Types of submarine fan lobes: Models and implications

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:7079320

Shanmugam, G; Moiola, R J ^[1]

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1. Mobil Research and Development Corp., Dallas, TX (United States)

Different lobe models imply significantly different reservoir geometries; thus, one must apply the proper lobe model to ancient fan sequences. Braided suprafan lobes are characterized by stacked channel sand bodies with good lateral and vertical communication, and they constitute excellent reservoir facies. Depositional lobes, composed of sheet-like sand bodies with good lateral and moderate vertical communication, exhibit properties of good reservoir facies. Fanlobes, which refer to meandering channels and associated levee facies of large mud-rich submarine fans such as the Mississippi fan, are characterized by offset stacked sand bodies with poor lateral and vertical communication .These lenticular sands have the potential to be moderately good reservoir facies. Ponded lobes, which represent mud-rich slump facies of slope environments, comprise poor reservoir facies because of low sand content and poor sand-body connectivity. Furthermore, the presence of contorted mud layers in ponded lobes is expected to hinder fluid flow. External mounded reflections in seismic profiles often are interpreted as lobes; however, there are no definite seismic criteria to delineate mud-rich lobes from sand-rich lobes.

• OSTI ID: 7079320
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Vol. 75:1; ISSN AABUD; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
DEPOSITION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGY
GEOMETRY
MATHEMATICS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY