Abstract
A long-standing problem in the understanding of deep-water turbidite reservoirs relates to how the three-dimensional evolution of deep-water channel systems evolve in response to channel filling on spatiotemporal scales, and how depositional environments affect channel architecture. The 3-D structure and temporal evolution of late Miocene deep-water channel complexes in the southern Taranaki Basin, New Zealand is investigated, and the geometry, distribution, and stacking patterns of the channel complexes are analyzed. Two recently acquired 3-D seismic datasets, the Pipeline-3D (proximal) and Hector-3D (distal) are analyzed. These surveys provide detailed imaging of late Miocene deep-water channel systems, allowing for the assessment of the intricate geometry and seismic geomorphology of the systems. Seismic attributes resolve the channel bodies and the associated architectural elements. Spectral decomposition, amplitude curvature, and coherence attributes reveal NW-trending straight to low-sinuosity channels and less prominent NE-trending high-sinuosity feeder channels. Stratal slices across the seismic datasets better characterize the architectural elements. The mapped turbidite systems transition from low-sinuosity to meandering high-sinuosity patterns, likely caused by a change in the shelf-slope gradient due to localized structural relief. Stacking facies patterns within the channel systems reveal the temporal variation from a depositional environment characterized by sediment bypass to vertically aggrading channel systems.
Highlights
The Taranaki Basin is located off the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand and covers an area of approximately 330,000 km2
Detailed analysis of seismic scale outcrops along the western coast of the North Island and petroleum exploration has led to a wealth of research over the late Miocene Mount Messenger depositional system ([1,2,3,4,6,11,18,19,20], among others)
Two three-dimensional (3D) seismic datasets were used to create a depositional model for mid-to late-Miocene channel complexes within the southern equivalents of the Mount Messenger Formation
Summary
The Taranaki Basin is located off the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand and covers an area of approximately 330,000 km. On the western coast of the North Island, seismic-scale outcrops of deep-water channels within the Late-Miocene Mount Messenger Formation have been previously studied [1,2,3]. The observed siliciclastic, deep-water channels in this study region were formed in response to basin subsidence and uplift in the hinterland [10], and primarily transported fine-grained sediments [11]. As uplift continued through the latest Miocene and early Pliocene, a regionally continuous unconformity was formed and is in the Te Whatu-2 well as a 3.2 Ma hiatus (Figure 2) During this time of progradation, a series of third-order cycles promoted the formation of deepwater channel systems [15,16]. The GFF is underlain by the Urenui-equivalent slope mudstones, Manganui, Mangaa or Ariki formations [16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
