Print this pageModeling Reservoir Architecture of Isolated Carbonate Platforms
Bassant, Phillip, Paul (Mitch) Harris, ChevronTexaco Energy Technology Company,
Forward stratigraphic modeling of a
conceptual isolated carbonate platform produces four distinct depositional
profiles determined essentially by water depth. The depositional profiles
described below have characteristic facies belt
dimensions, geometries, facies-pro-portions and stratigraphic occurrences. These simulations help to
predict facies belt geometries and constrain facies belt dimensions for isolated platform reservoirs
like those found in the
Profile A (shallowest) shows a grainstone shoal margin on the high-energy edge of the
platform, 250-500 m wide, with a raised rim and shallow platform interior
dominated by packstones. Profile B also shows a
high-energy grainstone rim, 500-1000 m wide with no
significant margin relief, and a platform interior dominated by packstones. Profile C occurs in a deeper bathymetric
setting; high-energy conditions flood the platform, and platformcentered
grainstone shoals develop with widths of 2000 – 5000
m. Profile D (deepest profile) has deeper water packstones
developed across the platform top, with no grainstone
development.
In an aggrading platform with only monotonous sea-level rise and
no sea-level cyclicity only profile B develops. This
is the stable-state for platform-growth in this model. During sea-level
still-stands profile A will eventually develop. During a deepening sequence,
profiles B, C and D develop in rapid succession prior to final drowning.
Profiles C and D can be considered transient or unstable states, as their
productivity rates are too low to keep up with sea-level rise, and thus are
rare during times of monotonous sea-level rise. However, when sea-level cycles
are introduced unstable profiles C and D may dominate the platform. Grainstones (profile C) or packstones
(profile D) can dominate platform-top deposition throughout the cycle, with
abrupt shallowing to the raised grainstone
rim (profile A) occurring at maximum sea-level fall.