The influence of stratigraphic architecture on seismic response: Reflectivity modeling of outcropping deepwater channel units

The size, shape, stacking patterns and internal architecture of deep-water deposits control reservoir fluid flow connectivity. Predicting deep-water stratigraphic architecture as a function of position along a deep-water slope from seismic-reflection data is critical for successful hydrocarbon exploration and development projects. Stratigraphic architecture from confined and weakly confined segments of a deep-water sediment-routing system are analyzed in outcrop from the Tres Pasos Formation (Upper Cretaceous), southern Chile. Outcrop observations are the basis of two geocellular models: confined channel deposits at Laguna Figueroa and weakly confined channel and scour deposits at Arroyo Picana. Key stratigraphic surfaces and facies relationships observed in outcrop are forward seismic modeled at high- to low- resolution in order to bridge the gap in sub-seismic scale interpretation of deep-water reservoirs and demonstrate challenges associated with identification of varied reservoir architecture.The outc...