--> ABSTRACT: Facies Modeling of a Stacked Channel Turbidite System at Outcrop, by Julian D. Clark, Kevin T. Pickering, and Jordi Corregidor; #90906(2001)

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Julian D. Clark1, Kevin T. Pickering2, Jordi Corregidor3

(1) Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
(2) UCL (University College London), London
(3) Independent Consultant

ABSTRACT: Facies Modeling of a Stacked Channel Turbidite System at Outcrop

The Eocene Ainsa fan systems accumulated in a structurally-confined basin, within the Southern Pyrenean foreland basin. An integrated outcrop and subsurface study (The Ainsa Project) enabled an appreciation of the large- to subseismic-scale architecture. Three fan systems, the Ainsa I, II and III fan systems, have been delineated. The fans comprise bypass zones with associated large-scale erosion surfaces, stacked sand-rich channels with associated channel margin and inter-channel facies, and sheet-like units deposited down-dip from channels.

Six cored wells were drilled behind the outcrop to depths of ~200m, intersecting all three fans. The facies from the cores and outcrops were digitised and incorporated as well control data in the 3-D facies model. Measured outcrop data were used to establish length-scale distributions for each facies association, and to examine lateral facies relationships. These data were used to stochastically populate the volumes between the deterministic surfaces, using RMS modeling software.

Upscaling techniques, using small-scale properties of analogous reservoir rocks, were used to evaluate upscaled properties of the fine-scale facies model. Flow simulations through the upscaled 3-D permeability model were undertaken to evaluate the effects of permeability baffles and barriers in the complex channelised architecture. Well placement and different production strategies were investigated to optimise production efficiency and management of analogous sub-surface reservoirs.

This study highlights the application of outcrop analog data to object-based reservoir modeling, and the use of appropriate upscaling techniques for turbidite facies. Modelling demonstrates the effects of sedimentary heterogeneity resulting from stacked turbidite channel deposits.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90906©2001 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado