Seismic Attribute-Aided Characterization of Margin Backstepping and Advance along Isolated Carbonate Sequences, Sirt Basin, Libya

Isolated carbonate platforms are common and contain significant hydrocarbon accumulations, particularly in the tectonically complex Sirt Basin in Libya. This study investigates the margin cyclicity of two carbonate stratigraphic sequences developed on an isolated carbonate platform in the NW Sirt Basin using 3-D post-stack seismic volume and wireline log data. The two sequences (sequences 4 and 5) are bounded by unconformity surfaces from the base and top. Seismic attributes show that each sequence displays a cycle of margin backstepping followed by margin advance for several hundred meters. This study concludes that the margin backstepping and advance are mainly influenced by sea-level changes. A rapid sea-level rise caused the backstepping, whereas slow sea-level rise caused the margin advance.

Unique Habitat for Benthic Foraminifera in Subtidal Blue Holes on Carbonate Platforms

Dissolution of carbonate platforms, like The Bahamas, throughout Quaternary sea-level oscillations have created mature karst landscapes that can include sinkholes and off-shore blue holes. These karst features are flooded by saline oceanic waters and meteoric-influenced groundwaters, which creates unique groundwater environments and ecosystems. Little is known about the modern benthic meiofauna, like foraminifera, in these environments or how internal hydrographic characteristics of salinity, dissolved oxygen, or pH may influence benthic habitat viability. Here we compare the total benthic foraminiferal distributions in sediment-water interface samples collected from <2 m water depth on the carbonate tidal flats, and the two subtidal blue holes Freshwater River Blue Hole and Meredith’s Blue Hole, on the leeward margin of Great Abaco Island, The Bahamas. All samples are dominated by miliolid foraminifera (i.e., Quinqueloculina and Triloculina), yet notable differences emerge in the secondary taxa between these two environments that allows identification of two assemblages: a Carbonate Tidal Flats Assemblage (CTFA) vs. a Blue Hole Assemblage (BHA). The CTFA includes abundant common shallow-water lagoon foraminifera (e.g., Peneroplis, Rosalina, Rotorbis), while the BHA has higher proportions of foraminifera that are known to tolerate stressful environmental conditions of brackish and dysoxic waters elsewhere (e.g., Pseudoeponides, Cribroelphidium, Ammonia). We also observe how the hydrographic differences between subtidal blue holes can promote different benthic habitats for foraminifera, and this is observed through differences in both agglutinated and hyaline fauna. The unique hydrographic conditions in subtidal blue holes make them great laboratories for assessing the response of benthic foraminiferal communities to extreme environmental conditions (e.g., low pH, dysoxia).

Development and dolomitization of Anisian isolated carbonate platforms in the Transdanubian Range, Hungary

In the Middle Anisian, extensional tectonic movements led to the development of isolated carbonate platforms in the area of the southwestern part of the Transdanubian Range. The platforms are made up of meter-scale peritidal–lagoonal cycles bounded by subaerial exposure surfaces. One of the platform successions (Tagyon Platform) consists predominantly of limestone that contains partially and completely dolomitized intervals, whereas the other one (Kádárta Platform) is completely dolomitized. Drowning of the platforms took place in the latest Pelsonian to the early Illyrian interval when submarine highs came into existence and then condensed pelagic carbonate successions with volcanic tuff interbeds were deposited on the top of the drowned platforms from the late Illyrian up to the late Ladinian. The comparative study of dolomitization of the coeval platforms, affected by different diagenetic histories, is discussed in the current paper. Traces of probably microbially-mediated early dolomitization were preserved in the slightly dolomitized successions of the Tagyon Platform. This might also have been present in the successions of the Kádárta Platform, but was overprinted by geothermal dolomitization along the basinward platform margin and by pervasive reflux dolomitization in the internal parts of the platform. The Carnian evolution of the two submarine highs was different, and this may have significantly influenced the grade of the shallow to deeper burial dolomitization.

Application of Spectral Decomposition Technique to Delineate the Evolution of Karst on Carbonate Platforms of Central Luconia, Offshore Sarawak, Malaysia

Karstification in carbonate platforms of the Miocene age in Central Luconia province, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia, has been discussed since the onset of exploration and initial discoveries in the region, with over 200 mapped platforms to date. An extensive drilling program over the last decade confirmed the existence of karst during the drilling process where issues such as total loss circulation and bit drops were common. Karst in Central Luconia has been proposed by several authors; however, detailed quantitative description of the observed features have not yet been conducted. This study involves systematic mapping of loss circulation depths, chalkified/rubble/vuggy zones described from cores, and vugs of >2 mm in size and moldic porosity observed on thin sections of the Jintan platform. These data supplement the interpretation of karst from multiple 3D seismic attributes. Seismic interpretation of the Jintan and M1 platforms revealed an extensive dendritic pattern which is on average 70–100 m deep and 3–5 km long, and circular geobodies of 1 km in width that exist on the upper part of the platform. Spectral decomposition, also known as time-frequency analysis, was used to enhance the interpretation of karst features on seismics within a specific wavelength. In this study, a comparison of three spectral decomposition methods applied on the 3D seismic cube of the Jintan and M1 platforms was undertaken to determine the method which allowed for better delineation of the karst features. The results show that the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) method using frequencies of 46, 54, and 60 Hz delineated most of the karst features compared to the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) Morlet and CWT Ricker wavelet methods. This paper aims to discuss the dimensions, evolution and geometry of the karst features quantitatively on three selected karst horizons named “K1”, “K2”, “K3”. Interpretation revealed that the dendritic karst features were found to be most prominent on the K2 horizon which lies below a conspicuous change of the external geomorphology of the platform. Backstepping of the platform margin by 12 km is observed in both platforms. Quantitative seismic interpretation shows that the karst observed in M1 platform is approximately 70–100 m deep, and the dendritic features are around 1–2 km in length and approximately 500 m wide; whereas, in the Jintan platform the dendritic features observed are up to 5 km in length with several 1 km wide circular/sinkhole features. More than 20 dendritic features orientated SE and NS were mapped mainly in the transitional area as well as the center of both platforms. The nature of the karst morphology in Central Luconia remains controversial; however, it is proposed to be of mixing zone karst origin.

Reactive Transport Modeling of Reflux Dolomitization of Carbonate Platforms: Enlightenment from Yingshan Formation in Shunnan Area, Tarim Basin

Dolomite plays an important role in carbonate reservoirs. The topography in the study area creates conditions for reflux dolomitization. The northeastward paleogeomorphy during the deposition of the Yingshan Formation was favorable for reflux dolomitization. Furthermore, the petrological and geochemical evidence indicated that the formation of finely crystalline dolomites was penecontemporaneous to sedimentation. The content of powder crystal dolomites increases from grainstone, to packstone, to mudstone. Previous studies only analyzed the origin of dolomites based on traditional geological methods, but did not analyze the spatial influence of reflux dolomitization on the reservoir quality. In this study, the reflux dolomitization of platform carbonate sediments was evaluated using three-dimensional reactive transport models. The sensitivity of dolomitization to a range of intrinsic and extrinsic controls was also explored. The reflux dolomitization involves replacement dolomitization and over-dolomitization. The porosity change is the result of the abundance change of dolomite and anhydrite. The fluid flow pattern in the model is related to the injection rate and geothermal gradient. According to the spatial and temporal change of mineral, ionic concentration, and physical property, the reflux dolomitization could be divided into five stages. From the sensitivity analysis, high permeability promotes dolomitization only in the initial stage, while low permeability and high porosity means stronger dolomitization. Besides, the injection rate, reactive surface area (RSA), geothermal gradient, and brine salinity are all proportional to the dolomitization. Differently from porosity change, the permeability change is concentrated in the upper part of the numerical model. The location of “sweet spot” varies with the locations of change centers of porosity and permeability. In the stage-1 and 4 of dolomitzation, it overlaps with porosity and permeability growth centers. While in the stage-2, 3 and 5, it lies between the porosity and permeability growth/reduction centers.

