--> Abstract: Seismic Geomorphology of Shelf Sands, by Lesli Wood, Daniel Pinkston, Tiffany Hedayati, and Brian Kiel; #90078 (2008)

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Seismic Geomorphology of Shelf Sands

Lesli Wood, Daniel Pinkston, Tiffany Hedayati, and Brian Kiel
Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

Shelf-deposited, isolated sandstone bodies form many of the major hydrocarbon reservoirs in the world and occur on continental shelves worldwide. Examples include the Viking Formation in Canada; the Shannon, Eagle, and Hygiene Sandstones of Wyoming and Colorado; as well as reservoirs in Indonesia, the Adriatic, Australia and other basins around the world. Several interpretations have been put forward to explain the origin and nature of these sand bodies, and answering these questions regarding shelf sands has important implications, given their significant economic influence as major hydrocarbon repositories. The knowledge can be used to improve paleoclimatic and paleo-oceanographic models, just as increased accuracy of infill drilling can be used to improve exploration and development processes (nearly 40% increase reported in some fields).

Techniques for seismic imaging of shelf-sand waves, bars, sheets, and ribbons provide a level of spatial data previously unavailable to geoscientists working in ancient systems. Sand waves in the Albian of offshore Morocco are used herein to define deep-current directions, as well as timing of deep-current activity on the ancient margin. Sand sheets in offshore Indonesia show a spatial complexity that indicates current directions and flow complexity in the straits connecting the South China Sea with the Indian Ocean. Shelf sands in offshore Mexico Miocene strata show remarkable similarity to modern bars in the same region. Ancient shelf-sand features show remarkable similarity in geomorphology, scale, and form to modern systems, which may enable post-dicting shelfal processes active during their deposition and add significantly to our understanding of paleo-oceanographic processes in shelfal settings.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas