Lithic Fragments Research Articles

Modeling the Depositional Environment of the Sandstone Reservoir in the Middle Miocene Sidri Member, Badri Field, Gulf of Suez Basin, Egypt: Integration of Gamma-Ray Log Patterns and Petrographic Characteristics of Lithology

Understanding the depositional setting of siliciclastics reservoir is fundamental process to exploration and development of hydrocarbon reservoirs and to the multi-phase cycle of the oil and gas industry. Typically, core samples from existing or potential reservoirs can be used for interpretation of depositional environment. However, the lack of core samples in certain reservoirs represents a challenge for reservoir development plans and further exploration. To overcome the absence of core samples in the middle Miocene Sidri Member in the Badri field, Gulf of Suez, this study aimed to reconstruct its depositional settings by coupling well logging patterns and petrographic characterization of ditch cuttings. Consequently, 30 thin section samples representing the reservoir section of four wells were described in detail and standard petrographic characteristics were determined. Then, gamma-ray (GR) log patterns of the studied reservoir wells were used for interpretation of depositional environment. Petrographic analysis indicates that the sandstone reservoir is fine- to medium-grained arkose with dominant siliceous cement and composed mainly of quartz, feldspars, and lithic fragments. Pores reflecting primary and secondary porosity as well as inter-granular pores are dominant. The facies analysis indicates that the studied member has a heterogeneous nature and rapid facies change; its main lithofacies are blocky sandstones, intercalated sandstones and shales, and shales. Three electrofacies were interpreted in the studied section: (1) electrofacies-A (blocky sandstones), which is characterized by a cylindrical-shaped (right boxcar) GR trend; (2) electrofacies-B (intercalated sandstones and shales), which is characterized by an irregular log trend with serrated shape; and (3) electrofacies-C (shales), which is characterized by irregular GR trend and has no character. The interpreted results indicate a tidal channel depositional setting for electrofacies-A, mixed tidal flat depositional setting for electrofacies-B, and low relief offshore mudstone depositional setting for electrofacies-C. Finally, the results illustrate how the coupling of GR patterns with the analysis of petrographic characteristics can be used to understand the depositional setting of a hydrocarbon reservoir that lacks core samples. This work could be useful for assessment of reservoir distribution and quality, for reduction of uncertainty during field development, as well as for providing useful insight to similar hydrocarbon reservoirs elsewhere.

Oxygen isotope study of the Asuka-881020 CH chondrite I: Non-porphyritic chondrules

We measured oxygen isotope ratios and major elemental compositions of non-porphyritic chondrules and lithic fragments with various textures and chemical compositions in the Asuka-881020 CH chondrite. The oxygen isotope ratios plot along the primitive chondrule mineral line with Δ17O (=δ17O – 0.52 × δ18O) values from ∼−21‰ to +5‰. The Δ17O values increase with decreasing Mg# (=molar [MgO]/[MgO + FeO]%) from 99.6 to 58.5, similarly to the Δ17O-Mg# trends for the chondrules in other carbonaceous chondrites.Most of the measured objects (non-porphyritic chondrules and lithic fragments) including chondrules analyzed in the previous studies are classified into three groups based on the Δ 17O values and chemistry; the −2.3‰ group with FeO-poor compositions (the most abundant group), the +1.4‰ group with FeO-rich compositions, and the −6.3‰ group with FeO-poor compositions. Skeletal olivine and magnesian cryptocrystalline (MgCC) chondrules and MgCC chondrule fragments, which are the −2.3‰ group objects, may have formed via fractional condensation in the isotopically uniform gaseous environment with Δ 17O of −2.3‰. When silica-normative materials condensed from gas at ∼1200 K, 16O-rich refractory solids, similar to Ca-Al-rich inclusions, were incorporated into the environment. The silica-normative materials that condensed onto the 16O-rich refractory solids were reheated at 1743–1968 K and formed cristobalite-bearing chondrules with Δ17O of ∼−6‰. This scenario can explain the absence of silica-bearing chondrules in the −2.3‰ group and refractory element abundances in the cristobalite-bearing chondrules as high as those in the MgCC chondrules.Refractory element abundances of the +1.4‰ group objects decrease from FeO-Al-rich and ferroan CC (FeCC) chondrules to FeCC chondrule fragments to FeNi metal-bearing to silica-bearing chondrules. This suggests the formation via fractional condensation in the isotopically uniform gaseous environment. The Δ17O values and FeO-rich compositions of this group could be explained by an addition of 16O-poor water ice as an oxidant to the relatively 16O-rich solids with Δ17O of −2.3‰, which may also explain existence of some MgCC chondrules and fragments with intermediate Δ17O values between −2.3‰ and +1.4‰. The immiscibility textures in the silica-bearing chondrules suggest a reheating event at a temperature of >1968 K after condensation of silica-normative materials. Thus, the non-porphyritic chondrules and fragments in CH and CB chondrites, which are classified into three distinct Δ17O groups, require multiple chondrule-forming environments and heating events. Energy source for the heating events could be either impact plume and/or other dynamical processes in the protoplanetary disk, though a single heating event would not fully explain observed chemical and isotope signatures in these non-porphyritic chondrules.

Geochemical and Petrological Studies of Permo-Carboniferous Sandstones from the Rangit Pebble-Slate Formation, Sikkim Lesser Himalaya, India: Implication for Provenance, Tectonic Setting, and Paleoclimate

The Permo-Carboniferous depositional sequence of Lower Gondwana in Sikkim Lesser Himalaya was investigated through an integrated approach of lithological, petrological, and geochemical studies. Lithologically, it is characterized by glacial diamictite at the base and shale-sandstone facies at the top of a sequence which is interpreted as a glaciomarine deposit. Coarser sandstone and massive diamictite composed of quartz, feldspar, muscovite, zircon, and other lithic fragments are observed in thin section. Geochemistry of all studied samples from the Rangit Pebble Slate Formation shows the dominance of silicon dioxide compared to other elemental oxides. The tectonic discrimination diagram positively infers passive margin sedimentation from a felsic-rich provenance. Chemical Index of Alteration was used to depict the weathering trends of all studied samples which reflect paleo-sedimentation under humid to sub-humid climatic conditions.

Geochemical signatures of recent bar deposits in the Tista river, Bangladesh: Implications to provenance, paleoweathering and tectonics

Petrography and geochemical composition of sediments is a sensitive indicator which archives the signature of a previous record of a source rock and depositional environments in a basin. This study deals with the elemental geochemistry of recent bar deposits of the Tista river in the north western part of Bangladesh to evaluate their provenance, paleoweathering and tectonic setting. Petrographically, the sediments are rich in quartz (70%), whereas feldspar and lithic fragments are found about 8% and 3%, respectively. The geochemical composition of the samples exhibits dominantly quartzose litharenites with low grade sedimentary and metasedimentary lithics, low feldspar indicates tectonic provenance field of recycled orogeny. Discrimination functions revels that the sediments of the Tista river are the derivation of active continental margin. The analyses also reflect that the sediments are dominantly a mixture of felsic (e.g., granitic/Gneiss, quartzite, amphibolite, granulite facies rock types) and some of mafic source (e.g., alkali-basalt/greenschist facies). It may occur, since 60% of the sedimentary flux carried out by the river from low-grade metamorphic rock and the rest from high-grade rock (in the west and north Sikkim Himalaya respectively). The weathering indices highlight that the source rocks have not undergone significant chemical weathering. The immature sorting status and petrographic evidences indicate that the sediments deposited in the Tista river basin are simply the product of mechanically weathered rocks.

Preliminary U-Pb Detrital Zircon Ages from Tufiti di Tusa Formation (Lucanian Apennines, Southern Italy): Evidence of Rupelian Volcaniclastic Supply

