Mapeamento digital de análogos a reservatórios petrolíferos: exemplos para depósitos fluviais da Unidade Açu-3 - Bacia Potiguar

In the current work are presented the results about the study of digital mapping of analogs referents the fluvial oil reservoirs in the Açu Formation. With the regional recognizing in the south corner of Potiguar Basin was selected a area of 150 Km square in the west of Assu city. In this area was chosen the outcrops for the digital mapping and from the data fields and remote sensors were done the depositional architectural for the fluvial deposits, which it was named coarse meandering fluvial systems. In the deposits were individualized 3 (three) fluvial cycles, which they was separated by bounding surface of fifth order. Such cycles are preferentially sandy, with fining-upward sequence finished in flood plain deposits. Inner of the sandy levels of the filling channels were characterized least cycles, normaly incomplete, constituted by braided sandy bodies and bounding surfaces of fourth order. In the mapped area was chosen a outcrop with great exposition, where it was possible to see tipical deposits of filling channel and was in this outcrop that was done the digital mapping. In this outcrop was used diverse technics and tools, which they integrated sedimentological, altimetric (GPS, Total Station), LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), digital photomosaic of high resolution and of the inner geometries (Ground Penetration Radar) data sets. For the integrating, interpretation and visualization of data was used software GoCAD®. The final product of the outcrop digital mapping was the photorealistic model of part of the cliff (or slope) because the observed reflectors in the radargrams were absents. A part of bar oblique accretion was modeled according to GPR gride of 200x200 meters in the alluvial Assu river probable recent analog. With the data of inner geometries was developed the three-dimentional sedimentary architectural, where it was possible characterize sand sheet deposits and many hierarchy of braided channels. At last, simulations of sedimentary geometries and architectures of the Potiguar Basin Fluvial Reservoirs were done with PetBool software, in order to understand the capacity of this program in simulations with a lot of numbers of conditioning wells. In total, 45 simulations was acquired, where the time and the channel numbers increase in relation of the conditioning wells quantity. The deformation of the meanders was detected from the change of simulated dominion dimensions. The presence of this problem was because the relationship between the simulated dominion and the width of the meander

Dobramentos distensionais e a geometria da falha de Baixa Grande, Graben de Umbuzeiro, Bacia Potiguar (RN)

In spite of significant study and exploration of Potiguar Basin, easternmost Brazilian equatorial margin, by the oil industry, its still provides an interesting discussion about its origin and the mechanisms of hydrocarbon trapping. The mapping and interpretation of 3D seismic reflection data of Baixa Grande Fault, SW portion of Umbuzeiro Graben, points as responsible for basin architecture configuration an extensional deformational process. The fault geometry is the most important deformation boundary condition of the rift stata. The development of flat-ramp geometries is responsible for the formation of important extensional anticline folds, many of then hydrocarbon traps in this basin segment. The dominant extensional deformation in the studied area, marked by the development of normal faults developments, associated with structures indicative of obliquity suggests variations on the former regime of Potiguar Basin through a multiphase process. The changes in structural trend permits the generation of local transpression and transtension zones, which results in a complex deformation pattern displayed by the Potiguar basin sin-rift strata. Sismostratigraphic and log analysis show that the Baixa Grande Fault acts as listric growing fault at the sedimentation onset. The generation of a relay ramp between Baixa Grande Fault and Carnaubais Fault was probably responsible for the balance between subsidence and sedimentary influx taxes, inhibiting its growing behaviour. The sismosequences analysis s indicates that the extensional folds generation its diachronic, and then the folds can be both syn- and post-depositional

Isótopos de Nd na proveniência de rochas e sedimentos da bacia potiguar, ne do Brasil

Nd ISOTOPES IN THE PROVENANCE OF TERRIGENOUS AND CARBONATE ROCKS AND SEDIMENTS OF THE POTIGUAR BASIN, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL. Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks from the Potiguar Basin, including terrigenous and carbonate sediments have been investigated to identify their isotopic signature and source areas. Additionally, this study aims to determine the provenance of terrigenous and carbonate sediments on the Brazilian Continental shelf adjacent to Potiguar Basin. The Sm-Nd isotopic signatures of the rocks yielded model ages (TDM) in the range of 2,19- 2,88 Ga, indicating archean to paleoproterozoic sources from the basement. The terrigenous sediments yielded model ages (TDM) in the range of 2,31-2,26 Ga, from 17,5 to 0 cm depth. Despite the small number of samples, limited variations of provenance ages indicates the homogenization of the sediments, probably due to the strong influence of the basement, as the main source of sediments to the shelf. The Sm-Nd isotopic signatures of the carbonate sediments yielded model ages (TDM) in the range of 2,09-2,61 Ga, indicating archean to paleoproterozoic sources from the basement. The results also indicate that the shelf sediments are mainly derived from the Açu River or other small rivers from the Setentrional Sector of Rio Grande do Norte State. The littoral drift doesn´t seem to contribute with sediments from the Oriental Sector since isotopic signatures from this sector were not detected.

Expressão em superfície do sistema de falhas Poço Verde-caraúbas, Bacia Potiguar

The structural knowledge of the western portion of the Potiguar Basin is still in its infancy, especially these related to NW-trending fault systems. This paper analyzes the Poço Verde-Caraúbas Fault System, which was initially recognized in subsurface. The activities involved in this study correspond to remote-sensing analysis and, in particular, to the geometric and kinematic analysis of post-rift sequences of the basin. In addition, the study aimed to determine the stress fields operating in the area. The studies were carried out in an area of 1,000 km², located in the western portion of Potiguar Basin along the Poço Verde-Caraúbas Fault System, Rio Grande do Norte State. The remote sensing imagery indicates a predominance of NW-SE-trending lineaments, consistent with the fault system under study, followed by the NE-SW, N-S and E-W directions. The tectonic structures mapped were analyzed only in outcrops of the Jandaíra Formantion. They are joints (filled or not) in all directions, but with predominance of the NW-trending joints. Faults are usually N-S-trending normal faults and NW-SE and NE-SW-trending strike-slip faults. Geodynamic analysis identified two tectonic stress fields: the first field, "Field 1" is represented by an N-S-trending horizontal compression and E-W-trending horizontal extension. This field affected the Potiguar Basin at least until the Miocene. The second field, "Field 2", is represented by an E-W-trending horizontal compression and N-S-trending horizontal extension. This is the present-day stress field and has affected the Potiguar basin since the Pliocene

Estimativa da profundidade do embasamento na bacia potiguar usando inversão gravimétrica

The gravity inversion method is a mathematic process that can be used to estimate the basement relief of a sedimentary basin. However, the inverse problem in potential-field methods has neither a unique nor a stable solution, so additional information (other than gravity measurements) must be supplied by the interpreter to transform this problem into a well-posed one. This dissertation presents the application of a gravity inversion method to estimate the basement relief of the onshore Potiguar Basin. The density contrast between sediments and basament is assumed to be known and constant. The proposed methodology consists of discretizing the sedimentary layer into a grid of rectangular juxtaposed prisms whose thicknesses correspond to the depth to basement which is the parameter to be estimated. To stabilize the inversion I introduce constraints in accordance with the known geologic information. The method minimizes an objective function of the model that requires not only the model to be smooth and close to the seismic-derived model, which is used as a reference model, but also to honor well-log constraints. The latter are introduced through the use of logarithmic barrier terms in the objective function. The inversion process was applied in order to simulate different phases during the exploration development of a basin. The methodology consisted in applying the gravity inversion in distinct scenarios: the first one used only gravity data and a plain reference model; the second scenario was divided in two cases, we incorporated either borehole logs information or seismic model into the process. Finally I incorporated the basement depth generated by seismic interpretation into the inversion as a reference model and imposed depth constraint from boreholes using the primal logarithmic barrier method. As a result, the estimation of the basement relief in every scenario has satisfactorily reproduced the basin framework, and the incorporation of the constraints led to improve depth basement definition. The joint use of surface gravity data, seismic imaging and borehole logging information makes the process more robust and allows an improvement in the estimate, providing a result closer to the actual basement relief. In addition, I would like to remark that the result obtained in the first scenario already has provided a very coherent basement relief when compared to the known basin framework. This is significant information, when comparing the differences in the costs and environment impact related to gravimetric and seismic surveys and also the well drillings

Orientação e magnitude de tensões na bacia potiguar: implicações para evolução de bacias em margens passivas

This study presents new stress orientations and magnitudes from the Potiguar basin in the continental margin of Brazil. We analyzed breakout and drilled induced fractures derived from resistivity image logs run in ten oil wells. We also used direct Shmin measurements determined from hydraulic fractures and rock strength laboratory analysis. In addition, we compared these results with 19 earthquake focal mechanisms located in the crystalline basement. We observed that stress directions and magnitudes change across the basin and its basement. In the basin, the SHmax gradient of 20.0 MPa/km and the SHmax/Shmin ratio of 1.154 indicate a normal stress regime from 0.5 to 2.0 km, whereas the SHmax gradient of 24.5MPa/km and the SHmax/Shmin ratio of 1.396 indicate a strike slip stress regime from 2.5 to 4.0 km. The deeper strike-slip stress regime in the basin is similar to the regime in the basement at 1-12 km deep. This stress regime transition is consistent with an incipient tectonic inversion process in the basin. We also noted that the SHmax direction rotates from NW SE in the western part of the Potiguar basin to E W in its central and eastern part, following roughly the shoreline geometry. It indicates that local factors, as density contrast between continental and oceanic crust and sediment loading at the continental shelf influence the stress field. The concentration of fluid pressure in faults of the lowpermeability crystalline basement and its implications to establish a critically stressed fault regime in the basement is also discussed

Pirometamorfismo nos arenitos da Formação Açu, Bacia Potiguar, NE do Brasil

Pyrometamorphism results from conditions of high temperatures and very low pressures provoked by the intrusion of hypabyssal basic bodies into sedimentary or metassedimentary hosting rocks. The onshore portion of the Potiguar Basin in NE Brazil offers examples of this type of metamorphism nearby the contacts of Paleogene to Neogene plugs, sills and dikes of diabases and basalts crosscutting sandstones, siltstones and shales of the Açu Formation (Albian-Cenomanian). The thermal effects over these rocks are reflected on textures and minerals assemblages that characterize the sanidinite facies of metamorphism, often with partial melting of the feldspathic and mica-rich matrix. The liquid formed is potassic and peraluminous, with variably colored rhyolitic glass (colorless, yellow, brown) comprising microcrystals of tridymite, sanidine and clinoenstatite, besides residual detrital clasts of quartz and rarely zircon, staurolite and garnet. Lenses of shale intercalated within the sandstones display crystallites of Fe-cordierite (sekaninaite), mullite, sanidine, armalcolite (Fe-Ti oxide) and brown spinel. The rocks formed due to the thermal effect of the intrusions are called buchites for which two types are herein described: a light one derived from feldspathic sandstone and siltstone protoliths; and a dark one derived from black shale protoliths. Textures indicating partial melting and minerals such as sanidine, mullite, tridymite and armalcolite strongly demonstrate that during the intrusion of the basic bodies the temperature reached 1,000-1,150°C, and was followed by quenching. Cooling of the interstitial melts has as consequences the closure of pores and decrease of the permeability of the protolith, which varies from about 17-11% in the unaffected rocks to zero in the thermally modified types. Although observed only at contacts and over small distances, the number of basic intrusions hosted within the Potiguar Basin in both onshore and offshore portions leaves opened the possibility of important implications of the thermal effects over the hydrocarbon exploration in this area as well in other Cretaceous and Paleozoic basins in Brazil

Caracterização e análise do talude continental adjacente à bacia potiguar, NE Brasil

This work presents the results of the first imaging of continental slope adjacent to Potiguar Basin, in the equatorial Brazilian margin (NE Brazil). Swath bathymetry provided a complete coverage of seafloor between the upper and middle slope (100-1,300 m). Fifteen submarine canyons were mapped. The shape of the slope reflects in distinct spatial distribution of the canyons. The western area displays convex profiles which implied a greater amount of incisions by canyons. Some of them have gradient walls higher than 35°. They were classified according to location and morphology. The canyons with heads indenting shelf edge, association with a incised valley and a large fluvial system, high sinuosities, V shape, terraces along margins, further erosive features such as landslide and gullies allow to deduce a sandy-gravelly sedimentation. These canyons are associated with deposition of submarine fan systems that have been considered permeable hydrocarbon reservoirs. The presence of gullies, furrows and dunes demonstrates the role of bottom currents in the shaping of the slope. The enlargement of canyons and the change in the course when they cross the border fault imply that tectonic has also influenced in the morphology of deep waters environments of Potiguar Basin. The current sedimentation of continental slope is considered mixed because the sediments are composed of siliciclastics and bioclasts. Predominant siliciclastics are calcite, dolomite, quartz, and clay minerals. The presence of stable minerals (zircon, tourmaline and rutile), and fragmented bioclasts implies the contributions of Rivers Açu and Apodi

Caracterização petrográfica, físico-mecânica e de alterabilidade dos calcários ornamentais das Bacias Potiguar e do Araripe (RN/CE)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Grãos em carbonatos marinhos cretácicos da Bacia Potiguar: formações Ponta do Mel e Jandaíra

This work aims to identify and photograph grains that compose important Cretaceous carbonate units of the Potiguar Basin, represented by the Ponta do Mel and Jandaíra formations (Albian-Campanian). Petrographic investigation of thin sections was essential. The samples studied come from wells and surface samples from the collection UNESPetro – UNESP, Rio Claro. In the Ponta do Mel Formation, the grains consist of ooids, oncoids, peloids and bioclasts. Regarding to the identified bioclasts, the solenoporacean red algae, mollusks (bivalves and gastropods), echinoids, foraminifera, ostracods and worms were the dominant elements. In the Jandaíra Formation, the grains are composed by ooids, peloids and bioclasts, which are represented by green algae, mollusks (bivalves and gastropods), benthic foraminifera miliolids, worms, echinoderms and ostracods. The grains found in the Ponta do Mel Formation are somewhat similar to those found in the Jandaíra Formation, with the exception of calcareous algae. The subsurface material from the Ponta do Mel Formation is derived from the upper part of the unit, representing marine high-energy carbonates, which also contains ooids and Trocholina. The samples of Jandaíra Formation, collected in outcrops, often contain green algae, mollusks and miliolids, and come from inner shelf and lagoon facies previously described

Determinação de Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb e Zn em águas marinhas oriundas da Bacia Potiguar utilizando a técnica de difusão em filmes finos por gradiente de concentração (DGT)

The DGT technique has been used to determine and better understand the dynamics and bioavailability of metals in the sea near to marine outfalls. In this work, the DGT was assessed for the determination of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni in marine water samples from Potiguar Basin in its conventional aspect (binding agent, Chelex-100 and diffusive agent: Diffusive polyacrylamide gel (D) and restrictive (R)) and determination of Pb and Cd through its alternative aspect (binding agent: Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in agarose gels and diffusive agent: 3MM Chromatography Paper). The deployment curves for long periods of immersion in the sample, showed a good linear correlation for the conventional aspect to Zn (D: R²=0.9586, R: R²=0.9444), Ni (D: R²=0.9789, R: R²=0.9286) and Cu (D: R²=0.764, R: R²=0.8143), and alternative to Pb (R²=0.9228) and Cd (R²=0.9673). The results of the organic and inorganic composition analysis in conventional aspect, showed that for every element there is no significant fraction of organic compounds in the sample. In addition, considering the alternative aspect, the comparison of obtained and expected masses suggests that some of the Pb is not labile and that the main retention mechanism of Pb for S. Cerevisiae occurs through ion exchange

Modelagem estratigráfica do intervalo cenomaniano-turoniano, formações Açu e Jandaíra, na borda sudoeste da Bacia Potiguar

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE

Avaliação do controle da diagênese na qualidade de reservatório siliciclástico do cenomaniano superior da formação Açu, sudoeste da bacia potiguar

The distribution of diagenetic alterations in Late Cenomanian siliciclastic reservoirs from Potiguar Basin was influenced by the stratigraphic framework and the depositional system. Seismic sections and geophysical logs of two wells drilled in the SW portion of the mentioned basin above register regional stratigraphic surfaces representing maximum floods related to a transgressive event. The sequential analysis of 80 m of drill core (~450 m deep) recognized nine depositional facies with an upwards granodecrescent standard piling that limits cycles with an erosional conglomeratic base (lag) overlain by intercalations of medium to very fine sandstones showing cross bedding (channel, planar and low angled) and horizontal bedding (plane-parallel , wave and flaser). The top of the cycles is marked by the deposition of pelites and the development of paleosoils and lagoons. The correlation of genetically related facies reveals associations of channel fillings, crevasse, and flood plains deposited in a transgressive system. Detailed descriptions of seventy nine thin sections aided by MEV-EBSD/EDS, DRX and stable isotope analyses in sandstones revealed an arcosian composition and complex textural arrays with abundant smectite fringes continuously covering primary components, mechanically infiltrated cuticles and moldic and intragrain pores. K-feldspar epitaxial overgrowth covers microcline and orthoclase grains before any other phase. Abundant pseudomatrix due to the compactation of mud intraclasts concentrate along the stratification planes, locally replaced by macrocristalline calcite and microcrystalline and framboidal pyrite. Kaolinite (booklets and vermicular), microcrystalline smectite, microcrystalline titanium minerals and pyrite replace the primary components. The intergrain porosity prevails over the moldic, intragrain and contraction porosities. The pores are poorly connected due to the presence of intergranular smectite, k-feldspar overgrowth, infiltrated mud and pseudomatrix. The sandstones were subjected to eodiagenetic conditions next to the surface and shallow burial mesodiagenetic conditions. The diagenetic alterations reduced the porosity and the permeability mainly due to the precipitation of smectite fringes, compactation of mud intraclasts onto the pseudomatrix and cementing by poikilotopic calcite characterizing different reservoir petrofacies. These diagenetic products acted as barriers and detours to the flow of fluids thus reducing the quality of the reservoir.

Criação de zonas de alta permeabilidade em fraturas: modelagem numérica do Lajedo de Soledade, Formação Jandaíra, Bacia Potiguar

The fracturing in carbonate rocks has been attracting increasingly attention due to new oil discoveries in carbonate reservoirs. This study investigates how the fractures (faults and joints) behave when subjected to different stress fields and how their behavior may be associated with the generation of karst and consequently to increased secondary porosity in these rocks. In this study I used satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicle UAV images and field data to identify and map faults and joints in a carbonate outcrop, which I consider a good analogue of carbonate reservoir. The outcrop comprises rocks of the Jandaíra Formation, Potiguar Basin. Field data were modeled using the TECTOS software, which uses finite element analysis for 2D fracture modeling. I identified three sets of fractures were identified: NS, EW and NW-SE. They correspond to faults that reactivate joint sets. The Ratio of Failure by Stress (RFS) represents stress concentration and how close the rock is to failure and reach the Mohr-Coulomb envelopment. The results indicate that the tectonic stresses are concentrated in preferred structural zones, which are ideal places for carbonate dissolution. Dissolution was observed along sedimentary bedding and fractures throughout the outcrop. However, I observed that the highest values of RFS occur in fracture intersections and terminations. These are site of karst concentration. I finally suggest that there is a relationship between stress concentration and location of karst dissolution in carbonate rocks.

Criação de zonas de alta permeabilidade em fraturas: modelagem numérica do Lajedo de Soledade, Formação Jandaíra, Bacia Potiguar

The fracturing in carbonate rocks has been attracting increasingly attention due to new oil discoveries in carbonate reservoirs. This study investigates how the fractures (faults and joints) behave when subjected to different stress fields and how their behavior may be associated with the generation of karst and consequently to increased secondary porosity in these rocks. In this study I used satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicle UAV images and field data to identify and map faults and joints in a carbonate outcrop, which I consider a good analogue of carbonate reservoir. The outcrop comprises rocks of the Jandaíra Formation, Potiguar Basin. Field data were modeled using the TECTOS software, which uses finite element analysis for 2D fracture modeling. I identified three sets of fractures were identified: NS, EW and NW-SE. They correspond to faults that reactivate joint sets. The Ratio of Failure by Stress (RFS) represents stress concentration and how close the rock is to failure and reach the Mohr-Coulomb envelopment. The results indicate that the tectonic stresses are concentrated in preferred structural zones, which are ideal places for carbonate dissolution. Dissolution was observed along sedimentary bedding and fractures throughout the outcrop. However, I observed that the highest values of RFS occur in fracture intersections and terminations. These are site of karst concentration. I finally suggest that there is a relationship between stress concentration and location of karst dissolution in carbonate rocks.