--> ABSTRACT: Deep-Water Meandering Channels from Subsurface and Recent Fans, by V. Kolla, D. Ashworth, C. Cazzola, D. Claude, B. Clergeat, and M. Dall'asta; #91021 (2010)

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Deep-Water Meandering Channels from Subsurface and Recent Fans.

KOLLA, V., D. ASHWORTH, C. CAZZOLA, D. CLAUDE, B. CLERGEAT, M. DALL'ASTA

Turbidity-current meandering channels in the subsurface have rarely been reported previously. The use of 3-D seismic technology reveals a common occurrence of such channels in the subsurface Tertiary of the West African continental slopes. A comparison of these channels with those of the recent deep-water fans helps to better predict their reservoir potential and architecture in the subsurface.

The sinuosity of the meandering channels in recent fans ranges up to 3.0 maximum, with widths less than 2 km and depths shallower than 80 m. Lateral and vertical channel migration results in the development of thick reservoir facies. Depositional lobes occur at the terminus of the channels. Crevasse-splays and unchannelized lobes resulting from the breaching of the levees are also common and are sand-prone.

In the subsurface Tertiary of West Africa, solitary or nested (stacked), meandering channels occur, down-dip from canyons or within the canyons. Their sinuosities are very similar to those of the recent fan channels. The channels appear to have meandered initially, with or without point-bar development. Their sinuosities probably depended on the 'valley' gradients. Subsequent thalweg and bank migration, and point-bar development lead to lateral and vertical stacking of thick reservoir facies. Diverse depositional lobes are associated with subsurface meandering. channels, and are, by comparison with recent fans, predicted to have good sand potential.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91021©1997 AAPG Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas.