TYPES OF CROSS SECTIONS

A cross section is a vertical slice through the earth that

is made using well log and/or outcrop data, and
sometime, a seismic backdrop.
Stratigraphic
• First correlation step
• Used to correlate strata
• Used to assess facies continuity
• Stratigraphic datum

Structural
• Used to illustrate shape of structural trap
and difference in head (elevation)
• Used to assess structural discontinuities,
reservoir compartments, and hydrocarbon
migration paths
• Structural datum (commonly Mean Sea Level)
STRATIGRAPHIC CROSS SECTIONS
Sedimentary layers and facies have limited extent

• First correlation step

• Used to determine lateral relations of strata

• Used to assess facies continuity

• Stratigraphic datum
CORRELATION
TECHNIQUES

DATUM

Marker beds

Textularia W

Log patterns
Texas Bureau of Economic Geology
STRUCTURAL CROSS SECTIONS
• Used to illustrate shape of structural trap

• Used to determine difference in head (elevation)

between cells in reservoir model

• Used to assess structural discontinuities,

reservoir compartments, and hydrocarbon
migration paths

• Structural datum (commonly Mean Sea Level)

EFFECTS OF FAULTS IN WELL LOGS
Normal Fault: Reverse Fault:
• Missing Strata “A” • Repeat Strata “A”
• Strata “B” - Shallow • Strata “B” - Deep

A 500’

B
500’
900’