Na costa do leste do Brasil, destacam-se importantes acumulações de carbonatos lacustres do Cretáceo (Aptiano) relacionadas à fase de rift que precede a abertura do Oceano Atlântico, estes carbonatos consistem principalmente em espessos pacotes de bivalves associados a sedimentos siliciclásticos finos. Na bacia de Campos este intervalo equivale a Formação Coqueiros e é portador de hidrocarbonetos sendo reservatório nos campos de Badejo, Linguado, Pampo e Trilha. Estes reservatórios são o foco deste estudo, que teve como objetivo aprofundar o conhecimento desses depósitos através da análise das fácies e associações de fácies para definição de sequências seguindo a compreensão atual dos conceitos de estratigrafia de sequência. Foram descritos testemunhos de poços associados a análise de dados de perfil e sísmica através das quais foram definidas dezesseis fácies. A classificação das fácies utilizou critérios sedimentológicos associados a conceitos tafonômicos o que permitiu a intepretação dos processos sedimentares envolvidos em sua deposição Estas fácies foram agrupadas em associações de acordo com gradiente hidrodinâmico de uma plataforma dominada por ondas o que permitiu a interpretação dos padrões de empilhamento e definição de tratos de sistema transgressivos e regressivos. Foi proposto um ciclo ideal de alta frequência com a sucessão esperada de fácies para cada trato que serviu de base para interpretação de sequências de alta e média frequência. Esta análise permitiu a definição de três sequências internas no intervalo conhecido como Coquina Inferior, correlacionadas entre os poços que possuíam a melhor amostragem do intervalo permitindo assim analisar a variação vertical e lateral de fácies. A metodologia proposta permite a intepretação da estratigrafia em uma escala de maior detalhe auxiliando a interpretação da ocorrência de fácies e sua distribuição espacial na escala de dezenas a centenas de metros. Este tipo de análise é importante para desenvolvimento da produção de campos de hidrocarbonetos sendo útil na construção de modelos geológicos. Pode ser aplicável a ambientes análogos com similaridades quanto à composição das rochas e os processos envolvidos em sua deposição, como a Formação Itapema análoga na Bacia de Santos. / On the eastern Brazilian coast there is an important accumulation of Cretaceous lacustrine carbonates linked to the rift phase, which precedes the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. These carbonates consist mainly of bivalve packages associated with fine siliciclastic sediments. In the Campos Basin this interval is denominated Coqueiros Formation and constitutes a hydrocarbon reservoir in the fields of Badejo, Linguado, Pampo and Trilha. These reservoirs are the focus of this study, which aimed to detail the knowledge of these deposits through the analysis of facies and their associations in order to define sequences according to the present understanding of sequence stratigraphy concepts. Core samples description, well logs and seismic data analyses have been carried out, allowing the definition of sixteen facies. The facies classification was based on sedimentary characteristics associated with taphonomic concepts that allowed the interpretation of sedimentary processes involved in the deposition. These facies were grouped in associations according to a hydrodynamic gradient of a wave-dominated platform, which allowed the interpretation of stacking patterns and the definition of both transgressive and regressive system tracts It was proposed an ideal high frequency cycle with the facies succession from each tract which was used for the interpretation of high and medium frequency sequences. This analysis allowed the definition of three internal sequences in the so-called Lower Coquina Interval correlated among the best sampled wells, and the analysis of vertical and lateral variation of facies. The proposed methodology allows the interpretation of the stratigraphy in a small scale contributing to the interpretation of the occurrence of facies and their spatial distribution in a scale of tens to hundreds of meters. This type of analysis is important for the development of production in a hydrocarbon field and is useful for the construction of geological models and is applicable to similar environments with same composition of the rocks and similarities in the processes involved in their deposition, such as the Itapema Formation in the Santos Basin.

As camadas de carvão de idade Permiana da Formação Rio Bonito de Candiota constituem o maior depósito do país. Atualmente são mineradas duas camadas, denominadas “Camada Candiota Superior” e “Camada Candiota Inferior”. As outras camadas, S1-S9 (camadas superiores) e I1-I5 (camadas inferiores), não são explotadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um detalhamento das camadas inferiores, superiores e Banco Louco do depósito, utilizando como metodologia a aplicação dos conceitos de sedimentologia e estratigrafia de sequências; petrologia do carvão (descrição dos litotipos, análise da reflectância da vitrinita e análise de macerais) e análises químicas (imediatas, elementares, poder calorífico e difração de raios X). Foram identificados quatro sistemas deposicionais na área: leque aluvial, fluvial, laguna-barreira e marinho raso. A partir da base, a sucessão de litofácies compreende conglomerados matriz-suportado e arenitos grossos, sugerindo um ambiente típico para sistemas de leques aluviais e fluviais, com camadas de carvão pouco desenvolvidas (camadas inferiores). As principais camadas de carvão (espessas e contínuas) ocorrem no subambiente lagunar, no final do Trato de Sistemas Transgressivo da seqüência 2. As camadas superiores desenvolvem-se no Trato de Sistemas de Nível Alto e Trato de Sistemas de Nível Baixo, sendo tipicamente finas e descontinuas. Em seguida ocorrem sedimentos marinhos no topo da seção (Formação Palermo), sobrepostos à sucessão portadora de carvão. Os resultados das reflectâncias da vitrinita das camadas analisadas indicam um rank de carvão sub-bituminoso C (Rrandom= 0,36% - 0,47%), com evidências de alguns valores anômalos baixos relacionados ao alto conteúdo de matéria mineral. A análise dos litotipos determinou o litotipo fosco (durênio) predominante. A composição dos macerais é altamente variável, com algumas camadas extremamente ricas em macerais do grupo da inertinita (fusinita, semifusinita, inertodetrinita). A petrologia juntamente com a estratigrafia de seqüências mostra que as características do carvão são controladas pelo ambiente deposicional. Os resultados da análise elementar apresentam teores médios em peso das amostras de 28,3% para o carbono, 2,8% para o hidrogênio, 0,6% para o nitrogênio, 1,9% para o enxofre total e 20,3% para o oxigênio. A matéria volátil apresenta em média 43,6% em peso (d.a.f.) classificando as camadas de carvão como sub-bituminoso A. O poder calorífico calculado em uma base seca e livre de cinzas (d.a.f.) obteve valor médio de 5588 cal/g, classificando as amostras como sub-bituminoso B. Através da difração de raios X a mineralogia é constituída principalmente por quartzo, caolinita e ilita. As camadas de carvão analisadas são ricas em cinzas, utilizando os critérios do International Classification of in-Seam Coals (1998), a maioria das camadas é classificada como carvões de categoria muito inferior, entretanto, as camadas S4, I1, I4 e I5 são classificadas como rochas carbonosas (>50% em peso de cinza). Conforme dados da CRM, a usina termelétrica Presidente Médici pode operar com até 53% % em peso de cinzas e 2,0 de enxofre total. Assim sendo, as camadas S3, S6, S7, S8, S9, BL, I3 e I4 atenderiam as exigências de teor de cinzas e enxofre total máximo e exigido pela termelétrica. / The Candiota Coalfield, RS, is the largest coal deposit in the country, with coal seams developed in the Permian age the Rio Bonito Formation. Currently two seams are mined, called "Seam Candiota Superior" and "Seam Candiota Inferior". The other seams, S1-S9 (upper seams) and I1-I5 (lower seams) have not being mined so far. The aim of the present study was a characterization of the lower and upper seams of the deposit using methods of sequence stratigraphy and sedimentology, coal petrology (coal lithotypes, vitrinite reflectance, maceral analyses), and chemical characterization (proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, calorific value determination and x-ray diffraction). Sedimentological analyses identified four depositional systems in the area: alluvial fan, fluvial, lagoon-barrier and shallow marine. From the base, the succession of lithofacies comprises matrix-supported conglomerates and coarse grained sandstones, suggesting a typical environment for systems dominated by alluvial fans and river, with poorly developed coal seams (lower seams). The main coal seams (continuous, thick) occur in a lagoon-type subenvironment at the final stage of a transgressive systems tract of sequence 2. The upper seams developed in a Highstand Systems Tract and Lowstand Systems Tract, and are typically thin and discontinuous. Marine sediments occur at the top of the section (Palermo Formation), overlapping the coal-bearing strata. The results of the vitrinite reflectance measurements of the coal seams indicate a rank of sub-bituminous C (Rrandom = 0.36 - 0.47%), with evidence of some anomalous low values related to the high content of mineral matter. The dominant lithotype in the coal seams is durain. The maceral composition is highly variable, with some seams extremely rich in the maceral group inertinita (fusinite, semifusinite, inertodetrinite). The petrology along with the sequence stratigraphic interpretation show that the characteristics of the coal seams are controlled by depositional environment. Results from elemental analysis show that the average content (wt.%) were: 28.3% carbon, 2.8 % hydrogen, 0.6% for nitrogen, 1.9% for total sulfur and 20.3% for oxygen. The average volatile matter content obtained from proximate analyses is 43.6 wt% (daf), classifying the seams as sub-bituminous A. The average calorific value calculated on an dry, ash-free basis (daf) is 5588 cal /g, classifying the samples as sub-bituminous B. Based on results from x-ray diffraction the mineralogy consists mainly of quartz, kaolinite and illite. The coal seams are rich in ashes, ranging from 32,0 to 62,3 wt%, with most seams according to the International Classification System ranked as very low quality coals. Seams such as S4, I1, I4 and I5 are classified as carbonaceous rocks (> 50 wt.% ash). According to data from CRM, the President Medici power plant in Candiota can operate with coal containing of up to 53% wt% ash and 2,0 wt% total sulfur. Thus, coal seams S3, S6, S7, S8, S9, BL, I3 and I4 meet the requirements of maximum ash and total sulphur contents for combustion in the power plant.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:42:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Leandro_Oliveira.pdf: 7284550 bytes, checksum: f70fdc0eab04270115ab2fbaf7a5f445 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Alluvial fans are good indicators of environmental change and tectonic movement. Thus, it is proposed to investigate which factors influenced the alluvial fan at the mouth of 1st order channel of Chopim River basin at Paraná State. For this, the objectives were 1) identify evidence of neotectonic; 2) characterization stratigraphic units, 3) identification depositional physical processes; 4) seeking records of vegetation change and 5) establish chronological correlation with global events. As a methodological procedure was carried out: 1) field work; 2) laboratory work and 3) office work. The field work consisted of: a) establishment of the stratigraphic section HS12, descriptions and sampling of materials; b) topography in drainage basin of 1st order channel on alluvial fan; c) electromagnetic and manual surveys on the deposit of alluvial fan and d) structural survey on the slope. The laboratory work for the stratigraphic section HS12 on the bedside of the alluvial fan included: a) particle size analysis of the matrix; b ) reason of stable isotopes of carbon 13/12 (δ¹³C) and c) radiocarbon dating (14C). In relation to work in the office was held activities such as: a) treatment of grain size data of matrix by Sysgran; b) organization and interpretation of field descriptions and laboratory; c) photointerpretation and d) GIS. Based on the results, it is concluded that the evolution of alluvial fan occurs from 2 main times. In the first time, it is inferred tectonic movement type half-graben previous to the alluvial fan and subsequently the deposition of colluvial facies. In the second time, the occurrence of environmental changes affecting the water regime, accompanied by the change of C3 to C4 vegetation, which in turn causes morphogenetic processes. Simultaneous vegetation change occurs to the alluvial facies. / Leques aluviais são bons indicadores de mudança ambiental e movimento tectônico. Dessa maneira, propõe-se investigar que fatores influenciaram o leque aluvial em desembocadura de canal de 1ª ordem, bacia do Rio Chopim - PR. Para isso, os objetivos foram 1) identificar indícios de neotectônica; 2) caracterizar unidades estratigráficas; 3) identificar processos deposicionais físicos; 4) buscar registros de mudança na vegetação e 5) estabelecer correlação cronológica com eventos globais. Como procedimento metodológico realizou-se: 1) trabalho de campo; 2) trabalho laboratorial e 3) trabalho em gabinete. O trabalho de campo consistiu de: a) estabelecimento da seção estratigráfica HS12, descrições e amostragem dos materiais; b) topografia da bacia de drenagem de 1ª ordem do leque aluvial; c) sondagens eletromagnética e manual sobre o depósito do leque aluvial e d) levantamento estrutural sobre a vertente. O trabalho laboratorial para a seção estratigráfica HS12 na cabeceira do leque aluvial compreendeu: a) análise granulométrica da matriz; b) razão de isótopos estáveis do carbono 13/12 (δ¹³C) e c) datação radiocarbônica (14C). Em relação ao trabalho em gabinete realizou-se atividades como: a) tratamento dos dados granulométricos da matriz pelo Sysgran; b) organização e interpretação das descrições de campo e laboratorial; c) fotointerpretação e d) geoprocessamento. Baseado nos resultados, conclui-se que a evolução do leque aluvial ocorre a partir de 2 momentos principais. Para o primeiro momento, é inferida a ocorrência de movimento tectônico tipo meio-gráben anterior ao leque aluvial e posteriormente a deposição da fácies coluvial. Já no segundo momento, a ocorrência de mudanças ambientais afetando o regime hídrico, sendo acompanhada pela mudança de vegetação C3 para C4 que, por sua vez, provoca processos morfogenéticos. Simultânea a mudança da vegetação ocorre à fácies aluvial.

Pilot Valley, located in the eastern Basin and Range, north of Wendover, UT, contains numerous shorelines and depositional remnants of late Pleistocene Lake Bonneville. These remnants present classic ground penetrating radar (GPR) targets due to their coherent stratification, low clay, low salinity, and low moisture content. Three-dimensional (3D) GPR imaging can resolve fine-scale stratigraphy of these deposits down to a few centimeters. While lake levels fluctuated due to flooding events, climatic changes were the dominant factor in controlling lake levels. In Pilot Valley, the paleowind entered from the northwest, with storms coming from the south, and circulated clockwise around the basin, forming offshore sand bars. On the western side of the valley, a uniquely well-preserved interpreted regressive phase beach deposit, dated late Pleistocene, is hypothesized to have been a point bar shortly after the Provo Shoreline period. 3D GPR data, measured stratigraphic sections, cores, mineralogical analysis, and the collection of gastropod samples for radiocarbon dating constrain a reconstruction of the deposit's depositional environment and local paleoclimate for Lake Bonneville. The GPR images, visualized with state-of-the-art petroleum industry tools, reveal fine-scale stratigraphic detail that can be analyzed using seismic stratigraphy concepts. Our study provides a comprehensive model for ancient pluvial lake-shore depositional environments in a Basin and Range setting using an integration of geological and geophysical data.

Silurian strata of eastern North America have been thoroughly studied for nearly two centuries. Through these investigations a general understanding of unit distribution and correlative relationships were established throughout the region. Many of these interpretations remain valid still to this day, however, with advancements in stratigraphic methodologies in the last few decades (e.g., sequence-, chemo-, and biostratigraphy), numerous discrepancies have come to light with regards to the chronostratigraphic correlation of several stratigraphic intervals throughout the region. A number of these discrepancies within the lower Silurian (Llandovery—lower Wenlock) have been resolved in the last two decades permitting the establishment of refined depositional models and sequence stratigraphic hierarchies for strata deposited during this interval of time for the Appalachian, Illinois, and Michigan basins. Though these studies provided significant improvement to the chronostratigraphy of eastern North America, there remained a large under-evaluated stratigraphic interval spanning the remainder of the Silurian (Wenlock—Pridoli), which is host to expansive evaporite reserves and hydrocarbon resources throughout eastern North America. As such, it is critical that these strata are accurately and precisely correlated throughout the region and that temporal constraint be applied to these resources in order to evaluate their potential and develop predictive models for their future utilization. The investigation herein provides high-resolution chronostratigraphic analyses of several core and outcrop from the eastern, southwestern, and western margins of the Appalachian Basin. These analyses included the integration of δ13Ccarb chemostratigraphy, conodont biostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, and subsurface geophysical data. The work herein now permits the establishment of global series and stage boundaries for the upper Silurian throughout the Appalachian and Michigan basins and also addresses regional miscorrelations within strata on both the eastern and western margins of the Appalachian Basin to provide a united sequence stratigraphic hierarchy between the Appalachian, Illinois, and Michigan basins.

