--> Abstract: Sandstone Mineralogy and Permeability in a Sequence Stratigraphic Framework: The Ferron Sandstone (Cretaceous), Central Utah, by R. S. Fisher; #90993 (1993).

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FISHER, R. STEPHEN, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas, Austin, TX

ABSTRACT: Sandstone Mineralogy and Permeability in a Sequence Stratigraphic Framework: The Ferron Sandstone (Cretaceous), Central Utah

The Ferron Sandstone (Turonian, central Utah) contains fluvial-deltaic sandstones deposited in seaward-stepping, vertically stacked, and landward-stepping genetic sequences (GS). Variations in detrital and authigenic mineralogy correlate with differences in sandstone architecture and permeability structure. Results of integrated sequence stratigraphic and geologic studies, permeability measurements, petrographic and petrophysical determinations, and geostatistical data analyses show that analog-reservoir properties are predictable within genetic sequences; however, extrapolation to other genetic sequences is not supported.

In both the seaward-stepping GS 2 and the landward-stepping GS 5, transgressive, delta-front, and mouth-bar sandstones are more quark rich than distributary-channel sandstones. Systematic mineralogic differences between units and facies largely reflect differences in the type and intensity of depositional processes. Quartz and kaolinite are the dominant authigenic phases, amounting to only 3-5%. Detrital and authigenic compositions correlate predictably to permeability. Unlike GS 2 and GS 5 the vertically stacked GS 4 sandstone is intensely kaolinite cemented and has much lower permeability. The mineralogic and permeability characteristics of GS 4 sandstones reflect sequence stratigraphic setting rather than depositional processes.

Results of this work indicate that petrographic studies are an essential component of outcrop-based reservoir analog investigations Sequence-stratigraphic and depositional-system characterizations alone are not sufficient to fully explain sandstone permeability structure.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90993©1993 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, September 12-15, 1993.