--> ABSTRACT: Facies Analysis and Reservoir Characterization of the Permian White Rim Sandstone, Black Box Dolomite, and the Triassic Moenkopi Formation, East-Central Utah: Woodside Dome — A Future CO<sub>2 </sub>Sequestration Site?, by Harston, Walter; Morris, Thomas H.; #90142 (2012)
[First Hit]

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Facies Analysis and Reservoir Characterization of the Permian White Rim Sandstone, Previous HitBlackNext Hit Previous HitBoxNext Hit Dolomite, and the Triassic Moenkopi Formation, East-Central Utah: Woodside Dome — A Future CO2 Sequestration Site?

Harston, Walter *1; Morris, Thomas H.1
(1) Department of Geological Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.

This project is funded by the U.S Department of Energy NETL through a subcontract with the Utah Geological Survey in an effort to identify potential CO2 sequestration sites in Utah’s Colorado Plateau, specifically at Woodside Dome. Woodside Dome has historically produced natural gases from the Permian White Rim Sandstone and Previous HitBlackNext Hit Previous HitBoxNext Hit Dolomite. We have combined regional facies analysis, detailed scintillometer measurements, and porosity/permeability core plug analysis of outcrops to dramatically improve modeling and characterization of subsurface reservoirs at Woodside Dome. Within the San Rafael Swell area of east-central Utah, the eolian White Rim Sandstone is primarily a fine- to medium-grained sandstone that exhibits three facies. Within the lower facies, thin beds of low angle trough cross-stratified sandstones are interbedded with horizontal, lag-like deposits of very coarse sandstone. We interpret this lower facies to represent the erg-margin sabkha with small widely-spaced dunes and interdune lag deposits. The middle facies compose the majority of the White Rim Sandstone and are dominated by high-angle trough cross-stratified eolian dune sets. The upper facies lacks bedding, is heavily bioturbated, and contains sandy limestone units, which indicate a high water table and the onset of transgression of the Kaibab Sea. The Previous HitBlackNext Hit Previous HitBoxNext Hit Dolomite is predominately a massive, limy and sandy dolomite with numerous well developed caliches. It represents shallow transgressions and regressions of the Kaibab Sea over a White Rim surface with significant topography. The Previous HitBlackNext Hit Dragon Member of the Moenkopi Formation is composed of mudstones and siltstones interbedded with limestones and very fine- to medium-grained sandstones. This member exhibits ripple laminations but also shows trough cross-stratification, herringbone cross-stratification, and storm-derived hummocky cross-stratification. The Previous HitBlackNext Hit Dragon Member is interpreted as tidal flat deposits with very poor reservoir quality. Facies analysis combined with porosity/permeability analysis of core plugs are key to reservoir characterization and can be used to identify barriers, baffles, and flow pathways in potential reservoirs. Scintillometer measurements allow us to correlate these reservoir characteristics from outcrops at Previous HitBlackNext Hit Previous HitBoxTop Canyon to subsurface well logs at Woodside Dome. Together these measurements improve our understanding of the volumetric potential and reservoir character of Woodside Dome as a future CO2 sequestration site.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90142 © 2012 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 22-25, 2012, Long Beach, California