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Applying Deltaic and Shallow Marine Outcrop Analogs to the Subsurface*

By

Janok P. Bhattacharya1

 

Search and Discovery Article #40192 (2006)

Posted May 2, 2006

 

*Adapted from AAPG Distinguished Lecture, 2006.

 

1University of Houston ([email protected])

 

Abstract 

A fundamental problem in subsurface reservoir characterization is determining the continuity of flow units and flow barriers (i.e. sandstones, shales and cements). In any given field, there will typically exist a combination of field wide-elements, elements that may extend between wells, but not across the entire field, and elements that do not extend between wells. 

Our outcrop analog data bases provide:

  1. Regional and field-scale studies of reservoir and non-reservoir elements associated with shallow marine, deltaic reservoir types.

  2. Detailed 3D facies architectural studies of small-scale, intra-well heterogeneity  (cements and “stochastic” shales) in specific depositional sub-environments (e.g delta front facies) that may be incorporated into reservoir models.

  3. Conceptual re-evaluations of shoreline and deltaic facies models that may be applied by geologist interpreting or correlating seismic, well log or core data.

 

The subsurface geologist must use facies models and sequence stratigraphic concepts to correlate well data. We show several examples of deltaic reservoirs depicted as consisting of horizontal layers (layer-cake). Our outcrop examples suggest that sandstones within the delta front dip seaward. This fundamentally challenges reservoir models that invoke flat versus dipping beds and we demonstrate how this can be applied to correlation of core and well log data sets. Our regional-scale stratigraphic results study also suggest very different exploration models in the search for basin-distal  reservoir sandstones. 

From the perspective of general facies models, historically, “shorefaces: have been assumed to form homogenous, uniform reservoirs that require little effort to produce. These assumptions have not turned out to be valid in the production behavior of many so-called “shoreface” type reservoirs. We show that many wave-dominated shorefaces are actually delta front deposits. Our new model for wave-influenced coastlines suggests a distinct facies asymmetry with homogenous beach and shoreface sands accumulating on the updrift side of the river mouth with significantly more-heterogenous facies on the downdrift side. We have applied this facies model to the re- interpretation of Cretaceous “shoreface” deposits in Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah and these examples should be applicable to other subsurface deltaic reservoirs.

 

 

 

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Outline of Presentation 

  • Problem

  • Shorefaces versus deltas

  • Facies architecture

  • Subsurface correlations

  • Conclusions

 

Problem 

  • How to correlate regional or field-wide “deterministic” elements in subsurface data?

    • Well logs

  • How do we capture effects of complex 3D facies architecture in reservoir models?

    • Reservoir modeling / well log correlation

  • How to interpret reservoir geometry in 3D seismic data?

    • Seismic geomorphology

 

Solution 

  • Requires a conceptual framework for geological interpretation.

    • Facies models

    • Sequence stratigraphy

  • Need “training” data sets.

    • Outcrops

    • High resolution seismic

                        e.g., Anderson and Fillon (2004)

o       Theoretical (numerical) models

                        e.g., Thorne et al. (1991)

 

Conclusions 

  • Depositional environments and systems are not mutually exclusive!

  • Deltas and shoreface deposits are linked in many major wave-influenced prograding coastal systems.

    • Looks applicable to ancient systems.

  • Outcrop analogs help guide regional and field-scale correlations.

    • Get away from the layer-cake.

  • 3D outcrop analogs useful in reservoir characterization.

 

Selected Bibliography 

Ainsworth, R.Bruce, Montree Sanlung, and S. Theo C. Duivenvoorden, 1999, Correlation techniques, perforation strategies, and recovery factors: AAPG Bulletin, v. 83, p. 1535-1551.

Anderson, J.B. and R.H. Fillon, 2004. Late Quaternary stratigraphic evolution of the Northern Gulf of Mexico. SEPM Special Publication 79, 311 p.

Bhattacharya, J.P., and Giosan, L., 2003, Wave-influenced deltas: geomorphological implications for facies reconstruction: Sedimentology, v. 50, p. 187–210.

Gani, M.R., and J.P. Bhattacharya, 2005, External Morphology Versus Internal Facies Architecture of Deltas Challenge Tripartite Classification Scheme (abstract): AAPG Annual Meeting, Calgary.

Hampson, G.J., W. Davies, S.J. Davies, J.A. Howell, and K.R. Adamson, 2005, Use of spectral gamma-ray data to refine subsurface fluvial stratigraphy; Late Cretaeous strata in the Book Cliffs, Utah, USA: Journal Geological Society London, v. 162, p. 603-621.

McCubbin, D.G., 1982, Barrier island and strand-plain facies, in Sandstone Depositional Environments: AAPG Memoir 31, p. 247–280.

Miall, A.D., 1985, Architectural-element analysis: A new method of facies analysis applied to fluvial deposits: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 22, p. 261–308.

Scruton, P.C., 1960, Delta building and the deltaic Sequence, in Recent Sediments, Northwest Gulf of Mexico: AAPG, p. 82-102.

Ta, Thi Kim Oanh, Van Lap Nguyen, Masaaki Tateishi, Iwao Kobayashi, Yoshiki Saito, and Toshio Nakamura, 2002a, Sediment facies and late Holocene progradation of the Mekong River Delta in Bentre Province, southern Vietnam; an example of evolution from a tide-dominated to a tide- and wave-dominated delta: Sedimentary Geology, v. 152, p. 313-325.

Ta, Thi Kim Oanh, Van Lap Nguyen, Masaaki Tateishi, Iwao Kobayashi, Susumu Tanabe, and Yoshiki Saito, 2002b, Holocene delta evolution and sediment discharge of the Mekong River, southern Vietnam: Quaternary Science reviews, v. 21, p. 1807-1819.

Tanabe, S., T.K.O. Ta, V.L. Nguyen, M. Tateishi, I. Kobayashi, and Y. Saito, 2003, Delta evolution model inferred from Holocene Mekong Delta, Southern Vietnam, in Tropical Deltas of Southeast Asia—Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Petroleum Geology: SEPM Special Publication 76, p. 175–188.

Tesson, M., Gensous, G.P. Allen, and Ch. Ravenne, 1990, Late Quaternary deltaic lowstand wedges on the Rhône continental shelf, France: Marine Geology, v. 91, p. 325-332.

Thorne, J.A., E. Grace, D.J.P. Swift, and A. Niedoroda, 1991, Sedimentation on continental margins; III, The depositional fabric; an analytical approach to stratification and facies identification, in Shelf Sand and Sandstone Bodies; Geometry, Facies and Sequence Stratigraphy: International Association of Sedimentologists Special Publication 14, p. 59-87.

Tye, R.S., J.P. Bhattacharya, J.A. Lorsong, S.T. Sindelar, D.G. Knock, D.D. Puls, and R.A. Levinson, 1999, Geology and stratigraphy of fluvio-deltaic deposits in the Ivishak Formation: Applications for Development of Prudhoe Bay Field, Alaska: AAPG Bulletin, v. 83, p. 1588–1623.

Tyler, N., 1988, New oil from old fields: Geotimes, v. 33, no. 7, p. 8-10.

Tyler, N., W.E. Galloway, C.M. Garrett, Jr., and T.E. Ewing, 1984, Oil accumulation, production characteristics, and targets for additional recovery in major oil reservoirs of Texas: University of Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology Geological Circular 84-2, 31 p.

Walker, R.G., and A.G. Plint, 1992, Wave- and storm-dominated shallow marine systems, in Facies Models: Response to Sea Level Change. Geological Association of Canada, p. 219–238.

 

Acknowledgments 

Contributing co-authors are Royhan Gani (EGI), Chuck Howell (UTD), Keumsuk Lee (UTD), George McMechan (UTD), Xioxian Zeng (UTD), Robert Tye (DGM), Chris White (LSU), James McEachern (SFU), Hong Tang (LSU-Chevron). Contributing companies are Chevron, BP, and Anadarko. Support also from DOE Contract DE-FO3-96ER14596.

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