Evidence for reduced quartz-cementation rates in oil-filled sandstones

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2001 Evidence for reduced quartz-cementation rates in oil-filled sandstones Ann M.E. Marchand; Ann M.E. Marchand 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. Stuart Haszeldine; R. Stuart Haszeldine 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P. Craig Smalley; P. Craig Smalley 2BP Research Centre, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 7LN, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Calum I. Macaulay; Calum I. Macaulay 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Anthony E. Fallick Anthony E. Fallick 4Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Isotope Geosciences Unit, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2001) 29 (10): 915–918. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0915:EFRQCR>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 20 Dec 2000 rev-recd: 25 Apr 2001 accepted: 21 May 2001 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ann M.E. Marchand, R. Stuart Haszeldine, P. Craig Smalley, Calum I. Macaulay, Anthony E. Fallick; Evidence for reduced quartz-cementation rates in oil-filled sandstones. Geology 2001;; 29 (10): 915–918. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0915:EFRQCR>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract When quartz-rich sands are buried and heated, pore space is gradually filled by precipitation of quartz cement from aqueous formation fluids. Here we examine whether the presence of oil in the pore space can retard or halt this loss of porosity by slowing or stopping quartz cementation. The effect of oil fill on quartz cementation is examined by using the distribution of quartz cement in the Brae Formation deep-water sandstone reservoir of the Miller oil field (North Sea). Petrographic data demonstrate that sandstones from the oil zone have much less quartz cement, and more porosity, than sandstones from the water zone. Sandstones in both oil and water zones are compositionally and texturally identical and have been affected by a similar burial history. Kinetic modeling of the cementation process suggests that progressive oil charging has slowed quartz-cement growth rates by at least two orders of magnitude, halting it completely in the most extreme cases. Our data demonstrate that early oil charging in the crestal part of an anticline can preserve porosity in deeply buried sandstones. This knowledge is especially relevant to porosity prediction for petroleum exploration in deeply buried sandstones. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.