OUTLINING OF SHALE MASSES BY GEOPHYSICAL METHODS

Abstract

Shale masses are here defined as large bodies of shale at least several hundred feet in thickness. These may be formed either as diapiric masses or as depositional masses. The shale masses are like salt masses and the two are many times combined to form domal masses; they both may form the updip seal for stratigraphic accumulation of oil. The shale masses exhibit the following properties by comparison to the normal section: (1) low velocities—in the range of 6,500 to 8,500 ft/sec with very little increase of velocity with depth, (2) low densities—estimated to be in the range [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], (3) low resistivities—approximately 0.5 ohm‐m, and (4) high fluid pressures—about 0.9 overburden pressure. These properties all seem to be caused by the high porosity and low permeability of these large shale masses. Maps and cross sections of an example area block 113, Ship Shoal Area are shown. The low shale velocities were measured by acoustic logs and verified by refraction shooting. The low densities were deduced from gravity maps. The low resistivities are shown on electric logs, and high pressure is evidenced by the drilling difficulties with heaving shales. These physical properties allow the outlining of the shale mass by one or more of the following ways: the gravity method is used to outline the low density material, the seismic reflection method is used to outline the lack of reflection contrast and in some cases map the velocity configuration, the seismic refraction method is used to indicate the velocity of the anomalous mass, thereby differentiating between shale and salt.