1999 Abstract: Mancini et al.
Integrated Geological, Geophysical, and Computer Approach for Predicting Reef Lithofacies and Reservoirs: Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation, Appleton Field, Alabama
Ernest
A. Mancini
D. Joe Benson
Department
of Geology
The
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa,
AL 35487
Bruce
S. Hart
New
Mexico Bureau of Mines &
Mineral Resources
Socorro,
NM 87801
Hanna
Chen
Department
of Computer Science
The
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa,
AL 35487
Robert
S. Balch
New
Mexico Bureau of Mines &
Mineral Resources
Socorro,
NM 87801
William
C. Parcell
Department
of Geology
The
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa,
AL 35487
Wen-Tai
Wang
Department
of Civil and
Environmental Engineering
The
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa,
AL 35487
Brian
J. Panetta
Department
of Geology
The
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa,
AL 35487
Abstract
Reefs have long been known from the Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation in the Gulf Coastal Plain; however, these carbonate lithofacies have unique acoustic properties that make them difficult to define using 3-D seismic reflection technology. In the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain, microbial reef buildups occur on pre-Jurassic paleotopographic basement features on a carbonate ramp margin. Development of these buildups is a result of the interplay among paleotopography, sea-level changes, and carbonate productivity. An integrated approach of geological interpretation, computer modeling, and seismic imaging indicates that Smackover reef development is restricted to the flanks of high-relief structures, whereas on low-relief structures reef development occurred on both the crest and flanks. The combination of geological and computer modeling of parameters affecting reef development associated with pre-Jurassic paleohighs in conjunction with 3-D seismic imaging increases the chances of drilling a successful exploration well and in designing an effective field-scale reservoir management strategy.