Diagenetic trends near sandstone/shale contacts were studied in 12 cored sequences from four wells between depths of 5200 and 15,700 ft (1585 and 4785 m) to evaluate the heterogeneity of diagenetic processes on a local scale and to evaluate the hypothesis that reactive aqueous fluids and components for cements in sandstones were derived from adjacent shales. The only evidence suggesting that diagenetic components in sandstones were derived from immediately adjacent shales is an increase in chlorite cement in sandstones toward contacts with shale beds for two of three contacts appropriate for study. Secondary pores and cements of quartz, carbonate, and kaolinite do not correlate with proximity to shale beds, but have a preference for sandstones that had relatively high ini ial porosities and permeabilities. Thus, the flux of formation water and probably long-distance transportation of diagenetic components were more important influences on reservoir quality of sandstones than was the local availability of components. Multiple regression of 22 independent variables indicates that the best predictors of secondary porosity are kaolinite cement and intergranular porosity.

Sandstone sequences are extremely heterogeneous in the distribution of total thin section porosity, secondary porosity, and quartz and carbonate cements; in addition, they have significant variations in the abundance of kaolinite and chlorite cements. Mass balance calculations for silica and aluminum indicate silica was imported to and aluminum was exported from the sandstones.