Title

Grain-size variability within a mega-scale point-bar system, False River, Louisiana

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2019

Abstract

© 2018 The Authors. Sedimentology © 2018 International Association of Sedimentologists Point bars formed by meandering river systems are an important class of sedimentary deposit and are of significant economic interest as hydrocarbon reservoirs. Standard point-bar models of how the internal sedimentology varies are based on the structure of small-scale systems with little information about the largest complexes and how these might differ. Here a very large point bar (>25·0 m thick and 7·5 × 13·0 km across) on the Mississippi River (USA) was examined. The lithology and grain-size characteristics at different parts of the point bar were determined by using a combination of coring and electrical conductivity logging. The data confirm that there is a general fining up-section along most parts of the point bar, with a well-defined transition from massive medium-grained sands below about 9 to 11 m depth up into interbedded silts and fine–medium sand sediment (inclined heterolithic strata). There is also a poorly defined increase in sorting quality at the transition level. Massive medium sands are especially common in the region of the channel bend apex and regions upstream of that point. Downstream of the meander apex, there is much less evidence for fining up-section. Finer sediment accumulated more readily after the establishment of a compound bar in the later stages of construction, at the terminal apex and in the bar tail. This work implies that the best reservoir sands are likely to be located in the centre of the point bar, deposited in a simple bar system. Reservoir quality decreases towards the bar edge. The early-stage channel plug is largely composed of coarsening-upward cycles of silt to clay and is dominated by clay and clayey silt material with poor reservoir characteristics.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Sedimentology

First Page

408

Last Page

434

This document is currently not available here.

COinS