--> Abstract: Seismic Imaging of Carbonate Diagenesis, by Bruce Hart; #90078 (2008)
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Previous HitSeismicNext Hit Imaging of Carbonate Diagenesis

Bruce Hart
Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

Previous HitSeismicNext Hit data respond to differences in physical properties (velocity and density) of the rocks being imaged. Several studies have shown that the velocity and density of carbonate rocks are affected to differing degrees by cementation and dissolution. Furthermore, even the type of porosity (moldic, intercrystalline, etc.) has an influence on the velocity of carbonates. As a result, and thanks to advances in Previous HitseismicNext Hit imaging technologies (e.g., Previous HitseismicNext Hit inversion, Previous HitseismicNext Hit attribute studies), it is now possible to image the three-dimensional geometries of carbonate units affected by at least certain types of diagenesis. New insights into diagenetic processes are forthcoming. For example, fracture-related porosity development and associated dolomitization, sometimes ascribed to hydrothermal dolomitization, can be imaged seismically and the Previous HitseismicNext Hit-derived images provide new insights into the macroscopic relationships between faulting, fractures and the flow of diagenetic fluids. Semi-circular collapse depressions observed in 3-D Previous HitseismicNext Hit data have been postulated to form in carbonates in a variety of settings, and a key interpretation challenge is to identify the timing (e.g., subaerial, deep burial, or some poly-phase genesis?) of the collapse. Wells do not always penetrate these features, and so the only available information about their properties might come from Previous HitseismicNext Hit data. In these and other cases, the Previous HitseismicNext Hit data provide no detailed information about the temperature, chemistry or other aspects of the diagenetic fluids, however they do provide three-dimensional images of porosity development at a scale that cannot be adequately studied using log or core data alone. The time is ripe for routinely integrating Previous HitseismicTop imaging into carbonate diagenesis studies.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas