Difference between revisions of "Percent fill: controlling factors"
Cwhitehurst (talk | contribs) |
Cwhitehurst (talk | contribs) |
||
Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
==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 [[Fluid contacts|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. |
Revision as of 20:27, 3 March 2016
Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps | |
Series | Treatise in Petroleum Geology |
---|---|
Part | Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps |
Chapter | Evaluating top and fault seal |
Author | Grant M. Skerlec |
Link | Web page |
Store | AAPG Store |
The percent fill of a trap is the percentage of the trap volume filled with hydrocarbons compared with its total volume. Percent fill can be controlled by a number of factors, including the following:
- Top seal capacity/integrity
- Synclinal spill points
- Charge
- Fault seal capacity
- Fault-dependent leak points
Control summary
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.
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.[1] Recent work suggests there may be a maximum seal capacity related to the percentage of shale in the fault gouge.[2][3] 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
References
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Yielding, G., B. Freeman, and D. T. Needham, 1997, Quantitative fault seal prediction: AAPG Bulletin, vol. 81, no. 6, p. 897–917.
- ↑ Skerlec, G. M., 1997, Atlas of fault seal behavior in the Gulf Coast: Franklin, Pennsylvania, SEALS International, 4356 p.