WEIMER, PAUL¹, ALEXANDRE CASTRO¹, DIOSA RAMONES¹, ERIC J. NELSON¹, and PETER VARNAI^2
1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309-0399
²Exxon Ventures (CIS) Inc., Houston, TX 77210-4880

Abstract: Dimensions of Neogene Gulf of Mexico Turbidite Elements as Revealed from 3-D Seismic Data

Analysis of 3-D seismic data across the Neogene sediments of the northern Gulf of Mexico, when integrated with wireline log data, help define the dimensions of various turbidite elements. Amalgamated sheet sands (basin-floor fans) can fill portions up to complete intraslope mini-basins. Although reservoir compartments of different units may up to 600 acres, 3-D seismic indicated the depositional features are considerably larger than the producing parts of the intervals.

A spectrum of channel types are recognized. Depositional channels can be single or amalgamated in their fill history. Single channels are linear to sinuous ion their course, 08. to 3 km in width, and 50-100 feet thick. Amalgamated channels can form wider zones (up to 5 km), and thicker fill (up to 200 feet). Erosional channels have similar dimensions to depositional channel, but vary primarily in by having no coeval levee facies. These channels are important for the bypass of sand-rich portions of sequences farther downslope. Overbank sediments (including levees, slides, hemipelagic) fill large portions of minibasins. They have highly variable amplitude regionally on horizon slices. Examples include subregional and field studies from Green Canyon, Ewing Bank, and Ship Shoal.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90928©1999 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas