Use of novel high-resolution 3D marine seismic technology to evaluate Quaternary fluvial valley development and geologic controls on shallow gas distribution, inner shelf, Gulf of Mexico
The first deployment of the P-Cable™ high-resolution 3D (HR3D) seismic acquisition system in the Gulf of Mexico has provided unprecedented resolution of depositional, architectural, and structural features related to relative sea-level change recorded in the Quaternary stratigraphy. These details are typically beyond conventional 3D seismic resolution and/or excluded from commercial surveys, which are generally optimized for deeper targets. Such HR3D data are valuable for detailed studies of reservoir analogs, sediment delivery systems, fluid-migration systems, and geotechnical hazard assessment (i.e., drilling and infrastructure). The HR3D survey ([Formula: see text]) collected on the inner shelf ([Formula: see text] water depth) offshore San Luis Pass, Texas, imaged the upper 500 m of stratigraphy using peak frequency of 150 Hz and [Formula: see text] bin size. These data provided an exceptionally well-imaged example of shallow subsurface depositional system and stratigraphic architecture development during a lowstand period. The system evolved from a meandering channel with isolated point-bar deposits to a transgressive estuary characterized by dendritic erosional features that were eventually flooded. In addition, HR3D data have identified a previously unidentified seismically discontinuous zone interpreted to be a gas chimney system emanating from a tested (drilled) nonproductive, three-way structure in the lower Miocene (1.5 km depth). Within the shallowest intervals ([Formula: see text]) and at the top of the chimney zone, seismic attribute analysis revealed several high-amplitude anomalies up to [Formula: see text]. The anomalies were interpreted as reaccumulated thermogenic gas, and their distribution conforms to the stratigraphy and structure of the Quaternary interval, in that they occupy local fault-bounded footwall highs within remnant coarser-grained interfluvial zones, which are overlain by finer grained, transgressive deposits.