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Hydrothermal Dolomitization of Fluid Reservoirs in the Michigan Basin, USA*

By

David A. Barnes1, Thomas M. Parris2, and G. Michael Grammer1

 

Search and Discovery Article #50087 (2008)

Posted August 1, 2008

 

*Adapted from oral presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas, April 20-23

1Geosciences - MGRRE, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. ([email protected])

2Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.

Abstract

Mechanisms for dolomitization of primary carbonate facies imply flow properties, spatial distribution, and internal geometry of the resulting geo-body. Petrologic data from diagenetic carbonates in the St. Peter Sandstone, Trenton/Black River, Burnt Bluff, Niagaran, Bass Islands, and Dundee in the Michigan basin suggest that fracture-related, hydrothermal dolomitization was important in the origin of these reservoirs. The T/Br Gp is a famous example of a fracture-related hydrothermal dolostone reservoir. In all units, saddle dolomite is a replacive intergranular cement, fracture/vug fill, and/or primary carbonate matrix replacement. Other related diagenetic phases include pyrite; bitumen; quartz; fracture filling, calcite; anhydrite; and fluorite. Primary fluid inclusion Th/Tm from carbonate minerals indicates reservoir-forming episodes of diagenesis as a result of precursor carbonate mineral interaction with high salinity, hydrothermal fluids. In all of these Ordovician to Devonian units, hydrothermal carbonate minerals have oxygen isotopic composition from -5 to -12 δ18O and minimum formation temperatures of 80°C-170°C. These data indicate diagenetic carbonate mineral formation from high salinity, δ18O enriched (+5 to +12δ18O; PDB) fluids during at least one episode of fracture related, hydrothermal mineralization. Fluids resulting in hydrothermal alteration in the Michigan basin can be characterized by 1) high pressure gradients, 2) elevated temperature, 3) high salinity, and 4) δ18O enriched oxygen isotopic composition. A speculative model for hydrothermal dolomitization in the Michigan basin includes reactivated basement faults (coincident with Appalachian orogenic events), vertical migration of basinal brines (related to thick evaporite-rich units), and serpentinization of basement peridotite (associated with the deeply buried, Mid-Continent Rift System).

 

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Figure 1 Hydrogeological models for dolomitization.
Figure 2 Fluid T-X phase diagram for calcite & dolomite.
Figure 3 Reservoirs and petroleum production in Michigan.


Figure 4

Upper and Middle Ordovician Trenton-Black River (T/BR): Classic HTD reservoirs.  
Figure 5

Structural models for HTD reservoirs.

Conclusions

  • Hydrothermal Dolomite (HTD) reservoirs are widespread stratigraphically and spatially in the Michigan Basin USA, and HTD probably comprises a significant volume of sedimentary rock in the basin.

  • Fractures (due to recurring Paleozoic faulting) were primary hydrothermal fluid flow conduits, but much hydrothermal dolomite was also formed due to associated fluid migration through regional aquifers and other high fluid flow units.

  • Hydrothermal mineralization may be related to saline, basinal brine/rock-water interactions with mafic and ultramafic crust of the Mid-Continent Rift in the central Michigan Basin.

References

Allan, J.R., and W.D. Wiggins, 1993, Dolomite reservoirs; Geochemical Techniques for Evaluating Origin and Distribution: AAPG Continuing Education Course Notes, No. 36, p. 129.

Barnes, D.A., C.E. Lundgren, and M.W. Longman, 1992, Sedimentology and diagenesis of the St. Peter Sandstone, central Michigan Basin, United States: AAPG Bulletin, v. 76/10, p. 1507-1532.

Bates, R.L., W.C. Sweet, and R.O. Utgard, 1973, Geology - an introduction: D. C. Heath and Co., 2nd ed., 541 p.

Cercone, K.R., and K.C. Lohmann, 1987, Late burial diagenesis of Niagaran (Middle Silurian) pinnacle reefs in Michigan Basin: AAPG Bulletin, v. 71/2, p. 156-166.

Davies, G.R., and L.B. Smith, 2006, Structurally controlled hydrothermal dolomite reservoir facies; an overview: AAPG Bulletin, v.90/11, p. 1641-1690.

Dolton, G.L., 1989, Geologic framework of the United States: USGS Open-File Report, p. 186-193.

Esch, J., Minerals and Mapping Unit, Michigan Office of Geological Survey, Personal Communication.

Hardie, L.A., 1987, Dolomitization; a critical view of some current views: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 57/1, p. 166-183.

Harding, T.P., 1974, Petroleum traps associated with wrench faults: AAPG Bulletin, v. 58/7, p. 1290-1304.

Hinze, W.J., R.L. Kellogg, and N.W. O'Hara, 1975, Geophysical studies of basement geology of Southern Peninsula of Michigan: AAPG Bulletin, v. 59/9, p. 1562-1584.

Howell, P.D., and B.A. van der Pluijm, 1990, Early history of the Michigan Basin; subsidence and Appalachian tectonics: Geology (Boulder), v. 18/12, p. 1195-1198.

Hurley, N.F., and R. Budros, 1990, Albion-Scipio and Stoney Point fields, U.S.A., Michigan Basin: AAPG Treatise of Petroleum Geology, Atlas of Oil and Gas Fields, p. 1-37.

Land, 1986, Environments of limestone and dolomite diagenesis; some geochemical considerations: Colorado School of Mines Quarterly, v. 81/4, p. 26-41.

Luczaj, J.A., W.B. Harrison, and W.N. Smith, 2006, Fractured hydrothermal dolomite reservoirs in the Devonian Dundee Formation of the central Michigan Basin: AAPG Bulletin, v. 90/11, p. 1787-1801.

Morse, J.W., and F.T. Mackenzie, 1990, Geochemistry of Sedimentary Carbonates: Elsevier Science, p. 696.

Prouty, C. E., 1983, The tectonic development of the Michigan basin intrastructures, in R. E. Kimmel (ed.), Tectonics, structure, and karst in northern Lower Michigan: Michigan Basin Geological Society Annual Field Excursion, p. 36-81.

Sloss, L.L., 1963, Sequences in the cratonic interior of North America: GSA Bulletin, v. 74, p. 93-114.

Sylvester, G.C., and R.R. Smith, 1976, Tectonics transpression and basement-controlled deformation in San Andreas fault zone, Salton trough, California: AAPG Bulletin, v. 60/12, p. 2081-2101.

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