The response of depositional systems to easterly derived mass transport deposits in the Rakhine Basin, Myanmar

Abstract

The Rakhine Basin, offshore Myanmar is host to a complex interaction of structural, sedimentological and geomorphological systems. With an offshore acreage footprint spanning nearly two-thirds of the ~700km long basin, Woodside has leveraged its extensive exploration datasets, including petrophysical data and over 30,000km² of 2D and 3D seismic data, to aid in the analysis of this interplay. Sedimentation within the offshore, deepwater Rakhine Basin is composed of both northern and easterly derived sediments. The eastern edge of the Bengal mega-fan provides northerly derived sediment input, which interacts at a macro-scale with the easterly derived, hypothesised proto-Irrawaddy, distributary system and tectonically influenced shelf edge processes. Utilising Woodside’s seismic datasets and derivatives, this paper will examine the 4D relationship between deepwater mass transport deposits (MTD) and channel complex depositional systems. Regional studies suggest that the emplacement of easterly derived MTD’s produces a geomorphological response in deepwater processes, potentially focussing, re-directing or enhancing sediment deposition. An understanding of this relationship has implications for the distribution and characteristics of reservoir and non-reservoir facies within this proven hydrocarbon province.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90336 ©2018 AAPG Asia Pacific Region, The 4th AAPG/EAGE/MGS Myanmar Oil and Gas Conference, Myanmar: A Global Oil and Gas Hotspot: Unleashing the Petroleum Systems Potential, Yangon, Myanmar, November 13-15, 2018