• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.3 no.1 s.4
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• pp.16-27
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• 1995

The Early Miocene Temblor Formation forms an important sandstone reservoir at Kettleman North Dome oil field, California. Sandstones are mostly arkosic in composition except deepest sandstones containing much volcanic rock fragments. Arranged in paragenetic sequence prior to feldspar alteration, the Temblor sandstones contain cements of early calcite, dolomite, quartz, albite, mixed-layer ohloriteismectite (C/S) and smectite, and anhydrite. Diagenetic changes associated with feldspar are albitization of plagioclase, late calcite and laumontite cementation and grain replacement, plagioclase dissolution, and kaolinite cementation. Plagioclase albitization and late calcite and laumontite cementation in Temblor sandstones occurred at the time of maximum burial with temperatures up to $130^{\circ}C$. Volcanic plagioclases were selectively albitized. Most diagenetic changes are interpreted to have occurred before the maior uplift which occurred within the last one million years ago. Since then to the time of hydrocarbon emplacement plagioclase dissolution and kaolinite cementation occurred. This reaction occurred in relatively closed system due to the occurrence of kaolinite next to the site of plagioclase dissolution. Unaltered part of volcanic plagioclase and plutonic plagioclase which escaped albitization during maximum burial were preferentially dissolved to make plagioclase porosity. Secondary porosity resulting from dissolution of plagioclase and carbonate and anhydrite cements was mainly produced by formation waters containing organic acids released during atagenesis of organic matter.