--> Abstract: Georadar, Petrophysics and Stratigraphy: Integrated Outcrop Analog Studies for Triassic Alluvial Reservoirs, by T. Aigner, U. Asprion, and J. Hornung; #90942 (1997).

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Abstract: Georadar, petrophysics and stratigraphy: integrated outcrop analog studies for Triassic alluvial reservoirs

AIGNER, T., U. ASPRION and J. HORNUNG

Recent discoveries of hydrocarbons in deeply buried continental successions of Triassic age in the North Sea make it necessary to establish sound geological models for which adequate analogs are needed.

Sandstones of the Upper Triassic Keuper facies in Southern Germany may provide such analogs; although these outcrops are located far from the hydrocarbon discoveries, they occur paleogeographically at a similar basin-marginal position within the Triassic Central European Basin. Using an integrated approach, the reservoir heterogeneities in the outcropping sandstones are characterized by means of: (1) architectural element analysis aided by georadar profiling for the reconstruction of the three-dimensional reservoir architecture, (2) petrophysical analysis (outcrop gamma-ray logging for calibration of fluvial styles, porosity and permeability measurements). (3) sequence stratigraphic breakdown of the successions into a hierarchy of sedimentary cycles and genetic units.

For conglomeratic reservoirs, Quaternary fluvial gravels exposed in large pits may provide outcrop analogs. Again, georadar profiling provides a powerful tool to reconstruct the three-dimensional geometry and internal architecture of gravel bodies.

A major aim of this work is to build a database of standard architectural elements. Their geometries, preferred occurrence within a cycle hierarchy and their petrophysical properties will be characterized in such a way that they can be recognized in subsurface data (logs, cores, or in some cases, even in 3-D seismic) and used as input values for numerical fluid-flow simulations.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria