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Sequence-stratigraphic analysis using well cuttings, Mississippian Greenbrier Group, West Virginia

Authors: Thomas C. Wynn; J. Fred Read;

Sequence-stratigraphic analysis using well cuttings, Mississippian Greenbrier Group, West Virginia

Abstract

Well-cuttings analysis predates modern carbonate facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy, seismic reflection surveys, and advanced geophysical logging techniques. These newer methods have resulted in well cuttings becoming less important as a major source of data for high-resolution subsurface analysis. Binocular analysis of well-indurated Paleozoic well cuttings can be used to construct detailed vertical facies successions in wells when tied to wire-line logs. Facies analysis can then be used to construct higher resolution sequence-stratigraphic frameworks and time-slice maps. This approach was tested on Mississippian carbonates in the Appalachian Basin of West Virginia. The analysis was done using the washed coarse fraction (1–2 mm; 0.04–0.08 in.) of the cuttings for each sample interval, classified according to Dunham rock type, counted to determine relative abundance, and plotted as percent lithology versus depth for each well. Digitized wire-line logs and the cuttings-percent logs were adjusted (typically 10 ft [3 m] or so) to consider drilling lag, lithologic columns were produced from the combined data, and sequences were picked. Gamma-ray markers were used to correlate the sections, and sequence-stratigraphic cross sections were produced. Time-slice maps were generated that show the thickness of the individual sequences and the distribution of major facies within systems tracts. This approach generated a rock-based, high-resolution sequence framework for the reservoir and led to a much better understanding of controls on the distribution and stacking of reservoirs.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
7
Average
Top 10%
Average
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