QUARTZ AND CARBONATE DIAGENESIS IN THE MIDLAND BASIN

The aim of this project is to understand the variables controlling diagenetic variability in mudstones based on provenance and burial history and to differentiate consolidation behavior due to mechanical versus chemical compaction. The subject is mudstones from the Permian Spraberry and Wolfcamp Formations from the Permian Basin, west Texas. By combining compositional analyses with SEM-based elemental mapping we can understand the relationships between sediment provenance and primary authigenic phase (carbonate versus quartz) present in the rocks. Results were published by Eakin et al. [2023] in AAPG Bulletin.