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Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 96, No. 2 (February 2012), P. 277300.

Copyright copy2012. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.

DOI:10.1306/07121110186

Quantification of static connectivity between deep-water channels and stratigraphically adjacent architectural elements using outcrop analogs

Jonathan E. Funk,1 Roger M. Slatt,2 David R. Pyles3

1ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, 100 East Boyd Street, Suite 710, Norman, Oklahoma 73019; present address: Marathon Oil, 5555 San Felipe Road, Houston, Texas 77056; [email protected]
2ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, 100 East Boyd Street, Suite 710, Norman, Oklahoma 73019; [email protected]
3Chevron Center of Research Excellence, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401; [email protected]

ABSTRACT

This article uses data from well-exposed outcrops and published information to document static connectivity in deep-water channelized systems. Two measures of static reservoir connectivity on outcrop analogs are proposed: margin connectivity and sand-on-sand connectivity. Margin connectivity (Cm) is the length between two stratigraphically adjacent elements not obstructed by a barrier normalized by the total length of the interface. Sand-on-sand connectivity (Cs) is the length of sand-on-sand contacts between two stratigraphically adjacent elements normalized by the total length of the interface.

The Cm and Cs are analyzed with regard to four categories: (1) association of architectural elements, (2) stacking pattern of channel elements, (3) setting on the slope-to-basin profile, and (4) net sand content. Results are as follows. First, connectivity varies by association of architectural elements. Channel-lobe contacts have higher Cm and Cs than channel-channel and channel-levee contacts. Second, connectivity varies by stacking pattern of channel elements. Predominantly vertically stacked channel elements have higher Cm and Cs than predominantly laterally stacked channel elements. Also, disorganized nonsequentially stacked channel elements have higher Cm than organized systematically stacked channel elements. Third, connectivity varies by setting on the slope-to-basin profile. Channel elements in confined settings have higher Cm than both weakly confined and unconfined-distributive settings. Fourth, connectivity varies by net sand content. Channel elements with a high net sand content have higher Cm than those with a low net sand content. Therefore, knowledge of a reservoir's placement in these categories can be used to aid in the prediction of static connectivity.

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