Diagenesis And Controls On Porosity And Permeability In The Upper San Andres Formation Of West Texas

<p>West Texas reservoirs on the Central Basin Platform (CBP) are dominated by Permian-age carbonate deposits, significantly contributing to petroleum production. The Upper Permian-aged San Andres Formation, composed primarily of dolomite and limestone, is a prolific reservoir. This study assesses diagenetic influences on porosity and permeability within the San Andres Formation along the northern CBP. Two cores from the Monument 4-2 and Peterson 1 wells in West Texas were analyzed using core descriptions, thin section petrography, XRD, XRF, and MICP. Results indicate that dolomitization enhances porosity, with intercrystalline and moldic porosity being dominant, while late-stage cementation and compaction reduce permeability. XRD reveals variations in clay and dolomite content correlating with reservoir quality, and XRF data highlight elemental trends associated with diagenetic changes. MICP data suggest that pore throat size distribution varies with mineralogical changes, influencing reservoir connectivity. The study concludes that reservoir quality is primarily controlled by diagenetic overprinting, including dolomitization, dissolution, and cementation.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science - Geology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geology

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Butcher, Jack

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Julie Bloxson
• Dr. R. LaRell Nielson
• Dr. Zachariah Fleming

• San Andres Formation
• Diagenesis
• Porosity
• Permeability
• Geology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/599

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1656