Abstract: Generic Components of Deep-Water Clastics: Building Blocks for the Subsurface from Modern and Ancient Analogue Data

Cronin, Bryan and Hurst, Andrew - King's College, University of Aberdeen

Analogue data for subsurface modeling of deep-water elastic reservoirs are often not collected or transferred in a suitable format. Though published data and many ongoing research projects provide information which could be used in subsurface prediction, different companies with similar prospects are producing diametrically opposed reservoir models from the same information. The principal reasons for this appear to be: (i) scale and type of data collected from the analogue, and how this is transferred to the reservoir modeling system (data format); (ii) reliance on end-member geologic models to reconstruct the subsurface (model forcing); and (iii) the analogue specialist's preoccupation with the "uniqueness" of their analogue system (lack of generic focus). We show where we think analogue data collection strategy could be improved, by maintaining awareness of these three pitfalls, and by keying the burning issues: (i) What features, and with what properties, communication and dimensions, are found in different systems -and how can these be measured? (ii) How should this information be communicated? (iii) Can we build a taxonomic classification scheme for deep-water clastics? (iv) How do current models help or hinder subsurface modeling: is there more complexity than channels and lobes; does the big tectonic picture control system variability; are end-member models useful if end members can occur synchronously on the same analogue margin; is process important if we cannot agree on the parent current for an individual bed? These and other thoughts will be addressed in the context of various examples of outcrop, modern and subsurface data.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90933©1998 ABGP/AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil