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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
AAPG Bulletin
Abstract
AAPG Bulletin, V.
DOI: 10.1306/02101615121
The Vaca Muerta–Quintuco system (Tithonian–Valanginian) in the Neuquén Basin, Argentina: A view from the outcrops in the Chos Malal fold and thrust belt
Diego A. Kietzmann,1 Alfredo L. Ambrosio,2 Julieta Suriano,3 María Susana Alonso,4 Federico González Tomassini,5 Gabriela Depine,6 and David Repol7
1Instituto de Estudios Andinos Don Pablo Groeber, Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, C1428EHA Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; [email protected]
2Geoandina SRL, Ciudad de la Paz 3257, Piso 6° D, (C1429ACG) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; [email protected]
3Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Ambientales y Aplicadas, Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, C1428EHA Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; [email protected]
4Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Ambientales y Aplicadas, Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, C1428EHA Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; [email protected]
5Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, C1428EHA Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; [email protected]
6Shell Exploration and Production Company, 200 N Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, Texas 77079; [email protected]
7Shell Exploration and Production Company, 200 N Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, Texas 77079; [email protected]
ABSTRACT
The Vaca Muerta–Quintuco system (uppermost lower Tithonian–lower Valanginian) is a thick shallowing-upward sedimentary cycle consisting of dark bituminous shales, marlstones, limestones, and sandstones, cropping out in the Neuquén Basin, west–central Argentina. This paper analyzes three outcrop sections in Chos Malal area, northem Neuquén province. Detailed facies analysis allows us to differentiate six facies associations, representing basinal to proximal outer ramp facies of a homoclinal carbonate ramp system (Vaca Muerta Formation) and basinal to shoreface facies of a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic shelf system (Quintuco Formation), prograding westward from the eastern margin of the basin. Two sequence hierarchies were recognized: 5 composite depositional sequences (third order) and 15 high-frequency sequences (fourth order). Fluctuations in organic matter content within the Vaca Muerta Formation suggest a relationship with depositional sequences, finding the highest values associated with transgressive 
systems
tract, whereas the transition to the Quintuco Formation shows a strong decrease in total organic carbon. The x-ray diffraction studies show an increase of clay minerals and quartz in the transgressive systems tract of the Vaca Muerta Formation and an increase in the content of calcite in highstand systems tracts
. This pattern is reversed in the Quintuco Formation. Our sequence stratigraphic approach contributes to the understanding of the relationship between organic matter, clay minerals, facies, stacking pattern, and relative sea level changes in this exceptional shale oil and shale gas unconventional reservoir. This study may be helpful for a better postulate of petrophysical and geomechanical models for unconventional exploration.
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