Alangilan Campus

College of Engineering – Department of Mechanical Engineering

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Reservoir Geosciences
Activity No. 2
Depositional Sedimentary Environment and Sedimentary Structures

Name: Mindanao, Mark Andrie S. Date: November 02, 2023

Section: PETE 2103 Location:

Objectives:

1. To be familiar with the different depositional sedimentary environment

2. To identify the sedimentary structures commonly found in the depositional
sedimentary environment.
3. To distinguish the importance of the presence of sedimentary structures in
depositional sedimentary structures in oil and gas exploration

Procedure:

1. Research on the different sedimentary structures found in each depositional sedimentary

environment.
2. Fill the data sheet below. Remember to put images on each depositional sedimentary
environment together with the identified sedimentary structures.
3. You can put more than one identified rock and sedimentary structures for each depositional
sedimentary environment.

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Guide Questions

1. From the research data, which among the sedimentary structures is the most common in
the entire depositional environment?

Geologists and environmental scientists are obliged to understand sedimentary structures

as part of finding out the history and processes associated with various environments. This is
especially true in sedimentary setting where sedimentary structure provides some information
about sequence of events, dynamics and other characteristics of different depositional settings.
This essay will try to establish the most prevalent sedimentary structure from existing research
data coming from eleven different depositional environments which include deep marine or
abyssal plain, continental slope/rise, continental shelf, lagoons, beaches, delta, swamp.

The types of sedimentary structures vary among various depositional environments,

nevertheless the prevailing structure in the context of your research data that spans across several
environments, starting from deep marine abyssal plains and ending with a desert, would probably
be stratification or cross-bedding. Stratification is a type of layering whereby sediments are
divided over times and found in rock formations and or sediments. This is an essential feature of
sedimentary rocks, and almost all of the listed environments exhibit such phenomenon.

Sediments in deep marine abyssal plains tend to be very well stratified, consisting of very
fine particles settling slowly out of the water column over long timespans. Similarly, distinct
bedding patterns result from the gradual deposition of sediments on the continental slope and
rise. This process results in layering of sedimentary rocks on a continental shelf since the
materials accumulate gradually as they approach the shoreline. Stratified sands, gravels in
lagoons and beaches, and other layers of alluvial sediments deposited by rivers are characteristic
for deltas.

Swamps can also have layers of organic-rich sediments over the inorganic ones while
alluvial fans have layers where rivers converge. Sedimentary beds are formed in river channels
themselves due to deposition within times of flood retreat and result in layering effect in river
deposits. Varve is a term that refers to alternate coarse-grained and fine-grained sedimentary
layers that accumulate in lakes every year. This even happens in deserts with high wind and
water erosion, as strata can be seen on dune formations.

The extensive assessment of collected research data derived from different depositional
settings confirms that cross-bedding is the most common sedimentary feature. Its dominance is
evident across a wide range of areas such as the deep marine or abyssal plain, continental
slope/rise, continental shelf, lagoons, beaches, deltas, alluvial fans, river channels, lakes and
deserts. However, all these characteristics lead to the development of crossbedding that helps to
understand the dynamics of sedimentary systems in these deposits.

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2. Which among the depositional sedimentary environment are considered likely to contain
organic matter and eventually be the source of hydrocarbons?

Organic material may be found in a number of different types of depositional sedimentary

environments which can become potential source rocks for hydrocarbons. These environments
include the ancient marine settings such as the deep marine, or abyssal plains or continental
shelves and slope respectively. The marine organisms such as phytoplankton and zooplankton
flourish in these environments providing organic matter which becomes incorporated into the
sediments. As time goes by, these organics get buried under high temperature and pressure which
lead towards generation of hydrocarbon.

Organic matter can also be found in continental margins such as deltas and coastal swamps.
Within these areas, there is constantly eroded natural land and vegetation run off flowing back
into sedimentation piles made up of marine and river bottom detritus. Stagnancy or lack of
oxygen in swamps also enhance the preservation of organics which makes these places fertile for
hydrocarbon generators. Depositional environment in river channels and flood plains is another
site for concentration of organic matter. Terrestrial plant materials, in addition to the various
organic substances transferred from upstream sources, may be buried then, in the appropriate
geological situations, transformed by diagenesis into hydrocarbons.

Although these environments are excellent sites for accumulation of organic matter, the
ultimate generation of hydrocarbons is also reliant on variables such as temperature, pressure,
burial depth and appropriate source rocks. This is where organic matter is buried and converted
into hydrocarbons during a million-year period leading to oil and gas reserves very critical to the
industry.

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3. What are the common types of rock found in the depositional sedimentary environment?

This is because different types of rocks are formed in the depositional sedimentary
environment following different geological processes. The varieties of these include sandstones
which are basically grains that have been glued together during a long period of time. The
accumulation of these fragments results in compaction, which is filled with mineral cement to
form a hardened rock. These are normally porous, coarse grained sandstones.

The second type of rock commonly found in depositional settings is known as limestone. It
mostly consists of the shells or other skeletal remains of various marine animals like corals. The
calcareous organisms get deposited in the sea floor after death of these organisms. The material
then undergoes lithification leading to formation of compact calcium carbonate rock. Usually
light in color, limestone can be streaked and even have fossils in it.

Another type of rock commonly found in depositional environment is Silstone. Composed

of tiny sediment that is less than sand and bigger than clay. Settling deposits of these particles
accumulates into sediments that become siltstone in stiller bodies of lacs as well as lake or
lagoon. In addition, as a result of having a very fine-grained sediment, Siltstone characteristically
manifests a smooth surface and may appear in layers or laminas.

Another important rock type that exists in the depositional sedimentary environment is shale.
The material consists of tiny clay and silt particles, commonly originate in regions with low
energies, e.g., river floodplains and deep ocean basins. However, shale is porous but hard and
brittle that gets formed from the process of compaction and cementation. They are typically seen
in paper-thin laminations or layers of shales that have a gray and sometimes black hue.

Conglomerates are also another kind of rock which can be found in depositional sediments.
The material comes in the shape of rounded rock and mineral fragments held naturally in a
bonding process. Fragments transported on streams become deposits on their banks which
eventually cohere in due course leading to conglomerates. The appearance of this rock type can
be diverse since it depends on how large are the clasts that constitute it.

Every kind of rock is formed differently, each having distinguishing features which indicate
where the sediments come from as well as the history of its geological development. Geologists
understand how different rocks reveal information about earlier environments on earth, and what
stories lie hidden within the crust of the world.

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College of Engineering – Department of Mechanical Engineering

4.Explain the importance of the sedimentary structures in understanding the environment

of deposition.

Sedimentary structures play vital role in the interception of environments of deposition in

many different geologic settings. It signify how sediment particles were transported and
deposited in a certain way, thus they make up one of the main reasons of their importance for
science. Such structures as cross-bedding, graded bedding, ripple marks, and mud cracks can
reveal in what way the sedentary conditions were formed. For example, the direction of old
current and winds can be traced by the phenomenon of cross-bedding. enabling scientists to
rebuild the old rivers’ channels, sand fields, or even an ancient sea line. Thus, sedimentary
structures serve as records of former activities, giving insights on ancient landscape dynamics.

Moreover, the structures associated with sedimentary rocks can provide clues relating to the
intensity of energy in which the sediments are deposited. An example is graded bedding where it
can be interpreted as deposition of sediments occurred very quickly with lots of energy before
they started gradually settling down. It could thus mean that there is a powerfully moving stream,
erosion of debris during a mudflow/turbidite, or landslide. Additionally, ripples or rippled marks,
produced by the movements of fluids or air could be indicative of the speed and power of these
movements.

Furthermore, the sedimentary structures offer essential data concerning the depositional
facies sequence and character. Trace fossils like the burrows or footsteps tell a lot about the
organisms that occupied ancient ecosystems and also their paleoenvironments. Such fossils could
give insight into the behavior and ecology of past organisms, thereby helping to build up the
history of biodiversity on Earth. In addition, sedimentary structures can help establish diagenesis
following deposition. Generally, diagenesis is a process of gradual hardening of sediments into
rocks under both physical and chemical actions.

I therefore conclude, sedimentary structures are very important in explaining the

environment of deposition and the geological time scale of Earth. They communicate important
details about transportation, deposition of depositional rocks with reference to time and energy.
Additionally, those fossils give indication on animals inhabiting ancient landscapes and
transformations after burial referred to as diagenesis.

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www.batstate-u.edu.ph ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph
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College of Engineering – Department of Mechanical Engineering

5. Explain why does depositional sedimentary environment are vital in all aspects of
generating and storing hydrocarbons.

The organic remains collect from these places where organic carbon source rocks preserve
while providing trap for hydrocarbon containing reservoirs.

It comprises three categories, namely, depositional sedimentary environments, thermal

alteration settings and secondary migration zones. Millions of years later, this organic matter is
laid down and buried within these environments. These sedimentary conditions are therefore
essential in providing a great deposit of organic materials on which the formation of the
hydrocarbons rely.

Additionally, other factor that must be considered in depositional sedimentary environment

is preservation of hydrocarbon source rock. Depending on burial and maturation certain
sedimentary rocks called “source rock” can generate hydrocarbons that are rich in organic
compounds. Such types of source rocks usually form in particular depositional environment such
as marine and lake settings in which enough conditions are met for the organic matter
preservation. Without such settings, there will be no reservoirs and therefore scarce
hydrocarbons.

Eventually, depositional sedimentary environments form traps that serve as a reservoir for
hydrocarbon storage. Hydrocarbons cannot escape from such underground areas because they are
geologically prevented from doing so and thus accumulate in high volumes. Depositional
environments form different kinds of traps like anticlines, fault traps, and stratigraphic traps. The
geology and sedimentation peculiarities characteristic to this type of territory form a special kind
of traps which ensure a lasting retention of hydrocarbons. Depositional environments do not exist
without which there would be no traps and hydrocarbons would almost certainly escape to the
surface and become unobtainable.

Finally, these environments are just as important in ensuring that hydrocarbon source rocks
are conserved as well as providing reservoirs with the necessary trap.

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www.batstate-u.edu.ph ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph
 Alangilan Campus

College of Engineering – Department of Mechanical Engineering

6. Is there any chance of having an oil/gas reservoir in your place? Justify your answer.

Several factors suggest that there is a low chance of finding an oil reservoir in Sariaya,
Quezon. For instance, if such areas have unique geological conditions then they might lack
suitable depositional environments that can promote long term storage of oil and gas
accumulations. These reservoirs involve certain geologic conditions for the preservation and
transformation of the organics into hydrocarbons.

Second, many of these regions lack indigenous supply and therefore heavily depend on
imported oil and natural gases shipped from other nations. It implies that the area could probably
lack considerable local hydrocarbons which necessitates external energy sources.

In addition, the process of exploring, finding, and extracting oil generally depends on the
energy suppliers who are required to be involved in such an undertaking. There is no visible
exploration or drilling work going on, so these reserves have probably not been revealed.

Finally, the existence of oil and gas components like extraction and production plants would
be a signal that they are locally available. This possibility is even less likely if there is no
supporting infrastructure in the area.

Finally, even though no oil and gas deposits can be asserted unless extensive geological
surveys are conducted, the above-stated arguments indicate a relatively small chance for
considerable fossil fuel reserves in this area.

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www.batstate-u.edu.ph ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph
 Alangilan Campus

College of Engineering – Department of Mechanical Engineering

Conclusion:

Petroleum engineering has deep significance in relation to studying depositional

sedimentary environments, and sedimentary structures. Petroleum engineers get essential
knowledge through the complete study and comprehension of every location as well as various
sedimentary constructions for the purposes of revealing the way in which and where the
hydrocarbon pools are being formed. The knowledge is very important because it actually
supports the oil and gas exploration as well as production.

During my research, I realized that different sedimentary environments including deep

marine settings, continental shelves, deltas etc. contribute uniquely to the deposition and
preservation of organic materials that turn to hydrocarbons at last. Moreover, I realized the value
of such sedimentary structures as stratification, cross-bedding and ripple marks which provide
vital information about the past environments favorable for hydrocarbon deposition.

This information is significant as it serves as the basis for petroleum engineering. It is

important for such professional to understand the role that sedimentary environment and
structures play in forming, migrating, and storing hydrocarbons. They allow the companies to
take rational steps in exploration and production activities aimed at responsible and fruitful use
of the energy resources.

Generally, petroleum engineering depends on the understanding of depositional

sedimentary environments and sedimentary structures that lead to identification, estimation and
exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoir. Fossil fuel resources are essential in the industry and this
understanding forms the basis for their sustainable use.

GCH Alangilan, Batangas City, Philippines +63 43 425 - 0139 loc. 2121

www.batstate-u.edu.ph ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph
 Alangilan Campus

College of Engineering – Department of Mechanical Engineering

Prepared by:

Engr. Melannie P. Adante

GCH Alangilan, Batangas City, Philippines +63 43 425 - 0139 loc. 2121

www.batstate-u.edu.ph ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph