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AAPG Bulletin

Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 97, No. 5 (May 2013), P. 781–798.

Copyright copy2013. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.

DOI:10.1306/10161212014

Three-dimensional paleomorphologic reconstruction and turbidite distribution prediction revealing a Pleistocene confined basin system in the northeast Nankai Trough area

Kosuke Egawa,1 Toshiko Furukawa,2 Tatsuo Saeki,3 Kiyofumi Suzuki,4 Hideo Narita5

1Methane Hydrate Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Sapporo 062-8517, Japan; [email protected]
2Research Department, Information Center for Petroleum Exploration and Production, Tokyo 101-0065, Japan; [email protected]
3Methane Hydrate Research amp Development Division, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Chiba 261-0025, Japan; [email protected]
4Methane Hydrate Research amp Development Division, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Chiba 261-0025, Japan; [email protected]
5Methane Hydrate Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Sapporo 062-8517, Japan; [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Integrated three-dimensional (3-D) paleomorphologic and sedimentary modeling was used to predict the basin architecture and depositional pattern of Pleistocene forearc basin turbidites in a gas hydrate field along the northeast Nankai Trough, off central Japan. Structural unfolding and stratigraphic decompaction of the targeted stratigraphic unit resulted in successful modeling of the paleobathymetry at the time of deposition. This paleobathymetry was characterized by a simple U-shaped paleominibasin. Subsequent turbidity current modeling on the reconstructed paleobathymetric surface demonstrated morphologically controlled turbidity current behavior and selective turbidite sand distribution within the minibasin, which strongly suggests the development of a confined turbidite system. Among three candidate inflow patterns, a northeasterly inflow pattern was determined as most likely. In this scenario, flow reflection and deflection caused ponding and a concentration of sandy turbidite accumulation in the basin center, which facilitated filling of the minibasin. Such a sedimentary character is undetected by seismic data in the studied gas hydrate reservoir formation because of hydrate-cementation–induced seismic anomalies. Our model suggests that 3-D horizon surfaces mapped from 3-D seismic data along with well-log data can be used to predict paleobasin characteristics and depositional processes in deep-water turbidite systems even if seismic profiles cannot be determined because of the presence of gas hydrates.

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