U-Pb spot ages have been determined on detrital zircons from two samples of volcaniclastic arenites belonging to the Tufiti di Tusa Formation (TTF) outcropping in the Lucanian Apennines (Southern Italy). Many petrographic and geochemical studies have been performed on these sandstones with the aim of defining their detritus source. A new and precise evaluation of the mineralogical composition of metamorphic lithic fragments, together with U-Pb detrital zircon ages, helps to clarify the deposition age of these syn-sedimentary volcaniclastic sandstones and constrains their source areas. Volcaniclastic arenites consist of andesitic fragments and single minerals of plagioclases, clinopyroxenes, and hornblendes, while the metamorphic lithics are mainly fragments of blue amphibole-bearing micaschists, serpentinites, ophicalcites, phyllites, and medium-grade micaschists. Phaneritic plutonic fragments consist of quartz, feldspar, and micas. Carbonate components include biomicritic and biosparitic fragments. Eighty age data collected from 56 zircons reveal a wide age spectrum, ranging from Neoarchean to Rupelian (from 2712 ± 25 to 30 ± 1 Millions of years (Ma)). The age data show that in volcaniclastic sandstones there is evidence of ancient crystalline basements involved in Cadomian and Variscan orogenesis (ages from 2712 ± 25 Ma to ≈260 Ma), whereas the measured ages of 157 Ma testify the events of Pangea fragmentation and the ages between 78 and 67 Ma are related to subduction metamorphism connected to the Alpine orogenesis. Fifty percent of the estimated detrital zircon ages show a mean concordant age of 33 ± 1 Ma, they have been measured on idiomorphic crystals with undisturbed magmatic oscillatory zoning. These data reveal the true sedimentation age of Tufiti di Tusa sandstones at least at the sampled levels, coeval with that recorded in other Rupelian volcaniclastic successions outcropping in the Northern Apennines and in the Western Alps (e.g., Val d’Aveto-Petrignacola Formation, Ranzano Formation and Taveyannaz Sandstone). These data represent preliminary suggestions of the sedimentation age of the Tufiti di Tusa Formation and Rupelian paleogeography in the Western Mediterranean area. During Priabonian-Rupelian times, the volcanic calc-alkaline detritus linked to a widespread syn-sedimentary igneous activity on the hinterland terranes of the foredeep basins in the Apennine-Maghrebian orogen extended from north to south in the Western-Central Mediterranean area.

Interpreting detrital modes and geochemistry of sandstones from the late Paleozoic Tepuel-Genoa Basin: Paleogeographic implications (Patagonia, Argentina)

The provenance of sandstones deposited in the late Paleozoic Tepuel-Genoa Basin is analyzed in this paper. Five sections were sampled in Esquel, Sierra de Tepuel, Sierra de Tecka, El Molle, and Río Genoa areas for petrographic and geochemical studies. The sandstones in the Tepuel-Genoa Basin are dominated by feldspathic litharenites and litharenites, showing lithic fragments of volcanic and sedimentary rocks in the Valle Chico Formation and medium-to high-grade metamorphic rock clasts in the rest of the units.Detrital modes of seventy-five sandstones samples from the Valle Chico, Pampa de Tepuel, Mojón de Hierro, and Río Genoa formations were counted and analyzed. Seven modal components have discriminant value for identifying provenance areas (Qm, Qi, Lv, Lmm-h, Lm-Lp, Lm, Qpm). These modal components allow identification of three petrofacies: 1. Quartzose-lithic (Qm69Lv2Lm29), 2. Quartzose (Qm89Lv4Lm7) and 3. Volcanic-sedimentary (Qm60Lv38Lm1). The quartzose-lithic petrofacies is mainly composed of monocrystalline quartz, medium- and high-grade metamorphic clasts and polycrystalline quartz with cataclastic texture, this assemblage is interpreted as being derived from the crystalline rocks that form the Deseado Massif. The quartzose petrofacies is composed of monocrystalline quartz with scarce contributions of metamorphic clasts and traces of volcanic fragments; the provenance area is ascribed to sedimentary terrains, which most likely covered part of the Deseado Massif. The volcanic-sedimentary petrofacies is comprised of volcanic (acidic and intermediate rocks) and sedimentary (sandstone and mudstone) clasts, with discrete amounts of quartz grains with idiomorph shapes and embayments. This assemblage may correspond to material supply from the Devonian-Early Carboniferous accretionary complex developed in Chile or the unroofing of the western volcanic arc located in the central part of Patagonia. The validity of the three defined petrofacies was evaluated using Principal Component Analysis and triangular compositional diagrams; both methods show good separation and lack of overlap between the three petrofacies. Major (Si, Al, Fe, Na, K) and trace-REE elements (Zr, Th, Sc, Hf) were used to improve the petrographic information. The relation SiO2 against K2O/Na2O indicates that the Pampa de Tepuel and the Mojón de Hierro formations correspond to a passive margin, while the Valle Chico and Río Genoa formations represent different types of active continental margins. The Th/Sc and Zr/Sc ratios and the Th-Hf-Co distributions indicate that the sandstones of the Tepuel Group were formed from rocks compatibles with the average composition of the upper continental crust.

Variabilidade espacial de atributos físicos de terra preta de índio sob pastagem (Brachiaria brizanta sp. L.) em Novo Aripuanã, Amazonas, Brasil

As Terras Pretas de Índio (TPIs) são unidades de solo que apresentam como característica marcante a coloração escura e a presença de fragmentos de cerâmica e/ou líticos e artefatos indígenas incorporados à matriz dos horizontes superficiais do solo. O solo pode ser degradado, por ações naturais, ou humanas, sendo a agricultura e a pecuária as principais atividades humanas que causam a degradação do solo. Desta forma, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade espacial dos atributos físicos de terra preta de índio sob cultivo de pastagem em Novo Aripuanã, Amazonas, Brasil. Foi realizado o mapeamento da área de TPI com uso de pastagem, nesta foi demarcada uma malha de 80 m x 56 m com espaçamento regular de 8 m, sendo 88 pontos em três profundidade (0,00-0,05; 0,05-0,10 e 0,10-0,20m) totalizando 264 amostras. Esses pontos foram georreferenciados com um equipamento de GPS para construção do Modelo Digital de Elevação (MDE). Realizaram-se as seguintes análises físicas: macroporosidade, microporosidade, porosidade total do solo, resistência do solo a penetração, densidade do solo e umidade gravimétrica do solo. A partir dos dados obtidos foram realizadas análises descritivas e de geoestatística. Pela análise geoestatística constatou-se que os atributos apresentam grande variabilidade, baixo grau de correlação e moderado grau de dependência; a microporosidade foi o atributo que apresentou o maior alcance (55 m) e consequentemente uma maior variabilidade.

Petrography and Tectonic Provenance of the Cretaceous Sandstones of the Bredasdorp Basin, off the South Coast of South Africa: Evidence from Framework Grain Modes

The Cretaceous sandstones of the Bredasdorp Basin were investigated to recognize their composition, provenance, and tectonic setting. Ninety-two samples of sandstones from exploration wells E-AH1, E-AJ1, E-BA1, E-BB1, and E-D3 were investigated using both petrographic and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Petrographic studies based on quantitative investigation of the detrital framework grain shows that the Bredasdorp sandstones chiefly consist of quartz (52.2–68.0%), feldspar (10.0–18.0%), and lithic fragments (5.0–10.2%). These sandstones are mostly fine grained, moderately well-sorted, and subrounded to rounded. The modal composition data shows that the sandstones could be classified as subarkosic arenite and lithic arkose. Such a composition of the sandstones perhaps indicates the interplay of pulses of fast uplift of the source area and rapid subsidence of the Bredasdorp Basin, with subsequent periods of calmness within the transgressive-regressive sequence in a rift tectonic regime. The provenance ternary diagrams revealed that the sandstones are mainly of continental block provenances (stable shields and basement uplifted areas) and complemented by recycled sands from an associated platform. The tectonic provenance studies of Bredasdorp Basin revealed that the sandstones are typically rift sandstones and have undergone long-distance transport from the source area along the rift. In the regional context of the evolution of the Bredasdorp Basin, the results presented in this study inferred that the basin developed on a rift passive setting (trailing edge) of the stable continental margins.

Geochemistry of the Palaeocene‐Eocene Upper Kelalan Formation, NW Borneo: Implications on palaeoweathering, tectonic setting, and provenance

The stratigraphic records of Palaeocene‐Eocene are studied with interest as they encompass significant high‐resolution information on the environmental and climatic signals. Here, we present whole‐rockgeochemistry, mineralogy, and petrography of the turbiditic sedimentary rocks of the Upper Kelalan Formation, NW Borneo, and constraints on palaeoweathering, tectonic setting, and provenance. These are fine‐medium‐grained, poor to moderately sorted, angular to sub‐rounded litharenites with lesser occurrences of arkose, wacke, and Fe‐sandstone. The dominant proportion of monocrystalline and polycrystalline quartz, followed by K‐feldspar and plagioclase and minor amounts of lithic fragments, zircon, etc., with nil‐appreciable quantities of clay occur in these rocks. Chemical weathering indices (CIA, CIW, and PIA) values and A‐CN‐K plot show that the source area has undergone a moderate to an intense degree of chemical weathering and also influenced by the recycling effect. The majority of the sediments are derived from the felsic source area (i.e., granites) with some minor input from the metasedimentary/metamorphic terrain. Based on the geochemical ratios and discriminant diagrams, it is determined that the Schwaner Mountains and its metamorphic group of rocks were the principal provenances with some input from West Borneo Group of rocks. Our data suggest the sediments were deposited initially in an active continental margin setting during the Palaeocene that may have shifted to a passive margin setting during the Eocene age.

