A Case Study on Downslope Transport Mechanisms and Their Effect on Carbonate Reservoir Quality Within Carbonate Debris Apron Environments

Ohio Geological Society

Lunch Symposium

Thursday, November 7^th, 2019

Lunch at 11:30, talk at 12:30 pm

Location: Hilton Doubletree, 175 Hutchinson Ave, Columbus Ohio 43235

by Zachary M.K. Cotter & James Evans, PhD [Advisor]

ABSTRACT:  Calciclastic sedimentation and wave-resuspension processes are important transport mechanisms within carbonate debris apron environments. These processes yield deposits (calcidebrites, calciturbidites, and tempestites), that often feature predictable reservoir quality and thickness variations. Zach Cotter will be presenting a high-level overview of carbonate debris apron environments, how these deposits were observed in whole core, well logs, and their effect on reservoir quality using his thesis on Silurian-aged brown Niagaran reef debris apron development as a case study.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Zach Cotter is a local geologist, who earned his B.S. at Ohio State University, where he focused on developing groundwater remediation technologies. Zach  attended Bowling Green State University for his Masters in geology, where he focused on carbonate stratigraphy and reservoir characterization. Zach is currently at Battelle, where he works projects related to groundwater remediation, carbon sequestration, and CO₂-driven enhanced oil recovery.