Fault seal-conduit studies

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Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps
Series Treatise in Petroleum Geology
Part Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps
Chapter Exploring for structural traps
Author R.A. Nelson, T.L. Patton, S. Serra
Link Web page
Store AAPG Store

These studies try to determine if faults in a particular tectonic setting have acted as conduits or seals with respect to the migration of subsurface fluids. They use a variety of techniques, including outcrop studies of fault zones, core analysis and laboratory testing, thin section analysis, and construction of fault-plane maps to determine the juxtaposition of rock types along faults.

Information provided

Fault seal–conduit studies predict fault seal–conduit behavior and potential hydrocarbon column height, based on fault morphology and gouge composition, lithology juxtapositions along faults, hydrocarbon type, and reservoir pressure.

How to use them

These data are important in traps where faults play an important role in the critical seal. The analysis involves blending data on fault deformation mechanisms and kinematics with petrophysics and hydrodynamics. Historical analysis of fault sealing capacity in an area is also extremely useful.

Examples of use

See also

External links

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Fault seal-conduit studies
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