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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions
Vol. 40 (1990), Pages 777-791

Submarine Fan Lobe Models: Implications for Reservoir Properties

G. Shanmugam, R. J. Moiola (1)

ABSTRACT

A number of submarine fan "lobe" models, implying widely different reservoir properties, has been introduced into the sedimentological literature. Four of these models are compared to contrast their differences in reservoir properties. Braided suprafan lobes, which are characterized by stacked sand bodies with good lateral and vertical communication, constitute excellent reservoir facies. Unchanneled depositional lobes, composed of sheetlike sand bodies with good lateral and moderate vertical communication, exhibit good reservoir properties. Fanlobes, which refer to meandering channels and associated levee facies of large, mud-rich submarine fans such as the Mississippi fan are characterized by offset stacked sand bodies with poor lateral and vertical communication. These lenticular sands have the potential to be moderately good reservoir facies. Ponded lobes, which represent lobate mud-rich slump deposits, comprise poor reservoir facies because of low sand content and poor sand-body connectivity caused by chaotic bedding. The presence of contorted mud layers in ponded lobes would also hinder fluid flow. Because different "lobe" models vary significantly from one another in terms of reservoir properties, caution must be exercised to apply the appropriate model in exploring for and characterizing ancient fan sequences.


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