Reservoir Characterization of Deepwater Systems, San Diego, California (G046)

Rene Jonk: Director, ACT-Geo Consulting and Training; Honorary Professor, University of Aberdeen.

Submarine canyons and deepwater channels are the primary conduits for the transfer of coarse sediments from the shelf to deep-water fans and they are today major targets for petroleum exploration. Southern California has had a long and complex geologic history that has involved many episodes of deepwater sedimentation in a variety of settings ranging from the Paleozoic passive margin of the North American craton to Mesozoic forearc and arc settings to Cenozoic transform, pull-apart, and continental borderland basins. These settings feature deep-water deposits in which both large and small submarine channels and fans played major roles as sediment transport routes and sites of sedimentation.

6 days; a mix of outcrop examination and discussion (70%) and supporting classroom lectures (30%).  The field course is conducted in southern California along the coastline north of San Diego.

Advanced. Geologists, geophysicists, and petroleum engineers working on deep water reservoirs from exploration to production.

This class requires a MODERATE exertion level. Access to the coastal cliff outcrops is via sandy beaches, with most walks under 2 km. Some shallow wading on a sandy beach is also necessary in order to visit some outcrops.

You will learn to:

1. Review deepwater lithofacies nomenclature and definitions, common lithofacies associations, and interpret lithofacies in outcrops and cores.
2. Interpret environments of deposition (EoD’s) and related reservoir architecture, lithofacies associations, and diversity.
3. Interpret sequence stratigraphic surfaces in outcrop, logs, and seismic in DW settings and related to vertical stacking of facies.
4. Use core and well-logs to interpret EoD’s.
5. Evaluate reservoir geometry and connectivity in different EoD’s.
6. Recognise the Do’s and Don’ts of using outcrops as reservoir analogs
7. Apply outcrop information as analog for reservoir model building
8. Evaluate seismic response, including geometry, facies, and acoustic response in deepwater EoD’s
9. Apply the criteria for the identification of Composite Sequences, Sequence Sets, and Depositional Sequences and their components in outcrops, cores, well logs, and seismic
10. Use interpretation and mapping techniques for cores, well-logs, and seismic lines in deepwater settings, from Exploration to Production business scales
11. Apply criteria and mapping strategies for play elements in deepwater depositional settings
12. Identify and map play fairways in deepwater settings.