Borehole Geophysics Research Articles

Paleo-climatic control on recharge and fresh-salt groundwater distribution in the Red River delta plain, Vietnam

Paleo-climatic induced sedimentation controls present-day recharge and the fresh-salt groundwater distribution in Quaternary delta systems. During sea-level highstands, marine clays with saline pore water were deposited and are interbedded with aquifers of coarse-grained sandy fluvial and shallow marine deposits, laid down during lowstands. The low-permeable marine layers may inhibit recent recharge to deeper aquifers, and thereby limit sustainable use of these freshwater resources. This phenomenon has been investigated in the Red River delta plain, using geophysical borehole logging, transient electromagnetic soundings, groundwater chemistry, stable isotope analysis and 3H and 14C dating of groundwater. Results reveal that marine saline pore water is still present in the Holocene marine clays, implying that fresh water has not entered the clays since their deposition. Therefore, recharge within the delta plain is not occurring and the deeper aquifers are hydraulically disconnected from the upper sandy layers. Today, recharge only occurs from the hinterland. Recharge during the last glacial period has flushed saline pore water from Pleistocene marine clays, but these clays were again affected by saline water during the Holocene transgression. The use of the groundwater resources in the delta plain must be adjusted to the present recharge to be sustainable.

Direct mineral content prediction from drill core images via transfer learning

Deep subsurface exploration is important for mining, oil and gas industries, as well as in the assessment of geological units for the disposal of chemical or nuclear waste, or the viability of geothermal energy systems. Typically, detailed examinations of subsurface formations or units are performed on cuttings or core materials extracted during drilling campaigns, as well as on geophysical borehole data, which provide detailed information about the petrophysical properties of the rocks. Depending on the volume of rock samples and the analytical program, the laboratory analysis and diagnostics can be very time-consuming. This study investigates the potential of utilizing machine learning, specifically convolutional neural networks (CNN), to assess the lithology and mineral content solely from analysis of drill core images, aiming to support and expedite the subsurface geological exploration. The paper outlines a comprehensive methodology, encompassing data preprocessing, machine learning methods, and transfer learning techniques. The outcome reveals a remarkable 96.7% accuracy in the classification of drill core segments into distinct formation classes. Furthermore, a CNN model was trained for the evaluation of mineral content using a learning data set from multidimensional log analysis data (silicate, total clay, carbonate). When benchmarked against laboratory XRD measurements on samples from the cores, both the advanced multidimensional log analysis model and the neural network approach developed here provide equally good performance. This work demonstrates that deep learning and particularly transfer learning can support extracting petrophysical properties, including mineral content and formation classification, from drill core images, thus offering a road map for enhancing model performance and data set quality in image-based analysis of drill cores.

Deterministic and Stochastic Modeling in Prediction of Petrophysical Properties of an Albian Carbonate Reservoir in the Campos Basin (Southeastern Brazil)

Abstract —Permeability is one of the most significant and challenging parameters to estimate when characterizing an oil reservoir. Several empirical methods with geophysical borehole logs have been employed to estimate it indirectly. They include the Timur model, which uses conventional logs, and the Timur–Coates model, which uses the nuclear magnetic resonance log. The first goal of this study was to evaluate porosity, because it directly impacts permeability estimates. Deterministic and stochastic inversions were then carried out, as the main objective of this work was to estimate the permeability in a carbonate reservoir of the Campos Basin, Southeastern Brazil. The ridge regression scheme was used to invert the Timur and Timur–Coates equations deterministically. The stochastic inversion was later solved using fuzzy logic as the forward problem, and the Monte Carlo method was utilized to assess uncertainty. The goodness of fit for the estimations was all checked with porosity and permeability laboratory data using the Pearson correlation coefficient (R), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Willmott’s agreement index (d). The results for the Timur model were R = 0.41; RMSE = 333.28; MAE = 95.56; and d = 0.55. These values were worse for the Timur–Coates model, with R = 0.39; RMSE = 355.28; MAE = 79.35; and d = 0.51. The Timur model with flow zones had R = 0.55; RMSE = 210.88; MAE = 116.66; and d = 0.84, which outperformed the other two models. The deterministic inversion showed, thus, little ability to adapt to the significant variations of the permeability values along the well, as can be seen from comparing these three approaches. However, the stochastic inversion using three bins had R = 0.35; RMSE = 320.27; MAE = 190.93; and d = 0.73, looking worse than the deterministic inversion. In the meantime, the stochastic inversion with six bins successfully adjusted the set of laboratory observations, because it provides R = 0.87; RMSE = 156.81; MAE = 74.60; and d = 0.92. This way, the last approach has proven it can produce a reliable solution with consistent parameters and an accurate permeability estimation.

