--> ABSTRACT: 3D Seismic Characterization of Submarine Fans, Deepwater Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria, by Imagbe, Lucky O.; Huuse, Mads; #90142 (2012)

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3D Seismic Characterization of Submarine Fans, Deepwater Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

Imagbe, Lucky O.*1; Huuse, Mads 1
(1) Earth Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.

The challenge to accurately predict submarine channel fills location, architecture and distribution within structurally complex areas such as the Niger Delta deepwater fold and thrust belt has continued to attract attention from both the industry and academia. Channel fill deposits commonly form the main reservoirs in deepwater settings and are therefore being extensively studied.

The interplay of slope sedimentation and topography is believed to strongly influence the geometry, internal stratigraphic architecture and distribution of facies within and around submarine channel systems.

We use an exploration 3D Seismic data set covering a 900 km2 area within the Tertiary succession of the deep offshore western Niger Delta basin, to investigate the geometry and distribution of turbidite sands as well as assess the timing of structural growth within topographically induced mobile shale with respect to submarine channel formation.

Horizon and Isochron maps have been used to constrain key geometries and stratigraphic intervals from Eocene to Miocene of the deepwater depositional sequence. Initial results suggest the timing and extent of the mobilised shale is a major factor controlling the structural style with the creation of minibasins adjacent to shale- cored highs. It is anticipated that where structural deformation occurs coevally with submarine channel deposition, channels can show a limited ability to maintain their course across growing fold and this could affect the flow pathways, morphology and depositional patterns of recent submarine channels in the area. The results of this study should improve our understanding of the stratigraphic and structural controls on submarine channel morphology in deepwater fold and thrust belts.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90142 © 2012 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 22-25, 2012, Long Beach, California