Print this page Seismo-
Stratigraphic
Study of the Plio-Pleistocene
Deposits of the Central Adriatic Sea (Italy) "Best of EAGE"
Lipparini, Lorenzo 1; Tinterri, Roberto 2
(1) Medoilgas Italia S.p.A., Rome, Italy. (2) Dipartimento di Scienze della
Terra, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
An integrated Seismo-Stratigraphic Study was carried out on a
portion of the Central Adriatic Sea (Italy), offshore the Abruzzo coast, aimed
to define and understand in detail the Plio-Pleistocene foredeep stratigraphic
succession, the evolution of this area through this specific geological time,
and the implication from E&P perspective. The study, based on good quality
3D data, wells and regional 2D seismic lines, is the result of an integrated 3D
interpretation effort, that can be described as a “classical” seismo-stratigraphic
study, the main steps being: a) Seismic sequence identification; b) Definition
of the regional stratigraphic framework; c) Seismo-depositional elements
identification, description and interpretation (through a classic use of
amplitude and its basic derivate attributes); d) Depositional model definition
and detailed 3D interpretation for each identified “element”.
In general, the Plio-Pleistocene foredeep deposits show a shoaling
up trend in which the vertical evolution from deep water deposits into deltaic
and nearshore strata is related to the progressive displacement of the main
depocentres eastward produced by thrust propagation toward the outer margin of
the foredeep basin. The stratigraphic succession of the study area, about 2
thousand meters thick, confirms the same vertical stacking pattern.
In particular, the studied interval has been subdivided in five
informal stratigraphic Units on the basis of regional continuous seismic
markers, showing the vertical evolution from Pliocene deep water environments
(characterized by different types of meandering channel complexes and sediment
drifts), to upward Pleistocene shallow water environments characterized by
deltaic progradations. In particular, possibly for the first time in this area,
well developed sediment drifts, related to bottom currents and associated to
deep water channel complexes, were described.
In conclusion, the main results are: 1) definition of the regional
seismo-stratigraphic framework for the Plio-Pleistocene deposits; 2) the
recognition and description of the main depositional elements, identifying the
appropriate geological model for each of them as basis for a reliable Prospect
Assessment of the area and a fundamental input for the Reservoir Modelling
step; 3) the description and 3D interpretation
of well developed sediment
drifts related to bottom currents, characterizing in particular the lower
deep-water Pliocene strata.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90135©2011 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Milan, Italy, 23-26 October 2011.