Sequence Stratigraphic Concepts Research Articles

Permian–Triassic Boundary in Sedimentary Succession of the Barents Sea

Abstract —The Permian–Triassic (P–T) boundary records the most dramatic events in Phanerozoic history. The character of the boundary differs greatly, so it has been the subject of great discussion. The Barents Sea separates regions having markedly different expressions of the P–T boundary, and it can give an insight into the conditions of formation of this boundary in different parts of the European North. This contribution is based on a combination of regional projects from the Russian and Norwegian sectors, including seismic data across the Barents Sea and well data in marginal zones. Application of new seismic data and the sequence stratigraphy concept provides a novel approach to correlation and interpretation of the P–T boundary beneath the Barents Sea. The study has revealed a distinct regional sequence boundary corresponding to the P–T boundary with conformable and unconformable bedding. Three major types of this stratigraphic boundary are recognized. The distinct “erosional” type of the P–T boundary, with a significantly reduced Permian section, exists in the southeast (Timan–Pechora Basin). The conformable “overcompensated” type of boundary with an additional Lower Triassic section is interpreted in the central part of the Barents Sea. Westward, beneath the Norwegian sector, a relatively conformable “condensed” type of P–T boundary predominates. In addition to these types associated with regional paleostructural and depositional trends, the superposed “structural” subtype caused by local growth of structures at the Permian–Triassic boundary is identified.

Predicting natural arsenic enrichment in peat-bearing, alluvial and coastal depositional systems: A generalized model based on sequence stratigraphy

Hazardously high concentrations of arsenic exceeding the threshold limits for soils and drinking waters have been widely reported from Quaternary sedimentary successions and shallow aquifers of alluvial and coastal lowlands worldwide, raising public health concerns due to potential human exposure to arsenic. A combined sedimentological and geochemical analysis of subsurface deposits, 2.5–50 m deep, from the SE Po Plain (Italy) documents a systematic tendency for naturally-occurring arsenic to accumulate in peat-rich layers, with concentrations invariably greater than maximum permissible levels.A total of 366 bulk sediment samples from 40 cores that penetrated peat-bearing deposits were analysed by X-ray fluorescence. Arsenic concentrations associated with 7 peat-free lithofacies associations (fluvial-channel, levee/crevasse, floodplain, swamp, lagoon/bay, beach-barrier, and offshore/prodelta) exhibit background values invariably below threshold levels (<20 mg/kg). In contrast, total arsenic contents from peaty clay and peat showed 2–6 times larger As accumulation. A total of 204 near-surface (0–2.5 m) samples from modern alluvial and coastal depositional environments exhibit the same trends as their deeper counterparts, total arsenic peaking at peat horizons above the threshold values for contaminated soils.The arsenic-bearing, peat-rich Quaternary successions of the Po Plain accumulated under persisting reducing conditions in wetlands of backstepping estuarine and prograding deltaic depositional environments during the Early-Middle Holocene sea-level rise and subsequent stillstand. Contamination of the Holocene and underlying Pleistocene aquifer systems likely occurred through the release of As by microbially-mediated reductive dissolution. Using high-resolution sequence-stratigraphic concepts, we document that the Late Pleistocene-Holocene lithofacies architecture dictates the subsurface distribution of As. The “wetland trajectory”, i.e. the path taken by the landward/seaward shift of peat-rich depositional environments during the Holocene, may help predict spatial patterns of natural As distribution, delineating the highest As-hazard zones and providing a realistic view of aquifer contamination even in unknown areas.

Marine Geological Studies of the Bay of Naples (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): Revised Applications of the Seismo-Stratigraphic Concepts and Evolving Technologies to a Late Quaternary Volcanic Area

Marine geological studies of Naples Bay are discussed and reviewed, focusing on the application of the seismo-stratigraphic concepts to a Late Quaternary volcanic area. The Naples Bay represents an active volcanic area in which the interactions between volcanic and sedimentary processes controlled a complex stratigraphic architecture during the Late Quaternary period. While the volcanic processes took place in correspondence with the activity of the Somma–Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei Ischia, and Procida volcanic complexes, the sedimentary processes were controlled by the fluvial processes in the Sarno-Sebeto coastal plain and by the tectonic uplift in correspondence with the Sorrento Peninsula’s structural high Key geophysical and stratigraphic studies of the three active volcanic complexes are revised and discussed. The seismo-stratigraphic concepts applied in the geological interpretation of seismic profiles of Naples Bay are reviewed and discussed: here, the classical concepts of seismic and sequence stratigraphy have been successfully applied, but only partly, due to the occurrence of several buried volcanoes and volcanic seismic units and tephra layers, calibrated by gravity cores.

Highlighting relationships between sand thicknesses, reservoir-seal pairs and paleobathymetry from a sequence stratigraphic perspective: An example from Tortonian Serravallian deposits, onshore Niger Delta Basin

The utilization of sequence stratigraphic concepts in identifying sands and their spatial continuity in distinct gross depositional settings is key, especially in frontier settings where data paucity is a common challenge. In the Baka field, onshore Niger Delta, detailed reservoir correlation guided by sequence stratigraphic framework analysis showed the distribution of sand and shale units constituting reservoir-seal pairs (RSP) correlatable across the field. Within the 3rd-order packages, it is observed that the lowstand systems tract (LST) and highstand systems tract (HST) contain more RSPs and thicker 4th- and 5th-order sands than the transgressive systems tract (TST). In terms of bathymetry, it is noted that irrespective of systems tracts, the RSP Index (RI) decreases from the proximal shallow/inner shelf settings to the more distal outer shelf areas. Amongst all three systems tracts, intervals interpreted as lowstand prograding complexes contain the best developed sands and highest RSP. Sand development within the LSTs has been controlled by a pronounced growth fault regime accompanied by high subsidence and sedimentation rates. This is linked to the basinward migration of the sands during prolonged sea-level fall, creating significant accommodation space for sand deposition. On the other hand, the TSTs known to mark periods of progressive sea-level rise and landward migration of sandy facies, show thinner sands enclosed in much thicker, laterally extensive, and better-preserved deeper marine shales. Interpreted seismic sections indicate intense growth faulting and channelization that influenced the syn- and post-depositional development of the sand packages across the field. The initial timing of deformation of sub-regional faults in this area coincides with periods of abrupt falls in sea level. This approach could be useful for predicting sand-prone areas in frontier fields as well as possible reservoir-seal parameters required for some aspects of petroleum system analysis and quick-look volume estimation.

Sequence stratıgraphıc analysıs of the Galmaz field based on well loggıng data

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; It is known that over 90% of oil, gas and gas condensate in Azerbaijan is produced from Productive Series (PS) of the Early Pliocene. In this respect, the detailed study of Pro- ductive Series deposits and their evolution conditions has a special value. Currently in most sedimentary basins of the world the latest highly informative methods of stratigraphic analysis are applied and one of these methods is sequence-stratigraphy, which is used in this study. The application of the concept of sequence stratigraphy enables an in-depth analysis of the study area to be conducted from a geological point of view. Despite the fact that the search for oil and gas deposits in the basins of Azerbaijan Republic has been going on for many years, there is a limited understanding of the distribution of elements associated with the oil system within the sequence stratigraphic structure. This is evidenced by the small number of scientific publications that exist in this area at the moment. To study in more detail the sedimentation process of PS of the Pliocene in the Galmaz field the genetically tied facies have been outlined and correlated within the framework of chronostratigraphic boundaries. As the study targets we have chosen the stages of Absheron, Akchagyl and PS of Pliocene in the Galmaz field. New data acquired by well logging techniques were re-examined in detail. To analyze and interpret the data , NeuralogTM and PetrelTM software were applied. From positions of the sequence-stratigraphy and taking into account the curve features (gamma ray log) predictions of the sedimentation environment of PS have been made. In the study process the sequences and system tracts have been outlined and studied, the sedimentation periods of the outlined sequences have been defined. It has been suggested to apply stratigraphic surfaces for tracing changes in regression and transgression surfaces. Clay and sand fractions of rocks were evaluated with further lithological analysis. On the gamma-ray curves, the intervals with intensity values less than 3.5 mR/h were considered as reservoir layers. At the same time, the normalized value of αSP, calculated from the curve of Spontaneous Polarization, was assumed to be greater than 0.6. Based on the sequence-stratigraphy analysis of oil-field geophysical data it has been established that the geological section of the Galmaz area was developing at various rates and in frequently changing energy mode. It has been also made clear that parasequences of the Absheron stage and Productive Series were formed in progradation mode by detritus brought by river flows. Akchagyl sediments play the role of the regional major cap in the basin.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Chapter 9. Application of sequence stratigraphy to the evaluation of selected North Sea Jurassic hydrocarbon fields and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects

Abstract The application of sequence stratigraphic concepts and methods augments the efficient development of North Sea hydrocarbon fields with Jurassic reservoirs. In particular, the approach provides enhancements to the development of robust reservoir zonations, more accurate assessments of the extent and continuity of reservoir zones and flow units, clearer identification and prediction of the most productive reservoir intervals, improved understanding of field-wide pressure barriers or baffles to fluid flow, and enhanced reservoir models. In addition, carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in Jurassic rocks will benefit from the adoption of a sequence stratigraphic approach by enhancing the understanding of storage unit architecture, connectivity and top seals. In this chapter, these applications are discussed with reference to around 20 case studies from the North Sea Basin.

Chapter 2. Sequence stratigraphic concepts and methodologies

Abstract This chapter reviews sequence stratigraphic concepts and methodologies and presents an approach that is most applicable to the North Sea Jurassic, based on the concept of genetic sequence stratigraphy. The concept of depositional sequences, comprising rock units bounded by unconformities, has been developed from the late nineteenth century up to the present day. Many different studies have been carried out on North Sea Jurassic sequence stratigraphy, from the early 1980s to the present day and involving a range of different approaches. Many authors have adopted the J sequence approach that was first published in the early 1990s; however, a number of alternative North Sea Jurassic sequence schemes have also been described. A close relationship existed between tectonics and sequence boundary development, particularly during the Middle–Late Jurassic in the North Sea region. Several of the major unconformities that are known to be of regional extent can be directly related to significant tectonic phases. Other sequence boundaries, for which a tectonic control is not evident, for example, particularly in the Early Jurassic, were potentially driven by glacio-eustatic cycles, which may have been controlled by orbital forcing cycles.

Chapter 10. Sequence stratigraphy in the exploration for North Sea Jurassic stratigraphic traps

Abstract The application of sequence stratigraphic concepts and methods significantly enhances the evaluation of stratigraphic traps. In this chapter, five examples of, as yet undrilled, potential UK North Sea Jurassic combination stratigraphic traps, from the East Shetland Platform, South Viking Graben, Inner Moray Firth and Central Graben, are discussed and the potential application of sequence stratigraphic methods in their evaluation considered.

Integration of Sequence Stratigraphy and Petrophysical Analysis for Reservoir Characterization: A Case Study of “ED” Field, Offshore Niger Delta

Sequence stratigraphic concept for continental settings was assessed to analyze the depositional systems of the formations penetrated by wells in ‘ED’ Field. Identification and delineation of three sequences and their bounding surfaces was carried out using well logs. Three hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs labelled as ED-R-1000, ED-R-2000 and ED-R-3000 were delineated. Computation of petrophysical properties of reservoir rocks was executed using well established relationship. The stratigraphy comprising of an alternation of sands and shales typically was of the Agbada Formation. The petrophysical analysis results give a good indication of the reservoirs’ capability of accumulating hydrocarbon in their interstitial pore spaces. Three stratigraphic surfaces were used to sub-divide the study field into three (3) depositional sequences and further subdivide the sequences into three system tracts. They are 1154ft(m), 382ft(m) and 738ft(m) thick respectively. The depositional environment of the study field includes distributary channel fill, regressive to transgressive shoreface delta, delta front and storm dominated shelf. The best quality reservoir will be found in the lowstand system tract while TST is a good sealing rock in the study field. Keywords: Stratigraphy, Depositional sequence, Petrophysical, Well logs. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-1-05 Publication date: January 31 st 2023

The supply-generated sequence: A unified sequence-stratigraphic model for closed lacustrine sedimentary basins with evidence from the Green River Formation, Uinta Basin, Utah, U.S.A.

Abstract Closed lakes and oceans are stratigraphically distinct systems. However, closed-lake stratigraphy is often interpreted using conventional sequence stratigraphic concepts which were generated for marine settings. As a consequence, lacustrine stratigraphy has long been vexing and applied on an ad-hoc basis. To remedy this, we present a novel, unified sequence stratigraphic model for hydrologically closed (endorheic) basins: the Supply-Generated Sequence (SGS) Model. This model was generated to interpret our outcrop-based correlation—the largest to date at ∼ 30 km—across the Sunnyside Interval member of the middle Green River Formation in Nine Mile Canyon near Price, Utah, USA. The SGS model is based on the fundamental sedimentological and hydrodynamic differences between closed lakes and marine settings wherein the relationship between water discharge and sediment discharge is highly correlated. The SGS model divides packages of genetic lacustrine strata by bounding correlative surfaces, conformable or unconformable, separating facies and surfaces associated with low clastic supply (e.g., carbonates, mudstones, or exposure surfaces) from facies characteristic of relatively higher amounts of clastic supply (subaerial channelized sandstones, subaqueous siltstones, and pedogenic mudstones). We use the SGS model to correlate regional sequences at a higher resolution than previous interpretations and find the greatest amount of clastic deposition occurs during periods of lake-level rise, indicating that the SGSs are characteristically transgressive. Additionally, this model removes the implicit and explicit base-level assumptions of previous sequence stratigraphic models while being agnostic to the source of increased sediment discharge and therefore generalizable to other closed lacustrine settings. We use the high-resolution supply-generated sequences (meters thick) to argue for a climatic origin of the cyclic Sunnyside interval deposits based on sequence durations (40–50 kyr), and aligning sequences with recognized early Eocene transitory hyperthermal event timing and their associated climatic shifts across the region, increasing riverine discharge of sediment and water.

Reconsidering Carboniferous–Permian continental paleoenvironments in eastern equatorial Pangea: facies and sequence stratigraphy investigations in the Autun Basin (France)

The late Carboniferous–early Permian represents a key period in the Phanerozoic history, given the major global geodynamic and climate modifications. The aim of this work is to better understand the context and characteristics of the sedimentation recorded in the continental environments of eastern equatorial Pangea at this time, through the example of the Autun Basin (northeastern Massif Central, France). The Autun Basin contains the historical stratotype of the Autunian continental stage, and its stratigraphy was recently improved by accurate numerical ages. This basin formed in an extensional tectonic context during the latest stages of the Variscan orogeny, and it is essential to study its paleoenvironmental evolution to provide new insights into the sedimentary evolution of contemporaneous surrounding basins. Using field and subsurface data, we propose a refined sedimentological model for the Autun Basin, relying on updated facies interpretations, organic matter content fluctuations, and sequence stratigraphy concepts and correlations. The continental environments of the lower sedimentary succession of the Autun Basin, previously considered to be fluvial and lacustrine, are herein re-interpreted as mainly lacustrine, comprising fine-grained organic matter-rich deposits, and supplied by coarser-grained deltaic siliciclastic sediments, without preservation of strict fluvial sedimentation. The determination of the sequence stratigraphy cycles, strengthened by the quantification of the organic matter content, and reflected by the temporal succession of progradational and retrogradational trends, is used to determine new correlations between several sections, as well as to reconstruct the paleoenvironment evolution at the Carboniferous–Permian transition. This study provides evidence that the sedimentation area of the Autun Basin at the time of its filling was much larger than the preserved basin area, and suggests connections with contemporaneous neighboring French basins, pointing to a large sedimentary system in the northeastern Massif Central area rather than narrow and isolated basins.

Mapping of Genetic Sequences of the Cambrian Series in the Jbel Saghro Massif, Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco: Implications for Eustatic and Tectonic Controls

In this paper, a sedimentological and sequence stratigraphy analysis was performed on Lower and Middle Cambrian deposits of Jbel Saghro, Eastern Anti-Atlas. The field data analysis and the application of sequence stratigraphy concepts were used to classify sedimentary processes and depositional environment, and to define the Lower to Middle Cambrian basin’s detailed geometry. The Cambrian sedimentation of northeastern Saghro indicates a deltaic environment, which is composed of two depositional sequences. These sequences are made of a transgressive system-tract with retrograding sediments and a highstand system tract with prograding sediments. In response to sea-level change, these system-tracts were formed by several genetic units, and limited by various stratigraphic surfaces. The genetic unit stacking-patterns combined with the study of synsedimentary tectonics enabled to follow the sedimentary record’s Spatio-temporal evolution and its three-dimensional geometry. The study area deposits display significant dissimilarities in thickness. The western part shows a Lower Cambrian hiatus and an important reduction of the thickness in the Middle Cambrian deposits. However, the marine trend (progradation/retrogradation) remains similar in the study area. This suggests the same eustatic origin of all genetic sequences and variations in their preservation rate. This configuration is the result of differential subsidence that affected the Anti-Atlas during the Cambrian.

Depositional environment characterization in deltaic system by utilizing core, well log and seismic attribute data, Northern Malay Basin

The heterogeneity of shallow marine facies is quite hard to be solved. However, integrating all the data is essential to determine the details of facies distribution, whereas facies characterization is an important part that should be done before the petrophysical characterisation. This study aims to evaluate the reservoir depositional facies distribution using seismic well log and core data based on sequence stratigraphy concept, seismic interpretation, and seismic attributes, thus reducing the risk of oil exploration and improving the success rate. To ensure the objective is achieved, sequence stratigraphy interpretation has been done using integrating well log, core, and seismic data to identify the depositional environment. Distribution of coal helps to create well log correlation. Lithofacies and fluid have been interpreted according to core, test and log patterns, such as; gas sand, brine sand, shale, and coal. Based on the characteristic of logs, biostratigraphy and core data, five depositional environments have been interpreted in this study including in-distributary channel, delta plain (flood plain shale), crevasse splay, delta front shale (prodelta), and mouth bar. The interval of the target area is generally influenced by regression systems where on the lower formation is dominated by the transition depositional environment and changed to be dominant of delta plain.

Understanding along-strike variability in controlling mechanisms of paleoenvironmental conditions and stratigraphic architecture: Ordovician successions in the Alborz Mountains of Iran at the northern Gondwana margin

Changes in stacking patterns of facies, stratal architecture and shoreline trajectory along depositional strike are mainly dependent on along-strike differences in factors such as physical processes (rivers, waves, tides), tectonics, eustatic changes, sediment supply, and local physiography. The lower-upper Ordovician successions (Lashkerak Formation) deposited in a Peri-Gondwana shallow continental shelf have been interpreted using the sequence stratigraphic concepts. This approach allowed to highlight main differences along-strike in the co-existing depositional systems (coastal plains, estuaries, deltas, and shoreline to shelf systems) in the Alborz basin along the northern edge of Gondwana. On the basis of sedimentary and ichnological characteristics, the siliciclastic successions are divided into four facies associations: (i) Wave-dominated estuarine, (ii) Wave-dominated shoreface-offshore complex, (iii) Mixed fluvial (F)- and wave (W)-influenced delta (Fw and Wf), and (iv) Tide-dominated, fluvial-influenced delta (Tf). Six third-order depositional sequences (DS1-DS6) were recognized, each of them are bounded by unconformities and pronounced shifts in the facies. Along depositional strike (NE/SW- a distance of c. 150 km), significant intrabasinal changes in sediment supply produced evident lateral changes in the shoreline trajectory and stratal architecture, of the DS1-DS3 (Tremadocian-Floian), may be attributed to differences in physical processes (rivers, waves, tides activity) and topographic irregularities derive probably by different rates of subsidence in the basin. During the deposition of the DS1-DS3, a significant along-strike differences in the composition of ichnological suites and the lifestyle of benthonic organisms, dependent on the relative supremacy of wave, storm, river, and tidal processes. Sedimentary supply and processes are the main controlling factors for the stratigraphic architecture rather than the tectonic activity between Tremadocian and Floian. While during the Darriwilian-Katian interval (DS4-DS6), the tectonic activity predominates with the beginning of extensional phases related to the rifting in the Alborz basin causing the activation of syn-depositional normal faults and the development of block-faulted craton-ward margin. Typically, differential subsidence due to extensional tectonic activity causes the uplift of tectonic blocks west of the Alborz Basin into the emerging areas, on one hand, and simultaneous deepening-upward stacking patterns (i.e., increased subsidence rates) in the hanging-wall depocenters of east of the Alborz Basin, on the other hand. This outcrop-based study suggests that the identification of genetically related depositional units in a larger paleogeographic context is fundamental for understanding along-strike variability in controlling mechanisms of the spatial distribution and stratigraphic architecture of coexisting and linked depositional systems.

The Importance of Ecological Accommodation Space and Sediment Supply for Cold-Water Coral Mound Formation, a Case Study From the Western Mediterranean Sea

The formation of cold-water coral (CWC) mounds is commonly seen as being the result of the sustained growth of framework-forming CWCs and the concurrent supply and deposition of terrigenous sediments under energetic hydrodynamic conditions. Yet only a limited number of studies investigated the complex interplay of the various hydrodynamic, sedimentological and biological processes involved in mound formation, which, however, focused on the environmental conditions promoting coral growth. Therefore, we are still lacking an in-depth understanding of the processes allowing the on-mound deposition of hemipelagic sediments, which contribute to two thirds of coral mound deposits. To investigate these processes over geological time and to evaluate their contribution to coral mound formation, we reconstructed changes in sediment transport and deposition by comparing sedimentological parameters (grain-size distribution, sediment composition, accumulation rates) of two sediment cores collected from a Mediterranean coral mound and the adjacent seafloor (off-mound). Our results showed that under a turbulent hydrodynamic regime promoting coral growth during the Early Holocene, the deposition of fine siliciclastic sediments shifted from the open seafloor to the coral mounds. This led to a high average mound aggradation rate of &amp;gt;130 cm kyr–1, while sedimentation rates in the adjacent off-mound area at the same time did not exceed 10 cm kyr–1. Thereby, the baffling of suspended sediments by the coral framework and their deposition within the ecological accommodation space provided by the corals seem to be key processes for mound formation. Although, it is commonly accepted that these processes play important roles in various sedimentary environments, our study provided for the first time, core-based empirical data proving the efficiency of these processes in coral mound environment. In addition, our approach to compare the grain-size distribution of the siliciclastic sediments deposited concurrently on a coral mound and on the adjacent seafloor allowed us to investigate the integrated influence of coral mound morphology and coral framework on the mound formation process. Based on these results, this study provides the first conceptual model for coral mound formation by applying sequence stratigraphic concepts, which highlights the interplay of the coral-framework baffling capacity, coral-derived ecological accommodation space and sediment supply.

Hyperpycnal littoral deltas: A case of study from the Lower Cretaceous Agrio Formation in the Neuquén Basin, Argentina

Recent advances in the understanding of deltaic deposits provide new tools for the study and analysis of deltaic deposits in shallow epicontinental seas. After the introduction of sequence stratigraphic concepts, meter-scale coarsening and thickening upward successions have been considered as “parasequences” originated by high-frequency sea-level changes. Nevertheless, recent studies enhanced the importance of wave-aided low-dense hyperpycnal flows in transporting fine-grained sediments in shallow shelfal areas. These poorly-known (and at the same time very common) types of delta, known as hyperpycnal littoral deltas (HLD), develop very low gradient progradational units, controlled by changes in the sediment supply instead of sea level changes. These small-scale progradational units are very common in shallow epicontinental seas like the Lower Cretaceous Agrio Formation in the Neuquén Basin. This study provides a first detailed analysis of hyperpycnal littoral deltas from the Agua de la Mula Member (upper Hauterivian–lower Barremian) of the Agrio Formation. This unit has been studied in three locations near Bajada del Agrio locality in the central part of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina. Six sandy facies, three heterolithic facies, three muddy facies and four calcareous facies were recognized. From facies analysis, three facies associations could be determined, corresponding to offshore/prodelta, distal ramp delta and proximal ramp delta. The three stratigraphic sections discussed in this study are internally composed of several small-scale sequences showing a coarsening and thickening upward pattern, transitionally going from muddy to sandy wave-dominated facies, and ending with calcareous bioclastics levels on top. These small-scale sequences are interpreted as delta front deposits of wave-influenced hyperpycnal littoral deltas, punctuated by calcareous intervals accumulated during periods of low sediment supply. It is interpreted that the development of hyperpycnal littoral deltas could have been facilitated by a decrease in sea water salinity related to an increasing runoff.

Preface: 3rd International Conference on Green Energy and Sustainable Development (GESD 2020)