Genesis of diagenetic zeolites and their impact on reservoir formation in the Middle Permian Lower-Wuerhe Formation of the Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, Northwest China

Zeolites are important diagenetic minerals in petroleum reservoirs and have complex impacts on reservoir quality. To highlight this critical and challenging issue, we conduct a case study in the Middle Permian Lower-Wuerhe Formation in the Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, China. Formation mechanism of zeolites and their impacts on the reservoir quality. Our results show that there are five types of zeolite minerals (i.e. laumontite, heulandite, analcime, stilbite, and clinoptilolite) in the Lower-Wuerhe Formation reservoir, with laumontite and heulandite being the main types. Petrographic and geochemical data suggested that laumontites developed in the Lower-Wuerhe Formation were mainly precipitated from pore water, whereas heulandites were formed associated with alteration of volcanic materials. In addition, the distribution of different type of zeolite minerals is generally controlled by sedimentary facies. The heulandite–laumontite zone developed mainly in the front of fan-delta plain, and the laumontite zone developed mainly in fan-delta front. The distal part of fan-delta front is dominated by albite. The zeolite mineral assemblages are generally controlled by geochemical composition of volcanic lithic fragments. The high content of intermediate-basic volcanic lithic fragments in the eastern Mahu Slope sediments is responsible for authigenic minerals such as heulandite, chlorite, and laumontite. However, the content of intermediate-basic volcanic lithic fragments in the western Mahu Slope sediments is low which results in the cement in this region is dominated by laumontite and mixed-layer illite/smectite. In general, conglomerates deposited in fan-delta front are favorable for the formation of early laumontite and late dissolution of laumontite due to resistance to compaction by coarse fraction and accumulation of acidic fluids in structural highs, which resulted in the formation of a high-quality reservoir. Our results have general implications for hydrocarbon exploration of the zeolite-bearing conglomerate reservoirs in non-marine petroliferous basins.

Reef geomorphology and associated habitats of Karimunjawa Islands, Indonesia: a spatial approach to improve coastal and small islands management

The Karimunjawa Islands are situated in the offshore Jepara region of Central Java with abundant coastal and marine resources including coral reefs. The reef geomorphology appears typical of fringing reefs worldwide comprising reef flat, reef crest and reef slope. The reef geomorphic profiles are generally gently sloping seaward with slightly raised reef crest along the reef edge. The reefs slope moderately (15-30°) at the upper forereef slope (~ 5-10 m deep) and tend to drop steeply, sometimes almost vertical, at depths of 10-30 m. The coral communities are found from the intertidal to a depth of about 15 m, with the most vigorous development occurring between 1.5 to 5 m. The reef flats have a low coral cover and are extensively covered by a mixture of seagrass beds and carbonate sand. The reef crests, which mark boundaries between reef flat and upper forereef slope, are mainly colonized by mixed Acropora corals, mainly A. Hyacinthus. The forereef slopes have substantial coral growth prevailing mixed branching Acropora, Porites cylindrica and Porites sp. Sediments on the reef flats are mainly bioclastic materials derived from reef-erosion, including coral fragments, mollusks, foraminifera, red algae, Halimeda, Echinodermata, aggregate, quartz and lithic fragments. Seagrass beds, mainly Enhalus, occur on the inner reef flat and are gradually shifted to macroalgae, predominantly Sargassum. The study provides a basic requirement for fisheries management and environmental monitoring for a mid-Sunda Shelf within a biodiversity “hotspot”.

Grain assemblages and diagenesis in organic-rich mudrocks, Upper Pennsylvanian Cline shale (Wolfcamp D), Midland Basin, Texas

Grain assemblages in the organic-rich Cline shale in the Midland Basin are dominated by components of extrabasinal derivation (11.4 to 98.5 vol. %; average volume: 82.6%). Major extrabasinal components include K-rich clay minerals, detrital quartz, albite, K-feldspar, micas, and lithic fragments. Intrabasinal components include mainly biosiliceous allochems (sponge spicules and radiolarians), agglutinated foraminifera, Ca-phosphate peloids, clay-rich peloids, organomineralic aggregates, intraclasts, and other biocalcareous allochems. Authigenic minerals are most evident as grain replacements, euhedral ankerite, Ca-phosphate cement, and precipitates in large pores. A strongly localized spatial distribution of diagenetic products at micron to centimeter scales is observed in most siliciclastic samples, except in biosiliceous allochem-rich ones in which abundant intergranular pore-filling clay-size microquartz cement is observed. Compaction is evident in the Cline shale because of low porosity and generally low cement volumes. Neither textural variation nor bulk mineral composition alone is sufficient to confidently decipher the rock bulk property (e.g., total organic carbon) and reservoir quality variation (e.g., porosity and permeability). However, a good negative relationship between the ratio of extrabasinal to intrabasinal grains and favorable reservoir properties is observed in the Cline shale. Specifically, higher porosity, permeability, and total organic carbon are observed in samples representing the extreme end members of intrabasinal-derived biosilica-rich layers. Nickel, a recognized proxy for paleoproductivity, exhibits a positive relationship with intrabasinal grain content and reservoir properties. X-ray fluorescence–based analysis of nickel can be a rapid and cost-effective way to delineate favorable unconventional reservoir quality in the Cline shale.

Linking the influence of diagenetic properties and clay texture on reservoir quality in sandstones from NW Borneo

Reservoir studies in the Sandakan sub-basin NW Borneo are challenging and inexplicable due to complex diagenetic effects such as compaction, cementation, dissolution and depositional means including grain size, sorting and packing with reference to clay texture. These diagenetic effects together impart significant amounts of uncertainty on reservoir quality assessment. In this regard, we documented the mineralogical, diagenetic and reservoir properties of sandstones from the Sandakan Formation, NW Borneo through thin sections, SEM, XRD, XRF, He-porosimeter and poroperm. In order to analyze the influential parameters, we used matrix, grain rearrangement and clay coating around detrital grains for the reservoir quality. Our results show that the sub-litharenites to quartz arenite that dominate in the sandstones are drawn from recycled orogenic sand. Furthermore, reservoir properties of the sandstones were ascertained to be controlled by diagenesis, micro quartz with clay coatings and pressure dissolution of feldspar with the alteration of lithic fragments. The result shows that the physical compaction, rearrangements and ductility of grains were the reasons that reduced porosity and permeability. The main reason for porosity reduction in the present study is pressure dissolution that resulted in the form of chemical compaction induced by micas with grain contacts. Nonetheless, through SEM and petrography, clay coatings around the grains and dissolution of feldspar were found to optimally contribute to the preservation of reservoir properties. Dissolution of feldspar and kaolinization resulted in the formation of secondary porosity that allows meteoric water to percolate through the open and detachment spaces of quartz or other grains. This percolation is also responsible in enhancing the pore throat radii in the reservoir media of the analyzed sandstones. These traits are obliging to diagenetic effects on porosity and permeability, which are linked with the physical compaction and clays coating to reduce and preserve the reservoir properties respectively of same type of reservoirs globally.

Fluvial deposits of the Diamante Formation as a record of the Late Cretaceous tectonic activity in the Southern Central Andes, Mendoza, Argentina

The Upper Cretaceous nonmarine deposits of the Neuquén Basin have an important regional exposure. These deposits are included in the Neuquén Group, a well-studied unit in both the south and central part of the basin. However, the northernmost exposed between the Laguna del Diamante and the Atuel River-assigned to the Diamante Formation-have not been studied in detail. In the studied area, the Diamante Formation corresponds to a braided fluvial system with moderate sinuosity evolving through time towards an anastomosing fluvial system. Petrographic analyses indicate that sandstones belong to feldspatic litharenites and litharenites, while the source area indicates provenance from both a recycled orogen and a transitional arc. The latter could be linked to the exhumation of the Andean orogen located to the west and to the input from the north-eastern border of the Neuquén Basin, represented by the rocks currently exposed in the San Rafael Block. On a macroscopic scale, the presence of calcareous lithic fragments in the mid and upper part of the surveyed stratigraphic section, strongly suggest an input from the west. This indicates an important change in the polarity of the basin and the presence of a deformation front located to the west of the study area in accordance to previous proposals in equivalent deposits to the south of study area.

Characteristics and emplacement mechanisms of the Coranzulí ignimbrites (Central Andes)

We present a detailed stratigraphy of the Coranzulí caldera-forming deposits. This caldera, located in the Altiplano-Puna Volcanic Complex (Central Andes), generated four ignimbrite deposits with similar field characteristics and facies that differ from each other in, above all, the nature of the lithic fragments they contain. Three different lithofacies (fine-grained cross-stratified facies, massive lithic breccia facies and massive ignimbrite facies) are found in all the ignimbrite deposits, which occasionally also contain a lenticular lithic-rich facies and/or a pumice-rich facies. These field characteristics and, in particular, local deposit thicknesses were used to develop a theoretical model of the dynamics and emplacement mode of the Coranzulí pyroclastic flows. Our results show that these ignimbrites were emplaced by dense pyroclastic density currents subjected to high accumulation rates and velocities, thereby indicating rapid en masse emplacement that was also influenced by local paleotopography as deduced from facies analysis.

Diagenesis and reservoir quality of lacustrine deep-water gravity-flow sandstones in the Eocene Shahejie Formation in the Dongying sag, Jiyang depression, eastern China

The lacustrine deep-water gravity-flow sandstone reservoirs in the middle of the third member of the Shahejie Formation (43.7–38.2 Ma) are the main exploration targets for hydrocarbons in the Dongying sag, Jiyang depression, eastern China. The impact of diagenesis on reservoir quality of these sandstones has been established by a variety of methods. Petrographically, the sandstones consist mainly of lithic arkose (with 43% of quartz, 33% of feldspar, and 24% of lithic fragment) with reservoirs having average porosity and permeability values of 17.1% and 38.1 md, respectively. In addition to their primary intergranular pores, secondary pores are well developed from feldspar dissolution, with pore-throat radii ranging from 0.01 to 40 μm. The dissolution of feldspar and transformation of smectite to illite may be the sources of silica for the first phase of quartz overgrowth, whereas illitization of kaolinite may be responsible for the second phase of quartz overgrowth. In addition, pressure dissolution of quartz is also an important source of silica for quartz overgrowth. Dissolution of feldspar has little impact on reservoir quality, whereas compaction and carbonate cementation are the main factors significantly reducing reservoir quality. Oil charge may have retarded carbonate cementation and generated overpressure that retarded compaction, thus preserving porosity. Precipitation of vermicular kaolinite, resulting from feldspar dissolution, promoted a change in the wettability of the reservoir, from water wet to oil wet, which is beneficial for oil entrapment. The central parts of medium- to thick-bedded sandstones that have experienced oil charge twice appear to have the highest-quality reservoirs based on petrophysical properties. This work provides a new interpretation of the formation mechanism of high-quality lacustrine deep-water gravity-flow sandstones reservoirs that have experienced multiple periods of oil charge.

Late Paleozoic detrital history of eastern Gondwanaland: petrofacies and detrital geochronology of Permo-Carboniferous intracratonic sequences of the northwest Bengal Basin

ABSTRACTPermo-Carboniferous Gondwanan sequences have been reported from several isolated basins of Peninsular India. These siliciclastic sequences were preserved in several intracratonic basins in northwest Bangladesh. Sandstone petrography, heavy-mineral assemblages, mineral chemistry, and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of sediment cores were used in this study to decipher the provenance history of Gondwanan sediments at two localities (Khalashpir and Barapukuria). Petrographic studies suggest that these sequences are mostly immature and poorly sorted arkosic sandstones (Khalashpir-Qt60F27L13, Barapukuria-Qt52F31L17), with compositions ranging from quartzarenite to litharenite. Among lithic fragments, sedimentary types are abundant. Heavy minerals are volumetrically rare and of low diversity in sediments of northwest Bangladesh. Garnet geochemistry indicates that metamorphic grades in the source terranes were of the amphibolite to granulite facies. Laser 40Ar/39Ar ages for single crystals of detrital muscovite from the deepest drilled Gondwanan sequences yielded the broadest age range, with a dominant mode at circa 515 Ma and lesser clusters of ages at circa 550, 570, and 600 Ma. The other two shallower samples are dominated by ages with similar single modes at circa 495–500 Ma. The oldest muscovite crystals may have been derived from the adjacent Indian craton and/or the Meghalayan craton. Younger muscovite crystals may have been contributed from the Pinjarra Orogen, formed during episodes of Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic collision among India, Antarctica, and Australia.

Characteristics of Mesoproterozoic Felsic Meta-Volcanics from the Shillong Group of Rocks, Meghalaya, North East India

Shillong Group comprises a thick meta-volcano-sedimentary sequence forming a part of Shillong Plateau and Mikir Hills. The litho variants of felsic meta-volcanics are characterized in detail based on their constituent material, textural variation, depositional feature and mode of eruption. Lava flows are characterized as porphyritic, spherulitic and aphyric type whereas pyroclastic deposits are classified as tuff breccia, lapilli tuff, tuffand ignimbrite. Fractured crystal and brecciated lithic fragments in tuff; fiamme and eutaxitic texture of ignimbrite suggest for subaerial eruption. The felsic meta-volcanics are rhyolitic to dacitic in composition and interbedded with tuffaceous phyllite, phyllite and quartzite.

