Abstract
AbstractAlthough the trajectory and geometry of clinoforms in different types of basins have been described in many studies, few studies discuss the influence of halokinesis on clinoforms in salt‐related basins. In this study, we analyse the Lower Cretaceous clinoforms in the Tiddlybanken Basin, Norwegian Barents Sea to evaluate the impact of salt mobilization on the geometry and trajectory of clinoforms as well as its implications on sediment partitioning. To accomplish this objective, we use a multidisciplinary approach consisting of seismic and well‐interpretation, 3D structural restoration, and forward stratigraphic modelling. The results show that salt mobilization affects prograding clinoforms by: (a) causing lateral variations in progradation rates, resulting in complex palaeogeography, (b) increasing slope angles, which affect the equilibrium of the clinoform profile and can trigger slope‐readjustment processes and (c) producing lateral and temporal variations in accommodation space, leading to different clinoform trajectories, stacking patterns and reservoir distribution along the basin. Forward stratigraphic modelling shows that in salt‐related basins and other tectonically active basins, the isolated use of conventional methods for clinoform analysis might lead to potential interpretation pitfalls such as misinterpretation of trajectories and overestimation of foreset angles, which can have negative consequences for exploration models.
Highlights
Clinoforms represent accretionary strata that are characterized by topset, foreset and bottomset geometries, marking the transition from shallow to deeper waters
Different techniques have been adopted to analyse the distribution of coarse‐grained sediments within clinoforms: 1. Sequence stratigraphy, which is based on the analysis of stacking patterns, geometric relationships and stratal terminations, to identify key surfaces formed as result of relative sea level fluctuations (Catuneanu et al, 2011; Mitchum, Vail, & Sangree, 1977)
Well data consist of a conventional suit of wireline logs, check‐shots and well tops, which were integrated to: (a) provide age constraints and correlate the main seismic units and sequences across the basin, (b) assign a lithology to the clinoforms and (c) construct a 3D velocity model for time‐to‐depth conversion of the surfaces resulting from seismic interpretation
Summary
Clinoforms represent accretionary strata that are characterized by topset, foreset and bottomset geometries, marking the transition from shallow to deeper waters. During the Late Triassic‐Jurassic, minibasin subsidence and diapir uplift decreased dramatically causing the burial of the NW–SE salt wall at the basin axis (Figure 3a,b; Rowan & Lindsø, 2017) This decrease in accommodation was experienced in most of the Barents Sea and resulted in the deposition of condensed, shallow marine‐fluviodeltaic deposits with complex drainage systems (Kapp Toscana Gp.; Figure 3a,b; Anell, Braathen, & Olaussen, 2014; Henriksen, Ryseth, et al, 2011). Well data consist of a conventional suit of wireline logs (e.g. gamma ray, caliper, neutron, density, sonic and resistivity), check‐shots and well tops, which were integrated to: (a) provide age constraints and correlate the main seismic units and sequences across the basin, (b) assign a lithology to the clinoforms and (c) construct a 3D velocity model for time‐to‐depth conversion of the surfaces resulting from seismic interpretation
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