Structure, Petrophysics, and Diagenesis of Shale Entrained Along a Normal Fault Shale and Sand from the Host Rock to the Fault
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Chapter 1 -- the Place of Faults in Petroleum Traps
Sorkhabi, R.,and Y. Tsuji, 2005, The place of faults in petroleum traps, in R. Sorkhabi and Y. Tsuji, eds., Faults, fluid flow, and petroleum traps: AAPG Memoir 85, 1 p. 1 – 31. The Place of Faults in Petroleum Traps Rasoul Sorkhabi1 Technology Research Center, Japan National Oil Corporation, Chiba, Japan Yoshihiro Tsuji2 Technology Research Center, Japan National Oil Corporation, Chiba, Japan ‘‘The incompleteness of available data in most geological studies traps some geologists.’’ Orlo E. Childs in Place of tectonic concepts in geological thinking (AAPG Memoir 2, 1963, p. 1) ‘‘Although the precise role of faults has never been systematically defined, much has been written that touches on the subject. One thing is certain: we need not try to avoid them.’’ Frederick G. Clapp in The role of geologic structure in the accu mulation of petroleum (Structure of typical American oil fields II, 1929, p. 686) ABSTRACT ver since Frederick Clapp included fault structures as significant petroleum traps in his landmark paper in 1910, the myriad function of faults in petroleum E migration and accumulation in sedimentary basins has drawn increasing atten- tion. Fault analyses in petroleum traps have grown along two distinct and successive lines of thought: (1) fault closures and (2) fault-rock seals. Through most of the last century, geometric closure of fault traps and reservoir seal juxtaposition by faults were the focus of research and industrial application. These research and applications were made as structural geology developed quantitative methods for geometric and kine- matic analyses of sedimentary basins, and plate tectonics offered a unified tool to correlate faults and basins on the basis of the nature of plate boundaries to produce stress. -
Fault Rocks and Fault Mechanisms
Fault rocks and fault mechanisms R. H. SIBSON SUMMARY Physical factors likely to affect the genesis of the with the production of mylonite series rocks various fault rocks--frictional properties, tem- possessing strong tectonite fabrics. In some cases, perature, effective stress normal to the fault and fault rocks developed by transient seismic fault- differential stress--are examined in relation to ing can be distinguished from those generated the energy budget of fault zones, the main by slow aseismic shear. Random-fabric fault velocity modes of faulting and the type of fault- rocks may form as a result of seismic faulting ing, whether thrust, wrench, or normal. In a within the ductile shear zones from time to conceptual model of a major fault zone cutting time, but tend to be obliterated by continued crystalline quartzo-feldspathic crust, a zone of shearing. Resistance to shear within the fault elastico-frictional (EF) behaviour generating zone reaches a peak value (greatest for thrusts random-fabric fault rocks (gouge--breccia-- and least for normal faults) around the EF/OP cataclasite series--pseudotachylyte) overlies a transition level, which for normal geothermal region where quasi-plastic (QP) processes of gradients and an adequate supply of water, rock deformation operate in ductile shear zones occurs at depths of lO-15 km. SINCE LAPWORTH'$ (I885) description of the type mylonite from the Moine Thrust in NW Scotland, there have been many petrographic descriptions and classifications of the texturally distinctive rocks found associated with fault zones (e.g. Waters & Campbell 1935, Hsu 1955, Christie 196o , 1963, Reed 1964, Spry I969, Higgins 1971 ). -
Lithology and Internal Structure of the San Andreas Fault at Depth Based
1 1 Lithology and Internal Structure of the San Andreas Fault at depth based on 2 characterization of Phase 3 whole-rock core in the San Andreas Fault Observatory at 3 Depth (SAFOD) Borehole 4 By Kelly K. Bradbury1, James P. Evans1, Judith S. Chester2, Frederick M. Chester2, and David L. Kirschner3 5 1Geology Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84321-4505 6 2Center for Tectonophysics and Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, 7 Texas 77843 8 3Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63108 9 10 Abstract 11 We characterize the lithology and structure of the spot core obtained in 2007 during 12 Phase 3 drilling of the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) in order to determine 13 the composition, structure, and deformation processes of the fault zone at 3 km depth where 14 creep and microseismicity occur. A total of approximately 41 m of spot core was taken from 15 three separate sections of the borehole; the core samples consist of fractured arkosic sandstones 16 and shale west of the SAF zone (Pacific Plate) and sheared fine-grained sedimentary rocks, 17 ultrafine black fault-related rocks, and phyllosilicate-rich fault gouge within the fault zone 18 (North American Plate). The fault zone at SAFOD consists of a broad zone of variably damaged 19 rock containing localized zones of highly concentrated shear that often juxtapose distinct 20 protoliths. Two zones of serpentinite-bearing clay gouge, each meters-thick, occur at the two 21 locations of aseismic creep identified in the borehole on the basis of casing deformation. -
Composition, Alteration, and Texture of Fault-Related Rocks from Safod Core and Surface Outcrop Analogs
Pure Appl. Geophys. Ó 2014 Springer Basel DOI 10.1007/s00024-014-0896-6 Pure and Applied Geophysics Composition, Alteration, and Texture of Fault-Related Rocks from Safod Core and Surface Outcrop Analogs: Evidence for Deformation Processes and Fluid-Rock Interactions 1 1 1 1 1 KELLY K. BRADBURY, COLTER R. DAVIS, JOHN W. SHERVAIS, SUSANNE U. JANECKE, and JAMES P. EVANS Abstract—We examine the fine-scale variations in mineralogi- 1. Introduction cal composition, geochemical alteration, and texture of the fault- related rocks from the Phase 3 whole-rock core sampled between 3,187.4 and 3,301.4 m measured depth within the San Andreas Fault Well-constrained geological, geochemical, and Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) borehole near Parkfield, California. geophysical models of active fault zones are needed if This work provides insight into the physical and chemical properties, we are to understand fault zone behavior and earth- structural architecture, and fluid-rock interactions associated with the actively deforming traces of the San Andreas Fault zone at depth. quake deformation, constraining the factors that affect Exhumed outcrops within the SAF system comprised of serpentinite- the distribution of earthquakes, and the nature of slip bearing protolith are examined for comparison at San Simeon, Goat in the shallow crust by developing realistic models of Rock State Park, and Nelson Creek, California. In the Phase 3 SAFOD drillcore samples, the fault-related rocks consist of multiple subsurface fault zone structure and ground motion juxtaposed lenses of sheared, foliated siltstone and shale with block- predictions. Earthquakes nucleate in rocks at depth in-matrix fabric, black cataclasite to ultracataclasite, and sheared (e.g., FAGERENG and TOY 2011;SIBSON 1977; 2003), serpentinite-bearing, finely foliated fault gouge. -
Best Practices for Shale Core Handling: Transportation, Sampling and Storage for Conduction of Analyses
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering Review Best Practices for Shale Core Handling: Transportation, Sampling and Storage for Conduction of Analyses Sudeshna Basu 1,2,*, Adrian Jones 1 and Pedram Mahzari 1 1 Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BS, UK; [email protected] (A.J.); [email protected] (P.M.) 2 Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 9 January 2020; Accepted: 12 February 2020; Published: 20 February 2020 Abstract: Drill core shale samples are critical for palaeoenvironmental studies and potential hydrocarbon reservoirs. They need to be preserved carefully to maximise their retention of reservoir condition properties. However, they are susceptible to alteration due to cooling and depressurisation during retrieval to the surface, resulting in volume expansion and formation of desiccation and micro fractures. This leads to inconsistent measurements of different critical attributes, such as porosity and permeability. Best practices for core handling start during retrieval while extracting from the barrel, followed by correct procedures for transportation and storage. Appropriate preservation measures should be adopted depending on the objectives of the scientific investigation and core coherency, with respect to consolidation and weathering. It is particularly desirable to maintain a constant temperature of 1 to 4 ◦C and a consistent relative humidity of >75% to minimise any micro fracturing and internal moisture movement in the core. While core re-sampling, it should be ensured that there is no further core compaction, especially while using a hand corer. Keywords: shale; drill core instability; micro fracture; clay minerals 1. -
Rnic~Ess T~Ese
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 18, NO.5, PAGES 979-982, MAY 1991 HYDROGEOLOGY OF THRUST FAULTS AND CRYSTALLINE THRUST SHEETS: RESULTS OF COMBINED FIELD AND MODELING STUDIES Craig B. Forster Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Utah James P. Evans Department of Geology, Utah State University Abstract. Field,. laboratory, and.modeling studies of faulted obtained for systems that span a wide range of spatial scales, rock yield insight 1Oto the hydraulic character of thrust faults. aid in establishing appropriate scales of observation. Although Late-stage fau lts comprise foliated and su?par~lel faults, ~ith our numerical models cannot provide a unique answer that clay-rich gouge and fracture zones, that YIeld mterpenetratmg applies directly to a given field situation, the numerical results layers of low-permeability gou~e and higher-permeab~l~ty do provide insight into this class of groundwater flow system. damage zones. Laboratory testmg suggests a permeabIlity contrast of two orders of magnitude between gouge and damage zones. Layers of differing permeability lead to overall Fault Zone Hydrogeology permeability anisotropy with maximum permeability within the plane of the fault and minimum permeability perpendicular to the fault plane. Numerical modeling of regional-scale fluid Precambrian granites and gneisses found in our field area flow and heat transport illustrates the impact of fault zone (northwest Wyoming) were thrusted over adjacent sedimentary hydrogeology on fluid flux, fluid pore pressure, and rocks along moderately-dipping thrust faults. About 150 m of temperature in the vicinity of a crystalline thrust sheet. exposed fault were examined through large-scale field mapping and detailed sampling both across and along strike. -
Evolution of Extensional Basins and Basin and Range Topography West of Death Valley, California K.V
TECTONICS, VOL. 8, NO. 3, PAGES453-467, JUNE 1989 EVOLUTION OF EXTENSIONAL BASINS AND BASIN AND RANGE TOPOGRAPHY WEST OF DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA K.V. Hodges,L.W. McKenna,J. Stock •, J. Knapp, L. Page,K. Sternlof, D. Silverberg,G. Wrist2, and J. D. Walker 3 Department of Earth, Atmospheric,and Planetary Sciences,Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge Abstract. Neogeneextension in the Death Valley system remained active during development of region, SE California, has produced a variety of PanamintValley and, thus, during developmentof sedimentarybasins. Diachronousmovements on an modernBasin and Rangetopography as well. These array of strike-slip and normal fault systemshave results indicate that large-scale extension in the resultedin the uplift andpreservation of olderbasins Death Valley region,accommodated by movementon in modernranges. One of the bestexposed of these low- to moderate-angle normal fault systemsand is the Nova basin on the western flank of the high-angle strike-slipfault systems,is a continuing Panamint Mountains. The Nova basin includes over process. Basin and Range topography in the 2000 m of sedimentaryand volcanicrocks deposited PanamintValley- Death Valley areawas generatedat during denudation of the Panamint Mountains least in part by displacements on low-angle metamorphiccore complex in late Miocene(?)- early detachmentsrather than high-angle normal faults. Pliocenetime. The principalgrowth structure for the basinwas the Emigrant detachment,which initiated andmoved at a low angle. Modern PanamintValley, INTRODUCTION west of the range, developedas a consequenceof Late Pliocene- Recent,kinematically linked move- The fact that topographyin the Basin and Range ment on the right-slip, high-angleHunter Mountain Province of the western United States is controlled fault zone and the low-angle Panamint Valley by normal faulting has been recognizedfor over a detachment. -
Stress and Fluid Control on De Collement Within Competent Limestone
Journal of Structural Geology 22 (2000) 349±371 www.elsevier.nl/locate/jstrugeo Stress and ¯uid control on de collement within competent limestone Antonio Teixell a,*, David W. Durney b, Maria-Luisa Arboleya a aDepartament de Geologia, Universitat AutoÁnoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain bDepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia Received 5 October 1998; accepted 23 September 1999 Abstract The Larra thrust of the Pyrenees is a bedding-parallel de collement located within a competent limestone unit. It forms the ¯oor of a thrust system of hectometric-scale imbrications developed beneath a synorogenic basin. The fault rock at the de collement is a dense stack of mainly bedding-parallel calcite veins with variable internal deformation by twinning and recrystallization. Veins developed as extension fractures parallel to a horizontal maximum compressive stress, cemented by cavity-type crystals. Conditions during vein formation are interpreted in terms of a compressional model where crack-arrays develop at applied stresses approaching the shear strength of the rock and at ¯uid pressures equal to or less than the overburden pressure. The cracks developed in response to high dierential stress, which was channelled in the strong limestone, and high ¯uid pressure in or below the thrust plane. Ductile deformation, although conspicuous, cannot account for the kilometric displacement of the thrust, which was mostly accommodated by slip on water sills constituted by open cracks. A model of cyclic dierential brittle contraction, stress reorientation, slip and ductile relaxation at a rheological step in the limestone is proposed as a mechanism for episodic de collement movement. -
Strength of Chrysotile-Serpentinite Gouge Under Hydrothermal Conditions: Can It Explain a Weak San Andreas Fault?
Strength of chrysotile-serpentinite gouge under hydrothermal conditions: Can it explain a weak San Andreas fault? D. E. Moore D. A. Lockner U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025 R. Summers Ma Shengli Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China J. D. Byerlee U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025 ABSTRACT more, it has been suggested that at higher temperatures (Reinen et Chrysotile-bearing serpentinite is a constituent of the San An- al., 1993) and/or lower strain rates (Reinen and Tullis, 1995) the dreas fault zone in central and northern California. At room tem- frictional strength of chrysotile may be reduced to Յ 0.1. As a test perature, chrysotile gouge has a very low coefficient of friction ( of this hypothesis, we report here on the strength of a pure chrysotile Ϸ 0.2), raising the possibility that under hydrothermal conditions gouge at elevated temperatures and a wide range of velocities, in- might be reduced sufficiently (to <0.1) to explain the apparent tended to more closely represent conditions at depth in the fault. weakness of the fault. To test this hypothesis, we measured the Our results suggest that chrysotile alone is not a likely explanation frictional strength of a pure chrysotile gouge at temperatures to for a weak San Andreas fault. ؇C and axial-shortening velocities as low as 0.001 m/s. As 290 temperature increases to Ϸ100 ؇C, the strength of the chrysotile EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES gouge decreases slightly at low velocities, but at temperatures The chrysotile gouge used in this study was prepared from a ؇C, it is substantially stronger and essentially independent of soft, layered, light to medium grayish-green rock from the New Idria 200< velocity at the lowest velocities tested. -
Physical Properties of Surface Outcrop Cataclastic Fault Rocks, Alpine Fault, New Zealand
Article Volume 13, Number 1 28 January 2012 Q01018, doi:10.1029/2011GC003872 ISSN: 1525-2027 Physical properties of surface outcrop cataclastic fault rocks, Alpine Fault, New Zealand C. Boulton Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, PB 4800, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand ([email protected]) B. M. Carpenter Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, 522 Deike Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA V. Toy Department of Geology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand C. Marone Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, 522 Deike Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA [1] We present a unified analysis of physical properties of cataclastic fault rocks collected from surface exposures of the central Alpine Fault at Gaunt Creek and Waikukupa River, New Zealand. Friction experi- ments on fault gouge and intact samples of cataclasite were conducted at 30–33 MPa effective normal stress (sn′) using a double-direct shear configuration and controlled pore fluid pressure in a true triaxial pressure vessel. Samples from a scarp outcrop on the southwest bank of Gaunt Creek display (1) an increase in fault normal permeability (k=7.45 Â 10À20 m2 to k = 1.15 Â 10À16 m2), (2) a transition from frictionally weak (m = 0.44) fault gouge to frictionally strong (m = 0.50–0.55) cataclasite, (3) a change in friction rate depen- dence (a-b) from solely velocity strengthening, to velocity strengthening and weakening, and (4) an increase in the rate of frictional healing with increasing distance from the footwall fluvioglacial gravels contact. At Gaunt Creek, alteration of the primary clay minerals chlorite and illite/muscovite to smectite, kaolinite, and goethite accompanies an increase in friction coefficient (m = 0.31 to m = 0.44) and fault- perpendicular permeability (k=3.10 Â 10À20 m2 to k = 7.45 Â 10À20 m2). -
FISSILITY of MUDROCKS by ROY L. INGRAM ABSTRACT The
BULLETIN OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA VOL. 64. PP. 869-878, 1 FIG.. 1 PL. AUGUST 1953 FISSILITY OF MUDROCKS BY ROY L. INGRAM ABSTRACT The breaking characteristics of a mudrock can be represented on a triangular diagram with massive, flaky-fissile, and flaggy-fissile as end members. Fissility in shales is usually associated with a parallel arrange- ment of the micaceous clay particles and nonfissility with a random arrangement. Experiments and obser- vations indicate that the clay minerals attain a parallel arrangement by gravity settling or by flocculation and compaction, unless the particles are adsorbed on irregularly shaped sesquioxide or silica particles or grow randomly in a gel. The nature of the cementing agent determines whether a shale will be flaky or flaggy. If the cementing agent can hold the material in a large slab, the shale will be flaggy. If the amount or the tenacity of the cementing agent is small, the shale will be flaky. Cementing agents other than organic mat- ter tend to hinder cleavage parallel to the clay particles causing a decrease in fissility and an increase in massiveness. Moderate weathering increases the fissility of a shale. In general the type of fissility does not correlate with the type of clay minerals present in a random collection of mudrocks. CONTENTS TEXT Effect of organic matter 875 Page Effect of iron 875 Introduction 869 Effect of aluminum 876 Review of the literature 870 Effect of silica 876 Empirical classification of fissility 870 Post-depositional changes 876 Analyses and studies of mudrocks 871 Compaction 876 Color 871 Penecontemporaneous clay minerals 876 Mechanical analyses 871 Wave action 876 Carbonate Content 872 Weathering 876 Organic Content 872 Conclusions 877 Clay-mineral studies 872 References cited 877 Microscopic studies 873 Experimental reproduction of fissilities 874 ILLUSTRATIONS Gravity settling 874 Figure Page Flocculation 874 1. -
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Geologic Resources Inventory Report
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Geologic Resources Inventory Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/GRD/NRR—2015/972 ON THIS PAGE An opening in an ice-fringed sea cave reveals ice flows on Lake Superior. Photograph by Neil Howk (National Park Service) taken in winter 2008. ON THE COVER Wind and associated wave activity created a window in Devils Island Sandstone at Devils Island. Photograph by Trista L. Thornberry-Ehrlich (Colorado State University) taken in summer 2010. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Geologic Resources Inventory Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/GRD/NRR—2015/972 Trista L. Thornberry-Ehrlich Colorado State University Research Associate National Park Service Geologic Resources Division Geologic Resources Inventory PO Box 25287 Denver, CO 80225 May 2015 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations.