A review of stratigraphic simulation techniques and their applications in sequence stratigraphy and basin analysis

Abstract

Stratigraphic simulation is a modelling methodology that can be used for exploration purposes to understand the key factors (sea-level change, subsidence, sediment supply rate) that control the stratigraphic geometries and architecture of a basin. Its application offers many advantages to scientists and researchers, as it provides a useful platform for analyzing and unraveling the complexities of sequence stratigraphy and basin development. A stratigraphic simulator models the stratal patterns of basins in various tectonic settings, such as in passive margins, foreland basins, retroarc foreland basins, interarc basins, remnant ocean basins, growth-faulted deltaic basins, and basins with salt diapirs. It enhances biostratigraphic interpretation by providing age constraints on stratal boundaries identified through sequence stratigraphic interpretation. This can lead to a systematic prediction of other geological aspects such as the distribution of source rocks, seals, and reservoirs. Furthermore, it may also lead to the identification of new accumulations or reservoirs within existing oil and gas fields. One type of stratigraphic simulation that is often used is a "forward stratigraphic simulation". This forward modelling method is usually applied to predict sediment distribution of a basin. In this paper, four simulation techniques (CSM, SEDPAK, DIONISOS, and SEDSIM) and their applications are presented. The models are typically applied to verify and infer the potential for hydrocarbon entrapment and accumulation in the basin. For this reason, stratigraphic simulation is useful for petroleum exploration and development. The simulation models are also useful as teaching tools for young geologists.

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Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia 54 (2008) 81 – 89, doi: 10.7186/bgsm2008014
A review of stratigraphic simulation techniques and their
applications in sequence stratigraphy and basin analysis
Ku Ra f i d a h Ku Sh a f i e * & Ma z l a n Ma d o n
Group Research, Research & Technology Division, PETRONAS,
Kawasan Institusi Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
*E-mail address: kuradah@petronas.com.my
Abstract— Stratigraphic simulation is a modelling methodology that can be used for exploration purposes to understand
the key factors (sea-level change, subsidence, sediment supply rate) that control the stratigraphic geometries and
architecture of a basin. Its application offers many advantages to scientists and researchers, as it provides a useful
platform for analyzing and unraveling the complexities of sequence stratigraphy and basin development. A stratigraphic
simulator models the stratal patterns of basins in various tectonic settings, such as in passive margins, foreland basins,
retroarc foreland basins, interarc basins, remnant ocean basins, growth-faulted deltaic basins, and basins with salt diapirs.
It enhances biostratigraphic interpretation by providing age constraints on stratal boundaries identied through sequence
stratigraphic interpretation. This can lead to a systematic prediction of other geological aspects such as the distribution of
source rocks, seals, and reservoirs. Furthermore, it may also lead to the identication of new accumulations or reservoirs
within existing oil and gas elds.
One type of stratigraphic simulation that is often used is a “forward stratigraphic simulation”. This forward modelling
method is usually applied to predict sediment distribution of a basin. In this paper, four simulation techniques (CSM,
SEDPAK, DIONISOS, and SEDSIM) and their applications are presented. The models are typically applied to verify and
infer the potential for hydrocarbon entrapment and accumulation in the basin. For this reason, stratigraphic simulation
is useful for petroleum exploration and development. The simulation models are also useful as teaching tools for young
geologists.
Keywords: stratigraphic simulation, stratigraphic modelling, basin analysis
INTRODUCTION
Stratigraphic simulation or stratigraphic modeling is a
computer modeling technique used in sequence stratigraphic
and basin analysis to understand the depositional sequence
geometries and stratigraphic architecture of a sedimentary
basin. The technique allows the geoscientist to model stratal
patterns in various tectonic settings, such as passive margins
and foreland basins, as well as the sedimentary architecture
associated with different structural settings, such as growth
faulting and salt diapirism (Bowman et al., 2002). It can
enhance biostratigraphic interpretation by providing age
constraints for the stratal geometries in sequence stratigraphic
interpretation. Furthermore, it may also help identify new
reservoirs within existing oil and gas elds.
Stratigraphic simulation investigates the key factors that
control the sedimentation in a basin. These factors include the
rates of subsidence and uplift, changes in eustatic sea level,
and changes in the rates and directions of sediment supply
(Figure 1). A potentially useful application of stratigraphic
simulation is as a means of validating seismic sequence
stratigraphic interpretation and predicting main controlling
factors in the identied sequences.
Most stratigraphic simulation techniques use the “forward
modelling” approach, in which the basin stratigraphic
development is simulated using a set of pre-determined
parameters, such as basin topography, water depth, sea-level
change, and sediment ux into the basin. A common application
of this type of model is in petroleum exploration, to predict
the distribution of source and reservoir rocks. In a typical
petroleum exploration application, a basin simulation requires
the following main geologic inputs: (1) depth-converted
seismically dened sequence boundaries, (2) sequence
boundary ages and paleo-water depth proles derived from
biostratigraphic analysis, (3) lithologic distribution dened in
well logs, and (4) sand distribution interpreted from seismic
character variations (e.g. Bowman et al., 2002). The results
of simulation are then compared with the actual seismic
interpretation. Hence, stratigraphic simulation also provides
a means of validating the seismic interpretation and rening
our geological model (Figure 2).
The objective of this paper is to review the main
stratigraphic simulation techniques available in the
market (including the freeware packages on the Internet).
This technology may prove to be one of the key areas
of developments within the petroleum industry, because
of its predictive potential in petroleum exploration and
development applications. Much of the information in this
review is obtained from a survey of the relevant internet
websites, as well as the more traditional source of information
such as books and journals. A reference list of the public
domain literature is given at the end of this paper.

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82
FACTORS THAT CONTROL SEQUENCE
GEOMETRIES
Three major factors (sea-level change, sediment
supply rate, and tectonic subsidence/uplift) have strong
effects on stratigraphic geometries in basins (Figure 1).
The relative importance of these factors is determined by
examining the stratigraphic response in the stratigraphic
simulator as those different parameters are changed.
Sea-level uctuations control the sedimentation patterns
in a basin, such as the stratal geometries and associated stratal
terminations (onlap, downlap and toplap). Any change in
the relative sea level will affect the accommodation space
available for sediment deposition. Allen & Allen (1990)
discussed four possible factors that are associated with global
sea-level changes. Firstly, change in the volume of water
in the oceans may happen due to continued differentiation
of lithospheric materials resulting from plate tectonic
processes. Second, the volumetric capacity of the ocean
basin may change due to sediment accumulation or by
sediment extraction. Third, the volumetric capacity of the
ocean basin may also change as a result of volume changes
in the mid-ocean ridge systems. Finally, the reduction of
available water that is locked up in polar ice caps and
glaciers may also induce changes in global sea level. All
of these factors play essential roles in shaping the sediment
ll of basins.
In areas of positive crustal topography, rocks will
undergo mechanical weathering such as erosion. Through
this process, rocks will be eroded into sediment and be
transported into low areas of subsidence (basins). The rate
of sediment supply of a basin is controlled by topographic,
climate/vegetation, and oceanographic factors.
Tectonic subsidence is a mechanism that creates an
accommodation space in a basin, i.e. the space available
for sediment to accumulate. In areas of high subsidence
rates, larger accommodation space is generated and vice
versa. The available space can be lled by sediments.
The accommodation space in basins is created through a
continuous process of subsidence, either by lithospheric
loading, lithospheric stretching or extension, strike-slip
faulting, or gravitational collapse. Isostasy is the key
mechanism that drives subsidence. This mechanism responds
to compositional changes in the crust or mantle, heating and
cooling of the lithosphere, and crustal or sediment loading
on the lithosphere. Stratigraphic simulation investigates the
effect of tectonic subsidence on the accommodation space
and the development of sediment ll.
EXAMPLES OF STRATIGRAPHIC SIMULATION
TECHNIQUES
CSM Stratigraphic Simulation Techniques
The CSM suites of stratigraphic simulators comprise
separate packages that are used for different sedimentary
environments, from non-marine through shelf to deep
marine. They were all developed at the Colorado School of
Mines, USA. The following is a summary of the simulators
in the CSM suite.
(1) The 2D Non-marine to Shelf Model (CSM 2D)
The CSM 2D is developed by Margaret Lessenger, a
researcher from the Department of Geology and Geological
Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, USA. The
model simulates stratigraphic processes and responses
for continental, shoreface, and shoreface environments.
It generates a topographic slope of different environment
due to changes in base level, accommodation space, and
sediment supply. It supports faulting and other subdivisions
into a tectonic block. This model has a exure algorithm
for isostatic compensation of sediment and water loads.
However, the CSM model has three limitations: (1) it
does not simulate grain size, (2) it does not simulate tidal
processes but only wave processes, and (3) it is only a 2D
simulation.
(2) The 3D Carbonate Model (CSM Carbsim)
Carbsim simulation is primarily developed by Taizhong
Duan, one of the geoscientists from the Department of
Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado
School of Mines. In general, Carbsim is a purely carbonate
model. Its function is based on energy and sediment ux. It
deals with basins and reservoirs in space that are up to 10
million years duration. It is able to examine the sources and
Figure 1: The main objective of stratigraphic simulation is to study
the relative importance of the three primary factors controlling
sequence development and stratigraphic geometries: sediment
supply, subsidence/uplift, and sea-level change.
Figure 2: A possible workow for stratigraphic simulation
application in a petroleum exploration environment.

