SEISMIC IMAGING OF SUBSURFACE FLUID FLOW: PETROLEUM SYSTEMS AND
SHALLOW HAZARDS
Dr Mads Huuse
Project Summary Fluid flow in sedimentary basins occurs within
aquifers, by diffuse flow through pore networks in mudstones and
through focused conduits, bypassing both aquifers and pore
networks. The ubiquitous presence and significance of such focused
conduits, termed seal bypass systems, has only recently been
discovered by means of high-resolution 3D seismic analysis
(Cartwright et al. 2007). Seal-bypass systems analysis provides
evidence of hydrocarbon systems and helps in the identification of
shallow hazards including shallow gas, mud volcano systems, flow
sands and gas hydrate accumulations. This project aims to further
the research into the origin and significance of seal-bypass
systems by integrating analysis of hi-quality 3D seismic images
offshore West Africa with seafloor and sea-surface evidence for
fluid expulsion, thus examining both the plumbing system within the
shallow crust and the fluids that are passing through the plumbing
system from deeply buried source rocks and reservoirs to the
seafloor. The integration of 3D seismic data, seafloor samples and
satellite seep detection will allow a spatio-temporal
reconstruction of past and present fluid flow at an unprecedented
areal extent and level of detail and should allow an assessment of
the dynamic nature of shallow subsurface fluid migration and
storage under glacial and interglacial conditions (low and high
eustatic levels). The analysis will involve extensive 3D seismic
interpretation, seismic geomorphological analysis, integration with
seep geochemistry and satellite imagery using both subsurface
interpretation and geo-spatial analysis software and is thus well
suited to a candidate with a broad geosciences background. For
further details contact: [email protected] References:
Andresen, K.J., Huuse, M., Schdt, N.H., Clausen, L.F. &
Seidler, L. 2011. Hydrocarbon plumbing systems of salt minibasins
offshore Angola revealed by three-dimensional seismic analysis.
AAPG Bulletin, 95(6), 1039-1065. Calves, G., Huuse, M., Schwab,
A.M. & Clift, P.D. 2008. 3D seismic analysis of high-amplitude
anomalies in the shallow subsurface of the Northern Indus Fan:
sedimentary and/or fluid origin. Journal of Geophysical Research,
113, B11103, doi:10.1029/2008JB005666. Cartwright, J., Huuse, M.
& Aplin, A. 2007. Seal bypass systems. AAPG Bulletin, 91,
1141-1166. Huuse, M., Jackson, C.A., Van Rensbergen, P., Davies,
R.J., Flemings, P.B. & Dixon, R.J. 2010. Subsurface sediment
remobilization and fluid flow in sedimentary basins: An overview.
Basin Research, 22(4), 342-360. Serie, C., Huuse, M. & Schdt,
N.H. in press. Gas hydrate pingoes: Deep seafloor evidence of
focused fluid flow on continental margins. Geology, in press.
