|
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
| JOURNAL HOME | HELP | CONTACT PUBLISHER | SUBSCRIBE | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
1 Rock Deformation Research Group, School of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Sandstone rheology and deformation style are often controlled by the extent of quartz cementation, which is a function of temperature history. Coupling findings from deformation experiments with a model for quartz cementation provide valuable insights into the controls on fault permeability. Subsiding sedimentary basins often have a transitional depth zone, here referred to as the ductile-to-brittle transition, above which faults do not affect fluid flow or form barriers and below which faults will tend to form conduits. The depth of this transition is partly dependent upon geothermal gradient. In basins with a high geothermal gradient, fault-related conduits can form at shallow depths in high-porosity sandstone. If geothermal gradients are low, and fluid pressures are hydrostatic, fault-related conduits are only formed when the sandstones have subsided much deeper, where their porosity (and hence fluid content) is low. Mineralization of faults is more likely to occur in areas with high geothermal gradients because the rocks still have a high fluid content when fault-related fluid-flow conduits form. The interrelationship between rock rheology and stress conditions is sometimes a more important control on fault permeability than whether the fault is active or inactive.
Key Words: faulting • fluid flow • quartz cementation • geothermal gradient
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. E. Laubach, J. E. Olson, and M. R. Gross Mechanical and fracture stratigraphy AAPG Bulletin, November 1, 2009; 93(11): 1413 - 1426. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. N. Ehrenberg, A. A. M. Aqrawi, and P. H. Nadeau An overview of reservoir quality in producing Cretaceous strata of the Middle East Petroleum Geoscience, November 1, 2008; 14(4): 307 - 318. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Needham, A. Li, C. Carr, G. Schorr, S. Benmahiddi, and J.-L. Pena Faulting and fault sealing in the TAGI Formation of the Ourhoud Field, Algeria Petroleum Geoscience, November 1, 2008; 14(4): 379 - 388. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. H. Lander, R. E. Larese, and L. M. Bonnell Toward more accurate quartz cement models: The importance of euhedral versus noneuhedral growth rates AAPG Bulletin, November 1, 2008; 92(11): 1537 - 1563. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. P. Wennberg, O. Malm, T. Needham, E. Edwards, S. Ottesen, F. Karlsen, L. Rennan, and R. Knipe On the occurrence and formation of open fractures in the Jurassic reservoir sandstones of the Snohvit Field, SW Barents Sea Petroleum Geoscience, May 1, 2008; 14(2): 139 - 150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. A. J. Wibberley, G. Yielding, and G. Di Toro Recent advances in the understanding of fault zone internal structure: a review Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2008; 299(1): 5 - 33. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. E. S. Johansen and H. Fossen Internal geometry of fault damage zones in interbedded siliciclastic sediments Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2008; 299(1): 35 - 56. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Zhang, P. M. Schaubs, C. Zhao, A. Ord, B. E. Hobbs, and A. C. Barnicoat Fault-related dilation, permeability enhancement, fluid flow and mineral precipitation patterns: numerical models Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2008; 299(1): 239 - 255. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Fossen, R. A. Schultz, Z. K. Shipton, and K. Mair Deformation bands in sandstone: a review Journal of the Geological Society, July 1, 2007; 164(4): 755 - 769. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. W. Zielinski, M. Bjoroy, R. L. B. Zielinski, and I. L. Ferriday Heat flow and surface hydrocarbons on the Brunei continental margin AAPG Bulletin, July 1, 2007; 91(7): 1053 - 1080. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. J. Jolley, D. Barr, J. J. Walsh, and R. J. Knipe Structurally complex reservoirs: an introduction Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2007; 292(1): 1 - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q. J. Fisher, S. D. Harris, M. Casey, and R. J. Knipe Influence of grain size and geothermal gradient on the ductile-to-brittle transition in arenaceous sedimentary rocks: implications for fault structure and fluid flow Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2007; 289(1): 105 - 121. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. L. Huston, B. Stevens, P. N. Southgate, P. Muhling, and L. Wyborn Australian Zn-Pb-Ag Ore-Forming Systems: A Review and Analysis Economic Geology, September 1, 2006; 101(6): 1117 - 1157. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Zhang, P. Sorjonen-Ward, A Ord, and P. N. Southgate Fluid Flow during Deformation Associated with Structural Closure of the Isa Superbasin at 1575 Ma in the Central and Northern Lawn Hill Platform, Northern Australia Economic Geology, September 1, 2006; 101(6): 1293 - 1312. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Bjorlykke Effects of compaction processes on stresses, faults, and fluid flow in sedimentary basins: examples from the Norwegian margin Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2006; 253(1): 359 - 379. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Berndt Focused fluid flow in passive continental margins Phil Trans R Soc A, December 15, 2005; 363(1837): 2855 - 2871. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Bjorlykke, K. Hoeg, J. I. Faleide, and J. Jahren When do faults in sedimentary basins leak? Stress and deformation in sedimentary basins; examples from the North Sea and Haltenbanken, offshore Norway AAPG Bulletin, August 1, 2005; 89(8): 1019 - 1031. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
U. Ritter, G. W. Zielinski, H. M. Weiss, R. L. B. Zielinski, and J. Saettem Heat flow in the Voring Basin, Mid-Norwegian Shelf Petroleum Geoscience, October 1, 2004; 10(4): 353 - 365. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| JOURNAL HOME | HELP | CONTACT PUBLISHER | SUBSCRIBE | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
