Density Properties of Sedimentary Sequences and Their Implications for Interpretation of Gravity Anomalies

Abstract

Density properties constrained by laboratory and well logging data from the central Volga-Ural oil-and-gas bearing province are discussed. No regular density increase with depth was discovered, and anomalous densities are variable at contacts between lithological-facial complexes and rock members. A main anomaly-generating factor is shown to be lateral variability of density which is most pronounced in areas with developed structural forms. The related local gravity anomalies are predictive features usable in prospecting.