Eichhubl, Peter1, W. Lansing Taylor2, David Pollard1,
Atilla Aydin1
(1) Stanford University, Stanford, CA
(2) Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, The Woodlands, TX
ABSTRACT: Structural and Stratigraphic Control on Migration Pathways in Jurassic Aztec Sandstone at the Valley of Fire, Nevada
The distribution of oxidation and reduction reactions in permeable Jurassic Aztec
Sandstone was mapped to assess the impact of structural and depositional heterogeneities
on outcrop to reservoir scale fluid flow. The Aztec Sandstone is characterized by early
diagenetic hematite grain coats resulting in a uniform red color. Two subsequent stages of
fluid flow and diagenetic alteration caused bleaching by hematite dissolution and partial
iron oxide reprecipitation. Based on structural crosscutting relations, the first stage of
bleaching and iron remobilization is correlated with Late Cretaceous Sevier thrusting and
foreland deposition of clastic sediments. The second stage occurred during and after
Miocene strike-slip faulting associated with Basin and Range tectonics.
The distribution of diagenetic alteration patterns indicates that regional fluid migration
pathways were controlled by stratigraphic contacts and by thrust faults. Outcrop-scale
focusing of flow was controlled by structural heterogeneities such as joints, joint-based
faults, and deformation bands as well as the sedimentary architecture. Slight shearing
increases the efficiency of flow along joint zones resulting in haloes of enhanced
wallrock alteration. Diagenetic alteration zones are deflected adjacent to joint-based
faults with large offset, consistent with their dual role as aquitards for cross-fault
flow and preferred pathways for fault-parallel flow. Fluid flow is similarly impeded
across deformation bands resulting in alteration gradients adjacent to these structures.
The complex interaction of structural heterogeneities with alteration is consistent with
their measured hydraulic properties demonstrating the significance of structural
heterogeneities for focused fluid flow in a porous sandstone aquifer.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.