This proceeding includes original and peer-reviewed research papers from the 3rd International Conference on Green Energy and Sustainable Development (GESD 2020), which held on November 14-15, 2020. GESD 2020 is organized by Research Center of Engineering and Science, co-organized by Chongqing University, Northeast Petroleum University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Asian Union of Information Technology, sponsored by Wanxiang Group Technology Center, CCCC Second Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., Chishun Chemical.This GESD was held ONLINE via Tencent meeting/VooV Meeting. During the COVID-19 outbreak, many academic exchange activities were affected, such as visas, venues with more than 30 people, possible 14-day quarantine across regions, epidemic prevention measures, etc. After comprehensive consideration, the conference organizing committee decided to hold GESD 2020 online.The aim of GESD 2020 was to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, academicians, as well as industrial professionals, to present their research results and development activities in Green Energy and Sustainable Development. It provides opportunities for the delegates to exchange new ideas and application experiences, to establish business or research relations and to find global partners for future collaboration. This two-day conference was being organized in invited keynote talks and three Parallel Sessions: SESSION I: Green Energy & Sustainable Energy and Power; SESSION II: Resource Extraction, Utilization & Sustainable Development; SESSION III: Environmental Sustainability and Green Technologies.The keynote speakers and their speech topics are as follows.Prof. Zhou from China University of Petroleum, and his speech topics: Proposed the concept of chemical sequence stratigraphy and established the sea The theory and method of quantitative calculation of sea level change and intermittent missing time of facies stratum; found a group of Si-O atomic cluster structures represented by Si3O4, and systematically discussed the possible cluster molecular structure, and established the original solar nebula A stationary model for the statistical thermodynamics of the atomic clusters in the middle.Prof. Wang from Xi’an Jiaotong University, and his speech topics: Key technology and system integration for high-concentration refractory organic wastewater/sludge supercritical water treatment and energy utilization, advanced combustion technology (supercritical hydrothermal combustion, chemical chain combustion), waste/biomass pyrolysis gasification and fly ash Melting technology, high-temperature metallurgical slag dry centrifugal granulation and waste heat efficient recovery technology and system integration, high-efficiency environmental protection boiler technology (garbage and biomass pyrolysis gasifier, oil production wastewater directly heated steam injection boiler, SAGD steam drum furnace, waste Liquid incinerators, vertical industrial pulverized coal kilns, supercritical hydrothermal combustion multiple thermal fluid generators, etc.) development, geothermal energy/(microalgae) biomass energy development, multi-energy complementary green low-carbon intelligent energy system integration and Optimization research.Prof. Liu from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and his speech topics: Energy recovery of automobile shock absorbers, energy conversion efficiency and vehicle energy management, also engaged in the modeling and simulation of complex systems in multidisciplinary fields, hydraulic and fluid mechanics simulation, system dynamics simulation, energy conversion and efficiency simulation and verification.All full paper submissions to this GESD would be sent to at least two reviewers and evaluated based on originality, technical or research content, correctness, relevance to conference, contributions, and readability. The full paper submissions were chosen based on technical merit, interest, applicability, and how well they fit a coherent and balanced technical program. GESD 2020 received 412 manuscripts. And 279 submissions had been accepted by our reviewers. The Committees of GESD 2020 invested great efforts in reviewing the papers submitted to the conference and organizing the sessions to enable the participants to gain maximum benefit.Lin LiuJianguo MingZhipeng MaConference Organizing Committee

Evolution of a delta-canyon-fan system on a typical passive margin using stratigraphic forward modelling

The present work simulated a hypothetical 4D delta-canyon-fan depositional system using stratigraphic forward modelling (SFM) to: 1) investigate the differences and linkages of the sea-level control on the evolution of each sub-environment; 2) explain the evolution under the constraints of sea-level change from the perspective of channel activities.The SFM approach LECODE applied in this study combines an open-channel flow approach with a non-uniform sediment transport algorithm, with former to simulate water dynamics of turbidity currents and river flows and latter to simulate the transportation, deposition, and erosion of sediments. The input data is calibrated via sensitivity analysis and survey of analogue records. The results are compared with three sets of actual seismic data as verification. After introducing the general characteristics of the model, this study compares the influence of sea-level change on the delta, canyon, and fan, respectively, by analysing stratigraphic framework, the architecture of channel-levee complex, channel distribution and migration, sedimentation/erosion rate, and peak velocity. Moreover, a higher sediment supply case and a lower sediment supply case are compared to test the situation when sediment supply is less dominant. Finally, the influence of sea-level change on channel migration is discussed and the system evolution, especially the canyon evolution, is explained from the view of channel activities.The results show that sea-level control will be weakened from the delta to the fan via the canyon along with sediment transport. With higher sediment supply, the weakening is stronger. With lower sediment supply, the whole system is more sensitive to the sea-level change and this sensitivity lasts longer. The channel migration is more influenced by local topography, even adjacent topography, rather than sea-level change. The inner bank erosion near the canyon head is directly related to the shelf morphology. The translation and asymmetrical distribution of turbidity channels result in the translation and asymmetrical erosion of canyon bends. The insights extracted from this study could discriminate sea-level control on submarine canyon and fan instead of regarding them as an entirety of ultimate sink in source-to-sink research. Also, the integrated investigation with both qualified perspectives and quantified data could refine sequence stratigraphic concepts and provide a prototype for hydrocarbon exploration on high-sediment-supply river-fed delta-canyon-fan systems.

Sedimentary architecture of hyperpycnal flow deposits: Cretaceous Sangyuan outcrop, from the Luanping Basin, North East China

Due to their importance in hydrocarbon exploration field, hyperpycnal flow deposits have attracted widespread attention. However, compared to the river, delta, and hemi-deep lake deposits, relatively limited studies have been conducted on the hyperpycnal flow sediments. The well-exposed Sangyuan outcrop in the north-west of Luanping Basin in the Bohai Bay area, as a major hyperpycnal flow sedimentation sequence, is selected in this research to study its sedimentary architecture and stratigraphy in depth and propose a depositional model. Based on the sedimentary architecture and lithology, the Sangyuan outcrop can be divided into nine lithofacies and four facies associations. The four facie lithofacies represent process of strong erosion by the bedload dominated hyperpycnal flows, as well as the process of transitional deposition, controlled by both the bedload and suspended-load dominated hyperpycnal flows, and finally process of deposition by the suspended-load dominated hyperpycnal flows. Moreover, a larger amounts of the sediments are deposited near the source by the hyperpycnal flows. Unlike the coarse sediments, the fine-grain sediments, deposited on the less steep slope of the shelf, are not considered as the main product of deposition by the hyperpycnal flow. Furthermore, based on the sequence stratigraphy concept, we divide the Sangyuan outcrop into 15 parasequences and 3 parasequence sets. Through a detailed study of stratigraphic patterns and sand body thicknesses in the Sangyuan outcrop, a cycle of lake level rise-fall-rise is identified. The lake level fluctuation has controlled the distribution and characteristics of sediments. The results indicate that the thick and coarse sediments are easy to form, during the lake level falling period, by the hyperpycnal flows. All of the findings propose a new guideline for the exploration of new hydrocarbon reservoirs, deposited by the hyperpycnal flow.

Synchrony evolution of two contradictory prograding Gilbert-type deltas at the margins of the foreland basin (case study from the Neogene Western Carpathian Foredeep)

The study concerns about two Miocene deltas located along the opposite margins of the Western Carpathian Foredeep (peripheral foreland basin), their architecture and evolution. Three synchrony phases of development of the Gilbert-type deltas were recognized based on 3D and 2D seismic data, well logs and cores. Individual phases are separated by seismic stratigraphy surfaces. The base of the deltas is formed by the erosional discontinuity (seismic stratigraphy surface 1), which is the sequence boundary of the 3rd order cycle. During the first phase, the sediment supply exceeds accommodation space creation and progradation of deltas and the normal regression regime dominates. The first phase is terminated by the maximum regressive surface/transgressive surface (seismic stratigraphy surface 2) and interpreted as the lowstand systems tract. In the second phase, the aggradation and retrogradation regime of deltas reveals the acceleration of the accommodation space creation and the deposits are interpreted as the transgressive systems tract. The third phase is bounded by the maximum flooding surface (seismic stratigraphy surface 3) and shows progradation of the delta in the normal regression regime, then the sediment supply exceeds the accommodation space. The maximum regressive surface (seismic stratigraphy surface 4) terminates this phase and allows to interpret it as the highstand systems tract. The synchrony evolution of deltas is explained by the tectonic activity along the fault system oriented perpendicular to the basin axis. Position of the deltas is also responsible for continuous sediment supply and its variations. The tectonic activity of the transverse fault system across the entire basin hidden the signals of the reciprocal activity of the opposite basin margins directed by flexural tectonics. • Two Gilbert-type deltas prograding contradictory at margins of foreland basin. • Ruling factors of synchronous Gilbert-type delta evolution – eustasy vs. tectonics. • Role of fault activity in reciprocal stratigraphy of foreland basin depozones. • Phases of the delta evolution in the concept of sequence stratigraphy.