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Depositional Modelling SEC1.body

This document introduces sandstone reservoirs and their origin from depositional processes. It discusses the concept of genetic units which are process-controlled depositional units that form distinct lithologies. Common environments where sandstone reservoirs are deposited are described, including fluvial, deltaic, shoreline, eolian and marine settings. The principle of lateral accumulation is also introduced, wherein sandstone bodies accumulate more by lateral accretion along depositional slopes rather than purely vertical stacking. This results in sandstone reservoirs being found in various structural configurations beyond just anticline tops.

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Ravindr Kumar
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43 views4 pages

Depositional Modelling SEC1.body

This document introduces sandstone reservoirs and their origin from depositional processes. It discusses the concept of genetic units which are process-controlled depositional units that form distinct lithologies. Common environments where sandstone reservoirs are deposited are described, including fluvial, deltaic, shoreline, eolian and marine settings. The principle of lateral accumulation is also introduced, wherein sandstone bodies accumulate more by lateral accretion along depositional slopes rather than purely vertical stacking. This results in sandstone reservoirs being found in various structural configurations beyond just anticline tops.

Uploaded by

Ravindr Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 1

SANDSTONE RESERVOIRS

Introduction

The origin and distribution of reservoir rocks are controlled


primarily by depositional processes.
Scientists concerned with
the origin of sedimentary rocks are fortunate because they can
observe the conditions and processes by which sediments accumulate
today and use their observations to interpret the origin of
ancient rocks.
By using the areas of modern environments of
deposition as natural laboratories, scientists seek to improve the
quality of their work. A massive effort has been underway for the

past 30 years by industry, government and university scientists


throughout

the

world

to

investigate

modern

environments

of

deposition and to interpret the results of processes in Holocene


sequences.
Concepts have evolved from these studies that have
revolutionized scientific thought about sedimentary rocks.

Genetic Unit Concept


The

results

of

these

investigations clearly reaffirm the


time-honored concept that processes within the environment of
deposition control the type and distribution of lithology and
associated primary porosity and permeability.
deposited
stratigraphic
units
can
be

Therefore,

newly

described
as
Sediments with a common genesis

process-controlled genetic units.


have similar lithologies because the physical,
biologic and
chemical processes within the environment are similar.
For
convenience, the phrase is shortened to genetic unit.
The approach in establishing genetic units is to recognize
distinctive lithologies, by composition, texture, inorganic and
biogenic structures, as related to a unique set of processes, and
to
define
their
base
and
top.
All rock sequences have
identifiable genetic units (e.g. the deposit associated with the

point bar of a meandering stream channel or a prograding shore3

The process-controlled genetic unit is almost always a


smaller scale unit than a formation.
The genetic unit may be
equivalent to facies as used by some authors. The words may be
combined as "genetic facies" or "environmental facies".
line).

Environments of Deposition
Geologists,

geophysicists

petroleum
engineers
are
interested in predicting the thickness and areal extent (trend) of
a sandstone reservoir.
Experience tells us that each reservoir
has finite limits and that one can determine these limits by
reconstructing
accumulated.
physical,

deposit

environment

the

An

and

environment

of

is

deposition
geomorphic

which sand
unit in which

in

biological and chemical processes operate to form a


(genetic unit).
If a particular paleogeomorphic unit,

containing

sandstone

reservoir,

placed

is

in

an

overall

depositional model, a predictive method can be established that is


useful in the exploration for and the production of petroleum.
In

general,

sandstone

containing

porosity
and
permeability (good reservoir characteristics) was deposited where
high-energy currents were operating.
The currents carried clay
primary

and silt grains in suspension while sand grains were transported


as bed load.
The winnowed sand accumulated as "clean" sand with
interconnected pore spaces.
Eight of the most common environments of deposition, where
sandstone

reservoirs

are

deposited,

are

illustrated

in

the

These are:
fluvial point bar;
depositional model (Fig. 1.1).
deltaic distributary channel; lacustrine delta and shoreline;
desert eolian dunes; marine shoreline and delta front; marine
Each sandstone has its own
shelf; and, deeper water marine.
unique set of internal features and geometry that controls the
If one can observe in core or
nature of petroleum production.
the
inorganic
and
organic
sedimentary
structures,
outcrop
of
the
environment
composition,
and
paleontology
deposition can be reconstructed and used as an aid in exploration.

textures,

Principle of Lateral Accumulation


The

extent

areal

sandstone

of

reservoirs

(Fig.

1.1)

is

largely the result of how depositional processes function through


Investigations of modern depositional environments, and
time.

have provided insight as to how


sediment layers are deposited and how thick wedges of sediment
accumulate.
Perhaps the most important single concept emerging
from these studies is the "principle of lateral accumulation"
associated Holocene deposits,

The principle is most applicable in the origin of


shallow water sequences, but is also useful in understanding some
aspects of deep water sedimentation in a subsea fan setting.
(Weimer, 1976).

Lateral

accretion

more

is

important

than

vertical

accumulation in the origin of sandstones--and the distribution of

a sand body is governed by how long lateral accretion occurred.


This

process

descriptions

is

of

sometimes

sandstones

referred
in

this

to
book,

as

progradation.

the

observations

In

of

S = deltaic
FIGURE 1.1. Environments of deposition for sandstone reservoirs:
and interdeltaic shoreline; DC = delta distributary channel; PB = fluvial point

bar; BC = braided channel; E = eolian dunes; L = lacustrine; shelf, as shown;


SF = submarine fan.

Holocene

depositional

environments,

and

the

establishment

of

adequately delineated time surfaces, are used to interpret the


origin of the sandstones.
The following statements summarize the
data that support the principle of lateral accumulation:
Depositional

surfaces

upon which
sediment accumulates are generally inclined.
The
(time

surfaces)

slopes are low, usually less than a degree.

Strata accumulate on the surface largely by lateral


accretion
in
genetically
related
units.
The
magnitude of lateral accumulation may be measured in
miles,
whereas
the
vertical
component
of
accumulation is minor,
measured in a thickness
commonly less than 50 feet.
e)

Accumulation is usually in the direction of sediment


transport, by lateral acretion and progradation. By
these processes,
depositional slopes may become
oversteepened,
and
unstable
masses
may
deform
downslope by slump, creep or slide.
Vertical stacking of genetic units

results

from

subsidence, compaction, or rising sea level.


The
principle
is
intended
to
supplement,

not

eliminate, the concept of vertical accumulation as a


result
of
fallout
sedimentation,
e.g.
pelagic
material such as chalk, or hemipelagic or lacustrine
clays.

In terms of petroleum exploration, the principle of lateral


accumulation means that porous and permeable reservoir rock,
isolated by impermeable rock (i.e. a trap for petroleum), may be
found
in
any
structural
configuration--tops
or
flanks
of
anticlines,
or
in
the bottoms
of
synclines.
If
only the
structural highs are drilled in an area, then the resource
potential in stratigraphic traps may be missed.

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