Strontium residual salt analyses (SrRSA) and geochemistry of Bakken Formation core samples from Fleckten 1-20, North Dakota

Mountain Geologist
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Abstract

Samples of Bakken Formation core from the Fleckton 1-20 well in Ward County, North Dakota, were analyzed using the Strontium Residual Salt Analysis (SrRSA) method to assess pore-water communication among the upper, middle, and lower sections of the unit by analyzing 87Sr/86Sr in pore-water salts leached from the core. Major and trace element analyses were also conducted on bulk-rock samples and leachates (Elemental Residual Salt Analysis or ERSA). The middle part of the Bakken Formation, a calcareous and dolomitic siltstone to fine sandstone, is encased between two black shales—the upper and lower sections of the formation. These units are informal and herein named the upper, middle, and lower Bakken members. Strontium isotope measurements and concentration of some solutes in leachates indicate that pore water in the black shale of the upper Bakken member has remained isolated from pore water in the middle Bakken member except for within a few feet immediately near the contact where elemental profiles indicate diffusive mixing. The SrRSA 87Sr/86Sr values from the middle Bakken member are consistent with produced water collected from 28 wells in Montana and North Dakota. In contrast to the similarity in 87Sr/86Sr values, ratios of concentrations such as K/Rb, Ca/Sr, Ca/Mg, and Na/Cl are slightly different between the pore-water leachates and produced water values. The differences in K/Rb and Ca/Sr are probably due to selective adsorption of Rb leading to larger K/Rb ratios and minor dissolution of carbonate minerals leading to larger Ca/Sr ratios in the leachates.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Strontium residual salt analyses (SrRSA) and geochemistry of Bakken Formation core samples from Fleckten 1-20, North Dakota
Series title Mountain Geologist
DOI 10.31582/rmag.mg.56.1.5
Volume 56
Issue 1
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher RMAG
Contributing office(s) Central Energy Resources Science Center
Description 13 p.
First page 5
Last page 17
Country United States
State Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota
County Ward County
Other Geospatial Bakken Formation
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