Practical Guide to Dipmeter Applications in Gulf Coast: ABSTRACT

Abstract

The dipmeter is truly a jambalaya of geologic information. Consider the many situations where knowledge of inclination and direction would be useful. Determination of structural dip and identification of faults and unconformities caused by abrupt changes in that dip are well-known uses. Furthermore, bending of beds resulting from drag of postdepositional faults and roll of contemporaneous faults allows determination of the exact depth, strike, and downthrown direction of the beds. Dip and direction define drape over bars and within channels, foresetting of fans, and compaction under sands. This can identify the type, trend, and pinch-out direction of these sand bodies. The knowledge of paleocurrent direction and strength, available from very short-interval dipmeter comput tions, combined with an understanding of the relationship to the drapes provides a powerful tool for defining stratigraphic traps. The dipmeter's extremely fine vertical resolution and multidirectional sensors allow precise determination of bed thickness, laminations, vertical grain-size profiles, bore-hole geometry, and fractures. The recently introduced Dual Dipmeter service, with 8 sensors and 0.1-in. sampling rate, adds an order of magnitude increase in this type of information. End_Page 254------------------------------ Dipmeter data can provide a link between large-scale seismic and small-scale core information that is being used to identify structural and stratigraphic traps of the mature, highly faulted Gulf Coast area. This information is available on the first well drilled and can help unravel complexities inevitably uncovered in field development. End_of_Article - Last_Page 255------------