Accommodation controls on fluvial-deltaic reservoir architecture

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · AAPG Bulletin

OSTI ID:127413

Gardner, M H; Willis, B J; Barton, M D ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)

Hydrocarbon recovery efficiency is controlled by reservoir heterogeneities resulting from geometric arrangements of strata, or {open_quotes}stratal architecture{close_quotes}. Traditional reservoir characterization relates depositional systems to stratal architecture. High-resolution sequence stratigraphy of outcrop analogs provides a chronostratigraphic framework for evaluating accommodation conditions of depositional systems. Key stratigraphic surfaces and/or correlative strata define a hierarchy of chronostratigraphic units of different periodicities. The Upper Cretaceous Ferron Sandstone, an analog to high accommodation and sediment supply fluvial-deltaic reservoirs, comprises an intermediate-term stratigraphic sequence consisting of seven short-term stratigraphic cycles. Each short-term stratigraphic cycle contains fluvial- to storm-dominated shallow-marine deposits laterally replaced by distributary channel deposits. The Lower Cretaceous Fall River Formation, an analog to low accommodation fluvial-deltaic reservoirs, comprises an intermediate-term stratigraphic sequence consisting of six short-term stratigraphic cycles. Detailed outcrop study of valley fill strata shows unconformities controlling permeability distributions, segregating the reservoir, and juxtaposing low and high permeability strata. Hence, in low accommodation fluvial-deltaic strata the most important stratal element affecting fluid flow are unconformity bounded short-term stratigraphic cycles. This contrasts with high accommodation fluvial-deltaic strata where smaller-scale depositional elements comprising individual short-term stratigraphic cycles form flow units.

• OSTI ID: 127413
• Report Number(s): CONF-950995--
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin, Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 79; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
58 GEOSCIENCES
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOMETRY
RESERVOIR ROCK
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SEDIMENTATION