ALBERT

Description: Most of the information on subsurface evaporitic structures comes from 3D seismic data. However, this data only provide limited information about the internal structure of the evaporites, which is known from salt mines and salt diapir outcrops. Brittle intra-salt layers (carbonate, anhydrite, clay) of at least 10 m thickness form good reflectors in evaporites, but the structure and dynamics of such ‘stringers’ in the salt movement are poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the intra-salt Zechstein 3 (Z3) stringer from 3D seismic data in an area offshore the Netherlands. Observations show complex deformation including boudinage, folding and stacking. Reflections from thin and steep stringer parts are strongly reduced, and we present different structural models and tests of these. We compare our observations to structural models from salt mines and analogue/numerical models of intra-salt deformation. A smoothed representation of the upper surface of the stringer fragments follows the shape of Top Salt, but smaller-scale stringer geometries strongly differ from this and imply boudinage. The imaged disharmonic patterns of constrictional folds provide evidence for the complexity of the intra-salt, in agreement with observations in salt mines. This may be explained by interaction of the layered salt rheology, complex three-dimensional salt flow, different phases and styles of basement tectonics and movement of the overburden.

Description: Comparison of modern deposits in the Panamint Valley, western United States, to core and geophysical data from a Permian (Rotliegend, Germany) tight gas field allows for improved understanding of the interaction of tectonics and sedimentary processes during Rotliegend deposition. The Panamint Valley was selected for a modern analog of the subsurface Rotliegend Basin because both study sites are characterized by (1) elongated grabens with large-scale bounding fault zones resulting from synsedimentary transtensional tectonics; (2) fault-controlled paleotopography as key controlling parameter for the sediment facies distribution, including alluvial fans, dunes, wet and damp interdune sandflats, and ephemeral dry lake deposits; and (3) local sediment provenance from sedimentary and volcanic rocks. The analysis of satellite images and field data from the Panamint Valley enabled the development of a conceptual model involving topography, synsedimentary faulting, and wind activity as controlling factors for the sediment facies distribution. The application of the model to the reconstructed Rotliegend paleotopography of the German subsurface study site allows for prediction of the facies distribution prior to the Triassic–Cretaceous tectonic overprinting. As a consequence, we expect a sediment facies succession from (1) alluvial fan deposits along the hanging walls of the basin-bounding fault zones to (2) distributary fluvial channel deposits toward the basin center and (3) ephemeral lake deposits in the deepest basin area. (4) Eolian dune accumulation and preservation is mainly concentrated on hanging-wall locations. However, additional dune deposits are proposed above overlapping step faults and on footwalls of synsedimentary active faults. (5) Sandflats occur on the upwind and downwind margins of the dune field. These predictions are calibrated to core and geophysical well log data.

Description: A field of giant pockmarks was discovered at the base of the Upper Cretaceous Chalk unit in the westernmost Lower Saxony Basin in The Netherlands. 3D seismic and well data show that mostly circular, 300–850 m-wide and 10–50 m-deep, pockmarks formed at the top of the Lower Cretaceous Upper Holland Marl Formation, which overlies oil- and gas-filled Lower Cretaceous sandstone reservoirs in the vicinity of the study area. Based on our interpretations, we present a scenario of early gas generation in Carboniferous coals and a localized migration of the gas from its original subsalt reservoirs through a salt weld in the Zechstein evaporites into the shallow Cretaceous sandstone reservoirs and the fine-grained marl above. Diapiring salt walls thereby limited the gas migration and trapping to a 150 km 2 -sized basin. A sea-level drawdown during Base Chalk formation possibly led to excess pore pressure in the reservoir and the breaching of the seal close to the seafloor, which caused a short-lived expulsion of the gas and pockmark formation. While hydrocarbon generation, migration and trapping are common processes in this region, gas escaping at the seafloor with pockmark generation appears to be a rather rare and complex phenomenon. In general, the presence of pockmarks associated with salt welds may be used to constrain the timing and migration pathway of hydrocarbons from subsalt into shallower reservoir levels. Both features may imply a general reservoir potential for regions where suitable source rocks are missing in the post-salt succession.

Description: The growth of salt structures is controlled by the low flow strength of evaporites and by the tectonic boundary conditions. The potassium-magnesium salts (K-Mg salts) carnallite and bischofite are prime examples of layers with much lower effective viscosity than halite: their low viscosity presents serious drilling hazards but also allows squeeze solution mining. In contrast, intrasalt anhydrite and carbonate layers (stringers) are much stronger than halite. These rheological contrasts within an evaporite body have an important control on the evolution of the internal structure of salt, but how this mechanical layering affects salt deformation at different scales is not well known. In this study, we use high-resolution 3-D seismic and well data to study the evolution of the Veendam and Slochteren salt pillows at the southern boundary of the Groningen High, northern Netherlands. Here the rock salt layers contain both the mechanically stronger Zechstein III Anhydrite-Carbonate stringer and the weaker K-Mg salts, thus we are able to assess the role of extreme rheological heterogeneities on salt structure growth. The internal structure of the two salt pillows shows areas in which the K-Mg salt-rich ZIII 1b layer is much thicker than elsewhere, in combination with a complexly ruptured and folded ZIII Anhydrite-Carbonate stringer. Thickness maps of supra-salt sediments and well data are used to infer the initial depositional architecture of the K-Mg salts and their deformation history. Results suggest that faulting and the generation of depressions on the top Zechstein surface above a Rotliegend graben caused the local accumulation of bittern brines and precipitation of thick K-Mg salts. During the first phase of salt flow and withdrawal from the Veendam area, under the influence of differential loading by Buntsandstein sediments, the ZIII stringer was boudinaged while the lens of Mg salts remained relatively undeformed. This was followed by a convergence stage, when the K-Mg salt-rich layers were deformed within the inflating salt pillows. This deformation was strongly disharmonic and strongly influenced by folding of the underlying, ruptured ZIII stringer, leading to thickening and internal deformation of the K-Mg salt layers.

Description: At the first order salt structures are controlled by the low flow strength of evaporites and by the tectonic boundary conditions. Rheological contrasts within an evaporite body have an important effect on the evolution of the internal structure of salt, but how this mechanical layering affects salt deformation at different scales is not well known. The potassium–magnesium salts (K-Mg salts) carnallite and bischofite are prime examples of layers with much lower effective viscosity than rock salt: their low viscosity presents serious drilling hazards but also allows squeeze solution mining. In contrast, anhydrite and carbonate layers (stringers) in salt are much stronger than halite. In this study, we used high-resolution 3-D seismic and well data to study the evolution of the Veendam and Slochteren salt pillows at the southern boundary of the Groningen High, northern Netherlands. Here the rock salt layers contain both the mechanically stronger Zechstein III Anhydrite–Carbonate stringer and the weaker K-Mg salts, providing an example of extreme rheological heterogeneities in salt structures. The internal structure of the two salt pillows shows areas in which the K-Mg salt-rich ZIII 1b layer is much thicker than elsewhere, in combination with a complexly ruptured and folded ZIII Anhydrite–Carbonate stringer. Thickness maps of supra-salt sediments and well data are used to infer the initial depositional architecture of the K-Mg salts and their deformation history. Results suggest that active faulting and the resulting depressions of the Zechstein surface above a Rotliegend graben caused the local accumulation of bittern brines and precipitation of the thick K-Mg salts. During the first phase of salt flow and withdrawal from the Veendam area, under differential loading by Buntsandstein sediments, the ZIII stringer was boudinaged while the lens of Mg salts remained relatively undeformed. This was followed by a convergence stage, when the K-Mg salt-rich layers were deformed with the evolving salt pillows. This deformation was strongly disharmonic and strongly influenced by folding of the underlying, ruptured ZIII stringer, leading to thickening and internal deformation of the carnallite–bischofite layers.

Description: The Austral Basin (or Magallanes Basin) in southern Argentina is situated in a highly active tectonic zone. The openings of the South Atlantic and the Drake Passage to the east and south, active subduction in the west, and the related rise of the Andes have massively influenced the evolution of this area. To better understand the impacts of these tectonic events on basin formation to its present-day structure we analysed 2D seismic reflection data covering about 95 000 km² on- and 115 000 km² offshore (Austral ‘Marina’ and Malvinas Basin). A total of 10 seismic horizons, representing nine syn- and post- rift sequences, were mapped and tied to well data to analyse the evolution of sedimentary supply and depocenter migration through time. 1D well backstripping across the study area confirms three main tectonic stages, containing (i) the break-up phase forming basement graben systems and the evolution of the Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous ancient backarc Austral/Rocas Verdes Basin (RVB), (ii) the inversion of the backarc marginal basin and the development of the foreland Austral Basin and (iii) the recent foreland Austral Basin. Synrift sedimentation did not exceed the creation of accommodation space, leading to a deepening of the basin. During the Early Cretaceous a first impulse of compression due to Andes uplift caused rise also of parts of the basin. Controlling factors for the subsequent tectonic development are subduction, balanced phases of sedimentation, accumulation and erosion as well as enhanced sediment supply from the rising Andes. Further phases of rock uplift might be triggered by cancelling deflection of the plate and slab window subduction, coupled with volcanic activity. Calculations of sediment accumulation rates reflect the different regional tectonic stages, and also show that the Malvinas Basin acted as a sediment catchment after the filling of the Austral Basin since the Late Miocene. However, although the Austral and Malvinas Basin are neighbouring basin systems that are sedimentary coupled in younger times, their earlier sedimentary and tectonic development was decoupled by the Rio Chico basement high. Thereby, the Austral Basin was affected by tectonic impacts of the Andes orogenesis, while the Malvinas Basin was rather affected by the opening of the South Atlantic. © 2015 The Authors. Basin Research © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd, European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers and International Association of Sedimentologists

Description: The western flank of the Jerudong Anticline, onshore Brunei Darussalam, provides a rare opportunity to analyse the base of a major Miocene mud-rich delta in outcrop, including kilometre-scale prograding clinoforms, delta-front turbidites and large-scale syndepositional faults. The lateral continuation of this system in the subsurface of the Belait Syncline is documented on two-dimensional (2D) reflection seismic data and wireline logs. In order to link geological observations at surface with corresponding geophysical subsurface signatures, we constructed a combined, quantitative 3D surface-subsurface model of onshore Brunei Darussalam. This 3D model is used to analyse and discuss the relation between field geology and geophysical subsurface interpretation, and provides the base for a quantitative kinematic restoration of the Miocene Belait delta to its original shape before folding. Final decompaction of the balanced rock volume allows the reconstruction of the palaeo-relief of a series of Miocene clinoforms, indicating a close relation between delta-lobe activity, clinoform morphology and the generation of delta-front turbidites. © 2008 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing.