Evolution of a sand-rich submarine channel-lobe system and impact of mass-transport and transitional flow deposits on reservoir heterogeneity: Magnus Field, northern North Sea

Steventon, Michael J, Jackson, Christopher A-L, Johnson, Howard D, Hodgson, David M, Kelly, Sean, Omma, Jenny, Gopon, Christine, Stevenson, Christopher ORCID: 0000-0003-0406-9892 and Fitch, Peter (2021) Evolution of a sand-rich submarine channel-lobe system and impact of mass-transport and transitional flow deposits on reservoir heterogeneity: Magnus Field, northern North Sea. Petroleum Geoscience, 27 (3). petgeo2020-095.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/petgeo2020-095

Abstract

<jats:p>The geometry, distribution, and rock properties (i.e. porosity and permeability) of turbidite reservoirs, and the processes associated with turbidity current deposition, are relatively well known. However, less attention has been given to the equivalent properties resulting from laminar sediment gravity-flow deposition, with most research limited to cogenetic turbidite-debrites (i.e. transitional flow deposits) or subsurface studies that focus predominantly on seismic-scale mass-transport deposits (MTDs). Thus, we have a limited understanding of the ability of sub-seismic MTDs to act as hydraulic seals and their effect on hydrocarbon production, and/or carbon storage. We investigate the gap between seismically resolvable and sub-seismic MTDs, and transitional flow deposits on long-term reservoir performance in this analysis of a small (<10 km radius submarine fan system), Late Jurassic, sandstone-rich stacked turbidite reservoir (Magnus Field, northern North Sea). We use core, petrophysical logs, pore fluid pressure, quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN), and 3D seismic-reflection datasets to quantify the type and distribution of sedimentary facies and rock properties. Our analysis is supported by a relatively long (c. 37 years) and well-documented production history. We recognise a range of sediment gravity deposits: (i) thick-/thin- bedded, structureless and structured turbidite sandstone, constituting the primary productive reservoir facies (c. porosity = 22%, permeability = 500 mD), (ii) a range of transitional flow deposits, and (iii) heterogeneous mud-rich sandstones interpreted as debrites (c. porosity = <10%, volume of clay = 35%, up to 18 m thick). Results from this study show that over the production timescale of the Magnus Field, debrites act as barriers, compartmentalising the reservoir into two parts (upper and lower reservoir), and transitional flow deposits act as baffles, impacting sweep efficiency during production. Prediction of the rock properties of laminar and transitional flow deposits, and their effect on reservoir distribution, has important implications for: (i) exploration play concepts, particularly in predicting the seal potential of MTDs, (ii) pore pressure prediction within turbidite reservoirs, and (iii) the impact of transitional flow deposits on reservoir quality and sweep efficiency.</jats:p><jats:p content-type="supplementary-material"><jats:bold>Supplementary material:</jats:bold><jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="uri" specific-use="dataset is-supplemented-by" xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5313860">https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5313860</jats:ext-link></jats:p>

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	23 Mar 2021 08:35
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 22:55
DOI:	10.1144/petgeo2020-095
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3117988