geology Commons

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