Reservoir quality and rock properties modeling – Triassic and Jurassic sandstones,greater Shearwater area,UK Central North Sea

The complex burial and diagenetic histories of the Jurassic Fulmar and Triassic Skagerrak sandstones in the UK Central North Sea present significant challenges with regard to reservoir quality and rock property prediction. Commercial reservoir quality is retained despite deep burial and associated high temperatures and pressures. Shallow marine Fulmar sands are normally compacted (mean IGV = 26 ± 3%) yet have porosities of 21–33%. Porosity was preserved through inhibition of quartz cementation by clay and microquartz coatings, and enhanced by dissolution of framework grains (∼5%). Skagerrak fluvial sands are more compacted (mean IGV = 23 ± 2%), exhibit minor feldspar dissolution (<1%), and have porosities of 16–27%. Quartz cement averages only 2 ± 1.5% due to robust chlorite coats that cover 80% (±13%) of quartz surfaces.We modeled reservoir quality evolution using the forward diagenetic model Touchstone, which simulates porosity loss due to compaction and quartz cementation. Quantitative petrographic analyses and burial history data were used to calibrate Touchstone model parameters. The results were applied to deeper prospects for pre-drill prediction of porosity and permeability. In parallel, petrophysical data were used to characterize the elastic properties of the sandstones to provide a basis for quantitative seismic forward modeling. Experimental data and core-calibrated petrophysical results, reflecting variable in situ fluids and saturations, were used to build an elastic properties model. The model is robust and was used to generate fluid-filled sandstone properties, incorporating Touchstone results, for prospect-specific seismic attribute modeling. Well results from exploration wells are in good agreement with pre-drill Touchstone and elastic properties model predictions.     

The hydrodynamics and salinity regime of a coastal lagoon – The Coorong,Australia – Seasonal to multi-decadal timescales

The Coorong is a choked coastal lagoon in South Australia that forms part of the terminal lake system at the end of the River Murray, Australia’s major river. It is an inverse estuary with a constricted channel connection to the sea at one end and extends parallel to the coast for more than 100 km away from this inlet. The present paper considers the physical dynamics of the Coorong, particularly its ecologically important salinity and water level regimes, and how these respond to connectedness with the ocean, barrage flows and meteorological conditions. The approach combines hydrodynamic modelling with measurements and considers temporal variation in the system ranging from seasonal to multi-decadal timescales.     

Emerging concepts on microbial processes in the bathypelagic ocean – ecology,biogeochemistry, and genomics

This paper synthesizes recent findings regarding microbial distributions and processes in the bathypelagic ocean (depth >1000 m). Abundance, production and respiration of prokaryotes reflect supplies of particulate and dissolved organic matter to the bathypelagic zone. Better resolution of carbon fluxes mediated by deep microbes requires further testing on the validity of conversion factors. Archaea, especially marine Crenarchaeota Group I, are abundant in deep waters where they can fix dissolved inorganic carbon. Viruses appear to be important in the microbial loop in deep waters, displaying remarkably high virus to prokaryote abundance ratios in some oceanic regions. Sequencing of 18S rRNA genes revealed a tremendous diversity of small-sized protists in bathypelagic waters. Abundances of heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and ciliates decrease with depth more steeply than prokaryotes; nonetheless, data indicated that HNF consumed half of prokaryote production in the bathypelagic zone. Aggregates are important habitats for deep-water microbes, which produce more extracellular enzymes (on a per-cell basis) than surface communities. The theory of marine gel formation provides a framework to unravel complex interactions between microbes and organic polymers. Recent data on the effects of hydrostatic pressure on microbial activities indicate that bathypelagic microbial activity is generally higher under in situ pressure conditions than at atmospheric pressures. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed a remarkable diversity of Bacteria in the bathypelagic ocean. Metagenomics and comparative genomics of piezophiles reveal not only the high diversity of deep sea microbes but also specific functional attributes of these piezophilic microbes, interpreted as an adaptation to the deep water environment. Taken together, the data compiled on bathypelagic microbes indicate that, despite high-pressure and low-temperature conditions, microbes in the bathypelagic ocean dynamically interact with complex mixtures of organic matter, responding to changes in the ocean’s biogeochemical state.     

Mesopelagic zone ecology and biogeochemistry – a synthesis

The mesopelagic zone is the oceanic region through which carbon and other elements must pass in order to reach deeper waters or the sea floor. However, the food web interactions that occur in the mesopelagic zone are difficult to measure and so, despite their crucial importance to global elemental cycles, are not very well known. Recent developments in technology and new approaches have advanced the study of the variability in and controls upon the distribution and diversity of organisms in the mesopelagic zone, including the roles of respiration, recycling, and repackaging of particulate and dissolved organic material. However, there are remarkably few syntheses of the ecology and biogeochemistry of the microbes and metazoa that permanently reside or habitually visit this ‘twilight zone’. Without this synthesis, it is difficult to assess the impact of ongoing changes in ocean hydrography and chemistry, due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, on the biological carbon pump. This paper reviews what is known about the distribution of microbes and metazoa in the mesopelagic zone in relation to their activity and impact on global biogeochemical cycles. Thus, gaps in our knowledge are identified and suggestions made for priority research programmes that will improve our ability to predict the effects of climate change on carbon sequestration.     

Design and functions of floating architecture – a review

Abstract

Floating facilities such as, floating islands, floating houses, industries and, entire cities are constructions for habitation, entertainment, industrial or commercial purposes, and infrastructures are built to float on fresh- or seawater. They can be floating on air-filled or light materials. Recent developments in the ocean show a trend of offshore constructions, which can be situated above deeper waters, further offshore. These can replace the development of reclaimed lands close to shore. Floating architecture provides certain advantages for the planning of sustainable design, such as: (a) a number of viable responses to the problem of rising sea level, (b) much-needed space replacing the lack of land for agriculture, for housing, and for commercial growth, (c) the creation of new and innovative tourist destinations, (d) a much smaller ecological footprint than land-based constructions, (e) the extension of city centers that are built near the coast; (f) the possibility of green planning at an unclaimed plot. We present here a review of existing floating architecture with different functions, from housing, entertainment, and food production to industrial purposes such as wind parks and desalinization plants.     

Mass-transport deposits and gas hydrate occurrences in the Ulleung Basin,East Sea – Part 2: Gas hydrate content and fracture-induced anisotropy

Mass-transport-deposits (MTDs) and hemipelagic mud interbedded with sandy turbidites are the main sedimentary facies in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, offshore Korea. The MTDs show similar seismic reflection characteristics to gas-hydrate-bearing sediments such as regional seismic blanking (absence of internal reflectivity) and a polarity reversed base-reflection identical to the bottom-simulating reflector (BSR). Drilling in 2007 in the Ulleung Basin recovered sediments within the MTDs that exhibit elevated electrical resistivity and P-wave velocity, similar to gas hydrate-bearing sediments. In contrast, hemipelagic mud intercalated with sandy turbidites has much higher porosity and correspondingly lower electrical resistivity and P-wave velocity.At drill-site UBGH1-4 the bottom half of one prominent MTD unit shows two bands of parallel fractures on the resistivity log-images indicating a common dip-azimuth direction of about ∼230° (strike of ∼140°). This strike-direction is perpendicular to the seismically defined flow-path of the MTD to the north-east. At Site UBGH1-14, the log-data suggest two zones with preferred fracture orientations (top: ∼250°, bottom: ∼130°), indicating flow-directions to the north-east for the top zone, and north-west for the bottom zone. The fracture patterns may indicate post-depositional sedimentation that gave rise to a preferred fracturing possibly linked to dewatering pathways. Alternatively, fractures may be related to the formation of pressure-ridges common within MTD units.For the interval of observed MTD units, the resistivity and P-wave velocity log-data yield gas hydrate concentrations up to ∼10% at Site UBGH1-4 and ∼25% at Site UBGH1-14 calculated using traditional isotropic theories such as Archie's law or effective medium modeling. However, accounting for anisotropic effects in the calculation to honor observed fracture patterns, the gas hydrate concentration is overall reduced to less than 5%. In contrast, gas hydrate was recovered at Site UBGH1-4 near the base of gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Log-data predict gas hydrate concentrations of 10–15% over an interval of 25 m above the base of GHSZ. The sediments of this interval are comprised of the hemipelagic mud and interbedded thin sandy turbidites, which did contain pore-filling gas hydrate as identified from pore-water freshening and core infra-red imaging. Seismically, this unit reveals a coherent parallel bedding character but has overall faint reflection amplitude. This gas-hydrate-bearing interval can be best mapped using a combination of regular seismic amplitude and seismic attributes such as Shale indicator, Parallel-bedding indicator, and Thin-bed indicator.     

