Forward modeling of a deep water slope channel system, Baja, California

Hongjie Zhang*, Ben Kneller

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Turbidite channels are important hydrocarbon reservoir types but difficult to predict due to their complex internal architectures and highly variable facies. This study use forward modeling of outcrop data to improve the knowledge of seismic features of deep water slope channel systems. The well-exposed, late Cretaceous San Fernando slope channel system in Baja California, Mexico provides a great opportunity to analyze the internal architecture and lithofacies variation at unprecedented scales. Comprehensive outcrop data were utilized to construct a detailed geological model that includes lateral and vertical architecture and lithology changes over 250m vertically and 2500m horizontally-substantially larger than any previously reported in literature. Physical property data were extracted from various subsurface locations and a range of depths. Ranges of properties for the same lithologies at different burial depths were adopted to account for the effects of compaction and cementation. The synthetic seismograms were generated through finitedifference elastic forward modelling methods; they illustrate seismic responses of different typical slope channel lithofacies associations at different resolution, and the effect of physical property variation on seismic expression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3288-3292
Number of pages5
JournalSEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts
Volume32
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2013
EventSEG Houston 2013 Annual Meeting, SEG 2013 - Houston, United States
Duration: 22 Sept 201127 Sept 2011

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