Structural control on fluid flow and shallow diagenesis: insights from calcite cementation along deformation bands in porous sandstones

Sole, Leonardo Del; Antonellini, Marco; Soliva, Roger; Ballas, Grégory; Balsamo, Fabrizio; Viola, Giulio

doi:10.5194/se-11-2169-2020

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 117 publications

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“…The chimney top terminus (CT) depth could mark the end of fluid/gas migration upwards. Occasionally, shallow processes (such as a diagenetic front) may stop gas chimneys at roughly the same depth/horizon below the seafloor (Andresen, 2012; Davies & Cartwright, 2007; Sole et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do fault systems and seafloor bathymetry influence the structure and distribution characteristics of gas chimneys?

et al. 2023

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Gas chimneys are key pathways for geofluid vertical migration; therefore, deciphering their formation and evolution is crucial for hydrocarbon exploration and geohazard risk assessment. However, the influences of ambient conditions (e.g. bathymetry, tectonics, sediment supply flux) on gas chimney development have not been thoroughly investigated. Using high‐resolution 3D seismic data, we have identified 59 gas chimneys beneath the Shenhu Slope (a gas hydrate test production area on the northern South China Sea margin), 35 of which intersect faults. Above fault interfaces, internal seismic structures are dominated by chaotic discontinuous reflections. Internal structures below interfaces display more continuous reflections, which are also apparent in gas chimneys, not intersecting faults. A higher degree of chaotic or discontinuous seismic reflections may indicate more fragmented networks. This may occur due to increased fluid flow along faults and concomitant fluid overpressure. The present‐day undulating seafloor comprises the inter‐canyon (IT) region, intra‐canyon (IN) region and flat slope (FD) region downstream of canyons. Gas chimneys beneath IT and IN regions exhibit elongated elliptical shapes in the plane, with the long axis azimuth (sub‐) parallel to the main strike of canyons. Chimneys beneath the IT region have larger heights than those beneath the IN and FD regions. Thicker sediment in the IT region corresponds to a higher overburden pressure, which may induce stronger overpressure in the subsurface reservoir region. This overpressure may promote chimneys gathering in the IT region. Canyons' main directions are likely to limit hydraulic fracturing due to maximum gradient boundaries between overlying sediment stress fields. This study provides insights into gas chimney distribution, morphology and structure evolution in relation to bathymetry and fault conditions. It contributes to an improved understanding of how geofluids migrate in marginal ocean basins.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do fault systems and seafloor bathymetry influence the structure and distribution characteristics of gas chimneys?

et al. 2023

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“…Besides the reconstruction of the diagenetic evolution of rocks, a large literature has been dedicated to the reconstruction of past fluid flow associated to deformation by studying syn-kinematic mineralization associated to the development of large-scale fault zones (e.g. Lacroix et al 2014;de Graaf et al 2019;Smeraglia et al 2019), deformation bands (Parry et al 2004;Fossen et al 2007;Zuluaga et al 2016;del Sole et al 2020), and vein networks at the scale of the fold and at the scale of the entire FTB/BF (e.g. Ferket et al 2000;Roure et al 2005;Sibson, 2005;Fischer et al 2009;Beaudoin et al 2011Beaudoin et al , 2014aBeaudoin et al , 2015Fitz-Diaz et al 2011a;Evans & Fischer, 2012;Crognier et al 2018;de Graaf et al 2019;Dielforder et al 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How the geochemistry of syn-kinematic calcite cement depicts past fluid flow and assists structural interpretations: a review of concepts and applications in orogenic forelands

Beaudoin

Lacombe²,

Hoareau³

et al. 2022

Geol. Mag.

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Orogenic forelands host interactions between deformation and static or migrating fluids. Given their accessibility and dimensions, these areas are not only historic landmarks for structural geology, but they are also areas of prime interest for georesource exploration and geological storage, and loci of potential geohazards. Geochemical techniques applied on cements filling tectonic structures and associated trapped fluids can constrain the temperature, pressure, origin and pathways of fluids during deformation and allow the characterization of the past fluid system. In this review focused on calcite cements, we first present and critically discuss the most used geochemical techniques to appraise specific parameters of the fluid system. Second, we summarize the outcomes of selected case studies where the past fluid system was reconstructed with consideration of tectonics, either at the scale of the individual fold/thrust or at the scale of the fold-and-thrust belt. At first order, the past fluid system evolves in a similar way with respect to the considered stage of deformation, being rather closed to external fluids when deformation is bounded to mesoscale structure development, and opening to vertical flow when thrust and folds develop. In a more detailed view, it seems that the past fluid system evolves and distributes under the influence of the structural style, of the geometry of the major faults and of the lithology of the sedimentary succession. Through this review, we illustrate the concept of geochemistry-assisted structural geology through case studies where the geochemistry of calcite veins constrained subsurface geometries and structural developments in orogenic forelands.

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“…Fluid pathways in carbonate rocks are strongly dependent on depositional petrofabrics and their tectonic and diagenetic history (Agar & Geiger, 2014;Pili et al, 2002). Current approaches to better understand fluid flow in carbonate rocks and associated structures from large to small scale include seismic-scale data (Masaferro et al, 2004;Melville et al, 2004), field observations (Agosta et al, 2010;Del Sole et al, 2020;Ferrill et al, 2011Ferrill et al, , 2017Ferrill & Morris, 2008;Michie et al, 2014;Peacock, 2002;Peacock et al, 2016Peacock et al, , 2017Peacock & Sanderson, 2018;Petracchini et al, 2012), petrophysical and micro-CT data (Beaudoin et al, 2018;Healy et al, 2014;Lézin et al, 2009), isotope geochemistry (Agosta et al, 2008;Bertotti et al, 2017;Gomez-Rivas et al, 2014;Zaarur et al, 2013), physical modelling (Cilona et al, 2012;Spratt et al, 2004) and numerical modelling including fluid flow and reactive transport (Antonellini et al, 2014;Bisdom et al, 2017;Corbella et al, 2014;Fitz-Dias et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fault zone fluid pathways in the carbonate Irecê basin, NE Brazil

et al. 2022

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We applied field structural data and isotope geochemical (δ13C, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr) analyses to understand the relationship among calcite veins, fault damage zones and carbonate host rocks in a thrust fault damage zone in the Achado quarry, Irecê Basin in the São Francisco Craton, NE Brazil. Our results reveal three hydrological packages with different rheological behaviours in a stratified carbonate succession. The upper package includes the Achado fault damage zone that is characterised by interlayered dolomitised grainstones and mudstones. These rocks display high positive δ13C values (10‰–13‰), negative δ18O values (mean −6.34‰) and radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr) isotope values (0.70885–0.71519). A second package is marked by a cataclastic brittle shear zone lateral parallel to dolograinstones bedding. These rocks show low to positive δ13C values (−3.41‰ to +8.85‰), more positive δ18O values (mean −3.73‰) and radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr) isotope values (0.71039–0.71373). The lower package is characterised by well‐preserved pristine limestone succession that shows δ13C values ranging between −0.46‰ and +3.17‰, mean δ18O = −5.41‰ and less radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr values (0.70762–0.70818). In contrast to the upper and intermediate packages, rocks from the lower one exhibit very low permeability and behaved as a seal for fluid migration. Fluid flow occurred several times during basin evolution, for example along syn‐rift fault damage zones, bedding‐parallel carbonate breccia, thrust faults, cataclastic shear zones, synorogenic conjugate shear fractures or joints and opening mode I fracture‐fill calcite veins. These fractures allowed pervasive fluid flow in the porous intermediate cataclastic shear zone where fluids flowed and formed veins, as diffuse fluid flow in randomly oriented fracture swarms, or channelised fluid flow in aligned fracture corridors. They record significant centimetre‐scale to km‐scale hydrological behaviour within carbonate layers. Most carbonates that are associated with veins, fault damage zones and hydraulic breccia were formed by fluids of the same origin with low δ13C (−6.0 to −2.0‰) and δ18O (−6.0 to −8.5‰) values, and more radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr values compared to the carbonate host rocks.

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Structural control on fluid flow and shallow diagenesis: insights from calcite cementation along deformation bands in porous sandstones

Cited by 18 publications

References 117 publications

How do fault systems and seafloor bathymetry influence the structure and distribution characteristics of gas chimneys?

How do fault systems and seafloor bathymetry influence the structure and distribution characteristics of gas chimneys?

How the geochemistry of syn-kinematic calcite cement depicts past fluid flow and assists structural interpretations: a review of concepts and applications in orogenic forelands

Fault zone fluid pathways in the carbonate Irecê basin, NE Brazil

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