E. Kosa¹, D. Hunt², A. Robinson², W.M. Fitchen³, G.P. Roberts⁴, M.-O. Bockel-Rebelle⁵

(1) The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
(2) The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
(3) Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, TX
(4) The University of London, United Kingdom
(5) Elf Exploration Production, Pau, France

ABSTRACT: Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity In The Architecture, Fill And Diagenesis Of Syndepositional Faults And Fractures, Permian Seven Rivers, Yates and Tansill Formations, Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico: Implications For Faulted Carbonate Reservoirs

To date, it is uncommon for studies to link fault segment growth with the diagenetic evolution of the fault zones and adjacent platform strata. The strike variability of the tectonic, diagenetic and sedimentary products will be influenced by along strike and up/down-dip growth. Here we present the results of a recent integrated stratigraphic and structural study of sub-seismic-scale syndepositional faults and fractures that cut Permian Capitan-equivalent platform strata in the Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico. The study area is an outcrop analogue for Yates reservoirs in the Permian Basin. In Slaughter Canyon the Capitan Reef and equivalent platform strata are cut by at least nine major syndepositional faults with throws of up to 25 m. These faults grew incrementally during deposition of the Seven Rivers, Yates and Tansill Formations. The fill, fabrics and diagenesis of four of these major faults, have been examined in two detailed outcrop windows, 200 m high, 500 m wide and positioned 0.7-1.2 km apart along depositional strike. In addition one fault can be traced near-continuously several hundred metres along strike. The fault zones localized the development of paleokarst and acted as conduits for dolomitizing fluids. The fill, diagenesis and tectonic fabrics of the fault zones provide evidence for incremental growth of the faults and for multiple phases of dissolution, deposition, collapse and dolomitization. Here, the spatial and temporal evolution of the fault zones is illustrated, and the implications for their structural, sedimentary and diagenetic evolution is discussed within the context of a well-constrained stratigraphic framework.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90906©2001 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado