Influence of tectonic geomorphology on sedimentary geomorphology: applied to prediction of

ultrathin sandstones
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Hongliu Zeng*, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at
Austin; Ligui Xu, Guizhong Wang, BGP of CNPC, China; Xiugang Pu, Dagang Oilfield Company, China

Summary tectonic geomorphology at the basin floor and sedimentary

A weak seismic signal from ultrathin (2–7 m) sandstones
increases uncertainties in interpretation, posing a
significant challenge for accurate prediction of subtle
reservoirs. These uncertainties can, however, be reduced by
a combined use of kinematic (traveltime) and dynamic
(amplitude) information extracted from 3D seismic data. In
this case study in the Kuqa Depression of the Tarim Basin,
China, this goal was accomplished by a joint investigation
of seismic-based tectonic and sedimentary geomorphology
in three steps: (1) reconstruction of basin-floor
paleogeomorphology using a residual-structural map of a
nearby unconformity, (2) realization of seismic lithology by
90° phasing of seismic traces, and (3) mapping of
geomorphologic patterns of depositional systems on stratal
slices. Following an improvement in results, this workflow
is now being implemented in the area to assist in future
drilling.
Introduction
Tectonics is a basic control on basin geometry and basin-
bottom geomorphology, both of which in turn exert great
influence on sediment-dispersal patterns. Tectonic
sedimentology is the study of sedimentary response to
tectonic events (Frostick and Steel, 1993). Previous studies
have shown that different structural geometries lead to
distinct sequence stratigraphic architecture and stacking
patterns, depositional facies distribution, and distribution of
potential reservoir and source rocks (e.g., Crossley, 1984;
Dawers et al., 1993; Gawthorpe and Leeder, 2000).
geomorphology of mapped depositional systems, thus
predicting reservoirs by using both traveltime and
amplitude information. A clear correlation between the two
would greatly reduce such uncertainties.
A 3D seismic data set and four wells in the Yudong area of
the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, China (Figure 1a), has
provided an opportunity for such a study. The Kuqa
Depression (Figure 1b) is a Tertiary foreland depression
developed during the Himalayan orogeny (Jia et al., 1998).
Flanked by Tianshan to the north, the Tabei Uplift to the
east and southeast, and the Wensu Uplift to the west,
Paleocene-Eocene sediments were deposited in an isolated
lacustrine basin. Major depositional systems included
alluvial fan, fan delta, braided delta, shallow lake, and salt
lake (Figure 1b) (Zhao, 2011). The study area is in the fan-
delta-front to shallow-lake transition zone in the west of the
basin, with a sediment supply from the Wensu Uplift to the
west.

On the other hand, seismic geomorphology (Posamentier,

2000) has proven to be a valuable tool for high-resolution
facies imaging using stacked and migrated 3D seismic data.
Especially if combined with seismic-lithology study,
seismic facies can be converted to sedimentary-rock
signals, processes, and depositional systems (seismic
sedimentology, Zeng et al., 1998; Zeng and Hentz, 2004).
Typical resolution of reservoir mapping by seismic
sedimentology is around 10 m.

If an even higher resolution (e.g., 2–5 m) is needed for

exploration and production of subtle hydrocarbon
resources, the seismic signal extracted from ultrathin
reservoirs will be substantially weaker and more difficult to
interpret, causing great uncertainties in reservoir prediction. Figure 1. Tarim Basin, Kuqa Depression, and study area.
Reducing such uncertainties is a challenge, however. One (a) Tectonic setting of Tarim Basin (modified from Jia et al., 1998).
possible solution is to study the relationship between (2) General facies map of Kumugeliemu Group in Kuqa
Depression (modified from Zhao, 2011).

© 2013 SEG DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1190/segam2013-0183.1

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 Tectonic/sedimentary geomorphology and thin bed
Tectonic geomorphology
In a well cross section (Figure 2), four sand groups have
been identified in the Kumugeliemu Group. The pay zone,
the third sand group, is one of several high-frequency
sequences in the Kumugeliemu Group, which directly
overlies Cretaceous strata. A regionally traceable evaporite
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unit is distributed above the first sand group, serving as a
stratigraphic correlation marker in the area. Separated by
the fourth sand group, the distance between the base of the
third sand group to the Cretaceous unconformity surface is
about 10 to 15 m. Although no obvious seismic onlaps have
been recognized above the unconformity in this area,
erosion of top Cretaceous rocks has been observed in other
areas of the basin.
Figure 2. Well cross section A-A′ showing stratigraphy, log
lithology, and hydrocarbon distribution in the Kumugeliemu Group
(modified from Tarim Oilfield Company) .
© 2013 SEG
SEG Houston 2013 Annual Meeting
Figure 3. Paleostructure at top of Cretaceous. (a) Seismic profile
BB′. (b) Time-structure map.
In a seismic section (Figure 3a), paleostructure at the
Cretaceous unconformity has been severely altered by
tectonic movement. A time-structure map of the
unconformity (Figure 3b), therefore, does not represent
paleotopography of the sedimentary basin in Paleocene–
Eocene time. Neither can the paleotopography at the
unconformity be restored by a compaction-calibrated
isopach of the Kumugeliemu Group because of the lateral
movement of the evaporates. A compromised solution
would be to remove the regional trend from the time-
structure map (Figure 3b) for a residual-structure map
(Figure 4a), which is a good approximation of the relative
paleotopography at the time of deposition.
Paleogeomorphologic units (hills and valleys, Figure 4b) on
the unconformity surface can be inferred on the basis of the
relative relief of these topographic highs and lows on the
map (Figure 4a), which can be as high as 60 ms, or 120 m.
Second-order, subtle valleys can also be recognized along
the main hills, making a complex valley–lowland system in
the study area.
Figure 4. Evaluation of relative paleogeomorphology using a
residul time-structure map from Figure 3(b). (a) Residual time-
structure map. (b) 3D relief map showing geomorphologic
elements, including hills and valleys.
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 Tectonic/sedimentary geomorphology and thin bed
Seismic lithology of very thin sandstones
The purpose of seismic lithology in seismic sedimentology
is to convert a 3D seismic volume into a log-lithology
volume, ensuring a good correlation between lithology-
indicative wireline logs (e.g., GR and SP) and well-site
seismic attribute traces, making it possible to assign
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lithologic meanings to seismic geomorphologic features on
stratal slices. The key is to find a seismic attribute, either a
single attribute or combined, that has a simple, near-linear
relationship with lithology. Inversion, 90° phasing, trace
attributes, AVO, and multicomponent data are all possible
candidates.
In this data set, a simple process of 90° phasing greatly
improved lithologic interpretation in the neighborhood of
the third sand group (Figure 5). In the formation,
sandstones are characterized by acoustic impedance higher
than that of shale. In the zero-phase data (Figure 5a),
reflections from the third and fourth sand groups and top
Cretaceous interfere to form a complex waveform. The
third sand group is therefore not represented by a single
seismic event, making detection of sandstones difficult in
the third sand group using an amplitude stratal slice. In the
90° data (Figure 5b), however, ultrathin sandstones in the
third sand group collectively produce a positive but weak
seismic event. Even better, the magnitude of the seismic
amplitude is positively correlated to net sandstone
thickness (2–7 m) at the three well sites, making it possible
to use amplitude to evaluate reservoir-thickness
distribution. The exact pinch-out position of the sandstones,
however, is difficult to determine because of the sparse
well control.
Figure 5. Using 90° data for seismic lithologic interpretation.
(a) Zero-phase section displaying complex waveforms at the third
sand group, which do not correlate with the thickness of
sandstones. (b) 90° data showing a simple seismic peak event at
© 2013 SEG
SEG Houston 2013 Annual Meeting
the third sand group, with amplitudes being tied to sandstone
thickness.
Seismic geomorphology
A series of amplitude stratal slices (proportional slices)
were made between the evaporite marker and the
Cretaceous unconformity (Figure 5b). Each of these stratal
slices is presumably a representation of seismic responses
along a relative geologic-time surface. At the center of the
third sand group, a stratal slice (Figure 6) illustrates
multiple lobate-shaped amplitude anomalies, which are
interconnected to form a complex lobate network, or
composite landform, resulting from sediment dispersal
during the third sand group’s deposition.
Figure 6. Amplitude stratal slice at the center of the third sand
group showing seismic geomorphologic elements, lithology, and
sandstone-thickness trend.
Improved from conventional seismic-geomorphologic
displays, this slice also indicates lithology and sandstone
thickness. The stronger, positive (red) amplitudes in the
west and central areas indicate thicker (5–10 m) sandstones
that are closer to the sediment source; the weaker, positive
amplitudes in the east and southeast areas are attributed to
thinner (2–4 m) sandstones and, therefore, are farther away
from the sediment supply. This sandstone-thickness pattern
is in agreement with the geologic model (Figure 1b) in that
sediment in the study area was supplied from the Wensu
Uplift to the west.
Facies interpretation
Interpretation of depositional facies (Figure 7) for the third
sand group was achieved as a result of
 The geologic model showing that the study area is
situated in the fan-delta front area of a large fan-delta
system dispersed off the Wensu Uplift (Figure 1b).
 Good agreement between tectonic paleo-
geomorphologic elements (Figure 4b) and sedimentary
morphologic features (Figure 6). Hills and valleys are
located mostly in sand-poor and sand-prone areas,
respectively, suggesting that valleys were sediment
pathways during deposition (Figure 7a).
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 Tectonic/sedimentary geomorphology and thin bed
 Amplitude trends that imply multiple lobate-/fan-
shaped sand bodies and a tendency for sandstone
thickness to decrease from west to east (Figure 7a).
A resultant facies map (Figure 7b) illustrates many fan-
delta-front lobes that offlap one another from west to east,
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or from the proximal fan-delta-front zone to the distal fan-
delta-front zone. Sand lobes followed a complex valley
system before reaching the far end of a shallow lake.
Figure 7. Interpretation of depositional facies at the time of third-
sand-group deposition. (a) Relationship between sand-prone
amplitude lobes (red and magenta lines) and axes of
paleogeomorphologic hills (dashed green lines, interpreted from
Figure 4a). (b) Facies map showing multilobe fan-delta system
prograding to the east.
© 2013 SEG
SEG Houston 2013 Annual Meeting
Conclusions
Application of tectonic geomorphology can help improve
interpretation of ultrathin (2–7 m) sandstones when
seismic-sedimentologic methods are used. In this study,
paleogeomorphologic elements (hills and valleys) on a
Cretaceous unconformity were reconstructed using a
residual-structural map at the unconformity’s reflection
surface. Seismic lithology of the Kumugeliemu Group was
realized using 90° phasing of original seismic traces.
Amplitude stratal slices illustrate lobate sedimentary
geomorphologic patterns and sandstone thickness trends at
the reservoir interval. The good agreement between
tectonic geomorphology, sedimentary geomorphology, and
seismic lithology reduces uncertainties of sandstone
mapping in the formation, encouraging future drilling for
the subtle hydrocarbon resources in the area.
Acknowledgments
We thank BGP of CNPC, China, for providing data for this
study. Landmark Graphics Corporation provided software
via the Landmark University Grant Program for
interpretation and display of seismic data. Lana Dieterich
edited and improved the readability of this abstract.
Publication authorized by the Director, Bureau of
Economic Geology.
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EDITED REFERENCES
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SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts have been copy edited so that references provided with the online metadata for
each paper will achieve a high degree of linking to cited sources that appear on the Web.
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