--> Abstract: High-Resolution Seismic Characterization of a Wolfcamp Carbonate Platform Margin, by J. S. Sarg and M. Candelaria; #91012 (1992).

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ABSTRACT: High-Resolution Seismic Characterization of a Wolfcamp Carbonate Platform Margin

SARG, J. S., Geological Consultant, Midland, TX, and MAGELL CANDELARIA, ARCO Oil and Gas Company, Midland, TX

Wolfcampian age reservoirs have produced 250 MMBO from numerous fields marginal to the Midland basin of west Texas. Remaining significant potential in the Wolfcamp lies in recognition of subtle stratigraphic traps at porosity pinch-outs and in complex reservoir geometries within existing fields. Existing fields produce from various carbonate reservoir facies: grainstones, algal mounds, dolomitized platform margin facies, submarine fan complexes, and gravity slide blocks. Depositional settings vary from ramp to high-angle platform margin to basin slope. Sequence stratigraphic interpretation of shelf to basin stratal geometries reveals relationships not readily interpretable from well log correlations and biostratigraphic data alone.

On the eastern Central Basin platform, high-resolution seismic data constrained by biostratigraphic and core interpretation reveals the complex progradational-retrogradational evolution of the Pennsylvanian-Wolfcampian platform margins. In the Wolfcampian section, these seismic data have resolved the subtle transition from platform interior to progradational platform margin and assist mapping of sequence boundaries, systems tracts, and prediction of reservoir facies distribution. High-amplitude, continuous parallel reflections characterize the platform interior (lime mud-rich peritidal facies and variegated shales). Basinward, diminished amplitudes associated with

subtle, discontinuous sigmoidal-oblique clinoforms mark low-angle progradational banks as identified from core and log interpretation. Platform margin deposition is characterized by upward-shoaling parasequences consisting of basal crinoidal-algal wackestone grading upward to skeletal packstone, capped by oolitic-skeletal-pelletal grainstone (prospective reservoir facies). Thin transgressive systems tracts overlie regionally significant erosional surfaces (sequence boundaries) and are overlain by thick highstand systems tracts consisting of stacked, upward-shoaling progradational parasequences.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91012©1992 AAPG Annual Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 22-25, 1992 (2009)