Predictive Model of Sediment Distribution and Stratigraphic Traps Along Salt Structures: Insights from Outcrop Analogs

Stratigraphic traps in salt controlled minibasins are attractive exploration targets for the hydrocarbon industry and for Carbon Capture Storage projects. However, predicting sediment dispersal patterns and thus, stratigraphic traps along salt structures is a major challenge. In addition to classic controlling factors for sediment supply and distribution (eustasy, tectonics, climate) the interplay with growing salt structures adds another level of complexity. Drastic spatial facies change very often occur at very small distances (<250m), especially near the salt structure. In order to characterize in great detail reservoir facies distribution inside salt controlled minibasins, we have compiled and synthetized sedimentological and stratigraphical data from world-class outcrop analogs (i.e. Sivas basin, Turkey; the Paradox basin, United States; the southern Pyrenees, Spain; La Popa basin, Mexico). This study highlights remarkable tendencies that enable to link specific halokinetic geometries with a typical sediment distribution. A new model is proposed with improved prediction capacity of sediment distribution and stratigraphic trap occurrence using diagnostic halokinetic geometries.