Application of Structural Methods to Rocky Mountain Hydrocarbon Exploration and Development
With increasing industry emphasis on developing “unconventional” tight gas reservoirs and on enhancing recovery from existing fields, geologists are facing diverse challenges in the applications of structural geology. Identifying fracture characteristics within petroleum systems is essential. Understanding the timing of tectonics and the formation of structures is important, as these factors strongly influence hydrocarbon generation, migration, entrapment, and preservation. The purpose in publishing this collection of key papers is to aid future workers in addressing complex interrelationships between structural geology and hydrocarbon exploration and development. The first four chapters of this book focus on structural concepts and techniques. The second part of this book is a collection of Rocky Mountain fault and fracture studies. These well documented studies are valuable reference materials for all petroleum geologists.
Fracture Control of P-wave Azimuthal Anisotropy in a Laramide Basement-cored Anticline at Casper Arch, Wyoming: Insights from Correlations with Surface Analogs and Curvature Analyses
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Published:January 01, 2013
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CiteCitation
Duke Cooley, Eric Erslev, 2013. "Fracture Control of P-wave Azimuthal Anisotropy in a Laramide Basement-cored Anticline at Casper Arch, Wyoming: Insights from Correlations with Surface Analogs and Curvature Analyses", Application of Structural Methods to Rocky Mountain Hydrocarbon Exploration and Development, Constance N. Knight, Jerome J. Cuzella, Leland D. Cress
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Abstract
In sedimetary basins not currently undergoing primary compaction (e.g., Rocky Mountain Basins), p-wave velocities noticeably vary with azimuth, yet the mechanism(s) controlling the anisotropy remain uncertain. Possible geologic causes for azimuthal anisotropy include but are not limited to sedimentary fabrics, steep bedding, changes in local in-situ or residual stress, and open or mineralized fractures. To test these hypotheses, P-wave velocity azimuths (Vfast) from a proprietary seismic survey of a NNW-trending Laramide Anticline on Casper Arch in central Wyoming were compared to image log data from the seismic coverage area and fracture orientations from nearby analog structures.
- anisotropy
- anticlines
- basement
- body waves
- Carboniferous
- Casper Formation
- Cloverly Formation
- Cretaceous
- elastic waves
- folds
- fractures
- Frontier Formation
- geophysical methods
- joints
- Laramide Orogeny
- Laramie Mountains
- Lower Cretaceous
- Madison Group
- measurement
- Mesaverde Group
- Mesozoic
- Mississippian
- Mowry Shale
- North America
- P-waves
- Paleozoic
- Parkman Sandstone
- reflection
- Rocky Mountains
- seismic attributes
- seismic methods
- seismic waves
- structural controls
- style
- tectonics
- U. S. Rocky Mountains
- United States
- Upper Cretaceous
- velocity
- well-logging
- Wyoming
- Casper Arch