The Relationship Between Fluvial Channel-Belt Morphology and Internal Heterogeneity: Insights From Satellite, Seismic, Numerical Models, and Outcrop Datasets

Abstract

Fluvial channel-belt elements are the stratigraphic expression of the migration and evolution of rivers over geologic time. Two end-member types of channel-belt elements are documented in modern and ancient fluvial systems, lateral and downstream accreting. However, predicting channel-belt accretion type and facies heterogeneity within channel belts in subsurface reservoirs has remained a challenge. Using modern rivers and outcrop analogs has aided in predicting internal heterogeneity, but a clear link between modern rivers, outcrops, and 3D seismic data remains elusive. We have developed a predictive method for using large-scale channel-belt morphology as a predictor of internal channel-belt characteristics and internal heterogeneity. This study uses four complimentary data sets: exceptionally well exposed outcrops of ancient channel belts, satellite images of modern channel belts, seismic images of ancient channel belts, and published physics based forward numerical models. These data sets are used in concert to relate channel belt morphology to channel sinuosity and channel-belt heterogeneity. We document the following: (1) as sinuosity increases, rugosity increases at a logarithmic rate, and (2) we quantitatively relate intra channel-belt connectivity of barforms to channel-belt morphology. Using the relationship between connectivity and channel-belt morphology, we have developed a workflow to predict intra channel-belt connectivity from external channel-belt morphology.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90217 © 2015 International Conference & Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, September 13-16, 2015