Difference between revisions of "Reflection configuration patterns"

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  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps
 
  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps
 
  | chapter = Exploring for stratigraphic traps
 
  | chapter = Exploring for stratigraphic traps
  | frompg  = 21-1
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  | frompg  = 21-37
  | topg    = 21-68
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  | topg    = 21-39
 
  | author  = John C. Dolson, Mike S. Bahorich, Rick C. Tobin, Edward A. Beaumont, Louis J. Terlikoski, Michael L. Hendricks
 
  | author  = John C. Dolson, Mike S. Bahorich, Rick C. Tobin, Edward A. Beaumont, Louis J. Terlikoski, Michael L. Hendricks
 
  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch21/ch21.htm
 
  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch21/ch21.htm
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* Parallel—including subparallel and divergent
 
* Parallel—including subparallel and divergent
 
* Discontinuous
 
* Discontinuous
* Prograding—caused by lateral accretion of strata
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* [[Depocenter#Sediment_supply_rate_and_facies_patterns|Prograding]]—caused by [[lateral]] accretion of strata
 +
 
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[[file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-24.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|1}}Reflection configurations. From Mitchum et al.;<ref name=ch21r31 /> courtesy AAPG.]]
  
 
==Parallel reflector patterns==
 
==Parallel reflector patterns==
Parallel reflections include subparallel, wavy, and divergent. Parallel, subparallel, and wavy reflectors suggest uniform depositional rates on a uniformly subsiding surface, such as a shelf or basin plain. Divergent reflectors suggest lateral variations in depositional rates or progressive tilting of a depositional surface. The figure below shows reflection configurations for this group.
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Parallel reflections include subparallel, wavy, and divergent. Parallel, subparallel, and wavy reflectors suggest uniform depositional rates on a uniformly subsiding surface, such as a [http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/continental-shelf/?ar_a=1 shelf] or basin plain. Divergent reflectors suggest lateral variations in depositional rates or progressive tilting of a depositional surface. [[:file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-24.png|Figure 1]] shows reflection configurations for this group.
  
[[file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-24.png|thumb|{{figure number|21-24}}.]]
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[[file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-25.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|2}}Five types of discontinuous reflector patterns that help interdepositional systems. After Mitchum, et al.<ref name=ch21r31>Mitchum, R., M., Vail, P., R., Sangree, J., B., 1977, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/seismic1/data/a165/a165/0001/0100/0117.htm Seismic stratigraphy and global changes in sea level, part 6: stratigraphic interpretations of seismic reflection patterns in depositional sequences], in Payton, C., E., ed., Seismic Stratigraphy and Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=1157 AAPG Memoir 26], p. 117–133.</ref>]]
  
 
==Discontinuous reflector patterns==
 
==Discontinuous reflector patterns==
Five types of discontinuous reflector patterns that help interdepositional systems are shown in the figure below. Hummocky strata may be discontinuous point bars and crevasse splays. Chaotic reflectors suggest coarse-grained fluvial or turbidite channel fills. Contorted features may be shale-prone debris flows. Precise identification of depositional environments requires integration with other data.
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Five types of discontinuous reflector patterns that help interdepositional systems are shown in [[:file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-25.png|Figure 2]]. Hummocky strata may be discontinuous [[Lithofacies_and_environmental_analysis_of_clastic_depositional_systems#Braided_and_meandering_fluvial_deposits|point bars and crevasse splays]]. Chaotic reflectors suggest coarse-grained [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluvial fluvial] or [[turbidite]] channel fills. Contorted features may be shale-prone [[debris flow]]s. Precise identification of depositional environments requires integration with other data.
  
[[file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-25.png|thumb|{{figure number|21-25}}After .<ref name=ch21r31>Mitchum, R., M., Vail, P., R., Sangree, J., B., 1977, Seismic stratigraphy and global changes in sea level, part 6: stratigraphic interpretations of seismic reflection patterns in depositional sequences, in Payton, C., E., ed., Seismic Stratigraphy and [[Applications]] to Hydrocarbon Exploration: AAPG Memoir 26, p. 117–133.</ref>]]
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[[file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-26.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|3}}Prograding reflectors and their possible depositional significance. After Mitchum et al.<ref name=ch21r31 />]]
  
 
==Prograding reflector patterns==
 
==Prograding reflector patterns==
One of the most common depositional features observed in seismic sections are clinoforms manifested in a configuration pattern called ''offlap''. Clinoforms are progradational strata that form through the progressive development of gently sloping surfaces. Paleowater depths can be interpreted from the height of prograding clinoforms. The diagram below shows prograding reflectors and their possible depositional significance.
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One of the most common depositional features observed in seismic sections are clinoforms manifested in a configuration pattern called ''[http://www.answers.com/topic/offlap offlap]''. Clinoforms are progradational strata that form through the progressive development of gently sloping surfaces. Paleowater depths can be interpreted from the height of prograding clinoforms. [[:file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-26.png|Figure 3]] shows [[Depocenter#Sediment_supply_rate_and_facies_patterns|prograding]] reflectors and their possible depositional significance.
  
[[file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-26.png|thumb|{{figure number|21-26}}After .<ref name=ch21r31 />]]
+
[[file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-27.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|4}}Fill patterns. From Mitchum et al.<ref name=ch21r31 />]]
  
 
==Channel fill patterns==
 
==Channel fill patterns==
Channels are expressed in seismic sections as negative relief features truncating the underlying strata. Fill patterns are shown in the figure below.
 
  
[[file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-27.png|thumb|{{figure number|21-27}}.]]
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Channels are expressed in seismic sections as negative relief features truncating the underlying strata. Fill patterns are shown in [[:file:exploring-for-stratigraphic-traps_fig21-27.png|Figure 4]].
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
* [[Facies analysis]]
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* [[Seismic facies analysis]]
 
* [[Basics of seismic facies analysis]]
 
* [[Basics of seismic facies analysis]]
 
* [[Seismic facies mapping]]
 
* [[Seismic facies mapping]]
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[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  
 
[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  
 
[[Category:Exploring for stratigraphic traps]]
 
[[Category:Exploring for stratigraphic traps]]
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[[Category:Treatise Handbook 3]]

Latest revision as of 17:46, 4 February 2022

Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps
Series Treatise in Petroleum Geology
Part Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps
Chapter Exploring for stratigraphic traps
Author John C. Dolson, Mike S. Bahorich, Rick C. Tobin, Edward A. Beaumont, Louis J. Terlikoski, Michael L. Hendricks
Link Web page
Store AAPG Store

Groups of configuration patterns

Reflection configuration patterns can be divided into three groups:

  • Parallel—including subparallel and divergent
  • Discontinuous
  • Prograding—caused by lateral accretion of strata
Figure 1 Reflection configurations. From Mitchum et al.;[1] courtesy AAPG.

Parallel reflector patterns

Parallel reflections include subparallel, wavy, and divergent. Parallel, subparallel, and wavy reflectors suggest uniform depositional rates on a uniformly subsiding surface, such as a shelf or basin plain. Divergent reflectors suggest lateral variations in depositional rates or progressive tilting of a depositional surface. Figure 1 shows reflection configurations for this group.

Figure 2 Five types of discontinuous reflector patterns that help interdepositional systems. After Mitchum, et al.[1]

Discontinuous reflector patterns

Five types of discontinuous reflector patterns that help interdepositional systems are shown in Figure 2. Hummocky strata may be discontinuous point bars and crevasse splays. Chaotic reflectors suggest coarse-grained fluvial or turbidite channel fills. Contorted features may be shale-prone debris flows. Precise identification of depositional environments requires integration with other data.

Figure 3 Prograding reflectors and their possible depositional significance. After Mitchum et al.[1]

Prograding reflector patterns

One of the most common depositional features observed in seismic sections are clinoforms manifested in a configuration pattern called offlap. Clinoforms are progradational strata that form through the progressive development of gently sloping surfaces. Paleowater depths can be interpreted from the height of prograding clinoforms. Figure 3 shows prograding reflectors and their possible depositional significance.

Figure 4 Fill patterns. From Mitchum et al.[1]

Channel fill patterns

Channels are expressed in seismic sections as negative relief features truncating the underlying strata. Fill patterns are shown in Figure 4.

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mitchum, R., M., Vail, P., R., Sangree, J., B., 1977, Seismic stratigraphy and global changes in sea level, part 6: stratigraphic interpretations of seismic reflection patterns in depositional sequences, in Payton, C., E., ed., Seismic Stratigraphy and Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration: AAPG Memoir 26, p. 117–133.

External links

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Reflection configuration patterns
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