Effects of water level fluctuation on sedimentary characteristics and reservoir architecture of a lake, river dominated delta

• Published in: Journal of Central South University 2016-11, Vol.23 (11), p.2958-2971
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yang, Qiu, Long-wei, Yang, Bao-liang, Li, Ji, Wang, Ye-lei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical elements; Civil; Energy and Traffic Engineering; Engineering; Geological; Metallic Materials; Outcrops; Reservoirs; Sand; Sediments; Vertical distribution; Water depth; Water level fluctuations
• ISSN: 2095-2899; 2227-5223
• DOI: 10.1007/s11771-016-3360-1

The hydrodynamic conditions present in a river delta’s formation are a highly important factor in the variation between its sedimentary regulation and characteristics. In the case of the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta, water level fluctuations and fluviation, are both important controlling factors of the sedimentary characteristics and reservoir architecture. To discuss the effects of water level fluctuation on sediment characteristics and reservoir architecture of this delta, the Fangniugou section in the east of the Songliao Basin was selected for study. Based on an outcrop investigation of the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta, combining with an analysis of the major and trace chemical elements in the sediments to determine the relative water depth, through architecture bounding surfaces and lithofacies division, sedimentary microfacies recognition and architectural element research, this work illustrated the effects of water level fluctuation on the reservoir architecture and established sedimentary models for the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta under various water level conditions. The results show that there are 8 lithofacies in the Fangniugou section. The fan delta front, which is the main object of this study, develops four sedimentary microfacies that include the underwater distributary channel, river mouth bar, sheet sand and interdistributary bay. The effects of water level fluctuation on different orders geographic architecture elements are respectively reflected in the vertical combination of the composite sand bodies, the plane combination of the single sand bodies, the particle size changes in the vertical of hyperplasia in the single sand body, the coset and lamina. In the case of the sand body development of the petroliferous basin, varying water level conditions and research locations resulted in significant variation in the distribution and combination of the sand bodies in the lacustrine basin.