Changes

  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps

  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps

  | chapter = Evaluating top and fault seal

  | chapter = Evaluating top and fault seal

  | frompg  = 10-1

  | frompg  = 10-16

  | topg    = 10-94

  | topg    = 10-16

  | author  = Grant M. Skerlec

  | author  = Grant M. Skerlec

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch10/ch10.htm

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch10/ch10.htm

* Top seal capacity/integrity

* Top seal capacity/integrity

* [[Syncline|Synclinal]] spill points

* [[Syncline|Synclinal]] spill points

* Charge

* [[Calculating charge volume|Charge]]

* Fault seal capacity

* Fault seal capacity

* Fault-dependent leak points

* Fault-dependent leak points

==Control summary==

==Control summary==

[[file:evaluating-top-and-fault-seal_fig10-14.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|1}}Controls on percent fill and hydrocarbon column height..]]

[[file:evaluating-top-and-fault-seal_fig10-14.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|1}}Controls on percent fill and hydrocarbon column height.]]

[[:file:evaluating-top-and-fault-seal_fig10-14.png|Figure 1]] summarizes the various controls on percent fill and hydrocarbon column height. The maximum fill case is the synclinal spill point (SSP). A cross-leaking fault limits the percent fill to the juxtaposed lithology leak point (JLLP). A dip-leaking fault limits the percent fill to the fault plane leak point (FPLP).

[[:file:evaluating-top-and-fault-seal_fig10-14.png|Figure 1]] summarizes the various controls on percent fill and [[hydrocarbon column]] height. The maximum fill case is the synclinal spill point (SSP). A [[cross-leaking fault]] limits the percent fill to the juxtaposed lithology leak point (JLLP). A [[dip]]-leaking fault limits the percent fill to the fault plane leak point (FPLP).

A cross-sealing fault allows fill below the JLLP and possibly as deep as the SSP. A trap also may be partially filled (PF) due to either charge or top seal capacity. A partially filled trap can have a hydrocarbon contact at any depth.

A [[cross-sealing fault]] allows fill below the JLLP and possibly as deep as the SSP. A trap also may be partially filled (PF) due to either charge or top seal capacity. A partially filled trap can have a [[Fluid contacts|hydrocarbon contact]] at any depth.

==Finite seal capacity of faults==

==Finite seal capacity of faults==

Sealing faults may have some finite seal capacity. A fault may be able to support the pressure exerted by a 50-m hydrocarbon column but leak if the column increases to [[length::51 m]].<ref name=ch10r13>Chong, K., P., Hoyt, P., M., Smith, J., W., Paulsen, B., Y., 1980, Effects of strain rate on oil shale fracturing: International Journal of Rock Mechanics, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 35–43., 10., 1016/0148-9062(80)90004-2</ref> Recent work suggests there may be a maximum seal capacity related to the percentage of shale in the fault gouge.<ref name=ch10r97>Yielding, G., Freeman, B., Needham, D., T., 1997, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/bulletns/1997/06jun/0897/0897.htm Quantitative fault seal prediction]: AAPG Bulletin, vol. 81, no. 6, p. 897–917.</ref><ref name=ch10r74>Skerlec, G., M., 1997b, Atlas of fault seal behavior in the Gulf Coast: Franklin, Pennsylvania, SEALS International, 4356 p.</ref> In most cases, however, the percent fill is significantly less and is limited by fault-dependent leak points rather than the seal capacity of the gouge.

Sealing faults may have some finite seal capacity. A fault may be able to support the pressure exerted by a 50-m hydrocarbon column but leak if the column increases to [[length::51 m]].<ref name=ch10r13>Chong, K. P., P. M. Hoyt, J. W. Smith, and B. Y. Paulsen, 1980, Effects of strain rate on oil shale fracturing: International Journal of Rock Mechanics, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 35–43., 10., 1016/0148-9062(80)90004-2</ref> Recent work suggests there may be a maximum seal capacity related to the percentage of shale in the fault gouge.<ref name=ch10r97>Yielding, G., B. Freeman, and D. T. Needham, 1997, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/bulletns/1997/06jun/0897/0897.htm Quantitative fault seal prediction]: AAPG Bulletin, vol. 81, no. 6, p. 897–917.</ref><ref name=ch10r74>Skerlec, G. M., 1997, Atlas of fault seal behavior in the Gulf Coast: Franklin, Pennsylvania, SEALS International, 4356 p.</ref> In most cases, however, the percent fill is significantly less and is limited by fault-dependent leak points rather than the seal capacity of the gouge.

==See also==

==See also==

[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  

[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  

[[Category:Evaluating top and fault seal]]

[[Category:Evaluating top and fault seal]]