1998 AAPG Annual Convention Abstract

Salt Lake City, Utah

May 17Ð28, 1998

SHANMUGAN, G., Mobil Technology Company; M. POFFENBERGER, Mobil New

Exploration and Producing Ventures; and J. TORO ALAVA,
PETROPRODUCCION

Tide-Dominated Estuarine Facies in the Hollin and Napo (ÒTÓ and ÒUÓ) Formations
(Cretaceous), Sacha Field, Oriente Basin, Ecuador

Summary

In order to develop a sedimentological model for the Cretaceous Hollin and Napo
formations in the Sacha Field, Oriente Basin, Ecuador, a total of 516 ft of conventional
core from 7 wells was described. Based on the presence of mud drapes on bedforms,
heterolithic facies, double mud layers, bidirectional (i.e., herringbone) cross bedding,
thick-thin alternations of sand bundles, and deepening-up (i.e., transgressive) sequences,
the cored intervals of the Hollin and Napo formations are interpreted to represent tide-
dominated estuarine deposits. Previous interpretations that the Hollin and Napo
formations represent deltaic environments is not supported as progradational sequences
are absent in the core. An incised valley fill model is also difficult to envision due to the
lack of evidence in the outcrop, core, seismic, and stratigraphic analysis.
Based on bed thickness, grain size, depositional matrix, and the nature of lithofacies,
four general reservoir facies are suggested: (1) tidal sand bars with excellent reservoir
properties (i.e., 100% sand, elongate bar geometry), (2) fluvial and tidal channels with
good reservoir properties (i.e., 90-100% sand, lenticular geometry), (3) tidal sand flats
with moderate properties (i.e., 50-100% sand, high matrix, sheet geometry), and (4) shelf
sands with relatively poor properties (i.e., 80-100% sand with high matrix and glauconite,
bar to sheet geometry).

Introduction

The primary purpose of this study was to develop a viable sedimentological model to
predict the distribution of the Cretaceous Hollin and Napo reservoirs in the Sacha Field,
Oriente Basin, Ecuador. Previous depositional models for the Oriente Basin advocate
fluvial-deltaic environments in an incised valley system (White et al., 1995). We propose a
tide-dominated estuary model.
1998 AAPG Annual Convention Abstract
Method
Our approach was as follows: First, we
described cores and interpreted depositional
facies; second, calibrated depositional facies with
wireline logs; third, established geometries using
stratigraphic correlations of well logs and seismic
data; and fourth, developed a depositional model
by integrating core, outcrop, log and seismic data.
In developing the model, we also addressed some
critical issues surrounding the application of an
incised valley fill model in a sequence
stratigraphic framework. We concluded this paper
with a discussion of four types of reservoir facies.
A total of 516 ft of conventional core from 7 wells
was described. Core description and photographic
work for this study were carded out during August
of 1995 at the PETROPRODUCCION core
storage facility in San Rafael Valley, east of Quito
in Ecuador. All cored wells are straight holes.
Seven lithofacies were recognized in the cored
intervals: (1) cress-bedded sandstone with
erosional base is interpreted to be fluvial channel,
(2) heterolithic facies with erosive-based, cross-
bedded sandstone is interpreted to be tidal
channel, (3) heterolithic facies with cross-bedded
sandstone showing sigmoidal bedding and double
mud layers is interpreted to be tidal sand bar, (4)
heterolithic facies with flaser-bedded sandstone is
interpreted to be tidal sand flat, (5) mudstone with
silty lenticular beds and double mud, layers is
interpreted to be subtidal mud flat, (6) bioturbated
glauconitic sandstone is interpreted to be shelf
(shallow marine) sand, and ( 7) bioturbated
mudstone is interpreted to be shelf (shallow
marine) mud.
Proposed Tide-Dominated Estuary and Shelf
Model
Evidence for a tide-dominated estuary in the
Hollin, Napo ÒTÓ and ÒUÓ includes: (1) tidal
channels and associated fluvial channels, (2) mud-
draped cross beds, (3) inclined heterolithic facies,
(4) double mud layers, (5) bidirectional
(herringbone) cross bedding, (6) crinkled
laminations, and (7) deepening-up (i.e.,
transgressive) sequences. In particular, the
Ð 2Ð
preservation of delicate mud drapes indicates a
protected environment, such as an estuary. Aspects
of tide-dominated estuaries are discussed by
Dalrymple et al. (1992) and Zaitlin et al. (1994a,
b).
The depositional model proposed for the Hollin
and Napo formations is a modified version of a
general model proposed for the tide-dominated
estuary by Dalrymple et al. (1992). Unlike the
sand flats that contain upper flow regime flat beds
in the general model (Dalrymple et al., 1992), the
sand flats in the Hollin and Napo formations are
dominated by flaser bedding and mud-draped
ripples. Because the upper Hollin, Napo ÒTÓ and
Napo ÒUÓ formations are all interpreted to be tide-
dominated estuarine facies, we suggest that the
tidal environment persisted throughout the
deposition of the Hollin and Napo formations (i.e.,
time transgressive).
The following general stages of deposition are
suggested for the Hollin Formation (oldest to
youngest) following the regional uplift and erosion
of the Misahualli volcanics (Figure 1):
Stage 1: Minor fluvial channels (low-sinuosity
streams) and common tide-dominated estuary
during the lower Hollin.
Stage 2: Well-developed tide-dominated estuary
and shelf environments during the lower and
upper Hollin.
Stage 3: Drowned tide-dominated estuary during
the upper Hollin. This stage is represented in the
cored interval of the upper Hollin in the Sacha
126 well.
Stage 4: Well-developed shelf environments (i.e.,
complete drowning) with glauconitic sands and
muds during the final phase of the upper Hollin.
During the Napo ÒTÓ deposition, stages 2, 3,
and 4 were repeated. Following the deposition of
the ÒBÓ limestone and overlying shales, stages 2,
3, and 4 were repeated again during the deposition
of Napo ÒUÓ. Finally, the deposition of the ÒAÓ
limestone took place.
Although both the Hollin and Napo formations
exhibit similar depositional facies and drowning
events, there is a major difference between these
two. The basal Hollin is marked by a major
angular unconformity, indicating erosion prior to
deposition. In contrast, the Napo ÒTÓ and ÒUÓ
1998 AAPG Annual Convention Abstract Ð 3Ð

Figure 1. Paleogeography of the Hollin Formation showing four stages of evolution.