L'objectif de ce travail est (1) d'étudier les relations existant entre déformation, érosion et sédimentation et (2) de quantifier les bilans érosion – sédimentation dans un rift continental en domaine tropical : le rift Albert, localisé au nord de la branche ouest du Rift est-africain. Cette étude consiste en une triple analyse de la déformation, du remplissage sédimentaire (biochronostratigraphie, sédimentologie et stratigraphie séquentielle) et des formes du relief (géomorphologie) basée sur l'interprétation de données de subsurface et d'affleurement. Un modèle d'âge des sédiments a été obtenu en combinant données biostratigraphiques, corrélations séquentielles et courbes de variations des paléoprécipitations. L'analyse sédimentologique a permis de caractériser (1) la source des sédiments et (2) le milieu de sédimentation qui consiste en un lac pérenne profond (<100 m) alimenté par des dépôts de crues, sans cônes alluviaux significatifs. Couplée à l'analyse des formes du relief, cette étude sédimentologique permet reconstituer l'évolution du bassin et de sa déformation: (1) 55-45 Ma : formation de latérites correspondant à la Surface africaine; (2) 45-22 Ma : dégradation de la Surface africaine à la faveur d'un début de surrection du dôme est-africain et formation d'une pédiplaine dont le niveau de base est l'Océan atlantique; (3) 17-2.5 Ma : initiation du bassin du Lac Albert aux alentours de 17 Ma et création de niveaux de base locaux auquel s'adaptent trois pédiplaines correspondant chacune aux trois dépocentres (Lacs Albert, George et Edward) – la surrection du dôme est-africain se poursuit; (i) 17 à 6.2 Ma : stade bassin « flexural » (vitesse de subsidence : 150-200 m/Ma ; vitesse de sédimentation : 1,3 km3/Ma entre 17 et 12 Ma et 0,6 km3/Ma entre 12 et 6 Ma) – les dépôcentres (localisés au sud) sont peu contrôlés par des failles; (ii) 6.2 à 2.5 Ma : stade rift 1 (vitesse de subsidence : > 500 m/Ma jusqu'à 600-800 m/Ma; vitesse de sédimentation : 2,4 km3/Ma) – paroxysme d'activité du rift; (4) 2.5-0.4 Ma : surrection de la Ruwenzori et changement de type de système alluvial à l'incision d'un réseau de drainage - stade rift 2 (vitesse de subsidence : 450 à 250 m/Ma; vitesse de sédimentation : 1,5 km3/Ma); (5) 0.4-0 Ma : flexuration initiation de la dépression du Lac Victoria, inversion du réseau de drainage et création de l'escarpement. La mesure du bilan-érosion sédimentation montre des ordres de grandeur identiques, avec, entre 17 et 2,5 Ma, un excès de matériel érodé (22 000 km3) par rapport aux sédiments déposés (19 000 à 18 000 km3). De 16%, cette différence de volume peut s'expliquer par la forte érosion chimique qui prévaut durant cette période, laquelle est péjorée par la différence de nature des argiles entre le bassin versant (kaolinites) et le bassin (smectites dominante), la néoformation de smectites à partir de kaolinites requérant des apports d'éléments disponibles dans les solutions issues de l'altération chimique des roches. / The aim of this work is (1) to study the relationships existing between deformation, erosion and sedimentation and (2) to quantify the erosion-sedimentation budget in a continental rift: the Rift Albert located in Uganda, in the north of the Western Branch of the East African Rifts. This study consists in a triple analysis of the deformation, the sedimentary infilling (biochonostratigraphy, sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy) and the landforms (geomorphology) based on the interpretation of subsurface and surface data. An age model of the sedimentary infilling has been obtained by combination of biotratigraphic data, sequential correlations and paleoprecipitation variation curves. The sedimentological analysis led to the characterization (1) of the sediments source – most of the quartz grains coming from the erosion of a lateritic profile (with low transportation) – and (2) of the depositional environment which consist of perennial deep (<100 m) feeding by flood deposits, without evidences of alluvial fan. This sedimentological study, along with the analysis of landforms allow to reconstitute the evolution of the basin and of its deformation: (1) 55-45 Ma: formation of laterites corresponding to the African Surface during the very humid period of the Lower-Middle Eocene; (2) 45-22 Ma: stripping of the African Surface