TURBIDITE TECHNICAL CHALLENGES IN THE DEEPWATER GULF OF MEXICO

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Abstract
A descriptive reservoir classification was used to characterize the turbidite sands encountered at Prospect Mars, a significant Gulf of Mexico deep water oil discovery made under joint partnership with Shell Offshore Incorporated and British Petroleum Incorporated. External reservoir geometries observed from seismic data and internal fill characteristics from wireline logs and whole core form the basis for subdividing turbidite sands into three major categories: 1) thin-bedded channel levee and overbank sediments, 2) channel-fill complexes, and 3) sheet sands. This classification scheme was implemented to link the various scales of investigation obtained from the subsurface with details of reservoir architecture determined from turbidite outcrop studies. In this manner, characteristics of sand continuity and connectivity at the outcrop scale can be incorporated with observations from seismic and well control toward more accurately predicting reservoir performance and field development strategy. Depositional models were constructed for each significant turbidite sand package using this reservoir classification. The majority of reservoirs are described as sheet sands. Minor portions of the basin fill represent channel-fill complexes. Three depositional models are presented to illustrate the style of deposition at Mars and the utility of this classification scheme. Development drilling is currently underway using these depositional models as a framework for field exploitation.