Current problems in the North Caspian depression geology and oil and gas prospects

The deep structure and formation of the North Caspian (Precaspian) depression have not been fully understood due to the scarcity of depth studies at 18–22 km. The existing concepts and hypotheses are clearly insufficient to interpret the unexplained facts. New approaches and research efforts are necessary to solve the old problems. The current state of the depression deep structure problems is reviewed, and the existing explanation flaws are demonstrated. The depression consolidated crust has oceanic and riftogenic origin as it has been suggested by the author before. This explanation is supported by the Astrakhan deposit D-2 deep well core data. The Astrakhan-Aktobe zone arched uplift genesis, formation and role in the carbonate platforms emergence are discussed. Deep geothermy and fluid dynamics problems, as well as recent geophysical data are considered in view of the North Caspian depression hydrocarbon prospects.

Paleo-oceanographic and -climatic reconstruction in the Southwest Pacific [ODP Site 1123] during MIS 11

<p>Marine Isotope Stage 11 [424 to 374 ka] is unique compared to most other recent Quaternary interglacial periods due to its duration and orbital geometry, both of which have previously been cited as evidence that MIS 11 may be a suitable analogue to project future climate. This study aims to evaluate this prolonged warm period at a key site in the sparsely studied Southwest Pacific Ocean at Ocean Drilling Program [ODP] 1123. This cored site, situated at 3290 m water depth on the northern flank of the Chatham Rise, straddles the northern limit of the modern Subtropical Front, 1100 km east of New Zealand, where sediments record strong subtropical and subpolar signals over interglacial to glacial cycles. Two species of planktonic foraminifera were analysed, Globigerinoides ruber and Globigerina bulloides [Gs. ruber and Gg. bulloides], for trace elements and size-normalised test weights [SNW; Gg. bulloides only] in order to reconstruct ocean temperature, chemistry, structure and circulation during MIS 11. Gg. bulloides was found to have anomalously low SNW [~50% compared to modern specimens] implying either [i] poor calcification environment due to low CO₃⁻² concentrations, or [ii] post-mortem alteration either in the deep water column or ocean floor environment. Traditional dissolution proxies for ODP 1123 do not indicate significant dissolution during MIS 11. Nevertheless, the inception of modern carbonate platforms and reefs at this time leads to the hypothesis that CO₃⁻² concentrations in the surface ocean were low due to a shifting in the locus of carbonate production, and this is a potential cause, amongst other possibilities, of the low SNW in Gg. bulloides. However, calcification in a low CO₃⁻² concentration ocean does not appear to have significantly affected the geochemical proxies utilised in this study [Mg/Ca-derived paleo-ocean temperatures, δ¹⁸O and micro-nutrients Mn/Ca and Zn/Ca ratios as water-mass tracers] based on comparison with a similar study on younger sediments in the same core. The temperature difference between Gs. ruber and Gg. bulloides is the same as the modern temperature difference at ODP 1123, implying that Gs.ruber was also not markedly affected by either low CO₃⁻² concentrations during calcification or post-mortem dissolution. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is utalised to measure in situ trace element ratios [Mg, Al, Ca, Mn, Zn and Sr/Ca], and reconstruct the thermal structure of the ocean’s upper 200 m. The main findings are [i] a well stratified upper ocean in warm periods punctuated by well mixed waters in cooler and presumably windier conditions; [ii] an invigorated South Pacific Gyre during the prolonged MIS 11 interglacial, resulting in a greater inflow of subtropical water to ODP 1123 as evinced by Mn/Ca and Zn/Ca ratios and supported by elevated subtropical foramiferal assemblages; [iii] paleo-ocean temperatures that indicate the mean MIS 11 sea surface temperature optimum was ca. 2°C warmer than present; and [iv] a spike in productivity is identified by elevated Mn/Ca and Zn/Ca ratios at ca. 400 ka, coinciding with a spike in eutrophic species abundance, indicating a period of significantly enhanced subtropical water influence. Records from other New Zealand sites reveal MIS 11 as a prolonged [up to 40 kyr] interglacial period, following a rapid and pronounced 10°C warming from the MIS 12 glacial. Deglaciation occurred 13 kyr earlier than the global benthic record. This rise was punctuated by an Antarctic Cold Reversal-like cooling confirming episodic sub-polar influences at the site. Some differences between the orbital configurations of MIS 1 and 11, particularly at the precessional scale, coupled with apparently unusual ocean chemistry [e.g., low CO₃⁻²] during MIS 11, suggest that MIS 11 may not be an ideal analogue for the Holocene.</p>

Paleo-oceanographic and -climatic reconstruction in the Southwest Pacific [ODP Site 1123] during MIS 11

<p>Marine Isotope Stage 11 [424 to 374 ka] is unique compared to most other recent Quaternary interglacial periods due to its duration and orbital geometry, both of which have previously been cited as evidence that MIS 11 may be a suitable analogue to project future climate. This study aims to evaluate this prolonged warm period at a key site in the sparsely studied Southwest Pacific Ocean at Ocean Drilling Program [ODP] 1123. This cored site, situated at 3290 m water depth on the northern flank of the Chatham Rise, straddles the northern limit of the modern Subtropical Front, 1100 km east of New Zealand, where sediments record strong subtropical and subpolar signals over interglacial to glacial cycles. Two species of planktonic foraminifera were analysed, Globigerinoides ruber and Globigerina bulloides [Gs. ruber and Gg. bulloides], for trace elements and size-normalised test weights [SNW; Gg. bulloides only] in order to reconstruct ocean temperature, chemistry, structure and circulation during MIS 11. Gg. bulloides was found to have anomalously low SNW [~50% compared to modern specimens] implying either [i] poor calcification environment due to low CO₃⁻² concentrations, or [ii] post-mortem alteration either in the deep water column or ocean floor environment. Traditional dissolution proxies for ODP 1123 do not indicate significant dissolution during MIS 11. Nevertheless, the inception of modern carbonate platforms and reefs at this time leads to the hypothesis that CO₃⁻² concentrations in the surface ocean were low due to a shifting in the locus of carbonate production, and this is a potential cause, amongst other possibilities, of the low SNW in Gg. bulloides. However, calcification in a low CO₃⁻² concentration ocean does not appear to have significantly affected the geochemical proxies utilised in this study [Mg/Ca-derived paleo-ocean temperatures, δ¹⁸O and micro-nutrients Mn/Ca and Zn/Ca ratios as water-mass tracers] based on comparison with a similar study on younger sediments in the same core. The temperature difference between Gs. ruber and Gg. bulloides is the same as the modern temperature difference at ODP 1123, implying that Gs.ruber was also not markedly affected by either low CO₃⁻² concentrations during calcification or post-mortem dissolution. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is utalised to measure in situ trace element ratios [Mg, Al, Ca, Mn, Zn and Sr/Ca], and reconstruct the thermal structure of the ocean’s upper 200 m. The main findings are [i] a well stratified upper ocean in warm periods punctuated by well mixed waters in cooler and presumably windier conditions; [ii] an invigorated South Pacific Gyre during the prolonged MIS 11 interglacial, resulting in a greater inflow of subtropical water to ODP 1123 as evinced by Mn/Ca and Zn/Ca ratios and supported by elevated subtropical foramiferal assemblages; [iii] paleo-ocean temperatures that indicate the mean MIS 11 sea surface temperature optimum was ca. 2°C warmer than present; and [iv] a spike in productivity is identified by elevated Mn/Ca and Zn/Ca ratios at ca. 400 ka, coinciding with a spike in eutrophic species abundance, indicating a period of significantly enhanced subtropical water influence. Records from other New Zealand sites reveal MIS 11 as a prolonged [up to 40 kyr] interglacial period, following a rapid and pronounced 10°C warming from the MIS 12 glacial. Deglaciation occurred 13 kyr earlier than the global benthic record. This rise was punctuated by an Antarctic Cold Reversal-like cooling confirming episodic sub-polar influences at the site. Some differences between the orbital configurations of MIS 1 and 11, particularly at the precessional scale, coupled with apparently unusual ocean chemistry [e.g., low CO₃⁻²] during MIS 11, suggest that MIS 11 may not be an ideal analogue for the Holocene.</p>