Outline

Geometric changes due to compaction

4. FROM COMPACTION Porosity & compaction
TO BASIN ANALYSIS Backstripping
Isostacy
Thermal & isostatic uplift and subsidence

Compaction-induced geometry change Compaction-related fault curvature

growth fault

Compaction-related folding Porosity and compaction

before after
0
S0
ss
sh
ss
sh
sh ss Key relationships, assuming S0 = S1
sh
t0 = t1 (1 - 1) / (1 - 0) (11)

t1 = t0 (1 - 0) / (1 - 1) (12)

1
 Unknowns Compaction Curves

To find original thickness from compacted thickness,

need original porosity, 0
Exponential fit:
t0 = t1 (1 - 1) / (1 - 0) (11) (Rubey and Hubbert)
1 = 0 e-cz (13)

To find compacted thickness from original thickness, Power-law fit:

need compacted porosity, 1 (Baldwin and Butler)
z = 6.02 S6.35 (14a)
t1 = t0 (1 - 0) / (1 - 1) (12) (normal shale)

This requires a porosity-depth relationship

Compaction curve Exponential fit: 1 = 0 e-cz (13) Basin Modeling: backstripping

constants (Rubey and Hubbert)
2000 m uplift
sediment type 0 (fraction) c (km-1) source
shale 0.63 0.51 1 North Sea shale: 0 0.63, c = 0.51
shale 0.70 0.50 2
mudstone 0.50 0.40 2
sandstone 0.49 0.27 1
sandstone 0.62 0.36 2
shaley sand 0.56 0.39 1
chalk 0.70 0.71 1 1 =0.63 e-0.51z (13)
chalk 0.68 0.47 2
limestone 0.24 0.16 2 t0 = t1 (1 - 1) / (1 - 0) (11)
dolomite 0.24 0.16 2
carbonate 0.417 0.40 3
maximum density 0.25 0.60 4
average density 0.55 0.45 4
minimum density 0.75 0.30 4

Isostatic Compensation Flexural isostacy of faulted crust

c = density of crust wf = footwall uplift

s = density of sediment filling graben wh = hangingwall
w = density of water subsidence
m = density of liquid substratum
L = horizontal length over which L = 0 = Airy isostacy
Airy isostacy Flexural isostacy compensation occurs
= dip of fault
tc = thickness of crust

2
Thermal uplift and subsidence Local structurally controlled unconformities

FW unconformity

July field, Gulf of Suez

Regional unconformities
Exercise

In the Appleton oil field of south Alabama, the Smackover

limestone is 65 m thick at a depth of 3840 m below the surface of
the ground. How thick was it when it was deposited? Discuss the
assumptions required to obtain an answer.

drift sequence

rift sequence

North Sea