03 June, 2020

Deepwater Processes and Deposits

 

The lecture content provides a summary of the fundamentals of deep marine systems. The principal goal of the course is to provide subsurface interpreters with a methodology and hands on experience in seismic, logs, and core interpretation of deep-water deposits. 

Course will be held via Zoom: 8–10 December 2020, 8:00 am–12:00 pm (CDT)

The lecture content provides a summary of the fundamentals of deep marine systems. The principal goal of the course is to provide subsurface interpreters with a methodology and hands on experience in seismic, logs, and core interpretation of deep-water deposits. 

The course is intended to generate instructive discussion among experienced professionals, moderated and guided by the tutor. Exercises will be assigned each day to reinforce the lectures and class participants will have until the following morning to complete exercises. Results will be reviewed by participants and instructor prior to the next morning’s lecture. Instructor will be available informally to answer questions throughout the day. Final course day exercises will be reviewed in a one-hour block of time on following the last day of lecture.

Course Outline:
TUESDAY 12/8 - Depositional Processes and Deposits

Intro and structure of the course

Lectures:

  • Background in deep-water sedimentation processes and deposits
  • Flow behavior – subcritical to supercritical; homopycnal to hyperpycnal
  • Building regional seismic and log-based source to sink frameworks
  • BREAK

 

EXERCISE Introduction:

  • Mozambique: 2-D seismic line study of source-to-sink clastic depositional system. Analysis using reflection termination and facies techniques. Trajectory analysis, sequence and facies definition.
  • Seismic analysis methods in deepwater basin exploration and development

 

WEDNESDAY 12/9 – Canyons, Valleys, Channels, and Levees

EXERCISE 1 Review
Lectures:

  • Canyons and Valleys. Direct fed versus cross-shelf canyon fed systems.
  • BREAK
  • Discussion of the Guyana Margin, Gulf of Mexico Cretaceous and Tertiary. Super-critical to sub-critical flow processes and looking for reservoir in complex seafloor topographies.

 

EXERCISE Introduction:

  • Correlating canyon and valley strata using logs and seismic, Pennsylvanian, Arkoma Basin, and GOM
  • Lobes and sheets

 

THURSDAY 12/10 – Leveed Channels, Mass Failures, and Sediment waves

EXERCISE 2 Review
Lectures:

  • Leveed Channels and Lateral Lobes (crevasse splays)

 

Exercises Introduction:

  • Gabon, West Africa: Seismic geomorphologic sketch mapping of slope leveed channel systems with salt tectonic influence (Review ZOOM on Friday 10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.)
  • BREAK
  • Mass failure deposits in seismic, logs, and outcrop. Seals and reservoirs in these enigmatic deposits.

     

    Exercise Introduction: Interpreting mass failure deposits (review ZOOM on Friday at 10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.)

    • Continuous Bottom Currents and Sediment Wavefields
    • Wrap up

     

    FRIDAY 12/11 – EXERCISE 3 and EXERCISE 4 Reviews