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distributions of kinetic energy in the carbonate depositional
system. An example of the kinetic energy distribution,
which is related to wind-driven waves and oceanic swells,
is shown in Figure 3.
Carbsim is able to show the relationships between three
important factors; (1) carbonate productivity, (2) kinetic
energy, and (3) water depth. Carbonate productivity depends
on many factors such as the light intensity, temperature,
nutrient, salinity, oxygen and the clay content. Water depth
can affect the light intensity, temperature, nutrient, oxygen
and the salinity. The distribution of kinetic energy can also
affect the nutrient, salinity and the oxygen in the water.
Therefore, it is important to see these relationships. Figure
4 shows the relationship between carbonate productivity,
kinetic energy, and water depth in the carbonate depositional
system.
Carbsim simulation can be applied to understand the
effects of sea-level changes on the geometry of sedimentary
packages. Figure 5a shows the initial topography and sea
level before beginning the simulation. On the other hand,
Figure 5b shows an image of a complete simulation to
observe the true 3D behaviors of a carbonate system. The
image shows evolution of a ramp to a platform and the
variation of 3D lithofacies volume.
The color distinctions represent the lithofacies variations
in an arbitrary carbonate system. These variations are divided
by the differences in water depth and the distributions of
kinetic energy. Red, light yellow, dark yellow and orange
colors represent the facies at the water depths of less than
200 meters. The colors of red, light yellow, dark yellow
and orange represent the facies that are arranged in order
of decreasing kinetic energy. The colors of green and blue
represent the facies at the water depth exceeding 200 meters.
In terms of kinetic energy, green is higher than blue.
(3) The 3D Deepwater Model (CSM Turbsim)
Turbsim model is developed by Margaret Lessenger, a
researcher from the Department of Geology and Geological
Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Turbsim
simulates the transport and deposition of sediment in the
deepwater turbidite system. It conserves mass and simulates
the realistic stratigraphic conguration. It provides output
properties such as the thickness, grain size, depositional
facies, porosity, and permeability (Cross & Lessenger,
1999). Turbsim outputs of 3D geometry of depositional
Figure 3: The kinetic energy sources and distributions in the
carbonate depositional environment displayed by the Carbsim
model.
Figure 4: Carbonate productivity curves as a function of kinetic
energy and water depth. From Carbsim Model Demonstration.
Figure 5: (A) An image of initial
topography and sea level before
beginning the Carbsim simulation.
(B) A complete s imulati on by
Carbsim to observe a true 3D
behavior of a carbonate system. From
Carbsim Model Demonstration.
facies and grain size distributions for petrophysical models
are displayed in Figure 6.
Turbsim creates topographic compensation at all scales
and allow a plane view of bathymetry. The compensation
images are illustrated in Figure 7. The upper image shows
the compensation of fans while the lower image shows
the compensations of individual ows and lobes (Cross &
Lessenger, 1999).
SEDPAK MODEL
SEDPAK is a 2D forward stratigraphic simulation
program developed by Christopher Kendall and his
Stratigraphic Modeling Group at the University of

