Abstract
This unit describes the fabric of geopressured shales in an attempt to evaluate the application of fabric analysis in understanding the origin of geopressuring. Our investigation of geopressured shales is very preliminary so we hope that the examples presented here will stimulate additional research. The term “geopressure” is used to describe pore fluid pressures which are greater than hydrostatic pressure (the pressure equal to that of a column of water extending to the surface from a given depth). Geopressures are of great importance to the oil industry because they constitute an expensive and dangerous hazard in drilling (Dickey, 1976). Geopressure usually is found within thick sequences of shales or mudstones.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
O’Brien, N.R., Slatt, R.M. (1990). Fabric of Geopressured Shale. In: Argillaceous Rock Atlas. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3422-7_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3422-7_9
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8005-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-3422-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive