Geologic modelling of geobody geometry and architecture of the Huesca distributive fluvial system

The Huesca fluvial fan in the northern extent of the Ebro Basin, is an Oligocene – Miocene age distributive fluvial system that was deposited in an endorheic setting, allowing hundreds of metres of sediment to accumulate. The well exposed outcrops found throughout the Huesca system provide an excellent opportunity to integrate traditional field and digital acquisition techniques to further improve the understanding of the system, and its use as an outcrop analogue for reservoir modelling purposes. Outcrop analogue studies provide detailed information about object geometry, architecture and structural elements found within a system, which is often difficult to obtain from traditional field measurements, subsurface data sets and modelling techniques when creating reservoir models. With the advent of novel acquisition techniques [lidar, photogrammetry, Differential Global Navigation Satellite Systems (DGNSS)] introduced with traditional field work studies, it is becoming easier for geoscientists to model, analyse and visualize the types of features required to create accurate model realisations of various sedimentary systems, in particular complicated fluvial systems. This modelling approach leads to more accurate, quantitative geologic and depositional models of the fluvial system, and further emphasises the necessity of using outcrop analogue studies to improve model building for subsurface reservoirs.