Gas hydrate formation in compressional,extensional and un-faulted structural settings – Examples from New Zealand's Hikurangi margin

We investigate gas hydrate formation processes in compressional, extensional and un-faulted settings on New Zealand's Hikurangi margin using seismic reflection data. The compressional setting is characterized by a prominent subduction wedge thrust fault that terminates beneath the base of gas hydrate stability, as determined from a bottom-simulating reflection (BSR). The thrust is surrounded by steeply dipping strata that cross the BSR at a high angle. Above the BSR, these strata are associated with a high velocity anomaly that is likely indicative of relatively concentrated, and broadly distributed, gas hydrates. The un-faulted setting—sedimentary infill of a slope basin on the landward side of a prominent thrust ridge—is characterized by a strong BSR, a thick underlying free gas zone, and short positive polarity reflection segments that extend upward from the BSR. We interpret the short reflection segments as the manifestation of gas hydrates within relatively coarse-grained sediments. The extensional setting is a localized, shallow response to flexural bending of strata within an anticline. Gas has accumulated beneath the BSR in the apex of folding. A high-velocity zone directly above the BSR is probably mostly lithologically-derived, and only partly related to gas hydrates. Although each setting shows evidence for focused gas migration into the gas hydrate stability zone, we interpret that the compressional tectonic setting is most likely to contain concentrated gas hydrates over a broad region. Indeed, it is the only setting associated with a deep-reaching fault, meaning it is the most likely of the three settings to have thermogenic gas contributing to hydrate formation. Our results highlight the importance of anisotropic permeability in layered sediments and the role this plays in directing sub-surface fluid flow, and ultimately in the distribution of gas hydrate. Each of the three settings we describe would warrant further investigation in any future consideration of gas hydrates as an energy resource on the Hikurangi margin.     

Eelgrass beds and bare substrata – sparid and mugilid composition in contrasting littoral estuarine habitats

Seagrass beds serve as nursery grounds for many fish species and often play an important role in the juvenile stages of economically and recreationally important fishes. The eelgrass Zostera capensis is the dominant submerged macrophyte in permanently open South African estuaries and occupies large intertidal and subtidal areas within the Knysna system. The primary objective of this study was to compare the occurrence of sparids and mugilids in eelgrass and nearby bare sediment areas using sampling with seine nets. The hypothesis that was tested is that mugilids are dominant in unvegetated areas of the Knysna Estuary littoral whereas sparids predominate within eelgrass beds located in the same zone. The results indicate that the family Mugilidae is better represented at unvegetated sites when compared to members of the family Sparidae, with the exception of Lithognathus lithognathus, but that the dominant three sparids and dominant two mugilids were most abundant in sparse eelgrass beds that included both bare and vegetated areas within this habitat type. The main fish species responsible for the separation of fish assemblages associated with unvegetated sites versus those associated with vegetated areas were Rhabdosargus holubi, Liza dumerili, Liza richardsonii, Lithognathus lithognathus, Sarpa salpa and Diplodus capensis, with R. holubi, S. salpa and D. capensis being mainly attracted to eelgrass habitats and L. dumerili, L. richardsonii and L. lithognathus having a stronger affinity for bare areas. This finding confirms a previous estuarine study in the nearby Swartvlei lake littoral, which found that sparids dominated areas where aquatic macrophytes were extensive and that mugilids became more prevalent at those same sites when the macrophytes underwent complete senescence. The length-frequency distributions of some sparid and mugilid species differed considerably between eelgrass and bare sediment areas, whereas those of other species showed little or no difference between these two habitat types.     

Coccolithophorids on the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay – production,transport and contribution to mass fluxes

Coccoliths collected by sediment traps deployed on the slope of the Bay of Biscay (northeastern Atlantic), from June 1990 to August 1991, were examined to determine their contribution to the transport of carbonate on a mid-latitude continental margin. They also were used as tracers of particle transfer processes on this slope. Two traps located at 1900 m, respectively at 2300 (Mooring Site 1) and 3000 m (Mooring Site 2) water depths provided high-resolution (4–7 days) time-series samples covering a 14-month period at MS2 and a 3-month period at MS1. Coccoliths from 28 species were identified over the course of the experiment, among which Emiliania huxleyi was always dominant (relative abundance range: 59–93%). Total coccoliths number fluxes were high but variable, ranging from 390×10⁶ to 1610×10⁶ coccoliths m⁻² day⁻¹ at MS1, and from 58×10⁶ to 1500×10⁶ coccoliths m⁻² day⁻¹ at MS2. The time-weighted mean flux, calculated for the whole experiment at MS2, was 499×10⁶ coccoliths m⁻² day⁻¹. Estimate of coccoliths minimal contribution to total carbonate flux at 1900 m depth averaged 12%, which represented a weighted mean flux of 7.3 mg m⁻² day⁻¹ (2.7 g m⁻² yr⁻¹). Lateral transport of coccoliths resuspended from shelf and/or upper slope sediments seems to be the dominant transfer process to depth on this northeastern Atlantic slope. Nevertheless, the clear seasonal succession observed in the species composition implies that the deposition/resuspension/transport sequence is rapid (presumably less than a few months). Several short and unsmoothed signals directly issued from coccoliths bloom events also were recorded in our traps, a result that indicates rapid settling rates. The overall coccolith sedimentation processes appear as being quite diversified, but quantitative and qualitative analyses of aggregates collected by the traps suggest that they are important carriers of coccoliths in this margin environment.     

Origin and fate of particulate organic matter in the southern Beaufort Sea – Amundsen Gulf region,Canadian Arctic

To establish the relative importance of terrigenous and marine organic matter in the southern Beaufort Sea, we measured the concentrations and the stable isotopic compositions of organic carbon and total nitrogen in sediments and in settling particles intercepted by sediment traps. The organic carbon content of surface sediment in the Chukchi and southern Beaufort Seas ranged from 0.6 to 1.6% dry wt., without a clear geographical pattern. The C_ORG:N_TOT ratio ranged from 7.0 to 10.4 and did not vary significantly downcore at any one station. Values of δ¹³C_ORG and δ¹⁵N_TOT in the sediment samples were strongly correlated, with the highest values, indicative of a more marine contribution, in the Amundsen Gulf. In contrast, the organic matter content, elemental (C_ORG:N_TOT ratio) and isotopic (δ¹³C_ORG and δ¹⁵N_TOT) composition of the settling particles was different from and much more variable than in the bottom sediments. The isotopic signature of organic matter in the Beaufort Sea is well constrained by three distinct end-members: a labile marine component produced in situ by planktonic organisms, a refractory marine component, the end product of respiration and diagenesis, and a refractory terrigenous component. A three-component mixing model explains the scatter observed in the stable isotope signatures of the sediment trap samples and accommodates an apparent two-component mixing model of the organic matter in sediments. The suspended matter in the water column contains organic matter varying from essentially labile and marine to mostly refractory and terrigenous. As it settles through the water column, the labile marine organic matter is degraded, and its original stable isotope signature changes towards the signature of the marine refractory component. This process continues in the bottom sediment with the result that the sedimentary organic matter becomes dominated by the refractory terrigenous and marine components.     

Radon and radium isotopes as tracers of submarine groundwater discharge – Results from the Ubatuba,Brazil SGD assessment intercomparison

We determined groundwater flow rates shortly after the wet season into an embayment near Ubatuba, Brazil as part of an international intercomparison experiment for submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) assessment techniques. Our estimated rates were determined by the combined use of continuous radon measurements and assessment of radium isotope patterns. The spatial distribution of the short-lived radium isotopes (²²³Ra and ²²⁴Ra) provided the means for independent evaluations of radon losses by mixing and atmospheric evasion. We were thus able to construct a well-constrained mass balance for radon that included a groundwater flux term. Our results showed that the groundwater discharge into this embayment from the fractured crystalline rock aquifer is not steady-state but varies with tidal modulation and rain-induced forcing. Tidally modulated and rain-induced flow rates were comparable during this period. The SGD rates estimated from radon ranged from 1 cm/day to 29 cm/day (cm³/cm² day) with a mean and standard deviation of 13 ± 6 cm/day. These estimates were mostly similar to a dye-dilution automatic seepage meter (15 ± 19 cm/day) and were within the broad ranges estimated by manual and continuous heat seepage meters but lower than indicated by an artificial tracer test performed nearshore.     