Application of Borehole Geophysical Prospecting Method in Pile Foundation Detection of Existing Buildings

It is particularly important to find out the pile foundation of existing buildings for building safety protection and engineering construction safety during the development and utilization of urban underground space. As a non-destructive, efficient and economic method, the borehole geophysical techniques such as magnetic gradient method, ground penetrating radar method and parallel seismic test method are used to detect the pile foundation of existing buildings, which have obvious advantages. According to the combined abnormal characteristics such as "strong magnetic anomaly, electromagnetic wave in-phase axis change and diffraction wave anomaly at the pile end, P-wave velocity variation", the pile foundation length can be judged.

Pressure transient analysis to investigate a coupled fracture corridor and a fault damage zone causing an early thermal breakthrough in the North Alpine Foreland Basin

The heterogeneity of the Upper Jurassic carbonate reservoir (Malm reservoir) beneath the North Alpine Foreland Basin has a significant influence on the mass and heat flow processes during geothermal exploitation. Geophysical borehole data revealed that sub-seismic scale fractures and karstified fractures occur at the inflow zones of deep geothermal wells. However, pressure transient analysis (PTA) in some previous studies concluded that it is difficult to detect the influence of sub-seismic scale features, suggesting that radial flow regime is dominant. Accordingly, a regional thermal-hydraulic model adopted the equivalent porous medium (EPM) approach, homogenizing the sub-seismic scale reservoir heterogeneities; however, unable to detect an early thermal breakthrough (ETB) in a geothermal doublet located SE of Munich. We apply PTA on three buildup tests belonging to that doublet following a deterministic approach to constrain the reservoir type by interpreting the pressure derivative (PD) plots constrained by geophysical and geological data. We derive the magnitudes of the reservoir hydraulic parameters by matching the PD plots with the selected interpretation models. We find that clustered fractures have a significant influence on the reservoir hydraulics, evidenced by trough-shaped curves in the PD plots. Linear flow regime interpreted from the interference test between the two wells indicates permeability anisotropy, which may have caused the ETB. Geophysical data interpretations indicate that these fractures correspond to a coupled fault damage zone and a fracture corridor. Finally, we present a fit-for-purpose 2D discrete fracture network model utilizing the PTA results to match our analytically calibrated model. Our study offers a potential hydraulic explanation to the cause of the ETB highlighting the importance of integrating multi-scale/disciplinary data sets to improve the reliability of dynamic reservoir models, based on which, economic-related decisions are made.

Emplacement dynamics of a complex thick mafic intrusion revealed by borehole image log facies analyses: Implications for fluid migration in the Parnaíba Basin petroleum system, Brazil

Sill intrusions may play a significant role in the development of petroleum systems in sedimentary basins by promoting maturation of source rocks, influencing fluid migration and acting as reservoirs, traps, and seals for hydrocarbon accumulations. Within this study, we present a novel approach to interpreting geophysical borehole data for a ca. 174 m thick sill from the Parnaíba Basin revealing new insights into both the emplacement mechanisms and impacts of the sill on hydrocarbon migration and trapping. High-resolution ultrasonic and microresistivity borehole image logs were integrated with conventional log data, petrography of eight side wall cores and total gas data recorded during drilling. The petrographic analysis revealed finer crystalline dolerite at the top and bottom layers of the sill while the upper central portion revealed coarser crystalline gabbroic facies, associated with anomalies in gamma ray, neutron porosity, sonic and geochemical log responses. From borehole image logs we interpreted key facies units including massive, fractured, cooling jointed and layered dolerite along with clear evidence for layers containing diverse inclusions interpreted as enclave structures. The integration and correlation of these data with analogue studies allowed the interpretation of gradational cooling with magmatic differentiation, partially melted host rock linked to sulphide production and organic matter maturation, mafic microgranular enclaves related to mingling processes of magma recharge, banding layers related to cumulate zones, and intense cooling fractures in the central sill body. An interval of ca. 44 m at the top of the sill with notably less jointing appears to be responsible for sealing the gas underneath, whilst the fractured central portion of the sill has enabled gas migration evidenced by increased gas signatures. In addition, this work also reveals for the first-time image log evidence for magma mingling and indications of assimilation and anatexis processes within the Parnaíba Basin. This study has important implications for improving the understanding of emplacement mechanisms of thick parallel layer intrusions and their implications for fluid flow in sedimentary basins worldwide.

Assessment of the quality reservoirs for some deposits of the Baku Archipelago

The article discusses methods for assessing the quality of reservoirs using core data and geophysical methods of well surveys. Identifying the presence (or absence) of relationships between the analyzed parameters, a comparison between the parameters characterizing the filtration capacity of reservoir rocks was made with their lithological composition, water saturation coefficient, porosity, and content of carbonate material. On the example of data from some fields in the northern part of the Baku archipelago, an improved method for assessing permeability was applied and the quality of reservoirs was assessed based on data from borehole geophysics. Keywords: reservoir; core; porosity; permeability; logging; quality of reservoir rocks.

Groundwater control for construction projects in chalk

Abstract Construction excavations and tunnels in chalk can encounter groundwater challenges, including high water flow rates, instability of excavations in weathered chalk and basal instability in overlying aquitards caused by high groundwater pressures in deeper chalk aquifers. In hydrogeological settings where the chalk has been exposed to periglacial weathering during the Quaternary Period the upper zones may be degraded to structureless chalk which can potentially be of very low hydraulic conductivity (putty chalk) or very high hydraulic conductivity (chalk bearings). In deeper, structured chalk groundwater flow tends to be concentrated along fissures associated with pre-existing geological structures such as bedding planes, flint beds or faults. A range of groundwater control strategies can be deployed, including open pumping, pre-drainage pumping, shallow and deep cut-off walls, ground treatment and, for tunnels and shafts, application of fluid counter pressures to exclude groundwater. The strategy appropriate to a given site must be selected based on a thorough understanding of the hydrogeological setting and chalk weathering profile. This requires a ground investigation of appropriate scope, using suitable techniques to characterize the chalk. Borehole geophysics can play a key role in identifying discrete zones of inflow.

Analytical models of induction heating of casing in a producing well

The article is devoted to the study of heat exchange processes in a well during induction heating of metal casing section. Heating of the column leads to an increase in the temperature of the fluid flow in the column. Due to short-term exposure, heat marks appear in the flow. Observation of their evolution forms the basis of active thermometry, a new method in borehole geophysics. Analytical solutions have been obtained for calculating the temperature changes of the upstream and casing during induction heating. Analytical solutions are compared with numerical simulation in Ansys Fluent*. It is shown that the discrepancy between the results of calculations based on analytical and numerical models decreases with an increase in the Reynolds number and the transition to a turbulent flow regime, with active mixing of the flow in the well in it is cross section. The developed models will be used in the planning of geophysical studies in wells by the method of active thermometry. Keywords: active thermometry; borehole; induction heating; column temperature; Nusselt number; Laplace transformations.

Probabilistic assessment of induced seismicity at the Alberta No. 1 geothermal project site

Alberta No. 1 (ABNo1) is a geothermal project targeting deep carbonate, conglomerates, and sandstone formations in a potential production and injection zone for geothermal energy exploitation within the Municipal District of Greenview south of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. In geothermal systems without a steam fraction (typically systems under 170 °C), rapid widespread pore pressure changes and slow temperature changes have led to increased deviatoric stresses, resulting in induced seismicity. A concern for the ABNo1 Geothermal Project is that anthropogenic seismicity from oil, gas, and well field fluid injection has created felt events in Alberta. Thus, at the beginning of this type of project, it is prudent to review the potential for induced seismicity. In this study, a geomechanical study of the Leduc and Granite Wash Formations, two potential geothermal fluid exploitation zones, has been undertaken based on borehole geophysics and regional injection-induced earthquake data. Determining subsurface properties such as state of stress, pore pressure, and fault properties, however, poses uncertainties in the absence of actual data from the target formations. Geomechanical analysis results (with associated uncertainties) are used to assess the potential for injection-induced earthquakes. A Monte Carlo probability analysis is employed to estimate the likelihood of slippage of the known faults close to the ABNo1 Geothermal Project. A cumulative distribution function of the critical pore pressure on each fault is derived from the local tectonic stress state and Mohr–Coulomb shear parameter analyses. The resultant probabilistic fault stability maps can serve as a baseline for future fluid injection projects in the region including wastewater disposal, hydraulic fracture stimulation, CO2 sequestration, as well as geothermal energy extraction.

