Karst conduits formed along fracture corridors in anticline hinges of carbonate units

Implications for reservoir quality

Conference paper (2020)

Authors

Cayo C.C. Pontes Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
Francisco H.R. Bezerra Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
G. Bertotti Applied Geology - CEG
Fabrizio Balsamo University of Parma
Vincenzo La Bruna Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
S. de Hoop Applied Geology - CEG
Research Group
Applied Geology (CEG) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Geoscience and Engineering

Research Group

Applied Geology

Abstract

The hypogenic caves developed in carbonate units have a significant structural control but most of their features are not detect by conventional methods due to their size below seismic resolution. This contribution focuses on the structural, petrographic and geometric characterization of karst conduits in Neoproterozoic carbonates of the Salitre Formation, central part of São Francisco Craton, Brazil. We address the influence of fractures and folds on the development of karst conduits through field and laboratory analysis and the application of Light Detection Ranging to characterize cave/conduit geometry. The preliminary results indicate that the process of karstification are intensified in fractures corridors developed along fold hinges, which create fluid flow corridors in carbonate units and may change petrophysical reservoir properties.

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