K-Ar Dating of Authigenic Illites: Integrating Diagenetic History of the Mesa Verde Group, Piceance Basin, NW Colorado

Trevor Stroker
Colorado School of Mines, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering Golden, Colorado
[email protected]

     Tight gas sands represent a significant portion of the U.S. domestic petroleum reserves. The ability to date diagenetic reactions that significantly influence reservoir quality will enhance our ability to characterize and produce these fields. The information from this study will be used to model chronological reservoir alterations and time hydrocarbon charge for several fields in the Williams Fork Formation, Piceance Basin.
     Up till now, the framework for diagenesis has been based on the relative order of mineral development and not specific events. Using K-Ar to date the growth interval of Illite clays will provide valid constraints on the timing of secondary porosity and the hydrocarbon charge associated with the illite mineral assemblages. This information will be useful for correlating the chemical changes that occurred during different stages of burial and how hydrocarbons became distributed.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90070 © 2007 AAPG Foundation Grants in Aid