PS

Stratigraphic Architecture and Evolution of Canyons and Other Sediment Conduits in the SE Loppa High,
Barents Sea*
Dicky Harishidayat1, Ståle Emil Johansen2, Kamaldeen Olakunle Omosanya2, and Solveig Plyem Løseth3

Search and Discovery Article #51471 (2018)**

Posted March 19, 2018

*Adapted from poster presentation given at AAPG 2017 Annual Convention and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, April 2-5, 2017
**Datapages © 2018 Serial rights given by author. For all other rights contact author directly.

1
Interpretation of Geophysical Data (IGD) Research Group, Department of Geoscience and Petroleum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim,
Norway (dicky.hidayat@ntnu.no)
2
Interpretation of Geophysical Data (IGD) Research Group, Department of Geoscience and Petroleum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim,
Norway
3
Schlumberger

Abstract

Hydrocarbon discovery in SE Loppa High comes from Triassic fluvial system. The Jurassic deep marine system on the other hand remains a
budding topic as they are perceived as conduits for Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous submarine wedges and slope deposits, which are in turn are
high quality reservoir and source rocks. Two seismic reflection cubes and four exploration wellbores comprising of checkshot, gamma-ray,
density, and sonic wireline logs are the primary data for this study. The aim of this work is to evaluate the architecture and evolution of
canyons, sediments conduits, and hydrocarbon leads in the SE Loppa High. Seismic interpretation entails wellbore analysis, horizon and fault
interpretation, morphometry analysis, seismic facies, and attribute analysis, which led to the mapping of ten V-shaped and two U-shaped
canyons from the data. These canyons are associated with two main seismic depositional elements i.e., conformable and thalweg high
amplitude reflections. Slope gradient (E) is key to the development and evolution of the canyons. In proximal area where the slope is less than
5°, V-shaped meandering canyons with width of 1-2 km are present while distal area with slope gradient of greater than 5° is mostly dominated
by straight canyons. The U-shaped canyons have width of 3-6 km and are associated with mass-transport deposits in contrast to the V-shaped
canyons that have turbidites within them. Both kinds of canyon show strong affinity to faults. On seismic sections, the mass-transport deposits
are reflected as chaotic, transparent to high amplitude reflections. Turbidites in contrast show significant variation from very high amplitude
reflection at the base to chaotic and heterogeneous mixture of low and high amplitude reflections towards the top. In this work, we demonstrate
that canyons and other sediment conduits in the study area evolved in two phases. In the Early Jurassic when sand-rich erosional systems
predominate and in Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous when fine-grained hemipelagic sediments and mass-transport deposits infilled the canyon
and slope. The classification scheme presented in this study can help predict depositional processes, reservoir quality, reservoir distributions,
and petroleum prospectivity of any submarine canyon and sediment conduits.
 References Cited

Faleide, J.I., K. Bjørlykke, and R.H. Gabrielsen, 2015, Geology of the Norwegian Continental Shelf: Petroleum Geoscience. Springer, p. 603-
637.

Jobe, Z.R., D.R. Lowe, and S.J. Uchytil, 2011, Two Fundamentally Different Types of Submarine Canyons Along the Continental Margin of
Equatorial Guinea: Marine and Petroleum Geology, v. 28/3, p. 843-860.

Mitchum, R.M. Jr., P.R. Vail, and S. Thompson III, 1977, Seismic Stratigraphy and Global Changes of Sea-Level, Part 2: The Depositional
Sequence as a Basic Unit for Stratigraphic Analysis, in C.E. Payton (ed.), Seismic Stratigraphy – Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 26, p. 53-62.

Nazarova, I., 2009, Cretaceous-Cenozoic Tectonostratigraphic Evolution of the Loppa High: Master’s Thesis, University of Stavanger,
Stavanger, 64 p.

Smelror, M., O. Petrov, G.B. Larssen, and S. Werner, 2009, Geological History of the Barents Sea: Norges Geologiske Undersøkelse, 135 p.

Somme, T.O., O.J. Martinsen, and J.B. Thurmond, 2009, Reconstructing Morphological and Depositional Characteristics in Subsurface
Sedimentary Systems: An Example from the Maastrichtian–Danian Ormen Lange System, More Basin, Norwegian Sea: American Association
of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 93/10, p. 1347-1377.
 Stratigraphic Architecture and Evolution of Canyons and Other Sediment Conduits in the SE Loppa High, Barents Sea
ABSTRACT
Hydrocarbon discovery in SE Loppa High comes from Triassic fluvial system. The Jurassic deep
marine system on the other hand remains a budding topic as they are perceived as conduits for
Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous submarine wedges and slope deposits, which are in turn are high
quality reservoir and source rocks. Two seismic reflection cubes and four exploration wellbore
comprising of checkshot, gamma-ray, density, and sonic wireline logs are the primary data for this
study. The aim of this work is to evaluate the architecture and evolution of canyons, sediments
conduits and hydrocarbon leads in the SE Loppa High. Seismic interpretation entails wellbore
analysis, horizon and fault interpretation, morphometry analysis, seismic facies and attribute
analysis, which led to the mapping of ten V-shaped and two U-shaped canyons from the data. These
canyons are associated with two main seismic depositional elements i.e., conformable and thalweg
high amplitude reflections. Slope gradient (E) is key to the development and evolution of the
canyons. In proximal area where the slope is less than 50, V-shaped meandering canyons with
width of 1-2 km are present while distal area with slope gradient of greater than 50 is mostly
dominated by straight canyons. The U-shaped canyons have width of 3-6 km and are associated
with mass-transport deposits in contrast to the V-shaped canyons that have turbidites within them.
Both kinds of canyon show strong affinity to faults. On seismic sections, the mass-transport deposits
are reflected as chaotic, transparent to high amplitude reflections. Turbidites in contrast show
significant variation from very high amplitude reflection at the base to chaotic and heterogeneous
mixture of low and high amplitude reflections towards the top. In this work, we demonstrate that
canyons and other sediment conduits in the study area evolved in two phases. In the Early Jurassic
when sand-rich erosional systems predominate and in Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous when fine-
grained hemipelagic sediments and mass-transport deposits infilled the canyon and slope. The
classification scheme presented in this study can help predict depositional processes, reservoir
quality, reservoir distributions, and petroleum prospectivity of any submarine canyon and sediment
conduits.
INTRODUCTION
Sediment conduits such as canyons, channels and gullies are important components of the
deepwater environment. They represent the principal path through which sediments are transported
across continental shelves into the deepwater (Figure 1). Several studies indicate that the dominant
controls on sediment dispersal to basins can be inferred from processes and stratigraphic
architecture of the related deposits. In addition, understanding their architecture and the processes
leading to their development can provide broad picture of any depositional system and elements.
Figure 1. Overview of the source to sink main segments system showing the relation between sediment conduits and
sediment dispersal (Somme, et al., 2009)
Dicky Harishidayat*, Kamaldeen Olakunle Omosanya, Ståle Emil Johansen, Solveig Plyem Løseth.
Interpretation of Geophysical Data (IGD) Research Group, Department of Geoscience and Petroleum,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
*Corresponding author: dicky.hidayat@ntnu.no
The aims of this work are: a) to describe seismic stratigraphic architecture and morphometry
of canyons, canyon-fill deposit, other sediments conduits and associated sediments; b) to
understand the types of canyons in the SE Loppa high; c) to understand the processes
(timing, mechanism, influence factor, etc.) of sediment conduits development in the SE Loppa
high.
Figure 2. Basemap with available data that used in this study; Pink rectangles are 3D seismic data,
Blue lines are 2D seismic data and wellbore data
Figure 3.Stratigraphy of the study area (Modified after Nazarova, 2009)
DATA AND METHODS
The primary data-set for this study consists of 11 wellbore data (Checkshots, wireline logs, formation
tops), 5 full-stack 3D seismic data and 52 fullstack of 2D seismic data (Figure 2 and Table 1).
Standard wireline logs were used for the interpretation of the lithology include gamma ray (GR), deep
resistivity (RDEP), neutron (NEU), density (DEN) and sonic (DT). Further interpretation of the lithology
and sedimentary structures within the intersected intervals derives from photographs of conventional
cores and samples. Cutting descriptions from the mud logs provided additional information for
interpretation of the lithology.
The main workflow used in this work is shown in Figure 4. Lithology identification mostly comes from
wellbore interpretation, although none of the wells penetrated sediment conduits fill deposited.
Seismic well-tie was used to correlate wellbore information to the seismic data (logs, stratigraphy and
petrophysical properties). Based on seismic well tie process, 5 major horizons was interpret
throuughout 3D and 2D seismic data (Top Kobbe, Top Snadd, Base conduits, Upper Regional
Unconformity, and Sea bed reflectors). In addition, major and minor faults were interpreted.
Seismic facies analysis is the analysis of reflection configuration and other seismic parameters within
the seismic sequence correlation framework (Mitchum and Vaill, 1977). These parameters including
reflection configuration, amplitude, continuity and frequency, are interpreted to express certain gross
lithologic, stratification, and depositional features of the sediments generating the cycles. Seismic
slicing and seismic attribute analysis were used to identified sediment conduits feature on the 3D
seismic data. Based on seismic slicing and seismic attribute result, morphometry analysis of sediment
conduits was performed to quantify the geometry, thus comparation to the others sediment conduits
system is achievable.
Figure 9. Seismic facies descriptions of canyons, channel, gullies and
slides in the study area
Seismic horizons &
Wellbore interpretation Seismic well tie
fault interpretation
RESULTS
In total: 8 V-shaped canyons, 2 channels, 4 Gullies and 2 Slides has been identified and analyze
throughout this study. Seismic facies analysis showing the difference between sediment conduits is
shown in figure 7.
CANYONS
There are four canyon architecture observed in the study area (appear in perpendicular sections of the
canyon); Terrace, scars, V-shaped thalweg and canyon wall. Different canyons architecture controlled by
autogenic (fault) and allogenic forces (types of sediment source). 1) There are two types of terrace
Morphometry analysis Seismic slicing & attribute analysis Seismic facies analysis architecture observed in this study area; long terrace and steps terrace (Figure 6). Long terrace is
typified by medium – high amplitude (related to the base of the canyons), shingled reflector dipping at 0
- 2 deg, and underlying unconformity - erosional base. Steps terrace mostly influenced by series of
normal fault in the study area (Figure 6), with a medium – high amplitude (related to the base of the
canyons) parallel reflector with almost horizontal dipping layer and underlying unconformity - erosional
base. 2) Scars or failure surface is characterized by discontinuous and isolated reflectors sitting on the
upper part of canyon wall with medium - high amplitude. 3) V-shaped thalweg is most common canyon
architecture that giving an indicator of a canyon system. V-shaped thalweg is typified by steep dipping
reflector (more than 30 deg) and underlying unconformity. Medium – high amplitude dominated the V-
shaped thalweg with continuous reflector. 4) Canyon wall (continuations of V-shaped thalweg) is
Figure 4.Study workflow
characterized by steep dipping reflector (more than 30 deg) with low – high amplitude.
Acknowledgements:
NORWEGIAN PETROLEUM
DIRECTORATE
 Stratigraphic Architecture and Evolution of Canyons and Other Sediment Conduits in the SE Loppa High, Barents Sea
Dicky Harishidayat*, Kamaldeen Olakunle Omosanya, Ståle Emil Johansen, Solveig Plyem Løseth.
Interpretation of Geophysical Data (IGD) Research Group, Department of Geoscience and Petroleum,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
*Corresponding author: dicky.hidayat@ntnu.no

b) a) b)
a)

West Channel

c) d)
c) d)

Canyon 3 Canyon 2

e)

Figure 5. Morphometry analysis of Canyon 2. e)

a) depth profiles of canyon thalweg and canyons
wall, b) canyons height profile, c) width profiles of
canyons and canyons base, d) aspect ratio, and Figure 7. Morphometry analysis of Gullies 1.
Canyon 5 Canyon 4
e) cross-sectional area of canyons a) depth profiles of canyon thalweg and canyons
wall, b) canyons height profile, c) width profiles of
canyons and canyons base, d) aspect ratio, and
e) cross-sectional area of canyons

CHANNELS

Channels are found on the western side of the study area. Located on the 2D seismic data created
difficulties to analyze the morphometry aspect of the channels. Two channels has been identified in
oblique direction of seismic lines. The channels architecture consists of thalweg, and channels wall
(Figure 6).
U-shaped thalweg is typified by medium – high amplitude (related to the base of the channels),
parallel reflector dipping at almost horizontal, and underlying unconformity - erosional base. Channel
wall (continuations of U-shaped thalweg) is characterized by dipping reflector (more than 15 deg)
with medium – high amplitude.
GULLIES
There are two gullies architecture observed in the study area (appear in perpendicular sections of
the canyon); V-shaped thalweg and gully wall. In term of the dimension, gully is the smallest
compare to others sediment conduits dimension.
V-shaped thalweg gullies is characterized by low to medium seismic amplitude (related to the base
of gullies), very steep incision in relatively small width (related to the short period of erosion on the
base of gullies). Gully wall (continuation of V-shaped thalweg is characterized by dipping reflector
(more than 30 deg) with low to medium seismic amplitude.
SLIDES
Slides are found mostly on the eastern side of the study area. Two slides has been identified on the
3D seismic cube (Figure 6). The slides architecture consists of U-shaped thalweg, terrace and slides
wall (Figure 6).
Slides 2
G2 G1 U-shaped thalweg is typified by medium – high amplitude (related to the base of the slides), parallel
reflector dipping at the base, increasing to the slides wall, and underlying unconformity - erosional
base. Slides terrace mostly formed by series of normal fault influence, created a displacement on the
U-shaped thalweg. Slide terrace is characterized with medium - high amplitude seismic (similar with
U-shaped thalweg). Slides wall (continuations of U-shaped thalweg and terrace) is characterized by
dipping reflector (more than 15 deg) with medium – high amplitude.
Slides on the study area located on the margin of Loppa high, with slope gradient is higher than 30
deg. Several uplift and erosion in the older period of sediment conduits initiation created a series of
normal fault on the edge of Loppa high. This situation created instability of Southern Loppa high
margin that contributed to slides development as a product of slope failured.
Figure 6. Base conduits surface with seismic section examples of conduits
in the southern part of Loppa high - Barents Sea

Acknowledgements:

NORWEGIAN PETROLEUM
DIRECTORATE
 Stratigraphic Architecture and Evolution of Canyons and Other Sediment Conduits in the SE Loppa High, Barents Sea
Dicky Harishidayat*, Kamaldeen Olakunle Omosanya, Ståle Emil Johansen, Solveig Plyem Løseth.
Interpretation of Geophysical Data (IGD) Research Group, Department of Geoscience and Petroleum,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
*Corresponding author: dicky.hidayat@ntnu.no

a) b) 5) Time slice of 800ms on an RMS 8) Time slice of 550ms on an RMS

2) Time slice of 1100ms on an RMS amplitude of seismic attribute shows amplitude of seismic attribute shows
amplitude of seismic attribute shows denudation area of isolated Loppa high denudation area of Loppa high (High
denudation area of isolated Loppa high in the north (High RMS amplitude) is RMS amplitude) had become intense
in the north (High RMS amplitude) is decrease, while low amplitude area in (Upper Regional Unconformity). At this
decrease, while low amplitude area in the south represent depositional of fine stage, relative sea level drop had
the south represent depositional of fine grained material (shallow - deep occurred.
grained material (shallow - deep marine environment) is increase. High
marine environment) is increase. At RMS amplitude in the transition area is
this stage, relative sea level rise was influenced by tidal environment with
c) d) occurred relatively flat topography. This situation
created a development of meandering
canyons. At this stage, relative sea
level rise was occurred

CONCLUSION
6) Time slice of 750ms on an RMS
3) Time slice of 1050ms on an RMS amplitude of seismic attribute shows
• Type of sediment conduits: Based on the seismic facies analysis and similiarity with canyons
amplitude of seismic attribute shows denudation area of isolated Loppa high
e)
description of Jobe et al., 2011, initiation of sediment conduits eroded (high current and coarse
denudation area of isolated Loppa high in the north (High RMS amplitude) is
grain) older strata and deposited sediments in the southern part of Loppa high (Hammerfest basin).
in the north (High RMS amplitude) is decrease, while low amplitude area in Conduits-fill deposit consists of interbeded fine grained material.
Figure 8. Morphometry analysis of Slides 1.
a) depth profiles of slides thalweg and slides
decrease, while low amplitude area in the south represent depositional of fine • Depositional environment of sediment conduits and its filling deposits: Sediment conduits initiation
wall, b) slides height profile, c) width profiles of the south represent depositional of fine grained material (shallow - deep took place during relative sea-level fall and Late Jurassic - Early Cretaceous rifting created an
slides and slides base, d) aspect ratio, and grained material (shallow - deep marine environment) is increase. High isolated Loppa high (denudational area). Filling deposits mostly dominated with fine grained
e) cross-sectional area of slides marine environment) is increase. At RMS amplitude in the transition area is material, product of relative sea-level rise.
this stage, relative sea level rise was influenced by tidal environment with • Provenance: Northern part of Loppa high is the provenance area to be transported through the
occurred relatively flat topography. This situation sediment conduits system in the southern Loppa high
• Evolution of sediment conduits system and controling factors: Sediment conduits system in the
created a development of meandering
southern part of Loppa high initiated when relative sea-level fall exposed the Loppa high. Later
canyons. At this stage, relative sea stage of uplift eroded sediments above interval of conduits-fill deposit
level rise was occurred • Product of sediment conduits system: Submarine lobes in the southern part of study area (Northern
part of the Hammerfest basin)
Evolution of sediment conduits in the SE Loppa High - Barents Sea

1) Time slice of 1200ms on an RMS 4) Time slice of 850ms on an RMS 7) Time slice of 650ms on an RMS
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Acknowledgements:

NORWEGIAN PETROLEUM
DIRECTORATE