This electronic flyer highlights our capabilities and activities in the area of Carbonate Fault Project. Please sign our guestbook. For additional information, e-mail Dr. David A. Ferrill or Dr. Alan P. Morris, Southwest Research Institute.

Carbonate Fault Project 
A Consortium for Integrated Structural Geologic, Hydrologic, and Geomechanical Investigations

About the cover: Low-altitude aerial photograph of Canyon Lake Gorge showing traces of faults and locations of springs, pools, and infiltration points in channel. View is ENE along strike of Hidden Valley Fault.

The permeability architecture of faults in carbonate rocks is of fundamental importance to hydrocarbon reservoir performance, but remains poorly understood. Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) formed a consortium in summer 2007, with a two-year initial phase leading to improved understanding of fault architecture.

Initial Phase (2 Years)

The objectives of the initial phase are to:

  • Characterize deformation features that develop in faulted carbonate rocks
  • Integrate structural analysis with lithologic and hydrologic characterization
  • Generate a quantitative data set of normal fault characteristics in carbonate strata and their effects on permeability

Detailed work will be conducted over a two-year period in south central Texas on the recently exhumed Hidden Valley Fault. This fault, which cuts the Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation, is representative of a common class of structure. This unique site permits study of the interplay between structure, rock type, and fault-zone hydraulic properties.

Additional work on faults within the Cretaceous strata of south central and west Texas will provide a context for interpreting and applying the detailed work in the Hidden Valley Fault.

Stratigraphic and Lithologic Characterization (Year 1)

  • Develop detailed measured sections of hanging wall and footwall
  • Obtain natural gamma ray log
  • Characterize textures and quantify clay content of host lithologies

Photomicrographs of fault rock in limestone illustrating stylolites, vein fill, and twinning of vein calcite.

Structural Analysis (Years 1 & 2)

  • Analyze mechanical stratigraphy
  • Map outcrop scale structural elements
  • Conduct microstructural analysis
  • Develop a digital geologic framework model from field mapping

Well Infrastructure (Year 1)

  • Drill, core, log, and complete two wells
  • Install multi-level piezometers in the hanging wall and footwall of the Hidden Valley Fault

Hydrologic Characterization (Years 3 & 4)

  • Assemble water level data for Canyon Lake and local water wells
  • Monitor springs, seeps and influent/effluentsurface water bodies
  • Measure water flow rates within Canyon Lake Gorge
  • Monitor water pressures at multiple intervals in monitoring wells

Geomechanical Characterization (Years 3 & 4)

  • Characterize geomechanical properties of representative lithologies from the Hidden Valley Fault exposure
  • Use finite element and distinct element methods to simulate deformation associated with the Hidden Valley Fault

Profile view of Hidden Valley Fault zone at waterfall looking WSW, showing synthetic dip in footwall damage zone, and conjugate normal faulting in both footwall and hanging wall.

For more information on the Integrated Investigations of Faulting in Carbonate Strata, please visit: www.cfp.swri.org
 

This flyer was published in May 2008. For more information about Carbonate Fault Project, contact Dr. David A. Ferrill, Phone, (210) 522-6082, Fax (210) 522-5155 or Dr. Alan P. Morris, Phone (210) 522-6743, Geosciences and Engineering Division, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510.

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