Abstract

The Spraberry formation in the Midland Basin covers approximately 2,500 mi² accounting for one of the largest plays in the world both conventionally and unconventionally. The study area spans across Andrews, Ector, Midland and Martin county. It is within the Spraberry trend which is currently being studied by Bureau of Economic Geologist (BEG).

The Leonardian Series of the structurally complex Permian basin had shelf to open marine depositional environment with many sedimentary features. The formation strata consist of interbedded organic rich shales, and low -permeability, naturally fractured siltstone and sandstones. Previous studies show the sediments were deposited as a large basin-floor submarine fan system and are commonly interpreted as deposits of turbidity currents. We interpreted the source of sediments coming in from the North and pro-grading into the basin. The following study investigates the nature and cause of this mass transport deposit within the Spraberry Formation and aims at understanding the depositional environment with the help of core, well logs, and seismic data. Seismic attributes such as a coherence and structural curvature are used to map the discontinuous mass transport deposit and the lateral extent of the feature. In addition, seismic stratigraphy is utilized to aid in the understanding of the timing and frequency of depositional cycles within the target formation.