Page 2 <strong>North</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong>: Geoscience, Technology and Natural Resources
<strong>North</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong>: Geoscience, Technology and Natural Resources Page 3 Welcome: A message from our co-chairs It is with great pleasure that we announce the joint meeting of the Cordilleran Section – GSA, the Pacific Section – AAPG, and the Western Region – SPE. The theme of the meeting “<strong>North</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong>: Geoscience, Technology, and Natural Resources”highlights the challenges, high stakes, and excitement offered through technology <strong>to</strong> deliver our energy and natural resources in the future. The broad <strong>for</strong>mat of this joint conference promotes emphasis on innovation and cross-discipline approaches in energy and natural resource development.With a wide span of technical presentations, <strong>for</strong>um <strong>to</strong>pics, short courses, field trips, poster sessions, and exhibits, this meeting is sure <strong>to</strong> offer something <strong>for</strong> all professionals involved in the petroleum and natural resource industries, as well as those involved in Cordilleran and Arctic geoscience studies. A meeting with an ambitious schedule such as assembled <strong>for</strong> this joint conference, including all the logistical as well as technical contributions, would be little short of a disaster without an army of volunteers and generous sponsors. The contributions of our Sponsors have allowed us <strong>to</strong> plan a meeting of professional caliber and offer a program unique <strong>to</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong>. Last, with great pleasure and gratitude we acknowledge the volunteers from the local geoscience and engineering community, from the state of <strong>Alaska</strong>, and all those from the organizations outside of <strong>Alaska</strong> <strong>for</strong> all the hard work and cooperation <strong>to</strong> see that this meeting is a success. Welcome all! Pacific Section AAPG Co-Chair Greg Wilson ConocoPhillips <strong>Alaska</strong> Cordilleran Section GSA Co-Chair Jeanine M. Schmidt U.S. Geological Survey Western Region SPE Co-Chair Bill Van Dyke AK Dept. of Natural Resources Keynote address 3D Seismic Expression of Deep Water Depositional Elements: Reducing the Risk of Lithology Prediction A By HENRY POSAMENTIER Chief Geologist and Distinguished Advisor <strong>for</strong> Anadarko <strong>Petroleum</strong> nalyses of 3-D seismic data can yield significant insights with regard <strong>to</strong> spatial and temporal relationships of near-seafloor depositional elements in deep-water settings. These analyses can be based on a broad range of horizon attributes, such as amplitude, time/depth structure, dip azimuth, dip magnitude, curvature, and roughness, as well as interval attributes such as frequency and amplitude distribution, and seismic facies based on wave<strong>for</strong>m. The great complexity of deep-water depositional environments can be simplified by grouping depositional elements in<strong>to</strong> five major categories: 1) turbidity-flow leveed channels, 2) channel-overbank sediment waves and levees, 3) frontal splays/distributary channel complexes, 4) crevasse splay complexes, and 5) debrisflow channels, lobes and sheets. Each depositional element type displays a unique morphology and seismic-stratigraphic expression.Their reservoir architecture is a function of the interaction between sedimentary process, sea-floor morphology, and sediment grain size distribution. Each depositional element is associated with a characteristic suite of lithofacies that can be predictable. Principal sand habitats in deep-water settings include channels, fontal splays, and crevasse splays. Turbidity-flow leveed channels can range from nearly straight <strong>to</strong> highly sinuous; channel meanders in most instances migrate down-system. In some instances, high-sinuosity channels are associated with channel-overbank sediment wave development, especially in association with outer channel bends.Where levees are low, <strong>to</strong> the point where they can no longer be resolved seismically, high-sinuosity channels feed frontal splays/low-sinuosity distributary channel complexes. Low-sinuosity distributary channel complexes commonly are expressed as lobate sheets.A variation on frontal splays, but located on overbank settings associated with leveed channels, are crevasse splay deposits, which comprise smaller lobe<strong>for</strong>ms associated with levee crevasses commonly located at outer channel bends. Debris-flow deposits, commonly characterized by poor reservoir quality, can <strong>for</strong>m low-sinuosity channel fills, elongate lobes, and sheets and are characterized seismically by con<strong>to</strong>rted, chaotic, low-amplitude reflection patterns that commonly overlie striated/grooved pavements. Henry W. Posamentier is the Chief Geologist and Distinguished Advisor <strong>for</strong> Anadarko <strong>Petroleum</strong> Corporation. Prior <strong>to</strong> joining Anadarko in 2001, he was with Veritas Exploration Services (2000-2001), the Atlantic Richfield Co. (1991-2000), Exxon Production Research Co. and Esso Resources Canada, Ltd. (1979-1991), and at Rider University, Assistant Professor of Geology (1974-1979). Dr. Posamentier’s research interests have been in the fields of sequence stratigraphy and depositional systems analysis, where he has published widely. Most recently, he has employed an interdisciplinary approach <strong>to</strong> geologic prediction using 3D seismic visualization integrated with borehole data <strong>to</strong> interpret depositional systems and develop basin fill his<strong>to</strong>ries, in particular with reference <strong>to</strong> deep-water depositional settings. His current responsibilities involve ensuring integration of appropriate technologies in<strong>to</strong> the exploration process. In 1971-1972, Dr. Posamentier was a Fulbright Fellow <strong>to</strong> Austria. He has served as an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer <strong>to</strong> the United States (1991-1992), an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer <strong>to</strong> the <strong>for</strong>mer Soviet Union (1996-1997), and an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer <strong>to</strong> the Middle East (1998- 1999).