in response of the beginning of the East-African Dome uplift and formation of a pediplain connected to the Atlantic Ocean; (3) 17-2.5 Ma: Initiation of the Lake Albert Basin around 17 Ma and creation of local base levels (Lake Albert, Edward and George) on which three pediplains tend to adapt; (i) 18—16 to 6.2 Ma: "Flexural" stage (subsidence rate: 150-200 m/Ma; sedimentation rate 1.3 km3/Ma between 17 and 12 Ma and 0.6 km3/Ma from 12 to 6 Ma) – depocenters location poorly controlled by fault; (ii) 6.2 Ma to 2.5 Ma: Rift stage 1 (subsidence rate: > 500m/Ma up to 600-800 m/Ma; sedimentation rate: 2.4 km3/Ma) – Rifting climax; (4) 2.5-0.4 Ma: uplift of the Ruwenzori Mountains and shifting from an alluvial system to a network of bedrock river incision – Rift Stage 2 (subsidence rate: 450 to 250 m/Ma; sedimentation rate: 1.5 km3/Ma); (5) 0.4-0 Ma: long wavelength downwarping, initiation of the Lake Victoria trough, drainage network inversion and uplift of the present-day escarpment.The measurement of the erosion-sedimentation budget show the same order of magnitude with, between 17 and 2.5 Ma, an excess of eroded material (22 000 km3) compared to the sediment volume deposited in the basin (19 000 to 18 000 km3). This difference of volume of 16% can be explained by the high chemical erosion occurring during this period, which one is depreciated by the difference of mineralogy of the clays between the catchment (kaolinites) and the sedimentary basin (dominantly smectites), the neoformation of smectites from kaolinites needing the input of element available in the solution resulting from the chemical weathering of the substratum.

The Middle Ordovician Ancell Group, including the St. Peter Sandstone, Glenwood Shale and Starved Rock Formation, records intracontinental basin development during eustatic sea level changes in Iowa and Illinois. The St. Peter Sandstone overlies the Prairie du Chien Group across an erosional unconformity that marks a major sequence boundary, whereas upper contact of the St. Peter Sandstone with the Glenwood Shale also is a second sequence boundary. Data from 80 wells, selected well logs, and 20 cores were integrated to refine the high-resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Ancell Group. Two main sequences bounded by three sequence boundaries are interpreted to represent 3rd order sequences. Distinctive shallowing-upward parasequences bounded by flooding surfaces in many cores record higher frequency relative sea level fluctuations in the Ancell Group, but these cannot presently be correlated regionally. Facies variations define an aggradational transgressive systems tract TST), a prograding highstand systems tract (HST) and down stepping falling stage system tract (FSST) in both the St. Peter Sandstone and the Glenwood Shale-Starved Rock Formation units. The St. Peter Sandstone thickens towards the northeast and thins to the northwest and southwest in Iowa. In contrast, the St. Peter Sandstone in Illinois thickens to the south likely recording a prolonged FSST incised valley or channel fill. Detrital zircon geochronology of 13 samples from the St. Peter Sandstone and Starved Rock Formation define common peaks at 1100-1500 Ma and 2500-2700 Ma with minor components at 1670-1750 Ma and 3000-3600 Ma. The detrital zircon signature is dominated by Archean, and Grenville (1000-1300 Ma) ages. The detrital zircon geochronology indicates that the Ancell Group was sourced directly from the Archean Superior Province to the north and Grenville Province to the northeast, although recycling of Archean grains from the Paleoproterozoic Huron Basin cannot be ruled out. The near complete lack of 1800-1900 Ma ages argues against derivation of detritus from the Trans-Hudson or Penokean Orogens. The Transcontinental Arch northwest of the Iowa Basin acted as a barrier to sediment transport from the Trans-Hudson Orogen. Basement rocks of the Penokean Orogen are inferred to have been covered by water or younger sediments southeast of the Iowa Basin. CIA analyses of Ordovician shale samples from around the Transcontinental Arch indicate that the climate condition during Middle Ordovician time was warm and humid. This is consistent with a paleoclimate interpretation where mechanical erosion and chemical weathering yielded first cycle mature quartz arenites (Witzke, 1980).

