Abstract
The present study investigates the controls on fault-associated dolostone geometries based on the Benicàssim outcrop analogue (Maestrat Basin, E Spain). It is also aimed to provide new insights into the prediction of fault-associated dolomitized hydrocarbon reservoirs. To this end, mapping, logging and log correlation were carried out in the Benicàssim area, where a >1600 m-thick succession of Aptian-Albian carbonate ramp sediments of the Benassal Fm are partly replaced by fault-associated dolostones. The results reveal that km-wide massive dolostone patches form near large-scale faults, indicating that they acted as entry points for dolomitizing fluids. These dolostones laterally pass to large stratabound bodies extending for at least 7 km away from feeding faults. The presence of a siliciclastic low-permeability unit (Escucha Fm) on top of the Benassal Fm constrained the dolomitizing fluids to a window whose top and bottom boundaries are about 100 m and 550 m below the base of the sealing unit, respectively. Thus, only the limestones comprised within this interval were dolomitized, indicating a clear relationship between the stratigraphic framework and the preferred replaced beds. Dolomitization mostly affected mid-ramp sediments (wackestones and packstones). Such facies are mostly abundant in the eastern part of the study area around the maximum flooding zone of the top sequence, which is preferentially dolomitized.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Davies, G.R., Smith Jr., L.B.: Structurally controlled hydrothermal dolomite reservoir facies: an overview. AAPG Bull. 90(11), 1641–1690 (2006)
Wilson, M.E., Evans, M.J., Oxtoby, N.H., Nas, D.S., Donnelly, T., Thirlwall, M.: Reservoir quality, textural evolution, and origin of fault-associated dolomites. AAPG Bull. 91(9), 1247–1272 (2007)
Sharp, I., Gillespie, P., Morsalnezhad, D., Taberner, C., Karpuz, R., Vergés, J., Horbury, A., Pickard, N., Garland, J., Hunt, D.: Stratigraphic architecture and fracture-controlled dolomitization of the Cretaceous Khami and Bangestan groups: an outcrop case study, Zagros Mountains. Iran. Geol. Soc. London Spec. Publ. 329(1), 343–396 (2010)
Hollis, C., Bastesen, E., Boyce, A., Corlett, H., Gawthorpe, R., Hirani, J., Rotevatn, A., Whitaker, F.F.: Fault-controlled dolomitization in a rift basin. Geology 45(3), 219–222 (2017)
Gomez-Rivas, E., Corbella, M., Martín-Martín, J.D., Stafford, S.L., Teixell, A., Bons, P.D., Griera, A., Cardellach, E.: Reactivity of dolomitizing fluids and Mg source evaluation of fault-controlled dolomitization at the Benicassim outcrop analogue (Maestrat basin, E Spain). Mar. Petrol. Geol. 55, 26–42 (2014)
Martín-Martín, J.D., Travé, A., Gomez-Rivas, E., Salas, R., Sizun, J.P., Vergés, J., Corbella, M., Stafford, S.L., Alfonso, P.: Fault-controlled and stratabound dolostones in the Late Aptian–earliest Albian Benassal Formation (Maestrat Basin, E Spain): petrology and geochemistry constrains. Mar. Petrol. Geol. 65, 83–102 (2015)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Yao, S. et al. (2019). What Factors Determine the Geometries of Fault-Associated Dolomitization Geometries in Shallow-Marine Carbonates?. In: Doronzo, D., Schingaro, E., Armstrong-Altrin, J., Zoheir, B. (eds) Petrogenesis and Exploration of the Earth’s Interior. CAJG 2018. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01575-6_38
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01575-6_38
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-01574-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-01575-6
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)