Analysis of deformation bands associated with the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusions
<p>Shallow-level igneous intrusions are a common feature of many sedimentary basins, and there is increased recognition of the syn-emplacement deformation structures in the host rock that help to accommodate this magma addition. However, the sub-seismic structure and reservoir-scale implicatio...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Solid Earth |
| Online Access: | https://se.copernicus.org/articles/12/95/2021/se-12-95-2021.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818721515062951936 |
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| author | P. I. R. Wilson R. W. Wilson D. J. Sanderson I. Jarvis K. J. W. McCaffrey |
| author_facet | P. I. R. Wilson R. W. Wilson D. J. Sanderson I. Jarvis K. J. W. McCaffrey |
| author_sort | P. I. R. Wilson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Shallow-level igneous intrusions are a common feature of
many sedimentary basins, and there is increased recognition of the
syn-emplacement deformation structures in the host rock that help to
accommodate this magma addition. However, the sub-seismic structure and
reservoir-scale implications of igneous intrusions remain poorly understood.
The Trachyte Mesa intrusion is a small (<span class="inline-formula">∼1.5</span> km<span class="inline-formula"><sup>2</sup></span>),
NE–SW trending satellite intrusion to the Oligocene-age Mount Hillers
intrusive complex in the Henry Mountains, Utah. It is emplaced within the
highly porous, aeolian Entrada Sandstone Formation (Jurassic), producing a
network of conjugate sets of NE–SW striking deformation bands trending
parallel to the intrusion margins. The network was characterized by defining
a series of nodes and branches, from which the topology, frequency,
intensity, spacing, characteristic length, and dimensionless intensity of
the deformation band traces and branches were determined. These quantitative
geometric and topological measures were supplemented by petrological,
porosity and microstructural analyses. Results show a marked increase in
deformation band intensity and significant porosity reduction with
increasing proximity to the intrusion. The deformation bands are likely to
impede fluid flow, forming barriers and baffles within the Entrada reservoir
unit. A corresponding increase in Y- and X-nodes highlights the significant
increase in deformation band connectivity, which in turn will significantly
reduce the permeability of the sandstone. This study indicates that fluid
flow in deformed host rocks around igneous bodies may vary significantly
from that in the undeformed host rock. A better understanding of the
variability of deformation structures, and their association with intrusion
geometry, will have important implications for industries where fluid flow
within naturally fractured reservoirs adds value (e.g. hydrocarbon reservoir
deliverability, hydrology, geothermal energy and carbon sequestration).</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T20:39:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-40f9669225b84fdb9998d00af5b60bee |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1869-9510 1869-9529 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T20:39:57Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Solid Earth |
| spelling | doaj.art-40f9669225b84fdb9998d00af5b60bee2022-12-21T21:33:20ZengCopernicus PublicationsSolid Earth1869-95101869-95292021-01-01129511710.5194/se-12-95-2021Analysis of deformation bands associated with the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusionsP. I. R. Wilson0R. W. Wilson1D. J. Sanderson2I. Jarvis3K. J. W. McCaffrey4Department of Geography, Geology and Environment, Kingston University London, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 2EE, UKBP Exploration Operating Company Limited, Chertsey Road, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 7LN, UKOcean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UKDepartment of Geography, Geology and Environment, Kingston University London, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 2EE, UKDepartment of Earth Sciences, Science Labs, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK<p>Shallow-level igneous intrusions are a common feature of many sedimentary basins, and there is increased recognition of the syn-emplacement deformation structures in the host rock that help to accommodate this magma addition. However, the sub-seismic structure and reservoir-scale implications of igneous intrusions remain poorly understood. The Trachyte Mesa intrusion is a small (<span class="inline-formula">∼1.5</span> km<span class="inline-formula"><sup>2</sup></span>), NE–SW trending satellite intrusion to the Oligocene-age Mount Hillers intrusive complex in the Henry Mountains, Utah. It is emplaced within the highly porous, aeolian Entrada Sandstone Formation (Jurassic), producing a network of conjugate sets of NE–SW striking deformation bands trending parallel to the intrusion margins. The network was characterized by defining a series of nodes and branches, from which the topology, frequency, intensity, spacing, characteristic length, and dimensionless intensity of the deformation band traces and branches were determined. These quantitative geometric and topological measures were supplemented by petrological, porosity and microstructural analyses. Results show a marked increase in deformation band intensity and significant porosity reduction with increasing proximity to the intrusion. The deformation bands are likely to impede fluid flow, forming barriers and baffles within the Entrada reservoir unit. A corresponding increase in Y- and X-nodes highlights the significant increase in deformation band connectivity, which in turn will significantly reduce the permeability of the sandstone. This study indicates that fluid flow in deformed host rocks around igneous bodies may vary significantly from that in the undeformed host rock. A better understanding of the variability of deformation structures, and their association with intrusion geometry, will have important implications for industries where fluid flow within naturally fractured reservoirs adds value (e.g. hydrocarbon reservoir deliverability, hydrology, geothermal energy and carbon sequestration).</p>https://se.copernicus.org/articles/12/95/2021/se-12-95-2021.pdf |
| spellingShingle | P. I. R. Wilson R. W. Wilson D. J. Sanderson I. Jarvis K. J. W. McCaffrey Analysis of deformation bands associated with the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusions Solid Earth |
| title | Analysis of deformation bands associated with the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusions |
| title_full | Analysis of deformation bands associated with the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusions |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of deformation bands associated with the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of deformation bands associated with the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusions |
| title_short | Analysis of deformation bands associated with the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusions |
| title_sort | analysis of deformation bands associated with the trachyte mesa intrusion henry mountains utah implications for reservoir connectivity and fluid flow around sill intrusions |
| url | https://se.copernicus.org/articles/12/95/2021/se-12-95-2021.pdf |
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