加拿大阿萨巴斯卡Kinosis区域下白垩统McMurray组内河口湾复合点坝砂体构型解剖

河口湾可分为宽阔的外河口湾和较窄的内河口湾。内河口湾水动力条件表现为潮汐影响、河流主控的特征,主要发育点坝或者线状砂坝。加拿大阿萨巴斯卡Kinosis地区发育大量潮汐作用影响的复合点坝沉积,复合点坝内部构型研究直接影响油田的开发效果。基于该区测井及高品质三维地震(频带8~220 Hz,主频90 Hz)等资料,提出1套以解决油田开发问题为核心,基于以"轴变定界、样式定型、井点定面"为原则的内河口湾复合点坝砂体构型解剖方法,研究对象为达到地震可分辨尺度的"复合砂体"。通过岩心和地震相特征分析,刻画了不同级次构型单元内部沉积特征。利用倾角测井等资料,分析了侧积体和侧积层的规模及产状,实现了点坝内部构型解剖。结果表明,内河口湾点坝沉积发育倾斜非均质层(IHS)、生物扰动、泥砾等指示潮汐作用的沉积现象;侧积体倾斜角度为8°~12°,单一侧积体宽度为55~200 m。通过复合砂体构型解剖,明确了构型单元内部隔夹层和层内水层的分布与构型单元的组合有直接关系,提出了针对单一河道单元部署井网的策略。     

海上油田河流相复合砂体构型级次解析*

在现有的碎屑沉积地质体构型分级方案基础上,充分考虑自然界中河流沉积演化规律以及海上油田的资料基础与经济开发尺度等因素,遵循地质体分级原则与依据,建立了海上油田河流相复合砂体构型分级方案。从地质成因、主控因素、时空规模等方面系统阐述了河流相复合砂体13级构型单元的基本特征,并解析其与相关沉积地质体级次的关联性。与现有的储层构型分级的差异主要在于新增了“复合点坝”级次,复合点坝是多期残存点坝以复合体形式叠置而成的沉积单元,该级次是储层构型理论、海上油田资料分辨能力与经济开发尺度三者的契合点,是海上油田“地震导向、井震联合”构型研究思路的良好实践。河流相复合砂体构型分级对于指导海上油气开发具有一定的优势。     

曲流河点坝内部构型精细研究及应用

点坝是曲流河单砂体沉积单元中最重要的储集砂体,其内部侧积层是控制剩余油分布的主要因素。以港东油田二区五先导试验块为例,综合运用测井、岩心、密井网、水平井等资料,对点坝内部构型进行解剖,定量认识试验区侧积层厚度为0.2~0.3 m、倾角3.5°,侧积体规模、期次、大小不一。分级次嵌套式二次加密建立构型级别精细三维地质模型,并开展了精细油藏数值模拟研究,同时结合测井、岩心、分析化验等资料,认为剩余油主要分布在砂体顶部和侧积层附近。应用地质-建模-数模一体化研究成果,指导方案部署与现场实施,取得了较好效果,为点坝内部构型精细研究提供了一套新的思路与方法。     

井震结合砂体构型表征及其对剩余油的控制研究:以冀东油田明化镇组NmⅢ12-1小层为例

冀东油田明化镇组NmⅢ12-1小层井网分布不均,但地震资料品质较好。为此,对该小层进行井震结合砂体构型表征,建立曲流河砂体构型边界的正演概念模型。利用地震沿层切片属性、反演等地震资料及测井砂体特征有效提高单一河道边界及点砂坝砂体识别精度。采用“模式拟合”对点砂坝及其内部构型进行表征,利用水平井及动态资料验证构型解剖的合理性。在此基础上,建立三维储层构型模型并进行数值模拟,预测剩余油,提出曲流河砂体控制剩余油分布。开发中后期的油藏,正向微构造、储层构型和井网是剩余油分布的主控因素。构型控制的剩余油多集中在点砂坝的中上部;废弃河道及点砂坝内侧积层对渗流产生一定的遮挡,在废弃河道附近及侧积层间的侧积体常富集剩余油。研究对油田开发方案的调整具有重要意义。     