Outcrop and petrographic studies of the Eocene Green River and Colton formations in the Uinta basin, Utah, document the facies architecture and heterogeneity characteristic of lacustrine reservoirs. A southwest-northeast transect of Eocene strata in the Uinta basin records three main marginal lacustrine depositional environments: fluvial, deltaic, and wave-dominated. Heterogeneity exists between and within individual depositional systems. Reservoir rocks of Outcrops One and Two (the flu vial facies of the Colton Formation and the deltaic facies of the Green River Formation, respectively) consist of 2 to 18 m thick lenticular, tabular, or undulatory channel-fill, distributary channel, and distributary mouth bar deposits that are partially to entirely compartmentalized, or encased, by mudstone units. These reservoir analog intervals are dominated by large­ scale heterogeneity, in that sand bodies show a variety of connectivity and lateral continuity. Small-scale heterogeneity exists within these sand bodies in the form of mud chip lag surfaces, large mud clast horizons, and discontinuous finer-grained beds. These features add complexity to the systems by reducing flow transmissibility or acting as flow baffles. The complex heterogeneity characteristic of these reservoir analogs confirms the need for detailed reservoir characterization studies on all scales in order to improve exploration and production efficiency in such systems. Outcrop Three (the wave-dominated facies of the Green River Formation) is dominated by thinner (2 to 4 m) tabular and laterally extensive offshore bar deposits that are compartmentalized by mudstone units. Large-scale heterogeneity is minimized in these reservoir analogs, in that sand bodies exhibit excellent lateral continuity and less complex amalgamation. Therefore, documentation of the smaller-scale heterogeneities (similar to those mentioned in the previous two outcrops) is necessary to better address exploration and production potential in these types of reservoirs. Data collected in this study were utilized in geostatistical simulations and fluid flow models in an attempt to document the effects of reservoir heterogeneity on hydrocarbon exploration and production efficiency in lacustrine basins. Further studies of this type are necessary if predictable classification systems and hierarchies of bounding surfaces are to be derived for lacustrine reservoirs. (152 pages)

The Late Pennsylvanian was a time of frequent, rapid glacioeustatic sea-level changes. These changes were recorded in the Wolfcamp D Formation of the Midland Basin as a series of cyclothems similar to those studied in the Midcontinent region (e.g., Algeo and Heckel, 2008). This study focuses on identifying the mechanisms and controls on carbonate deposition and diagenesis through the Upper Pennsylvanian Wolfcamp D Formation and evaluating the potential for these layers to be stratigraphically significant. A stepwise progression of diagenetic processes was identified through the use of δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb, bulk geochemical and petrographic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Carbonate deposition and early-burial diagenesis appears to be strongly influenced by frequent changes in sea-level and benthic redox conditions. The transition to deep-burial diagenesis was controlled by the thermal gradient in the basin and the extent of diagenesis by the amount of clays and organic matter in the surrounding mudrocks. Further diagenesis was induced through interactions with a brine following clay diagenesis. The presence of multiple phases of diagenesis in this system further highlights the need for several lines of inquiry when evaluating the post-depositional evolution of carbonates in a mud-rich setting.

The Late Paleozoic Ice Age represents a dynamic period in Earth system history recording a shift from icehouse to greenhouse conditions. Concomitant with this change was a series high-frequency, high-amplitude sea level fluctuations leading to the deposition of “Kansas type” cyclothems in the Mid-Continent, and a similar rhythmic expression of interbedded shales and carbonates in the Midland Basin. Stable isotope geochemistry is a particularly powerful tool when examining these mud-rich successions because changes in organic matter partitioning may be recorded first in δ13CDIC of sea-water and consequently in δ13Ccarb of marine rocks. The δ13Ccarb record may also illuminate early and late-stage diagenetic processes and associated destruction of organic matter. This study used high-resolution x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and δ13Ccarb measurements to analyze paleo-environmental conditions in two cores within the Midland Basin Wolfcamp Formation. Using this approach, the combination of more positive δ13Ccarb measurements and enrichment of redox-sensitive elements reflect conditions more favorable for organic matter enrichment in the distal core. Additionally, four (< 6 in.) early-diagenetic intervals have been identified representing prolonged periods of reduced or non-deposition based on sharp negative δ13Ccarb excursions. These horizons are proposed as potential chronostratigraphic tie-points between the two core localities.