Differencial compaction over late Miocene submarine channels in SE Brazil: implications for trap formation

Ward, Nicholas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6688-0296, Alves, Tiago Marcos ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2765-3760 and Blenkinsop, Thomas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9684-0749 2017. Differencial compaction over late Miocene submarine channels in SE Brazil: implications for trap formation. Geological Society of America Bulletin 130 (1-2) , pp. 208-221. 10.1130/B31659.1

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Abstract

We used high-quality three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data to quantify the timing and magnitude of differential compaction over a Late Miocene submarine channel complex in SE Brazil (Espírito Santo Basin). A thickness-relief method was applied to quantify the thickness variations in strata deposited over the channel complex. We found that differential compaction started after the channel complex was buried by ∼200 m of strata, as revealed by thinning horizons observed over a compaction-related anticline. The size of the anticline is greatest in the south of the study area, reaching heights of 41 ms (∼50 m). Fluid expelled through faults on the margins of the channel complex formed large depressions. These depressions increased in size after deep-water currents removed the fluid-rich sediment filling them. Differential compaction also occurred over deposits downslope of knickpoints, reaching maximum heights of 29 ms (∼35 m). Seismic reflections onlap the knickpoint face and are believed to comprise slumped strata and debrites. Two-way traveltime isochron and amplitude maps indicate that there are limited connectivity and lateral continuity of the coarse-grained units. Differential compaction over these deposits created anticlines with four-way dip closure. As a consequence, isolated reservoirs were closed vertically by the compaction anticlines and laterally by strata onlapping the knickpoint face. These unique reservoirs could have been charged by migration of hydrocarbons along sands at the base of the channel complex. A fill-to-spill model is hypothesized using the above mechanism: Once an isolated anticlinal trap reached spill point, hydrocarbons migrated upslope into the next trap. Traps like these could form above submarine channels in similar basins around the world (e.g., Gulf of Mexico, west coast of Africa) after early burial.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QE Geology
Publisher:	Geological Society of America
ISSN:	0016-7606
Funders:	Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	21 July 2017
Date of Acceptance:	11 July 2017
Last Modified:	06 May 2023 10:38
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/102850

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