CATS – A process-based model for turbulent turbidite systems at the reservoir scale

Vanessa Teles (1) , Benoit Chauveau (1) , Philippe Joseph (1) , Pierre Weill (2) , Fakher Maktouf (1)

1 IFPEN - IFP Energies nouvelles
2 M2C - Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière

The Cellular Automata for Turbidite systems (CATS) model is intended to simulate the fine architecture and facies distribution of turbidite reservoirs with a multi-event and process-based approach. The main processes of low-density turbulent turbidity flow are modeled: downslope sediment-laden flow, entrainment of ambient water, erosion and deposition of several distinct lithologies. This numerical model, derived from (Salles, 2006; Salles et al., 2007), proposes a new approach based on the Rouse concentration profile to consider the flow capacity to carry the sediment load in suspension. In CATS, the flow distribution on a given topography is modeled with local rules between neighboring cells (cellular automata) based on potential and kinetic energy balance and diffusion concepts. Input parameters are the initial flow parameters and a 3D topography at depositional time. An overview of CATS capabilities in different contexts is presented and discussed.

Mots clés: Process-based model; Numerical simulation; Turbidite; Rouse number; Reservoir; Cellular automata

Domaines: Stratigraphie

Vanessa Teles, Benoit Chauveau, Philippe Joseph, Pierre Weill, Fakher Maktouf. CATS – A process-based model for turbulent turbidite systems at the reservoir scale. Comptes Rendus Géoscience, 2016, 348 (7), pp.489-498. ⟨10.1016/j.crte.2016.03.002⟩. ⟨hal-01396936⟩