Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
identical elevations are marked. Additional topographic and structural contours can
be interpolated to add additional control. Marking the intersection points is most
convenient if the topographic map is on a transparent overlay that can be placed above
the structure contour map, something that is easily done in computer drafting pro-
grams. A 3-D view of the intersecting surfaces (Fig. 2.25b) helps in understanding the
procedure. The intersection points are connected to obtain the outcrop pattern of the
horizon (Fig. 2.25c). The inferred outcrop pattern becomes a working hypothesis for
the location of the horizon. Exactly the same procedure is used to find the intersection
between a fault and a stratigraphic marker or the line of intersection between two faults.
2.8
Derivation: Tangent Diagram on a Spreadsheet
To plot a tangent diagram with a spreadsheet it may be necessary to shift the origin for
the azimuth (Az) from zero to the east to zero to the north using
Az = Az - 90 .
(2.23)
Change the dip to the tangent of the dip,
r
= tan (dip) ,
(2.24)
and change from polar to Cartesian coordinates with
x
=
r
cos (Az) ,
(2.25a)
y
=
r
sin (Az) .
(2.25b)
The native angle format in spreadsheet trigonometric functions is radians and so where
angles in degrees are used in trigonometric expressions they must always be converted to
degrees from radians. Plot the transformed points as an
xy
graph in the spreadsheet.
2.9
Exercises
2.9.1
Interpretation of Data from an Oil Well
The Appleton oil field is located near the northern rim of the Gulf of Mexico basin.
Use the data from well 4835-B in this field (Table 2.2) to solve the following problems.
Find the subsea depths of the stratigraphic markers. Write a spreadsheet program using
Eqs. 2.3 and 2.4 to find the coordinates of a point between two known points. Find the
true vertical depths and the total rectangular coordinates of the formation contacts in
the well. What is the orientation of the well where it penetrates the Smackover? Write
a spreadsheet program to solve this problem based on Eq. 2.4. Find the true vertical
depths and the total rectangular coordinates of the oil-water contact (OWC) and the