1998 AAPG Annual Convention Abstract
formations rest over the shelf facies, without any
evidence for erosion as seen in core. Stratigraphic
correlations show that the shelf facies beneath the
tidal facies in the Napo maintain a uniform
thickness regionally, indicating a lack of erosion
prior to Napo deposition.
Difficulties in Advocating Incised Valley -Fill
Model
In a sequence stratigraphic framework, the
concept of incised valley-fill systems is quite
popular (Zaitlin et al., 1994b). Two types of
incised valley systems exist, namely (1) piedmont
incised valley system, and (2) coastal-plain incised
valley system. White et al. (1995) interpreted the
Hollin Formation to represent fluvial paleovalley
deposits associated with a coastal-plain deposits.
Such valley-fill sequences may be considered as
coastal-plain incised valley systems in a sequence
stratigraphic framework. However, there are some
major difficulties in advocating incised valley -fill
model for the Hollin and Napo formations.
(1) An incised valley-fill system is characterized by
a regional erosional surface forming a sequence
boundary (Zaitlin et al. 1994b). The presence of an
angular unconformity at the base of the Hollin
Formation exposed at the Hollin Loreto Coca
Roadcut indicates a regional surface of erosion.
However, an erosion does not necessarily mean a
deep incision. Evidence for significant incision can be
established from seismic and regional correlations.
Seismic data, however, do not show any evidence for
incised valley systems in the Sacha area. Stratigraphic
correlations also suggest that there is no discernible
incision at the base of the Hollin in the Sacha area.
Neither do we see any unconformity or deep incision
at the base of Napo T and Napo U reservoirs.
(2) The regional sequence boundary in an
incised valley-fill system is related to sea level fall
(Zaitlin et al. 1994b). In the case of the Sacha
Field area, the angular unconformity at the base of
the Hollin is considered to be the result of uplift
and erosion associated with the early Mesozoic
tectonic activity in the Oriente Basin (Dashwood
and Abbotts, 1990; Balkwill et al., 1995).
(3) An incised valley-fill system is characterized
by a basinward shift in facies (Zaitlin et al.,
Ð 4Ð
1994b). This is a result of a fluvial valley incising
into the exposed shelf during falling sea level. As
a result, fluvial deposits overlie shallow marine
parasequences. However, such a relationship is
absent in the study area because tidal and fluvial
facies unconformably overlie the volcanics. More
importantly, there is no evidence in the core for
fluvial erosion within the Hollin or Napo
reservoirs. Also, fluvial facies is completely absent
in the Napo.
(4) Parasequences are one characteristic of
incised valley-fill systems, occurring both beneath
the incision and within the valley fill (Zaitlin et al.,
1994b). However, parasequences do not occur in
the underlying Pre-Hollin Misahualli volcanics.
Also, parasequences are absent within the Hollin
and Napo formations. The popular use of wireline
log motifs to indicate parasequences is not valid
here because cores taken from intervals showing
coarsening-up wireline log motifs do not support a
incised valley parasequence interpretation. The log
motif simply suggests lithologic variations, not
depositional origin.
(5) An incised valley-fill system generally is
characterized by a vertical association of facies
composed of fluvial bayhead delta, central basin,
and barrier beach in an ascending order (Zaitlin et
al. 1994b). However, such an association of facies
is absent in the Sacha core. Both the Hollin and
Napo formations contain transgressive deposits
rather than the expected regressive deltaic deposits.
(6) Wave-dominated estuarine sediments are the
most common type of deposits that fill incised
valleys (Zaitlin et al. 1994b, p. 49). As mentioned
earlier, the Hollin and Napo formations do not
exhibit features of a wave-dominated estuary.
(7) Incised valley systems are also considered to
be filled primarily by multiple fluvial channel
systems within the confines of the valley margins
(Wagner and Moiola, 1997). In the Sacha area,
neither the large-scale incised valley nor the
dominance of small-scale valley-fill facies (i.e..,
fluvial channels) are recognized.
Conclusions
The Hollin and Napo formations clearly show
evidence of a tide-dominated estuary. Although
1998 AAPG Annual Convention Abstract
these formations represent a drowned fluvial
valley, the current usage of the term Òincised
valley-fillÓ carries with it some preconceived
interpretations, such as the incised valley is
formed during a falling sea level and that the
incised valley is filled commonly by wave-
dominated estuarine facies (Zaitlin et al. 1994b).
At present, there is no evidence for incision either
in seismic data, stratigraphic correlations, or core
descriptions. Therefore, we are reluctant to use the
Òincised valley-fillÓ model in order to avoid the
impression that the Hollin and Napo formations
represent wave-dominated estuarine deposits in a
major incised valley system caused by a fall in sea
level.
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank PETROPRODUCCION,
Amoco, and Mobil for granting permission to
publish this paper.
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