Structural Geology SIG - Did you Know 2017 #1
Juxtapositions in fault seal analysis
A key part of fault seal prediction is Juxtaposition analysis –
understanding which units are juxtaposed against each other
across the fault. In the example above, “juxtaposition seal” occurs
where reservoir in the trap is juxtaposed against topseal. Where
reservoir is juxtaposed against reservoir, there is potential for
cross-fault leakage and sealing relies on the content of the fault
zone itself.
Two commonly used ways of evaluating cross fault juxtapositions
are:
• 1d juxtaposition analysis (often referred to as triangle
diagrams) – this is useful early in the exploration phase as only
well data is required.
• 2d fault plane maps (Allan diagrams), displaying the
stratigraphy on both sides of the fault.
Cross-fault juxtapositions will depend on the stratigraphy
being faulted and the amount of throw on the fault. The
example below shows a stratigraphic stacking sequence
being faulted by different amounts. At 7.5 m the key
reservoir interval is still juxtaposed against itself, with large
sealing capacities unlikely. At 45 m throw, a thick shale unit
has been brought into juxtaposition with the key reservoir
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unit, implying a juxtaposition seal. At 75 m throw, the key
reservoir is juxtaposed against a different reservoir unit and
sealing will rely on the content of the fault zone itself.
Fault rock seal?
Fault rock seal:
self-juxtaposition Juxtaposition
seal membrane
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 Juxtapositions in fault seal analysis

Triangle diagrams use well data to create an artificial fault with In an Allan diagram, the stratigraphy on both sides of the
zero throw at left, and throw increasing to the right. This allows fault is mapped onto a 2D representation of the fault plane,
the different stratigraphic juxtapositions at different fault throws allowing the different cross-fault juxtapositions to be
to be evaluated and understood. evaluated.

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Shale/

Sand/
Sand/ Shale In the example above, three different reservoir units (green,
purple and pink colours) are mapped in both the hangingwall
(dashed lines) and footwall (solid lines) of the fault. This
allows the areas where reservoir is juxtaposed against
reservoir (potential cross-fault leakage), and where reservoir
is juxtaposed against sealing lithologies (potential
juxtaposition seal) to be rapidly identified and analysed.

Where reservoir is juxtaposed against reservoir across the

fault, the sealing capacity will depend on the contents of the
fault zone itself.

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