Fine-Grained Turbidite Systems

This Memoir covers one of the most important and active exploration reservoirs being pursued by geoscientists worldwide: fine-grained turbidite systems. 28 chapters show the results of an intense research effort in the 1990s that resulted from the discovery of large hydrocarbon accumulations in fine-grained turbidite systems in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, and the North Sea. Industry and academia have joined together in this publication and the result is a unique opportunity to study these turbidite systems from the outcrop to the modeling; through the interpretation with 2-D and 3-D seismic data; to case histories and analog studies from Arkansas and Oklahoma, South and West Africa, Gulf of Mexico, west Texas, and New Zealand.
Fine-Grained, Mud-Rich Turbidite Systems: Model and Comparison with Coarse-Grained, Sand-Rich Systems Available to Purchase
-
Published:January 01, 2000
Abstract
Several models of submarine fans/turbidite systems have been published, based on tectonic setting, basin characteristics, grain size, types of gravity flows, relative sea-level fluctuations, and so on. Among the various general and specific models are two siliciclastic end members that are important guides for many turbidite studies: fine-grained, mud-rich, and coarse-grained, sand-rich turbidite systems.
Fine-grained, mud-rich complexes are typical for passive margin settings, with long fluvial transport, fed by deltas, wide shelf, efficient basin transport, resulting in a bypassing system. A high sand-to-shale ratio occurs at the base-of-slope, changes to an overall low ratio on the middle fan and to a high ratio on the outer fan. Coarse-grained, sand-rich complexes are typical for regions in active margin setting, characterized by a short continental transport distance, narrow shelf, and a canyon-sourced, nonefficient basin transport system that results in a prograding type of fan. The high sand-to-shale ratio slowly decreases away from channels and in the fan fringe region.