Controls on aeolian bed-set architecture and implications for reservoir heterogeneity

This research has developed novel techniques to reconstruct a variety of aeolian dune architectures using subsurface datasets, supplemented by outcrop studies and data from analogous modern aeolian systems. These methods demonstrate the ability to reconstruct larger-scale aeolian architectural elements in the subsurface, aeolian bedform geometries, regional reservoir stratigraphic heterogeneity, and original bedform morphology and style of migration. Once the original bedform morphology and style of migration has been determined, three-dimensional forward stratigraphic models have been developed which enable the reconstruction of the three-dimensional spatial arrangements of sets, internal facies arrangements, quantitative estimates of three-dimensional sand-body geometries, and likely geometry and degree of interconnectivity of net reservoir facies. This research has additionally investigated predictable responses in well log data (e.g. dipmeter data) for a variety of aeolian bedform types to determine original bedform morphology. The effect that original bedform morphology has on the overall reservoir quality of a volume through the interpretation of facies distributions, net reservoir calculations and connectivity has also been explored.