Simultaneous seismic inversion study for channel sandstone identification, northern part of the Eastern Shelf, King County, North-Central Texas

What is it about?

Channel sandstone deposits are important economic resources. Channels are the pathways through which sands are delivered to the slope and basin (ocean floor). We used a geophysical method called simultaneous seismic inversion to image channel sandstones that were deposited on the slope and basin areas during the Wolfcampian millions of years ago in King County, Texas, USA. The method is based on subsurface reflected seismic signals which are recorded at the surface by special instruments called seismometers. After further manipulation, the signals are turned into interpretable information. Our results demonstrate where the channel entered the basin and separated into smaller several channels called distributaries to deposit the sands and formed a delta.

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Photo by Matt Benson on Unsplash

Photo by Matt Benson on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Channel sandstones are important because they constitute major subsurface storage (reservoir) for hydrocarbons (oil and gas), and (aquifer) for groundwater. Oil and gas are critical ingredients that drive our economy. So also, is groundwater, which we cannot do without. Therefore, successful search for subsurface channel sandstone deposits implies successful exploration for oil, gas, and water, provided the sandstones were deposited at the right locations where the hydrocarbon and water can be trapped.

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