Petrophysical Database for European Pegmatite Exploration—EuroPeg

Granitic pegmatites contain natural concentrations of a variety of raw materials invaluable for modern technologies and a green and sustainable society. The most abundant ones are silicon for high-purity quartz applications, and indispensable lithium for today’s batteries. However, the exploration of these target materials in Europe is underdeveloped, causing high dependencies on non-European supply chains. The European Commission Horizon 2020 project GREENPEG (GA no. 869274) is addressing the exploration of buried, small-scale pegmatite deposits in Europe through the development of innovative new exploration toolsets. One component of these toolsets is petrophysical data of pegmatite ores and their wall rock. These data are essential to supplement and ground-truth non-invasive geophysical investigations and deposit modeling. Both important tools in mineral exploration can then be used in a more targeted and cost-effective way. Petrophysical parameters measured on drill core and field samples and acquired through geophysical borehole logging are compiled in the first database for European Pegmatite deposits: EuroPeg_PetroDB. Samples are supplemented with meta-information, and the database is comprehensively structured in an easy-to-use format. Supporting the initiative of FAIR data, EuroPeg is freely accessible on an open data repository. The sample content and petrophysical measurements are described, followed by the structure and usability of the database.

Applied Geophysics for Managed Aquifer Recharge.

Increasing water stress and decreasing supplies caused by growth and climate variability have expanded demand for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) projects to provide water supply resilience. Some of the most important factors in determining the performance of a MAR project include site selection, subsurface hydrogeologic characteristics and associated properties of the storage zone. Costs for invasive subsurface investigations to address these factors have slowly increased over the past two decades, with drilling costs increasing dramatically by as much as 30% or more since COVID-19 hit, a result of supply chain issues, steel prices, and manpower challenges. This paper provides a high-level review of major geophysical methods that have become more mainstream over the past decade or two to supplement invasive subsurface investigations and are very cost effective when compared to drilling boreholes and installing wells, which provide only point data. The more commonly used surface geophysical methods include ground-based and airborne time-domain electromagnetic methods (TEM), electrical resistivity, and seismic reflection. Airborne TEM methods (AEM) collect data very quickly, avoiding ground-based access constraints, and land-based methods are especially efficient using towed arrays. Electrical resistivity measurements provide resolution comparable to TEM but require more time than towed methods. Seismic reflection surveys are more expensive than other methods but typically have a much greater depth of penetration and can provide high resolution information on aquifer geometry, geology, and faults. Borehole geophysics is one of the more common methods used in MAR, providing near hole formation data and ground truths surface geophysics.

Causes of a premature thermal breakthrough of a hydrothermal project in Germany

Sustainable heat extraction is of utmost importance for the economic life of geothermal production systems. Especially in hydrothermal sedimentary basins, a temperature decrease at the production well prompts a financial loss. A premature thermal breakthrough occurred in one of the geothermal projects in the Greater Munich Area, a well-known region for deep, low enthalpy geothermal development in the Upper Jurassic carbonate reservoir (syn. Malm) beneath the North Alpine Foreland Basin. Accordingly, questions are raised regarding the geologic controls on the reservoir´s permeability, the occurring type of heat and mass transport mechanism, and the fitting reservoir model type. 3D seismic data interpretation delineates seismic scale structures potentially influencing the reservoir permeability. Geophysical borehole data characterize sub-seismic scale elements (fractures, karst, and lithofacies), where we correlate them with the inflow zones and the interpreted seismic scale structures. The integration of both scales delineates the reservoir heterogeneity controlled by a lateral change in the carbonate lithofacies overprinted by faults and fractures. A NNW-SSE oriented seismic scale structure matches the orientation of hydraulically active sub-seismic scale fractures, where they are aligned with the maximum horizontal stress orientation. This structure induces additional anisotropic permeability, providing a preferential hydraulic pathway between the wells of the project. This study recommends considering fractured reservoir models to simulate the mass and heat flow in the highly heterogeneous Malm carbonates instead of composite reservoir models of equivalent hydraulic properties. Finally, we present a hydrogeological model describing the reservoir's structural and matrix permeability distribution to act as a basic concept for future thermal-hydraulic numerical modeling. The applied methods in this study are applicable in similar geothermal systems with adequate seismic and geophysical borehole data for future geothermal reservoir characterization, modeling, and management.

