Abstract
Turbidity channels have been considered as one of the important types of deepwater reservoir, and the study of their architecture plays a key role in efficient development of an oil field. To better understand the reservoir architecture of the lower Congo Basin M oilfield, semi-quantitative–quantitative study on turbidity channel depositional architecture patterns in the middle to lower slopes was conducted with the aid of abundant high quality materials (core, outcrop, logging and seismic data), employing seismic stratigraphy, seismic sedimentology and sedimentary petrography methods. Then, its sedimentary evolution was analyzed accordingly. The results indicated that in the study area, grade 3 to grade 5 architecture units were single channel, complex channel and channel systems, respectively. Single channel sinuosity is negatively correlated with the slope, as internal grains became finer and thickness became thinner from bottom to top, axis to edge. The migration type of a single channel within one complex channel can be lateral migration and along paleocurrent migration horizontally, and lateral, indented and swing stacking in section view. Based on external morphological characteristics and boundaries, channel systems are comprised of a weakly confining type and a non-confining type. The O73 channel system can be divided into four complex channels named S1–S4, from bottom to top, with gradually less incision and more accretion. The study in this article will promote deeper understanding of turbidity channel theory, guide 3D geological modeling in reservoir development and contribute to efficient development of such reservoirs.
Highlights
Deep water channels are considered one of the significant types of reservoir, sometimes containing rich oil and gas resources
To better understand the reservoir architecture of the lower Congo Basin M oilfield, semiquantitative–quantitative study on turbidity channel depositional architecture patterns in the middle to lower slopes was conducted with the aid of abundant high quality materials, employing seismic stratigraphy, seismic sedimentology and sedimentary petrography methods
The results indicated that in the study area, grade 3 to grade 5 architecture units were single channel, complex channel and channel systems, respectively
Summary
Deep water channels are considered one of the significant types of reservoir, sometimes containing rich oil and gas resources. Achievements have been made by independent oil companies (IOCs) and institutions, with the assistance of the rapid development of deepwater drilling, geophysics theory and sonar scanning, on sedimentary configuration of deepwater turbidite channels. Domestic researchers are doing similar studies using deepwater sediments in the South China Sea area. With the gradual development of more deepwater oilfields, plenty of dynamic data reveal complex superimposition of single sand bodies inside channel systems and various high-heterogeneity rock types in single. We took the deepwater M oilfield in West Africa as an example to study semi-quantitative–quantitative sedimentary configuration patterns and their spatial evolution in this article. The study in this article may promote turbidite channel theory understanding and benefit 3-D geomodeling, making it useful in developing this type oilfield more efficiently
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