Multidisciplinary Data Integration for 3D Geological Outcrop Characterization. Jackfork Group, Hollywood Quarry, Arkansas

The Hollywood Quarry, located in Clark County (near to Hollywood, AR), Arkansas, has been studied using many techniques in order to characterize its stratigraphy, structural deformation and general geological features. The Quarry exposes deepwater sediments of the Jackfork Group (Pennsylvanian) often utilized by petroleum companies as a potential 3D deepwater outcrop analog used to evaluate performance of this type of reservoir. The outcrop allowed the study of classic features of a deepwater reservoir from a structural point of view (faults and folds), and from a stratigraphic point of view (characteristics of sheet and channel sandstones).

Our main goal was to build a refined 3D geological model of the outcrop based on a previous model built from outcrop and subsurface gamma ray logs, facies descriptions, and porosity datasets (Goyeneche et al., 2005) and integrating new 2D near surface seismic reflection sections and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profiles, outcrop images (photomosaics), GPS data and stratigraphic columns acquired from newly exposed quarry walls.

The newly exposed quarry walls are a result of recent blasting activity in the quarry. These exposures, never before seen, made it possible to compare our geological interpretation of the seismic and GPR data acquired prior to removal of the rock with the true outcrop geology revealed in the new exposures. These results allowed us to improve the characterization of the structural and stratigraphic geometries and, in particular, their response to the remote sensing methods. The correlations between the true outcrop geology and seismic/GPR data interpretation were good, thus demonstrating the value of using geophysical techniques for 3D outcrop characterization of reservoir analogs.

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