1887

Abstract

Summary

This study summarizes sedimentological and structural observations along the Cretaceous chalk formations of the Anglo-Paris Basin in both Yorkshire (UK) and Normandy (France) outcrops. It proposes a conceptual facies-fracture model which is subsequently challenged against the genetic mechanisms derived from numerical and analogical models.

The study demonstrates the presence of early polygonal fault systems (PFS) that can occur in both pure and marly chalks but in very fine grained poorly sorted homogenous chalks. Fracturing can occur in chalk early, syn-depositional, and during compaction even at shallow depth. Providing an isotropic horizontal stress field, PFS’s will occur at all scales. This process will be also triggered by the cohesion contrast between chalk facies, resulting in differential compaction. Furthermore the presence of pressure solution can favor the process (Normandy) or not (Yorkshire). This early PFS’s will provide an ideal regular and radial fracture pattern to be potentially reactivated by the subsequent tectonic deformation phases.

In chalk reservoirs, PFS’s can also provide a well connected pathway for flow whereas in top seals it could provide a risk for integrity. This study is therefore a first step toward a better sub surface chalk characterization of fracture distribution and prediction of behavior during production times.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201801482
2018-06-11
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Bruhat, L., Gauthier, B.D.M and Leroy, Y.M.
    [2012] Numerical and experimental evidence for polygonal faults in carbonate rocks. GEO 2012 AAPG abstract 1185885.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Cartwright, J. A. and Dewhurst, D.
    [1998] Layer-bound compaction faults in fine-grained sediments. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 110, 1242–1257.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Cartwright, J. A., James, D. and Bolton, A.L.
    [2003] The genesis of polygonal fault systems: a review, In Van Rensberger, P., Hillis, R.R. & Morley, C.K. (eds) Subsurface Sediment Mobilization. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 216, 223–243.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Duperret, A., Vandycke, S., Mortimore, R. N., Genter, A.
    [2012] How plate tectonic is recorded in chalk deposits along the eastern English Channel (France) and Sussex (UK). Tectonophysics, 581, 163–181.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Emery, A.
    , [2016]. Palaeopressure reconstruction to explain observed natural hydraulic fractures in the Cleveland Basin. Marine and Petroleum Geology. 77, 535–552.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Faÿ-Gomord, O., Allanic, C., Verbiest, M., Lasseur, E. and Swennen, R.
    [2017] Synsedimentary Polygonal Faults System in Tight Chalk: Multiscale evidence from outcrop, Flamborough Head (UK), EAGE Extended abstract, 12th–15th July 2017.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Faÿ-Gomord, O.
    , [2017] Tight chalks. Sedimentary and diagenetic control on the petrophysical and fracturing properties. PhD thesis, KU Leuven, Science, Engineering & Technology Arenberg Doctoraatsschool.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Hansen, D., Shimeld, S., Williamson, M. and Lykke-Andersen, H.
    [2004] Development of a major polygonal fault system in Upper Cretaceous chalk and Cenozoic mudrocks of the Sable Subbasin, Canadian Atlantic margin, Marine and Petroleum Geology21, 1205–1219.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Hibsch, C., Cartwright, J., Hansen, D. M., Gaviglio, P., André, G., Cushing, M., Bracq, P., Juignet, P., Benoit, P. and Allouc, J.
    [2003] Normal faults in chalk: Tectonic stresses versus compaction related polygonal faultingP.Van Rensbergen (Ed.) Subsurface Sediment Mobilisation. Geological Society of London Special Publication, 291–308.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Lasseur, E., Guillocheau, F., Robin, C., Hanot, F., Vaslet, D.,Coueffe, R., Neraudeau, D.
    , [2009]. A relative water-depth model for the Normandy Chalk (Cenomanian-Middle Coniacian, Paris Basin, France) based on facies patterns of metre-scale cycles. Sediment. Geol.. 2131–26.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Mallon, A. J., Swarbrick, R.E.
    [2008]. Diagenetic characteristics of low permeability, non-reservoir chalks from the Central North Sea. Mar. Pet. Geol.25, 1097–1108.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Moreau, J., Boussaha, M., Nielsen, L., Thibault, N., Ullmann, C. V, Stemmerik, L.
    , [2016]. Early diagenetic evolution of Chalk in eastern Denmark. Depos. Rec.2, 154–172.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Peacock, D. C. P., and Sanderson, D. J.
    , [1994], Strain and scaling of faults in the chalk at Flamborough Head, U.K.Journal of Structural Geology, 16, 1, 97–107
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Peacock, D. C. P., Fisher, Q. J., Willemse, E. J. M. and Aydin, A.
    [1998] The relationship between faults and pressure solution seams in carbonate rocks and the implications for fluid flow. Geological Society of London, Special Publication, 147, 105–115.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Sagi, D. A., De Paola, N., Mccaffrey, K. J. W. and Holdsworth, R. E.
    [2016] Fault and fracture patterns in low porosity chalk and their potential influence on sub-surface fluid flow-A case study from Flamborough Head, UK. Tectonophysics, 690, 35–51.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Tewksbury, B. J., Hogan, J. P., Kattenhorn, S. A., Mehrtens, C. J. and Tarabees, E. A.
    [2014] Polygonal faults in chalk: Insights from extensive exposures of the Khoman Formation, Western Desert, Egypt. Geology, 42, 479–482.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201801482
Loading
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201801482
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error