曲流河古河道储层构型精细解剖——以孤东油田七区西馆陶组为例

以胜利油区孤东油田七区西为例,在沉积微相研究的基础上,主要应用研究区岩心、测井,动态等资料,对曲流河古河道砂体进行了系统的储层层次构型精细解剖。在点坝定量分布模式的指导下,根据点坝砂体垂向上典型的正韵律、砂体厚度大以及紧邻废弃河道分布等特征,在研究区Ng522单层复合河道砂体内部识别出2个单一点坝。综合露头和现代沉积的研究成果、经验公式预测以及对子井分析,建立了研究区点坝内部构型定量模式,以单井上识别的泥质侧积层作为依据,点坝内部定量模式及动态监测结果作为指导,进行模式拟合,达到系统解剖点坝内部构型的目的。建立了点坝内部泥质侧积层控制的剩余油分布模式,提出了采用在点坝砂体中上部钻水平井的方式开采侧积层控制的剩余油。点坝构型解剖成果在研究区得到了较好的应用效果,而且对类似油田储层精细研究及剩余分布预测都有较好的借鉴作用。     

地下点坝砂体内部构型分析--以孤岛油田为例

用Miall层次界面分析法对孤岛油田52井组馆陶组Ng4^4砂层点坝砂体内部3,4级界面进行详细研究,并与Miall的6级层次界面相对应,定义4级界面为单一河道的顶底界面,构型要素为单一的点坝砂体;3级界面为点坝内部侧积体分界面,实际上是点坝砂体的侧积面,其限定的构型要素为点坝侧积体。还对单井进行了泥质界面划分及成因砂体分析,建立了点坝成因砂体单井模型,根据研究区开发动态特征,推论点坝砂体内部存在倾斜的泥质侧积层,并借助储层地质学基本理论,对侧积体规模、倾角进行了限定。在上述研究基础上建立了点坝侧积体的三维地质模型,数值模拟结果研究表明,点坝侧积层对剩余油分布具明显控制作用。     

陆相湖盆三角洲—滩坝复合砂体分布模式及编图方法*

陆相湖盆与海洋环境不同,具有水体浅、能量弱、湖进湖退频繁等特点。综合应用高精度层序地层学和地震沉积学等关键技术,通过中国东部及中西部典型陆相湖盆的勘探实践、野外露头解剖和现代沉积考察,总结了陆相湖盆三角洲—滩坝复合砂体的分布模式,并提出了复合砂体地质编图法。研究结果表明:(1)陆相湖盆的“湖—陆过渡沉积体系”不仅发育分流河道,还发育河口坝和沿岸砂坝,这些不同时期的分流河道、河口坝和沿岸砂坝交织叠加在一起,在古代地层和现代沉积中得以保存;(2)地形平坦处,水体浅、波浪作用不强、河流作用为主,形成河道砂体;湖岸较陡处,波浪作用强,分流河道砂体被波浪改造,形成沿湖岸分布的滩坝砂体;(3)在高频湖平面变化背景下,岸线的迁移导致沉积坡折的迁移,形成了多期垂直于岸线分布的树枝状三角洲分流河道砂体,和多期平行于岸线呈带状分布的沿岸滩坝砂体相互交织的陆相湖盆三角洲—滩坝复合砂体的特殊结构;(4)复合砂体地质编图法基于传统单因素法,以复合砂体分布模式为指导,主要针对发育在水体较浅、地形平坦开阔背景下的陆相湖盆三角洲—滩坝砂体。     

基于过程的分流平原高弯河道砂体储层内部建筑结构分析--以大庆油田萨北地区为例

河道砂体内部结构已成为影响剩余油分布的决定因素。本研究旨在弄清三角洲平原高弯曲河道砂体内部结构,指导开发调整。解剖分为复合河道、单一河道、基本结构要素及要素内部结构等四个层次。基于三角洲平原上高弯河流的形成过程,依据河泛沉积分布及河道沉积体内部沉积特征识别单一河道。依据砂体厚度分布及砂体测井响应所体现的砂体所处的河道位置识别最终废弃河道,依据测井响应特征识别中间废弃河道,通过中间废弃河道及最终废弃河道位置关系,分析河道摆动特征,追踪河道迁移演化。按照河道演化过程识别点坝及其平面展布。在点坝内部通过岩芯、对子井分析确定侧积体的垂向厚度、倾向、倾角,进而获取侧积体平面发育频率,建立点坝内部的结构模型。研究基于河流演化过程,将河流过程与沉积结果统一起来,从过程角度解释了砂体形成,使解剖结果更合理更准确,可很好地指导剩余油预测分析。     

基于分频融合地震属性的曲流带预测与点坝识别:以渤海湾盆地埕岛油田馆陶组为例*

埕岛油田馆陶组发育典型的高弯度曲流河沉积。通过分频融合地震属性提取与优选、储层构型模式指导、动态响应特征约束等手段,对研究区海上稀井网条件下曲流带和点坝进行精细刻画。研究表明: (1)分频融合地震属性的储层预测方法提高了曲流带的预测精度,振幅类属性与砂体厚度相关性最好,以最大峰值振幅为最佳,相比原始地震属性,分频融合得到的最大峰值振幅属性更好地刻画了曲流带砂体边界与砂体厚度分布;(2)复合正韵律、砂体厚度大、紧邻废弃河道分布为点坝三大重要识别标志,与此相对应,点坝表现为高最大峰值振幅、高反演属性的地震响应特征,而废弃河道呈弯月状低振幅属性、“顶平底凸”的低反演属性特征;(3)在应用地震属性确定点坝位置的基础上,通过经验公式推算点坝跨度,可认知研究区点坝的规模,有效指导地下点坝识别,动态信息的约束也为点坝识别提供了依据。井震结合的曲流带及点坝识别方法可为相似油田构型分析提供借鉴。     

潮控河口湾砂坝发育特征及形成因素分析——以钱塘江为例

受河流和潮汐双重因素控制,潮控河口湾储层发育特征及形成因素复杂,导致现代潮汐河口治理和古代潮控河口湾有利含油储层预测困难。本文采用沉积数值模拟技术,以钱塘江为对象,开展河口区砂坝发育特征及成因模拟,揭示河口区砂坝成因与形态、空间、厚度上的发育特征。通过设定不同底床坡度和潮汐能量,探讨河口区砂坝成因的主控因素。研究结果表明:①河口区砂坝形成主要受控于潮汐作用,涨—退潮作用造成砂坝形成、迁移和演变;河口向海方向主要以长条状砂坝为主,河口向陆一侧发育U型坝和复合砂坝;河流段砂坝主要受控于河流水动力影响,潮汐作用不大。②潮汐能量增强,潮汐通道变宽变浅,河口向陆一侧发育的U型砂坝和复合坝多被侵蚀切割呈小型砂坝,向海一侧的小型砂坝逐渐演化为长条状砂坝;潮汐能量变弱时,涨落潮水道短,潮汐砂坝难以形成。潮汐能量中等时,砂坝较为发育,且有连片分布趋势。③随着底床坡度的逐渐增大,潮汐砂坝的集中分布区逐渐向海迁移,砂坝的分异性增加,形态由不规则的点坝,演变为分流砂坝,河流作用影响增强;底床坡度变小,则砂坝向海方向迁移的趋势减弱,此时潮汐作用增强,河口区砂坝由不规则点坝逐渐演变为长条形砂坝,规模逐渐变小。④砂坝的形成和分布受潮汐能量和底形共同作用,在潮汐能量M_2:2.5、S_2:2.1以及底形坡度0.003°下,长条形潮汐砂坝发育且具有典型的潮控河口湾特征。     

长春岭油田C107区块扶余油层密井网曲流河储层构型分析

以长春岭油田C107区块扶余油层为例,综合应用岩心、录井、动态及测试等资料,按层次分析的思路对曲流河储层进行了构型分析。在井上单河道砂体识别的基础上,采用相控对比方法进行了单河道砂体的井间对比。基于现代沉积,提出了"S"型、同向式、背向式和切割式4类点坝砂体的组合模式,结合点坝砂体厚度特征以及与其紧邻废弃河道分布特征,在研究区识别出8个点坝砂体,单个点坝砂体面积在0.02～0.16km2。综合录井、岩心和测井等资料,在单井侧积层识别的基础上,结合对子井分析法,计算出侧积层的倾角为5°左右,侧积体的宽度为25～70m,建立了点坝砂体内部构型定量模式。应用曲流河构型分析成果,指导了热采动态分析。     

远源浅水辫状河三角洲前缘储层构型模式研究:以冀中坳陷饶阳凹陷留西油田L18断块为例*

利用渤海湾盆地冀中坳陷饶阳凹陷留西油田留18断块内岩心、录井、测井、三维地震以及生产动态资料,应用层次分析的方法,对远源浅水辫状河三角洲前缘进行了相带划分,对砂体构型进行了解剖,明确了各相带内沉积构型样式的特征,建立了远源浅水辫状河三角洲前缘精细的沉积构型模式。研究表明: (1)研究区水体整体较浅,远源浅水辫状河三角洲前缘亚相广泛发育,并进一步分为前缘近端、前缘中端和前缘远端3个相带,不同相带在砂体厚度、岩性组合特征和砂体横向连通性等方面存在差异。(2)前缘远端水下分流河道水动力较弱,所携带沉积物较少,形成横向连通性较差的小规模河口坝,河口坝之间的厚层泥质披覆夹层为主要的夹层类型。(3)前缘中端分流河道水动力强度中等,形成串珠状或分叉树枝状的河口坝,单一河口坝由2~4期前积增生体构成,前积倾角约2.2°,增生体间的泥质披覆夹层为主要的夹层类型。(4)前缘近端分流河道水流强度较大,下切作用较强,所携带沉积物较多;下伏河口坝互相叠置切割,形成连片分布的复合体;单个河口坝由多个前积增生体构成,前积倾角约3.5°,增生体内的漫溢夹层及增生体间的泥质披覆夹层为主要夹层类型。     

伊舒地堑方正断陷新安村组沉积微相研究

依据岩心、地震、测井和录井资料,应用层序地层学和沉积学的原理和方法,查明了伊舒地堑方正断陷新安村组沉积微相特征.结果表明,方正断陷新安村组发育的沉积微相类型主要为分流河道、水下分流河道、河口坝、席状砂、滨浅湖砂质滩坝、泥质滩坝.在平面上沿北西部断裂向断陷中间依次过渡为扇三角洲平原、扇三角洲前缘、湖泊相,部分区域发育湖底扇;沿南东部断裂向断裂中间依次发育扇三角洲前缘和湖泊相.扇三角洲相在北部发育,湖泊相在南部和中部发育。     

渤海湾盆地南堡凹陷西斜坡中深层“混合型河口坝”成因及沉积学意义

在渤海湾盆地南堡凹陷西斜坡中深层扇三角洲上发现一类特殊的"混合型河口坝"沉积体。通过对研究区中深层岩心的观察与分析,结合测井相、地震相对该种"混合型河口坝"的沉积特征、坝体形态、空间展布规律进行研究,并对其成因机制进行分析。结果表明:该类"混合型河口坝"岩性组合在垂向上表现为由多个小级别反、正复合旋回组成的整体向上变粗的反旋回沉积序列,其沉积物重力流成因特征较明显;在平面上该类坝体主要发育于扇三角洲水下分流河道的前端,呈舌状或朵叶状;在沿物源方向的剖面上主要呈"条带状""琵琶状""反琵琶状"及"纺锤状"4种形态;在横切物源的方向上主要呈相互独立的透镜状。该类特殊的"混合型河口坝"与常规意义上的河口坝有重要差别,根据其特征,把这种特殊型"混合型河口坝"称之为重力流混合坝。     

Sedimentary characteristics of large‐scale lacustrine beach‐bars and their formation in the Eocene Boxing Sag of Bohai Bay Basin,East China

The beach‐bar reservoir play has become an important exploration target within the Bohai Bay Basin, especially in the Boxing Sag within the Dongying Depression, where a large‐scale lacustrine beach‐bar oil pool has been discovered recently. The sedimentary characteristics, distribution patterns and formation mechanisms of beach‐bar sand bodies in the upper fourth member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es4s) in the Boxing Sag were studied in detail based on seismic, well log data and core data. The Es4s in the Boxing Sag is composed of a third‐order sequence consisting of three systems tracts, i.e. a lowstand systems tract, a transgressive systems tract and a highstand systems tract. Beach‐bar sand bodies were deposited widely in the basin during the lowstand systems tract period. The sandy beach‐bars are characterized by siltstones, fine‐grained silty sandstones interbedded with thin mudstone units. The presence of well‐developed sedimentary structures, such as swash bedding, parting lineation, parallel bedding, ellipsoidal mud clasts, ripples, terrestrial plant debris and vertical burrows, suggests that beach‐bars were deposited in a relatively shallow water environment under the influence of strong hydrodynamics. Laterally, the sandy beach facies occurred as a more continuous sheet‐like body around the sandy bar in most parts of the sag. Stratigraphically, beach‐bars were distributed mainly in the lowstand systems tract and they were less well‐developed in the transgressive systems tract and highstand systems tract. Several factors were probably responsible for the occurrence of the large‐scale beach‐bars during the lowstand systems tract period, including: (i) a gentle palaeoslope and relatively weak structural activities; (ii) a shallow‐water condition with a strong hydrodynamic environment; (iii) high‐frequency oscillations of the lake level; and (iv) an abundant terrigenous clastic feeding system with multiple‐point and linear sediment sources.     

Estuarine clay mineral distribution: Modern analogue for ancient sandstone reservoir quality prediction

The spatial distribution of clay minerals in sandstones, which may both enhance or degrade reservoir quality, is poorly understood. To address this, clay mineral distribution patterns and host‐sediment properties (grain size, sorting, clay fraction abundance and bioturbation intensity) have, for the first time, been determined and mapped at an unprecedentedly high‐resolution in a modern estuarine setting (Ravenglass Estuary, UK). Results show that the estuary sediment is dominated by illite with subordinate chlorite and kaolinite, although the rivers supply sediment with less illite and significantly more chlorite than found in the estuary. Fluvial‐supplied sediment has been locally diluted by sediment derived from glaciogenic drift deposits on the margins of the estuary. Detailed clay mineral maps and statistical analyses reveal that the estuary has a heterogeneous distribution of illite, chlorite and kaolinite. Chlorite is relatively most abundant on the northern foreshore and backshore and is concentrated in coarse‐grained inner estuary dunes and tidal bars. Illite is relatively most abundant (as well as being most crystalline and most Fe–Mg‐rich) in fine‐grained inner estuary and central basin mud and mixed flats. Kaolinite has the highest abundance in fluvial sediment and is relatively homogenous in tidally‐influenced environments. Clay mineral distribution patterns in the Ravenglass Estuary have been strongly influenced by sediment supply (residence time) and subsequently modified by hydrodynamic processes. There is no relationship between macro‐faunal bioturbation intensity and the abundance of chlorite, illite or kaolinite. Based on this modern‐analogue study, outer estuarine sediments are likely to be heavily quartz cemented in deeply‐buried (burial temperatures exceeding 80 to 100°C) sandstone reservoirs due to a paucity of clay grade material (<0·5%) to form complete grain coats. In contrast, chlorite‐enriched tidal bars and dunes in the inner estuary, with their well‐developed detrital clay coats, are likely to have quartz cement inhibiting authigenic clay coats in deeply‐buried sandstones.     

The sedimentology and alluvial architecture of the sandy braided South Saskatchewan River, Canada

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys of unit and compound braid bars in the sandy South Saskatchewan River, Canada, are used to test the influential facies model for sandy braided alluvium presented by Cant & Walker (1978) . Four main radar facies are identified: (1) high‐angle (up to angle‐of‐repose) inclined reflections, interpreted as having formed at the margins of migrating bars; (2) discontinuous undular and/or trough‐shaped reflections, interpreted as cross‐strata associated with the migration of sinuous‐crested dunes; (3) low‐angle (< 6°) reflections, interpreted as formed by low‐amplitude dunes or unit bars as they migrate onto bar surfaces; and (4) reflections of variable dip bounded by a concave reflection, interpreted as being formed by the filling of channel scours, cross‐bar channels or depressions on the bar surface. The predominant vertical arrangement of facies is discontinuous trough‐shaped reflections at the channel base overlain by discontinuous undular reflections, overlain by low‐angle reflections that dominate the deposits near the bar surface. High‐angle inclined reflections are only found near the surface of unit bars, and are of relatively small‐scale (< 0·5 m), but can be found at a greater range of depths within compound bars. The GPR data show that a high spatial variability exists in the distribution of facies between different compound bars, with facies variability within a single bar being as pronounced as that between bars. Compound bars evolve as an amalgamation of unit bars and other compound bars, and comprise a facies distribution that is representative of the main bar types in the South Saskatchewan River. The GPR data are compared with the original model of Cant & Walker (1978) and reveal a much greater variability in the scale, proportion and distribution of facies than that presented by Cant & Walker (1978) . Most notably, high‐angle inclined strata are over‐represented in the model of Cant and Walker, with many bars being dominated by the deposits of low‐ and high‐amplitude dunes. It is suggested that further GPR studies from a range of braided river types are required to properly quantify the full range of deposits. Only by moving away from traditional, highly generalized facies models can a greater understanding of braided river deposits and their controls be established.     

Mud‐rich delta‐scale compound clinoforms in the Triassic shelf of northern Pangea (Havert Formation,south‐western Barents Sea)

In recent years it has become clear that many shallow‐marine heterolithic and mudstone‐dominated successions are deposited as mud belts forming part of subaqueous deltas that are related to major fluvial sources either upstream or along shore. Here the Havert Formation is presented as an ancient example of this kind of system. The Havert Formation in the south‐western Barents Sea represents shelf margin clinoforms consisting predominantly of heterolithic deposits. Sediments were mainly derived from the east (Ural Mountains), but a smaller system prograded northward from Fennoscandia. The Havert Formation holds a lot of interest due to: (i) its stratigraphic position, directly above the Permo–Triassic boundary and contemporaneous to the emplacement of the Siberian Traps; (ii) the fact that it represents the first siliciclastic input in the south‐western Barents Sea and it shows interaction between Uralian‐derived and Fennoscandian‐derived sediments; and (iii) its hydrocarbon potential. This study is focused on a detailed sedimentological analysis of cored intervals of the (Ural‐derived) Havert Formation, in combination with seismic interpretation, well‐log correlations and palynological analysis of the Havert and overlying Klappmyss formations. The cored intervals belong to the shelf environment of the Havert shelf‐margin clinoforms (300 to 500 m thick). This sedimentological analysis distinguishes six facies associations, spanning from tidally‐influenced channels at the shoreline to mud‐rich subaqueous platform and foresets of the subaqueous delta. Seismic lines and well‐log correlations show the larger‐scale evolution of the Ural‐derived Havert Formation, characterized by episodes of low‐accommodation and high‐accommodation. The palynological analyses provide the first detailed study of the Havert Formation in the Nordkapp Basin, revising its depositional age in the region as Induan to early Olenekian (Smithian). Furthermore, they strengthen the environmental interpretation; palynofacies present on the shelf record flora of tidally‐influenced coastal plains, whereas the palynofacies in the deep‐water slope contain only amorphous organic matter.     

Deep channel sedimentation in the Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation, Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta

ABSTRACT In the region of the Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, the Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation comprises 50-80 m of uncemented quartz sand and associated shale, saturated throughout by bitumen. The sediments are dominantly of continental origin, except in the uppermost parts of the formation where sedimentation was influenced by the encroaching boreal sea.
In most outcrop and mine face exposures of the McMurray Formation, a sequence of three facies is recognized. In ascending order these are: (1) an erosionally based thick-bedded sand facies, 2-20 m thick, dominated by large-scale trough cross-beds; (2) an epsilon cross-stratified facies with solitary sets up to 25 m in thickness, consisting of decimetre to metre thick couplets of sand/mud, with depositional slopes of 8-12° and palaeocurrent indications parallel to the strike of the epsilon cross-set; and (3) a horizontally bedded argillaceous sand facies up to a few metres thick. The three-fold sequence is interpreted as a single upward-fining cycle of channel sedimentation, the trough cross-bedded sands resulting from channel bottom deposition, the epsilon cross-strata accumulating by lateral accretion of channel point bars, and the upper argillaceous sand representing floodplain sedimentation. Where the McMurray Formation is relatively thin (less than 50 m), virtually the entire formation is commonly composed of a single upward-fining channel deposit.
Details of the size and physiographic setting of the channels are somewhat uncertain, but the present evidence suggests that the epsilon-dominated McMurray Formation sequence in the Athabasca Deposit region represents the coastal plain culmination of a very large fluvial drainage system.     

Morphology and evolution of bars in a wandering gravel-bed river; lower Fraser river, British Columbia, Canada

A hierarchical typology for the channels and bars within aggradational wandering gravel-bed rivers is developed from an examination of a 50 km reach of lower Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada. Unit bars, built by stacking of gravelly bedload sheets, are the key dynamic element of the sediment transfer system, linking sediment transport during individual freshets to the creation, development and remoulding of compound bar platforms that have either a lateral or medial style. Primary and secondary unit bars are identified, respectively, as those that deliver sediment to compound bars from the principal channel and those that redistribute sediment across the compound bar via seasonal anabranches and smaller channels. The record of bar accretion evident in ground-penetrating radar sequences is consistent with the long-term development of bar complexes derived from historical aerial photographs. For two compound bars, inter-annual changes associated with individual sediment transport episodes are measured using detailed topographic surveys and longer-term changes are quantified using sediment budgets derived for individual bars from periodic channel surveys. Annual sediment turnover on the bars is comparable with the bed material transfer rate along the channel, indicating that relatively little bed material bypasses the bars. Bar construction and change are accomplished mainly by lateral accretion as the river has limited capacity to raise bed load onto higher surfaces. Styles of accretion and erosion and, therefore, the major bar form morphologies on Fraser River are familiar and consistent with those in gravelly braided channels but the wandering style does exhibit some distinctive features. For example, 65-year histories reveal the potential for long sequences of uninterrupted accretion in relatively stable wandering rivers that are unlikely in braided rivers.