Lateral variation in sandstone lithofacies from conventional core, Scotian Basin: implications for reservoir quality and connectivity 1This article is one of a series of papers published in this CJES Special Issue on the theme of Mesozoic–Cenozoic geology of the Scotian Basin. 2Geological Survey of Canada Contribution 20120021.

Abstract

Facies analysis in outcrops on land is strongly dependent on the lateral variability of lithofacies. Interpretation of conventional core in wells relies principally on the vertical succession of lithofacies. To better understand depositional environments and reservoir sandstone connectivity, the lithofacies of reservoir sandstones sampled in conventional core were correlated laterally through two sets of closely spaced wells in the Scotian Basin: in the Barremian–Albian succession around the Panuke–Cohasset field and in the Late Jurassic succession west of the Venture field. Regional correlation by gamma logs is confirmed by lithologically similar transgressive units including shelly mudstones or coals. A standard scheme of lithofacies and recognition of three types of parasequences were used for comparisons between wells. Some transgressive surfaces are of limited extent and may represent delta distributary switching and subsidence rather than regional changes in sea level. Major sandstone packets extend at least 10–30 km laterally, but commonly show lateral changes in lithofacies, and some are bounded by the margins of incised valleys. Such packages show poor correlation of lithofacies with porosity and permeability, probably because of the variable effects of diagenesis. Lateral transitions from tidal estuary sandstones in Panuke B-90 to thick-bedded river-mouth turbidites in Lawrence D-14, over a distance of 15 km, demonstrates the scale of delta lobes and confirms that sharp-based sandstone beds are turbidites related to river floods, not storm deposits. Similar lateral transitions in the Venture field are on a similar scale and pass distally into prodeltaic muddy landslide deposits.