Print this pageModelling Faulted Turbidites, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand
The primary objective of the Turbidite Research Initiative (TURI) Consortium is to investigate the interrelation of the sedimentological and structural components of turbidite reservoirs. More specifically the Late Miocene, basin-floor turbidite fans (BFF) of the Mount Messenger Formation. Sedimentological components range from channelized sands, through thick and thinly bedded turbidites, to condensed-section shale, mass-transport deposits are common. Outcrops are transected by two closely related sets of normal faults, which have throws up to tens of meters. In turbidite reservoirs, such faults conceivably act as both barriers and conduits to fluid flow, both at geological and production time scales.
One goal of this project was to create a reservoir model for such faulted, basin-floor fan turbidites. Multiple techniques for outcrop and behind outcrop analysis were utilised. As a result, an extensive data set has been accumulated from a variety of sources; from the outcrop: traditional field measurements, plugs, spectral gamma logging, and from behind outcrop: 3D GPR, high-resolution 2D and 3D seismic. Two boreholes were cored and electrically logged and limited pump tests undertaken. As is common when large quantities of data are gathered more questions appear than are answered. The interrelation of BFF elements is more complex than predicted from outcrop observation. Ultimately the data has been untilised to create a series of simulation models capturing the interaction of the faults and layered sands.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90100©2009 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition 15-18 November 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil