This study characterizes an Albian carbonate reservoir of oilfield B in the Campos Basin, based on geophysical well logs and laboratory petrophysical data. The use of current approaches to characterize reservoirs allowed us to estimate the porosity, permeability, and water saturation of this reservoir in a more reliable way than when this oilfield was discovered in 1976. To achieve this goal, the cluster analysis for rock typing module of the Interactive Petrophysics software was used to divide the succession into 11 electrofacies. Using log and laboratory data, an equation was derived to determine the porosity and the permeability of each electrofacies through the multiple linear regression technique. The results were compared with different models proposed by other authors, with the best results being found with multiple linear regression. Water saturation, on the other hand, was estimated by the Archie (The electrical resistivity log as an aid in determining some reservoir characteristics, Petroleum Transactions of AIME , 146:54–62, 1942) equation after identifying the cementation coefficient with the Pickett (A review of current techniques for determination of water saturation from logs, Journal of Petroleum Technology 18:1425–1433, 1966) cross plot. Finally, the porosity and permeability data were again used to identify three main flow units in the reservoir through the Winland (Oil accumulation in response to pore size changes, Weyburn field, Saskatchewan. Amoco Production Company Report F72-G-25, 20 p., 1972) graph. To verify the effectiveness of the adopted methodology, it was applied (successfully) in a test well, defining porosity, permeability, water saturation, and flow units, where laboratory data were absent.

Abstract Quaternary glacio-eustasy has traditionally been determined in part by the examination of fossil coral reefs on carbonate islands and coasts uplifted by tectonics. These studies do not properly account for dissolutional denudation, which is cumulative, making higher and therefore older terraces exist at elevations far below their assumed depositional elevation. Karst pedestals (karrentische) on Guam reveal the extent of the denudation ( c. 50 mm ka −1 ) and demonstrate that theoretical denudation models can be accurately applied to eogenetic carbonates in tropical settings. Aeolian calcarenite islands such as the Bahamas have been used as tectonically stable sea-level calibrations for other islands, which may not be correct. Flank margin caves, forming in the distal margin of the freshwater lens within a carbonate island, are excellent sea-level indicators. Analysis of flank margin cave elevations indicates that the Bahamas have had past sea-level highstands >6 m, perhaps up to 15 m or more, for which no fossil coral data exist. Denudational removal of these older corals has biased the record to younger events and only flank margin caves remain as viable terrestrial signatures of these older sea-level highstands.

Abstract Sinkholes are the main hazard related to underground voids of both natural and anthropogenic origin. Instabilities developing underground may propagate upwards in a dramatic manner and reach the surface in the form of a sinkhole. The Apulia region in southern Italy is an interesting case study due to the outcropping of soluble rocks throughout the region. These rocks are affected by karst processes and have a high number of anthropogenic cavities. The latter were excavated by humans at different times for a variety of purposes. The worrying recent increase in the number of sinkhole events registered in Apulia led us to collect information on natural and anthropogenic sinkholes in Apulia. We focused on anthropogenic cavities, mostly excavated in Plio-Pleistocene calcarenites, and characterized the rock masses before using two- and three-dimensional parametric numerical analyses to model the instability processes, with the aim of exploring the failure mechanisms that lead to the occurrence of sinkholes. The parametric studies allowed us to carry out a preliminary evaluation of the stability conditions through simple charts designed for use in the field.

Abstract Highly porous and soft calcarenites, often called ‘calcareous tuffs’, are commonly found throughout Southern Italy and are traditionally used as building materials. The petrophysical features of some of them were determined, focusing on the microstructure (fabric and porosimetric characteristics) and on the properties related to water absorption, drying and water vapour permeability; the compressive strength was also measured. The mineralogical composition was analysed and a variable presence of clay minerals was found for the different varieties. Diverse levels of damage under a salt crystallization test were related to the mineralogical, petrographic and porosimetric features, the latter being a source of the heterogeneity of the investigated stones. Results of laboratory tests and observations of decay in the field suggest protection against water penetration as the primary requirement for slowing down the decay of such highly porous and soft stones. Some water-repellent products were tested for effectiveness in reducing water absorption and for compatibility with the original stones’ properties. Their use in the presence of salts was taken into account, including the performances of the treated stones under the salt crystallization test. Treatment issues were found to be strongly influenced by the porosimetric characteristics of the studied materials.