CAIRO UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
PETROLEUM ENG. DEPARTMENT
PRE -M.SC. CLASS 2012-2013
SUBSURFACE GEOLOGY

STRATIGRAPHIC CORRELATION
Presented By
Mohammed Abdulmajeed Esmail

Submitted To
Dr. : Abdulaziz Mohammed Abdulaziz

12/3/2013
OUTLINES
1. Introduction.

2. Stratigraphic units

3. Space-time concept in correlation

4. Facies factor in correlation & Correlation markers

5. Magnitude of correlations

6. Factors controlling correlation investigations (FCCI)

7. Time & cost, Quality of personnel

8. Methods of subsurface correlation

9. Stratigraphic maps and correlation

10. Conclusions.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
What is Stratigraphy ?
• Stratigraphy is the branch of geology that deals
with all rock strata forming the Earth’s crust to
organize them in Space and time.
Bio-stratigraphic unit:
• a body of rock which is defined and characterized
by its fossil content.
Unconformity
• It means a missing in time record via a break in
sedimentation and or erosion.
INTRODUCTION
Benefits of Stratigraphy
• Displays the vertical and lateral distribution of
rock strata and their interrelationship.
• Displays the stratal geometry, lapout and missing
intervals
• Contributes in building static model
• Contributes in field evaluation and reserve
estimation
• Contributes in locating development and
appraisal wells
INTRODUCTION

Importance of Correlation of stratigraphic

• Correlation of stratigraphic units permits
establishment of formational sequences,
evaluation of contemporaneous and non-
contemporaneous deposits, recognition of
unconformities, reconstruction of paleotectonic
fabrics, and delineation of sedimentation
patterns.
STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS
STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS
• Before the correlation of deposits is attempted, it
is essential that stratigraphic units be defined
accurately.
• Schenck and Muller (1941) recommended that
continued use be made of three types of
stratigraphic units as a basis for correlation
(1)lithogenetic (rock),
(2) time-stratigraphic (time-rock), and
(3) time.
 STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS

Figure 1. Time-stratigraphic unit.

 STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS

Figure 2. Relationship of time-stratigraphic and lithogenetic units

STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS
• Biozones play a major role in establishing
boundaries of time-stratigraphic units.
 STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS

Figure 3. Biostratigraphic zonation

SPACE-TIME CONCEPT IN
CORRELATION
SPACE-TIME CONCEPT IN CORRELATION

• Such variables as composition, texture, color,

porosity, permeability, thickness, and
paleontology must be evaluated through time and
along the space components in order to establish
the contemporaneity or non-contemporaneity of
deposits.
 SPACE-TIME CONCEPT IN CORRELATION

Figure 4. demonstrates the lateral and vertical variations of three lithologies (facies) in
space within a time-stratigraphic unit.
FACIES FACTOR IN
CORRELATION
FACIES FACTOR IN CORRELATION

• "when two deposits of the geologic column

have been found to hold pretty much the same
organisms, it has been assumed that the two
deposits have synchronous relations. It is equally,
if not more valid, to assume that the two deposits
were laid down under similar environments and
may actually be somewhat different in age . . .".
CORRELATION MARKERS
CORRELATION MARKERS

• The recognition and the definition of lithologic,

paleontologic, and seismic markers in controlled
stratigraphic sequences are of utmost importance
in all correlation work.

• These markers, including limestone, bentonite,

coal or lignite, anhydrite, concretions,
chert,………
 CORRELATION MARKERS

Figure 5. Marker beds

MAGNITUDE OF
CORRELATIONS
MAGNITUDE OF CORRELATIONS

• Correlations may be of local, regional, inter-

regional, or of intercontinental magnitude.
• Local correlations, for example, within an oil field
or in a small depositional basin, range from
simple to complex.
• Regional correlations between basins of large
provinces, such as the Rocky Mountain Province.
MAGNITUDE OF CORRELATIONS

• Interregional correlations, as between sections of

the Gulf, Pacific, and Atlantic coasts, can be
determined only approximately—mainly on the
basis of paleontology.
• Intercontinental correlations involve those
between continents.
MAGNITUDE OF CORRELATIONS

• Paleontology is the primary basis for these

correlations.
• In general, it may be said that the greater the
distance between stratigraphic sections, the more
difficult and uncertain the correlation.
 FACTORS CONTROLLING
CORRELATION INVESTIGATIONS
(FCCI)
FCCI

• Some of the more critical factors controlling the

solution of correlation problems are the following:

1. Lateral Continuity of Deposits

The more uniform the lithology and paleontology
of a stratigraphic sequence, the less difficult the
correlation of surface and subsurface units.
FCCI
2. Structural Complexity of Section
In areas where the section is highly folded and
faulted, and unconformities are present,
correlations are frequently complicated—-at least,
until a normal stratal sequence has been
established

3. Availability of Basic Data

In some areas stratigraphic data are extremely
meager or absent. In such cases the geologist is
greatly handicapped and must bide his time until
data become available.
TIME & COST
TIME AND COST

• Some oil companies follow an ultraconservative

attitude in their stratigraphic programs and make
every attempt to reduce or even eliminate coring,
taking ditch samples, or running an electrical log.

• On the other hand, many companies spend great

sums in obtaining basic stratigraphic information.
QUALITY OF PERSONNEL
QUALITY OF PERSONNEL

• For one to become familiar with the various

methods of correlation; their uses and limitations,
requires time, experience, and integrated
reasoning.
• A company having young, inexperienced
geologists must expect correlation errors.
METHODS OF SUBSURFACE
CORRELATION
METHODS OF SUBSURFACE
CORRELATION
• All methods and techniques listed in next Figure
are applicable to correlating subsurface
stratigraphic units; but to apply any one of them
out their limitations generally initiates poor
results.
 METHODS OF SUBSURFACE
CORRELATION

Figure 6. Procedures applied in correlation of strata

STRATIGRAPHIC MAPS AND
CORRELATION
STRATIGRAPHIC MAPS AND
CORRELATION
• During the past 10 years, great advances have
been made in presenting stratigraphic data in the
form of contour maps.
• The philosophy of preparing stratigraphic maps is
based on the idea that any stratigraphic variable
(color, texture, composition, thickness, etc.) that
can be expressed numerically can be contoured.

• To initiate construction of a series of stratigraphic

maps, the following procedure is recommended.
STRATIGRAPHIC MAPS AND
CORRELATION
• Measure, describe, and sample, in detail, surface
and subsurface sections; define the boundaries
of stratigraphic units and establish their lateral
equivalents; prepare the following maps: isopach,
which is the basis for all subsequent stratigraphic-
type maps; lithofades, including clastic and non-
clastic (percentage or ratio) ; biofades
(percentage or ratio of variables) ; and tectofades
and paleogeographic.
• When these maps are completed; then comes the
stage of integration and interpretation of the data.
STRATIGRAPHIC MAPS AND
CORRELATION
• After proper integration of such maps, much may
be learned of the tectonic and sedimentation
history of the region.

• These maps could not have been prepared until

fundamental stratigraphic units had been defined
and correlated.
 STRATIGRAPHIC MAPS AND
CORRELATION

Figure 7. Isopach and sand-shale for the Dakotan and Coloradoan rocks
DIFFICULTIES OF
CORRELATION
DIFFICULTIES OF CORRELATION
• Some of the more common difficulties
encountered in correlation work are:
(1) discontinuity of stratigraphic units
(2) structural complexity
(3) lateral variations in thickness, lithology, and
paleontology
(4) poor development or absence of marker beds
(5) presence of unrecognized unconformities
DIFFICULTIES OF CORRELATION
(6) multiplicity of lithogenetic and time-stratigraphic
nomenclature
(7) erroneously compiled data
(8) lack of experienced personnel assigned the
problem.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
• Stratigraphic units

• Space-time concept in correlation

• Facies factor in correlation & Correlation markers

• Magnitude of correlations

• Factors controlling correlation investigations (FCCI)

• Time & cost, Quality of personnel

• Methods of subsurface correlation

• Stratigraphic maps and correlation

• Difficulties of correlation
REFERANCE
• Subsurface Geology in Petroleum Exploration; edited by
John D. Haun and L. W. LeRoy, Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado 1958
THANK YOU