--> Abstract: Palcohydraulic Characteristics of Late Miocene-Early Pliocene Submarine Channels in the Nile Delta, Egypt, by W. A. Wescott and P. J. Boucher; #90937 (1998).
[First Hit]

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Abstract: Palcohydraulic Characteristics of Late Miocene-Early Pliocene Submarine Channels in the Nile Delta, Egypt

WESCOTT, WILLIAM A. and PAUL J. BOUCHER, Amoco Exploration and Production, Houston, Texas, USA

Predicting sand distribution and therefore, reservior presence, is a considerable exploration risk within the Nile Delta. Integrating state-of-the-art technologies including: Previous Hit3-DNext Hit seismic reflection surveys, seismic attributes, amplitude extractions, and Previous HitcoherencyNext Hit cube techniques can play a major role in reducing this risk. Application of these data sets allow interpreters to more accurately map submarine valleys and channel complexes.

Seismic profiles across the area of interest, in general, exhibit the following characteristics: Messinian evaporites create a series of bright reflectors which are overlain by a Lower Pliocene transgessive sequence, that based upon well control and seismic character, is relatively sand rich. The shale prone Middle Pliocene section appears relatively dim, with weak and discontinuous reflections and some marked erosional surfaces. The Upper Pliocene and Pleistocene sections are complex, with abundant erosional and slump surfaces. It is seismically brighter and well control indicates that it is sandy. Within the Lower Pliocene interval, strike-oriented seismic profiles suggest that channels and valleys are present. Seismic character of the valley/channel fills is complex showing multiple incised surfaces, aggradational fill, and evidence of lateral accretion on some sections. Previous HitCoherencyTop horizon slices show the Upper Miocene- Lower Pliocene channel systems are confined to a single valley which is broad, relatively deep, and generally sinuous. Higher in the section, single valleys divide into multiple channel comes which are narrower, shallower, and not as sinuous. This change is interpreted to reflect the transition from more proximal to more distal submarine fan facies as the depositional system backstepped during the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene transgression.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90937©1998 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Salt Lake City, Utah