Morphology, sedimentology and origin of an anomalous cut-off along the Pravara river, deccan trap region, India

River meanders have always been an intriguing subject in fluvial geomorphology because of their ubiquity, dynamism, remarkable forms and practical consequences of their movement. Sometimes a relatively straight channel flowing over bedrock may develop a lone meander bend cut-off which is very out of the place from the surrounding area. The occurrence of a sudden bend along a river may not be a meandering bend but may be manifestation of sudden change in the river dynamism due to many reasons, such as, lithology, change in rainfall regime, tectonics etc. The formation of such features highlights the behavior of river in the past. One such striking feature has been observed along the River Pravara in the Deccan Trap Region, Maharashtra, India. Rivers in Deccan Trap Region do not meander and form cut-offs by rule. It is rocky country where rivers flow in deeply incised bedrock. Hence, the observed feature displays a striking anomaly in this region. Hence, an attempt has been made in the present paper to evaluate the mode of formation of this single cut-off along this channel. Morphological and sedimentological data were generated and analyzed for the channel loop and the link channel to understand the competence of the river in the past and present which were directly or indirectly responsible for the development of this channel anomaly in this reach. Based on the results of the analysis and intensive field observations, it has been inferred that this is a classic example of natural morphological adjustment of a river when a set of events occurred, first retardation of vertical erosion encountering bedrock followed by series of floods to induce the channel to divert from the original path to resume the present course. Presence of a tributary further aided to the process of the loop development. The study can provide additional knowledge to the studies involving anomalous channel cut-offs at any part of the world.

Field Scale Geo-Mechanical Analysis To Identify Fracture Sweet Spots Within Deccan Trap, Western Onshore, India

Hydrocarbon exploration continues to venture into new avenues. This paper elaborates the 3D geomechanical study carried out to identify sweet spots in Deccan Trap Basalts in depth ranging from 500m-1100m in Cambay basin field of India. The main challenge is wide variation in the rock mechanical properties and stress profiles along various azimuths resulting from different tectonic incidents over the geological ages. Several drilling complications and held ups during electro logging in highly deviated wells are also reported. The normal fault tectonic framework has the imprint of two sets of faults viz., NNW-SSE and ENE-WSW. Deccan Trap acts as reservoirs due to the presence of connected open fracture network and to assess the potential reserves a comprehensive 3D Critically stressed fracture analysis has been performed using 3D numerical simulation-based rock properties, in-situ stress and seismic data. Open hole geophysical logs like sonic dipole and borehole images have been used to estimate rock mechanical properties and stress profiles in 18 key wells. Available core data of Basalt in the area have been used for dynamic to static rock properties estimation along with available published literature data. Critically stressed fracture analysis using 1D MEM outputs and dips dataset has been performed at well scale to history match production logging and testing results of 23 wells located in different fault blocks. 3D stress model has been built using plasticity model while taking into account faults and fracture sets. Utilizing 3D Geomechanical properties and Discrete fracture network model, critically stressed fracture sets have been identified across the field with slip tolerance and effective drawdown pressures. The study suggests that structurally high locations are good producers if seals are present above Trap. Sub-horizontal fractures have a higher closing tendency with decline in pressure in layers with SHmax>SHmin>Sv inside stiff Trap layer. There is variation of slip tolerance in the range of 0.2-1.4 in fracture sets which indicates slip tendency to be varying both vertically and laterally. Faults with ENE-WSW strike seem to be fluid migratory conduits and their intersection with NNW-SSE discontinuities are the areas where fracture sets have a higher slip tendency. Most of the producing layers are within 25m-55m of Trap with water being encountered at deeper depth intervals. These are mostly weathered fractured layers within the trap. The stress map suggests rotation of the maximum horizontal stress azimuth from NW to E which also affects fracture intensity in the field. Few fracture sets have tendency to be slip prone even with depletion up to 300psi-800psi while others will require stimulation or acid clean up job. Eight exploration wells drilled based on the study have shown good flow rate on initial well testing in the area providing validation to the study.

Geomechanics Insights for Successful Well Delivery in Complex Kutch - Saurashtra Offshore Region

Subsurface lithofacies sequences encountered in the Kutch & Saurashtra Basin has its own set of challenges brought about due to its complex geological settings. These challenges are related to drilling, logging and completion and demand rigorous planning for the upcoming wells with detailed analysis of hazards associated with the overburden and reservoir rocks. In the study, these challenges are found to be linked with three prime geological sequences. Detailed integrated geomechanical analysis with inputs from drilling parameters, real-time formation experience, geophysical and geological are conducted for the improvement in borehole condition and improvising the effective drilling rate. A customized geomechanical workflow has been adopted to construct Mechanical Earth Model (MEM, Plumb et al., 2000) for strategic wells across the basin. Wellbore stability events related to geomechanics were reproduced and analyzed. The cause of the events was established and mitigatory methods were proposed. In addition, stress orientation along the wellbore trajectory and across the basin was estimated using breakouts identified on images and multi-arm calipers. Fast shear azimuth from Dipole Shear Sonic anisotropy analysis was also integrated to provide more robust and accurate estimates. Wells in the region are characterized by slow ROP, high torque and drag, wellbore instabilities (severe held ups, cavings, stuck pipes, string stalling etc.) and challenges while logging and running casing. The study has characterized these challenges and identified required solutions linked to the three geological sequences - weak Tertiary, Late Cretaceous Deccan Trap and Early Cretaceous to Jurassic clastic formations. The Tertiary formations are relatively weak (UCS∼300 to 1500psi) and prone to sanding and cavings due to breakouts. MEM based mud weight window estimation predicts that shear/failure hole collapse can be prevented using 10ppg to 11ppg mud weight. The formations below the Deccan Trap are locally categorized under Mesozoic sequence. The Deccan Trap and Mesozoic formations are extremely hard, tight, extremely stressed, heavily fractured and in some areas are also of HPHT nature. Rock strength shows a wide variation (UCS ∼5,000psi to 25,000psi) making bit selection a difficult task. Borehole failure is complex and cuttings analysis shows the signature of both shear and weak plane failure. Fractures on the image logs, rotation of breakouts, and fast shear azimuth support this theory. Mixing fracture sealing agents along with the use of optimal mud weights is found to be the most likely drilling solution. The understanding developed in the region and implementation of recommended steps assisted in successful drilling of two recent wells wherein gun-barrel shape borehole condition in both Tertiary and the Mesozoic sequence was achieved. The non-productive time was reduced by nearly 40 days increasing the effective ROP by 40%. In addition, smooth borehole prevented any major issues while carrying out casing and cementing operations.

Spatial distribution of Palaeolithic sites in relation to raw material sources in the central Narmada valley, India

Landscape adaptation in central India is quite exceptional as more than 300 Lower Palaeolithic occurrences have been reported in different contexts. The present work deals with these assemblages and associated raw material sources in central Narmada valley. The central Narmada valley is rich in various rock types which were used as raw material by various hominin populations. Narmada River divides the region into northern and southern parts. In the north, there are mainly the Vindhyan Supergroup and Deccan Trap, whereas, in the south, there are primarily the Gondwana Supergroup, Deccan Trap and the Mahakoshal Group. Along the river, there are exposures of Vindhyan Supergroup and thick deposits of Quaternary alluvium. The main raw material types in the north of Narmada are quartzite and sandstone (Vindhyan Supergroup), whereas, in the south of Narmada, the main raw materials are quartzite (Gondwana Supergroup) and chert (Deccan Trap). Acheulean sites are mostly found along the foothills of Vindhyan as well as along the banks of the Narmada River and its tributaries. In this chapter, the author has tried to link these raw material sources with the occurrences of Palaeolithic sites to have a better understanding of past hominin land use patterns and ecological adaptations.