Integrating structural geology and petroleum systems modeling – A pilot project from Bolivia's fold and thrust belt

For the first time, a new approach to petroleum systems analysis is presented which allows full integration of tectonic and palinspastic restoration with three-dimensional (3D), PVT-controlled, multi-component, three-phase petroleum migration analysis through time. A systematic modeling study has been applied to a study area dominated by fold and thrust belts located in the Sub Andean orogeny near Tarija, Bolivia. The project has been performed with a special focus on the simulation technique and on the correct distribution of temperature, source-rock maturity and pressure development through time with reference to its input data. This is the first pilot project presenting a 3D numerical model in a compressional structural regime to which the basin modeling approach has been applied to explain the observed distribution of temperature, pressure, maturity and petroleum accumulations in general.     

Artificial reef effect and fouling impacts on offshore wave power foundations and buoys – a pilot study

Little is known about the effects of offshore energy installations on the marine environment, and further research could assist in minimizing environmental risks as well as in enhancing potential positive effects on the marine environment. While biofouling on marine energy conversion devices on one hand has the potential to be an engineering concern, these structures can also affect biodiversity by functioning as artificial reefs. The Lysekil Project is a test park for wave power located at the Swedish west coast. Here, buoys acting as point absorbers on the surface are connected to generators anchored on concrete foundations on the seabed. In this study we investigated the colonisation of foundations by invertebrates and fish, as well as fouling assemblages on buoys. We examined the influence of surface orientation of the wave power foundations on epibenthic colonisation, and made observations of habitat use by fish and crustaceans during three years of submergence. We also examined fouling assemblages on buoys and calculated the effects of biofouling on the energy absorption of the wave power buoys. On foundations we demonstrated a succession in colonisation over time with a higher degree of coverage on vertical surfaces. Buoys were dominated by the blue mussel Mytilus edulis. Calculations indicated that biofouling have no significant effect in the energy absorption on a buoy working as a point absorber. This study is the first structured investigation on marine organisms associated with wave power devices.     

Sedimentological analysis and reservoir characterization of a multi-darcy,billion barrel oil field – The Upper Jurassic shallow marine sandstones of the Johan Sverdrup field,North Sea,Norway

The estimated in-place hydrocarbon volume of the giant Johan Sverdrup field is 3.5 billion barrels of oil, the bulk of which is contained in the Upper Jurassic intra-Draupne Formation sandstone. The intra-Draupne Formation sandstone is composed of unusually coarse grained siliciclastic sediments, with an average net/gross of 97% and average porosity of 28%. The median core permeability ranges from 0.5 to 40 Darcies in individual wells, and may reach even higher values based on drill stem testing.The reservoir is interpreted to be a time-transgressive sheet sand, ranging from 2 to 38 m in thickness and covering an area of more than 200 km². Vertical and lateral facies and grain size trends, combined with biostratigraphy and palaeocurrent indicators, are interpreted to demonstrate a westward onlapping, transgressive shoreface depositional system, with local fan delta input.Reservoir properties vary significantly across the field and relative to facies association. In terms of permeability, the upper and lower shoreface associations in the Avaldsnes High area in the east show the highest median values of 25–27 Darcies. The upper and lower shoreface associations in the Augvald Graben area to the west show median values of 15 and 21 Darcies, respectively. The lowest values are observed in the transgressive shoreline, fan delta and spiculitic shoreface associations, i.e. 8 Darcies, 2 Darcies and 0.1 Darcies, respectively. The latter two facies associations are restricted to local areas in the west and northwest.The coarse grain size, lack of fines, scarcity of cementation and extensive sheet-like distribution of siliciclastic sediments make the intra-Draupne Formation sandstone an ideal reservoir. The depositional model presented in this paper may be used as an analogue when exploring for similar, high quality, shallow marine reservoir sands.     

Acoustic habitat and shellfish mapping and monitoring in shallow coastal water – Sidescan sonar experiences in The Netherlands

Sidescan sonar has been applied in a number of shallow water environments along the Dutch coast to map and monitor shellfish and seabed habitats. The littoral setting of these surveys may hamper data acquisition flying the towfish in zones of turbulence and waves, but also offers valuable opportunities for understanding, interpreting and validating sidescan sonar images because of the ability to ground-truth during low water periods, enabling easy identification and validation. Acoustical images of some of the mussel banks on the tidal flats of the Wadden Sea, recorded at high tide, show a marked resemblance with optical Google Earth images of the same banks. These sonar images may thus serve as ‘acoustic type signatures’ for the interpretation of sonar patterns recorded in deeper water where ground-truthing is more difficult and more expensive. Similarly, acoustic type signatures of (Japanese) oyster banks were obtained in the estuaries in the southwest of the Netherlands.