Seismic-based paleoenvironmental reconstructions of carbonate systems: Pitfalls, limitations and perspectives - Reply to the comments on "Development patterns of an isolated oligo-mesophotic carbonate buildup, early Miocene, Yadana field, offshore Myanmar" by Teillet et al. (2020), authored by Paumard et al. (2020). (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Teillet, T.; Fournier, F.; Borgomano, J.; Montaggioni, L.
• Is Part Of: Marine and petroleum geology. Volume 124(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Carbonates -- Seismic interpretation -- Seismic geomophology -- Seismic attributes -- Reflection patterns -- Yadana; Submarine geology -- Periodicals; Petroleum -- Geology -- Periodicals; Géologie sous-marine -- Périodiques; Pétrole -- Géologie -- Périodiques; Petroleum -- Geology; Submarine geology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 551.468
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104816
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8172

Abstract

Abstract: The comments raised by Paumard et al. (2020) led us to identify some pitfalls and limitations regarding the use of seismic geomorphology and seismic stratigraphy for paleoenvironmental reconstructions of carbonate systems and to add some clarifications on the Teillet et al. (2020a) depositional model. The comparison of the paleoenvironmental predictions by Paumard et al. (2017) with core data revealed severe inconsistencies which are due to the diachronous nature of the seismic horizon from which attribute map was computed and to the omission of fluid effects on seismic expression. In addition, detailed well-to-seismic ties revealed also that chronostratigraphic well-correlations using seismic data should be considered with caution when vertical seismic resolution is reduced (>20 m). Regarding the development pattern of the Yadana platform, we consider that the platform backstepping evidenced from seismic is not is in contradiction with the lack of deepening upward trend on platform top revealed by cores. The existence of a euphotic carbonate factory in Yadana cannot be ruled out. From the available dataset such a putative carbonate production would be reduced and/or exported out of the western Yadana platform. Finally, we propose a general workflow for better integrating seismic reflection patterns and attributes in the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of strongly diagenetized carbonate reservoirs which are imaged by low to moderate resolution (>20 m) seismic datasets. Highlights: Core to seismic-tie shows the invalidity of the seismic-based paleoenvironmental reconstructions by Paumard et al., 2017. Core calibration is needed, in buried and strongly diagenetized carbonate reservoirs with variable fluid content. Apparent lithostratigraphic correlations are the consequence of changing paleoceanographic conditions through times. Yadana platform backstepping is not in contradiction with the lack of deepening upward trend evidenced from cores. A workflow of 3D paleoenvironmental reconstructions integrating cores and well-logs and seismic geomorphology is proposed.