About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 97, No. 3 (March 2013), P. 487524.

Copyright copy2013. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.

DOI:10.1306/07311212071

Sedimentologic and diagenetic controls on pore-network characteristics of Oligocene–Miocene ramp carbonates (Majella Mountain, central Italy)

Andrea Rustichelli,1 Emanuele Tondi,2 Fabrizio Agosta,3 Claudio Di Celma,4 Maurizio Giorgioni5

1Geology Division, School of Science and Technology, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, Camerino (Macerata), Italy; [email protected]
2Geology Division, School of Science and Technology, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, Camerino (Macerata), Italy; [email protected]
3Department of Geological Sciences, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, Potenza, Italy; [email protected]
4Geology Division, School of Science and Technology, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, Camerino (Macerata), Italy; [email protected]
5Shell Italia EampP, Piazza dell'Indipendenza 11B, Rome, Italy; [email protected]

ABSTRACT

This article addresses the controls exerted by sedimentologic and diagenetic factors on the preservation and modification of pore-network characteristics (porosity, pore types, sizes, shapes, and distribution) of carbonates belonging to the Bolognano Formation. This formation, exposed at the Majella Mountain, Italy, is composed of Oligocene–Miocene carbonates deposited in middle- to outer-ramp settings. The carbonates consist of (1) grainstones predominantly composed of either larger benthic foraminifera, especially Lepidocyclina, or bryozoans; (2) grainstones to packstones with abundant echinoid plates and spines; and (3) marly wackestones to mudstones with planktonic foraminifera.

The results of this field- and laboratory-based study are consistent with skeletal grain assemblages, grain sizes, sorting, and shapes, all representing the sedimentologic factors responsible for high values of connected primary macroporosity in grainstones deposited on the high-energy, middle to proximal outer ramp. Cementation, responsible for porosity reduction and overall macropore shape and distribution in grainstones to packstones deposited on the intermediate outer ramp, was mainly dependent on the following factors: (1) amount of echinoid plates and spines, (2) grain size, (3) grain sorting and shapes, and (4) clay amount. Differently, in the wackestones to mudstones, laid down on the low-energy, distal outer ramp, matrix is the key sedimentologic factor responsible for low values of scattered macroporosity and dominance of microporosity. The aforementioned results may be useful to improve the prediction of reservoir quality by means of mapping, simulating, and assessing individual carbonate facies with peculiar pore-network characteristics.

Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24

AAPG Member?

Please login with your Member username and password.

Members of AAPG receive access to the full AAPG Bulletin Archives as part of their membership. For more information, contact the AAPG Membership Department at [email protected].