Isopach and Isochore Maps University of Sulaimani School of Science Department of Geology Practical Structural Geology Instructor: Halko M. Mahmoud 2014-2015 Lab No 14 Isopach and Isochore Maps

Why does thickness change? Sedimentary beds may show lateral changes in thickness, either in connection with an erosional episode that created an unconformity or due to lateral facies changes. It is very crucial for the hydrocarbon industries to document the lateral changes in the layer thickness.

Thickness Maps Thickness maps are fundamental tools in structural geology. They represent thickness variations and thickness trends of a given unit. There are two different types of thickness map which are Isochore and isopach maps. An isochore is a line that connects points of equal vertical thickness.  An isopach is a line that connects points of equal true thickness (i.e. measured perpendicular to bedding)

Thickness Maps Thickness of subsurface unit can be obtained from seismic section and drilled wells. Vertical thickness increased with increasing dip angle and when dip angle is zero the true thickness and vertical thickness are equal. Cos Ɵ= true thickness/ apparent thickness The thickness map of any unit can be obtained from the structure contour for the top and bottom of the unit.

How to construct isopach lines Construction of isopachs from strucutre contour maps. a) structure contour of top (solid lines) and bottom (dashed lines) of a limestone bed. b) Isopach map. c) sections across the limestone.

Isopach Maps Along with the porosity and water saturation data, isopach map is used to estimate the volume of hydrocarbon in a reservoir.

Exercise There is a sandstone bed in this map south of A-B line. The solid lines represent the structure contours of the upper surface of the sandstone and the dash lines represent its lower surface.