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1 Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Norway; tor.somme{at}geo.uib.no
2 StatoilHydro Research Center, Sandsli, Bergen, Norway
3 StatoilHydro Research Center, Sandsli, Bergen, Norway
Tor O. Sømme is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, where he also received his Ph.D. in 2009. His current research interest is related to the stratigraphic and geomorphic development of source-to-sink systems.
Ole J. Martinsen is a sedimentary geologist and is presently the vice president of Exploration Research of StatoilHydro in Bergen, Norway. He has published widely on sequence stratigraphy and deep-water sedimentary systems, in other fields in sedimentary geology, and in exploration geology. He is currently the Roy M. Huffington AAPG Distinguished Lecturer and was formerly an international councilor for SEPM.
John Thurmond holds a B.Sc. degree (1997) and a Ph.D. (2006) in geosciences from the University of Texas at Dallas. He has worked as a researcher for StatoilHydro (formerly Norsk Hydro) since 2004. He previously worked as a consultant for Schlumberger Doll Research and Pioneer Natural Resources, and as an intern for ExxonMobil Upstream Research.
ABSTRACT
Understanding large-scale sediment distribution patterns and morphological characteristics in subsurface sedimentary systems is highly challenging and generally requires regional seismic and well coverage. Here, we test a method that aims to predict first-order morphological characteristics and type of sedimentary transport system in ancient source-to-sink systems based on trends observed in submodern (Pliocene–Holocene) depositional environments. An example from the Paleocene Ormen Lange system (Møre Basin, Norwegian Sea) demonstrates the application of the method, and several descriptive parameters are estimated for this ancient subsurface system. In the Ormen Lange system, basin-floor fan and distal-slope parameters are well constrained from seismic and well control. However, knowledge of the morphology and relationships between upper slope, shelf, and catchment characteristics and their relationships to deep-water systems is poor, and these are the parameters that are discussed in this study.
Estimated parameters of catchment size derived from this technique are in good agreement with preserved remnants of fluvial valleys located onshore. Predicted sediment transport characteristics are also comparable to the depositional mechanisms interpreted from cores and well logs, suggesting a small tectonically active system with high fluvial discharge and low sediment storage potential in the catchment and shelf subenvironments.
The discussed method is thus capable of predicting first-order segment characteristics in subsurface sedimentary systems with an uncertainty of one to two orders of magnitude. This information can be used to increase the understanding of unexplored basins or to add data and uncertainty ranges to well-known petroleum systems.
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