Investigations on Fracture Evolution of Coal Measure Sandstones from Mineralogical and Textural Points of View

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the variations in fracture evolution of sandstones arising from mineralogical and textural features. For this purpose, eight types of coal measure sandstones located in the Zonguldak Hardcoal Basin (ZHB) were considered. The mineralogical and textural characterizations of the rocks were carried out. Physico-mechanical properties were determined for each rock type. Based on quantitative strain-based methods, the crack initiation (σci) and crack damage (σcd) thresholds of the sandstones were determined. The laboratory test results indicate that the σci and σcd of the sandstones were found to be between 0.27–0.43 and 0.61–0.83 of the UCS, respectively. In general, the σci and σcd correspond to 0.37 and 0.71 of the UCS, respectively. The σci and σcd decrease with increasing the sorting coefficient (Sc), average grain size (d50, mm), contents of feldspar (F, %), and lithic fragment (LF, %). On the other hand, increasing quartz content (Qtz, %) increases those variables. Remarkable changes were obtained in the σci and σcd when effective porosity (ne) and pulse wave velocity (Vp) of the rocks exceed 3% and 3.00 km/s, respectively. As a result of mineralogical analyses and laboratory studies, statistical analyses were carried out. Accordingly, the σci and σcd could be estimated reliably using several empirical relationships established in the present study. In order to represent the importance and utilization of rock mineralogy and texture for underground mining applications in the ZHB, several suggestions and considerations related to a V-cut gallery blasting operation were introduced.

Transition from Late Jurassic rifting to middle Cretaceous dynamic foreland, southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico

AbstractSubsidence history and sandstone provenance of the Bisbee basin of southwestern New Mexico, southern Arizona, and northern Sonora, Mexico, demonstrate basin evolution from an array of Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rift basins to a partitioned middle Cretaceous retroarc foreland basin. The foreland basin contained persistent depocenters that were inherited from the rift basin array and determined patterns of Albian–early Cenomanian sediment routing. Upper Jurassic and Valanginian–Aptian strata were deposited in three narrow extensional basins, termed the Altar-Cucurpe, Huachuca, and Bootheel basins. Initially rapid Late Jurassic subsidence in the basins slowed in the Early Cretaceous, then increased again from mid-Albian through middle Cenomanian time, marking an episode of foreland subsidence. Sandstone composition and detrital zircon provenance indicate different sediment sources in the three basins and demonstrate their continued persistence as depocenters during Albian foreland basin development. Late Jurassic basins received sediment from a nearby magmatic arc that migrated westward with time. Following a 10–15 m.y. depositional hiatus, an Early Cretaceous continental margin arc supplied sediment to the Altar-Cucurpe basin in Sonora as early as ca. 136 Ma, but local sedimentary and basement sources dominated the Huachuca basin of southern Arizona until catchment extension tapped the arc source at ca. 123 Ma. The Bootheel basin of southwestern New Mexico received sediment only from local basement and recycled sedimentary sources with no contemporary arc source evident. During renewed Albian–Cenomanian subsidence, the arc continued to supply volcanic-lithic sand to the Altar-Cucurpe basin, which by then was the foredeep of the foreland basin. Sandstone of the Bootheel basin is more quartzose than the Altar-Cucurpe basin, but uncommon sandstone beds contain neovolcanic lithic fragments and young zircon grains that were transported to the basin as airborne ash. Latest Albian–early Cenomanian U-Pb tuff ages, detrital zircon maximum depositional ages ranging from ca. 102 Ma to 98 Ma, and ammonite fossils all demonstrate equivalence of middle Cretaceous proximal foreland strata of the U.S.-Mexico border region with distal back-bulge strata of the Cordilleran foreland basin. Marine strata buried a former rift shoulder in southwestern New Mexico during late Albian to earliest Cenomanian time (ca. 105–100 Ma), prior to widespread transgression in central New Mexico (ca. 98 Ma). Lateral stratigraphic continuity across the former rift shoulder likely resulted from regional dynamic subsidence following late Albian collision of the Guerrero composite volcanic terrane with Mexico and emplacement of the Farallon slab beneath the U.S.–Mexico border region. Inferred dynamic subsidence in the foreland of southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico was likely augmented in Sonora by flexural subsidence adjacent to an incipient thrust load driven by collision of the Guerrero superterrane.