Sandstone-body geometry and hydrostratigraphy of the northern High Plains Aquifer system, USA

Cenozoic sandstones of the North American interior host the voluminous High Plains Aquifer (HPA) system, which supplies water to c. 30% of all irrigated farmland in the USA. Sandstone bodies in the HPA have eluded characterization because the correlation of discrete sedimentary units between boreholes is exceedingly difficult or even impossible. Our work, however, demonstrates that sandstone-body geometry can be characterized at regional, if not basinal scales, using multi-resolution methods, including remote sensing, outcrop mapping, borehole geophysics, and airborne electromagnetics. These and other scientific advances suggest that the HPA contains a complex assemblage of fluvial sandstone bodies with predictable dimensions. Hydrologic property contrasts between these sandstones and the enclosing, finer-grained strata define a complex arrangement of hydrostratigraphic units. We present this evolving understanding of HPA hydrostratigraphy in a new conceptual model that aids in the understanding of water-supply challenges. We maintain that sustaining well yields and aquifer productivity into the future depends on mapping the architecture of sandstone bodies in the subsurface using advanced techniques. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Hydrogeology of Sandstone collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/hydrogeology-of-sandstone

Tectonics of the Basement of the Kara-Bogaz Arch (Turan Plate)

The Kara-Bogaz geoblock is interpreted by many researchers as a structure underlain by the Precambrian sialic crust, incorporated in the young (epi-Hercynian) Turan Plate. The paper presents the results of a detailed study of the material composition of igneous and metamorphic rocks making up the basement of the Kara-Bogaz Arch and recovered by deep boreholes. To subdivide and correlate the sections, we employed data of geophysical borehole surveys, including all types of logging. Microscopic examination of rocks was also performed to determine their composition, genesis, and degree of postsedimentation alterations. Data on absolute ages of rocks and paleontological data were also employed. The results of the work of our predecessors have been studied and critically analyzed. It is established that there are no direct indications of the continental crust older than Paleozoic in the basement of the Near-Kara-Bogaz region. The metamorphic units of the Kara-Bogaz Arch are represented by primary sedimentary and volcanosedimentary deposits that were altered at the stage of regional greenschist metamorphism. These rocks are intruded by granitoid bodies corresponding to the final stages of Hercynian tectogenesis. In parts spatially close to intrusions, the degree of secondary alterations in metamorphic rocks increases due to the thermal effect. Amphibolites of the Kara-Bogaz Arch are metamorphosed igneous rocks, which are closely associated with primary terrigenous deposits and have undergone subsequent metamorphosis (greenschist facies regional metamorphism). Gneisses of the discussed region refer to the marginal facies of granitoid plutons that formed as a result of metasomatic reworking of the host strata (protomagmatic gneissic banding). We think that the Kara-Bogaz Arch is a Hercynian megaanticlinorium of the young platform, and this does not exclude the possibility of fragments of more ancient crust in the structure of this arch. The sedimentary–metamorphic and volcanosedimentary rocks making it up and intruded by multiple granitoid bodies are units of the active margin.

Borehole Geophysical Joint Inversion to Fully Evaluate Shaly Sandstone Formations

Simultaneous inversion of sonic, density, and electrical resistivity borehole-derived well logs, has been addressed in literature in recent years. However, this problem is not broadly studied for dual-porosity sandstone formations. In addition, most authors presumed salinity and matrix properties as known parameters in their studies. We integrate the conservation of mass to model density, a differential effective medium theory for elastic modeling, and a laboratory-supported model for electrical resistivity of dual-porosity sandstones. Utilizing this methodology, we simulate electrical resistivity, sonic, and density well-log data. We develop a stochastic global search engine to jointly invert petrophysical properties. We build a dual-porosity formation with associated petrophysical properties and show the proposed workflow accurately replicates true well-log responses in the oil column, water leg, and transition zone. Local petrophysical properties (microporosity, intergranular porosity, total porosity, and water saturation) and global model parameters (salinity, matrix properties, critical porosity, resistivity lithology exponents, and sonic length scales for different pore networks) are all well recovered. The developed multiphysics calibrated rock models will assist petrophysicists and seismic analysts to identify and distinguish sandstone facies characteristics from well-log and prestack seismic data.

Estimation of In-Situ Rock Strength from Borehole Geophysical Logs in Australian Coal Mine Sites

Estimation of In-Situ Rock Strength from Borehole Geophysical Logs in Australian Coal Mine Sites

Evaluation of Electrical and Electromagnetic Geophysical Techniques to Inspect Earthen Dam and Levee Structures in Arkansas

Within the State of Arkansas, there is an increasing number of aging dams and levees that have little to no documentation concerning their construction or composition. Surface geophysical surveys offer a non-intrusive method for investigating these structures to describe their lithologic makeup, evaluate the materials constructed upon, and identify potential flow paths through them. Techniques such as electrical resistivity tomography, seismic refraction, and electromagnetic induction have been used to image dams and levees. They require additional information from geologic outcrops, geotechnical borings, or drill cores to make informed geologic interpretations of the geophysical models. These geologic models then allow the owners of these structures to make more informed decisions about their operation and maintenance. Between 2011 and 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted geophysical and geotechnical investigations of three earthen structures in Arkansas. Electrical and electromagnetic geophysical data were used to develop lithologic models of these structures and characterize the underlying geology. Self-potential surveys were utilized to detect the movement of water through these structures and identify any possible seepage pathways. Geotechnical methods such as electric and hydraulic direct-push well logs and cores acted as a control on the geophysical interpretations and a confirmation of anomalies. This integrated approach detected the lack of an impermeable core within a levee, imaged a change in lithology of the bedrock forming the seal beneath a gravity dam, and identified a potential seepage feature within the core of an earthen dam. These results further support that this method of extending known lithologic features via surface and borehole geophysics is a useful approach for characterizing earthen water-control structures.

Innovative geophysikalische Vorauserkundungstechnologie in verkarstungsfähigen und kristallinen Gesteinen

AbstractIn rock formations prone to karstification there are only limited geological/hydrological principles that allow a safe prognosis of the existence and location of karstic and fault structures. A combination of geophysical borehole radar measurements utilizing both reflection and crosshole probe setups can be used to reliably detect anomalous structures, especially air‐filled karstic cavities and fault zones, when a sensible measuring concept for karstified or crystalline rocks is applied. Besides the determination of the anomalous structure's location it is also possible to distinguish its type of filling. Using examples from the major railway project Albaufstieg between Wendlingen‐Ulm the investigation concepts ahead of the tunnel construction are presented. The borehole radar measurements were successfully utilized during different phases of the tunnel excavation and could be integrated into the construction process without significant delays, thus contributing to a safe construction process and later operation of the tunnels. The reliability and high efficiency of these borehole radar investigation concepts places this technology of karst detection at a significant advantage over the commonly applied seismic methods, especially in karst‐prone and crystalline rocks.

Stratigraphic and structural controls on groundwater salinity variations in the Poso Creek Oil Field, Kern County, California, USA

Groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS) distribution was mapped with a three-dimensional (3D) model, and it was found that TDS variability is largely controlled by stratigraphy and geologic structure. General TDS patterns in the San Joaquin Valley of California (USA) are attributed to predominantly connate water composition and large-scale recharge from the adjacent Sierra Nevada. However, in smaller areas, stratigraphy and faulting play an important role in controlling TDS. Here, the relationship of stratigraphy and structure to TDS concentration was examined at Poso Creek Oil Field, Kern County, California. The TDS model was constructed using produced water TDS samples and borehole geophysics. The model was used to predict TDS concentration at discrete locations in 3D space and used a Gaussian process to interpolate TDS over a volume. In the overlying aquifer, TDS is typically <1,000 mg/L and increases with depth to ~1,200–3,500 mg/L in the hydrocarbon zone below the Macoma claystone—a regionally extensive, fine-grained unit—and reaches ~7,000 mg/L in isolated places. The Macoma claystone creates a vertical TDS gradient in the west where it is thickest, but control decreases to the east where it pinches out and allows freshwater recharge. Previously mapped normal faults were found to exhibit inconsistent control on TDS. In one case, high-density faulting appears to prevent recharge from flushing higher-TDS connate water. Elsewhere, the high-throw segments of a normal fault exhibit variable behavior, in places blocking lower-TDS recharge and in other cases allowing flushing. Importantly, faults apparently have differential control on oil and groundwater.