Canner, Kathryn L.¹, Steve Corfield¹, Emma Finch¹, Tom Dreyer²
(1) University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
(2) Norsk Hydro Research Centre, Bergen, Norway

ABSTRACT: Clinoform Geometries; Evolution, and Sediment Distribution: Examples from the Norwegian North Sea and the Megara Basin, Greece

A comparative study of two sets of clinoforms has been carried out using seismic interpretation, numerical modeling and field data.
The main focus of the study has been a 3-D seismic dataset from northern margin of the North Sea, approximately 62°N and 2-3°E. The study interval has concentrated on a package bounded above and below by Early Miocene and Pleistocene unconformities. The section has been divided into two mega-sequences. The lower Miocene mega-sequence comprises several large progradational to aggradational wedges, which are observed to be dipping east. The upper Pliocene mega-sequence is comprised of several sets of large-scale (200m thick and 20-30km along dip) clinoforms dipping approximately 3° northwest. The studied clinoforms are much larger than anything observed at outcrop.
High amplitude reflectors occur along the tops of the clinoforms and also near the toes. One well penetrates the distal part of the clinoforms and proves the presence of sand along the clinoform toes. A synthetic seismic line was created by populating cells of a numerical model with velocity and density values from the well. The synthetic shows good correlation with the original data, bright areas in the model agree with high amplitudes in the seismic and are representative of the sands seen in the borehole data.
This technique has been used to generate synthetic seismic of outcrop by applying well data to comparable outcrop sections of Quaternary clinoforms in the Megara Basin, Greece.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.