Geological Process Simulation in 3-D Lithofacies Modeling: Application in a Basin Floor Fan Setting

This work examines the impact of forward stratigraphic modeling on lithofacies representation in a 3-D volume by integrating data from geological process simulations and real well logs. The complex depositional architecture, and property variation in basin floor fan systems highlights the need for modeling techniques that capture heterogeneity to improve subsurface property prediction away from known data. Geological process simulation enhances our understanding of sediment distribution in a defined 3-D geological system. The workflow involves: (1) replication of depositional patterns in a basinal fan setting using the Geological Process Modeling (GPMTM) software, (2) lithofacies classification from sediment grain distribution, and turbid water velocity in the geological process model, and (3) generation of lithofacies proportion maps and vertical trends from simulated geobodies; to serve as an additional conditioning parameter in facies modeling. The simulation produced sediment distribution patterns, lobe switching and stacking features that are characteristic in turbidites settings. The impact on lithofacies representation was assessed using a Net-to-Gross analysis of actual and process-based sedimentological logs, with a good match found between process-based, and actual-data facies model in several well locations. These results lead us to suggest that; the geological process simulation approach can improve inter-well facies property prediction in a basin floor fan setting.