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South Carolina, USA. This empirical model honors
mass conservation, and the program is based on simple
geometric rules that govern gradients and stacking patterns
of sedimentary strata (Liu et al., 1998).
The SEDPAK program simulates the 2D geometry
of sequence depositions for both clastic and carbonate
depositions. The simulation allows the tracking of the
evolution of the sedimentary ll of a basin by considering
principally four major geological factors: eustasy, tectonic
movement, sediment accumulation, and the initial and
evolving basin geometry. Besides those main factors,
SEDPAK also models additional inuences on sediment
geometries including water depth, erosion of previously
deposited sediments, faulting, compaction of sediments,
and the isostatic response of the basin to sediment loading
(Csato & Kendall, 2002).
The program is able to dene the chronostratigraphic
framework for the deposited sediments. In addition,
it provides the illustration of the relationship between
sequences and system tracts observed in cores, outcrop,
well, and seismic data (Kendall et al., 1991). The results
from the simulation can be analyzed to nd the best match
with the existing data (cores, outcrop, well, and seismic).
This certainly can lead to a systematic prediction of other
geological aspects such as the identication of source rocks,
seals, and reservoirs.
Since SEDPAK is a freeware program that works
in Linux, we have downloaded the program to assess its
usability in simulating basin geometries. SEDPAK can
be utilized by setting up various input data including an
initial basin surface, a sea-level curve, sediment input rates
and basin subsidence rates. A number of user-specied
depositional parameters for clastic sediments, for instance,
alluvial and submarine depositional angles, bypass angles,
depositional distance, and various carbonate parameters are
available in the program
The output of SEDPAK includes two 2D diagrams
with various different modes of displays such as lithology
ratios (sandstone, shale, and carbonate fractions), facies,
chronostratigraphy, stratigraphic units, and burial history.
The facies output can be dened in a number of ways
such as paleo-water depths, distances from paleo-shoreline,
percentages of certain lithofacies and porosity of certain
lithofacies. The facies output can also be dened by
combining several of these factors (Cannon et al., 1994).
The examples of SEDPAK output for a hypothetical basin
are demonstrated in Figures 8 to 10.
A few assumptions have to be made when applying
SEDPAK program in stratigraphic simulation. Those
assumptions include: (1) controlling factors (sea-level
changes, sediment supply rates, and subsidence rates) will
vary independently, (2) subsidence events due to compaction
and tectonic are handled by SEDPAK separately, (3) clastic
deposition is assumed to occur before carbonate deposition
and the sediments are deposited as lithologic ratios (i.e.,
sand to shale ratios), (4) during deposition sediments can
be removed or added simultaneously to the sediment supply
in order to be deposited further into the basin, (5) carbonate
accumulation is dependent on water depth and time, and (6)
tectonic movement is only modeled vertically in which it
substitutes for the combined effects of crustal cooling and
the isostatic response to sediment loading.
Figure 6: Turbsim outputs 3D geometry of depositional facies and grain size distributions for petrophysical models. From Turbsim
Model Demonstration.

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Figure 7: Turbsim images of topographic compensations (fans, individual ows, and lobes).
From Turbsim Model Demonstration.
Figure 8: SEDPAK nal output of hypothetical basin (deepwater setting) that displays
lithologic ratio of sand and shale. The numbers on the stratigraphy mark the age of the
deposition.
Figure 9: SEDPAK nal output of hypothetical basin that displays different sequences.
The color of the individual sequence corresponds to the color on the sea level curve on
the right.
Figure 10: The SEDPAK output of hypothetical basin that displays the chronostratigraphic
chart with lithologic characteristics.

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DIONISOS
DIONISOS (Diffusion Oriented- Normal and Inverse –
Simulation of Sedimentation) is a 3D numerical stratigraphic
forward model developed by the Institut Français du Pétrole.
The model is based on a water-driven diffusion methodology,
which allows the simulation of erosion, transport, and
sedimentation process in continental and shallow marine
environments.
DIONISOS simulates sediment transport based on
two sets of fundamental equations in order to regenerate
the interaction between the long-term evolution of
sedimentary process (controlled by long-term uvial and
gravity transport) and the short-term evolution (induced by
catastrophic rain fall, slope failures, and turbidity ow).
In this approach, transport rate is split into a long-term
component dependent on topographic slope, diffusion
coefcient, and water discharge volume while the short-
term component is dependent on water velocity and inertia
(Granjeon and Joseph, 1999; Granjeon et al., 2002).
DIONISOS simulates a wide range of processes
to reproduce both siliclastics and carbonate sedimentary
architectures at basin scale. A diffusion equation is used
in the DIONISOS simulation program. This equation links
sediment ow to ground slope (water energy), water ow
(water transport capacity), and diffusion coefcient (transport
efciency).
To simulate transport of different lithologies, an
altered layer that takes into account for all the sediment
transport is dened. Different diffusion coefcients are
used to model different lithologies with different behavior
in different environment of depositions. DIONISOS also
considers other important processes that usually are neglected
by conceptual models such as tectonic subsidence, exural
isostatic loading, mechanical sediment compaction, eustasy,
and slope failure in its simulation. Therefore, this kind of
numerical stratigraphic forward model has an advantage
over the conceptual models (Granjeon et al., 2002).
DIONISOS has the ability to adopt an experimental
approach and to deal systematically with more parameters
than are considered in most sequence-stratigraphic analyses
(Burgess et al., 2006). It is physically and geologically
consistent. Thus, it allows different geological and structural
scenarios to be simulated. This progress in DIONISOS
makes a plausible linkage with other models such as tectonic
models that ultimately improve our understanding of the
inuence of tectonic process on sedimentation at various
scales. This stratigraphic simulation also allows validating
the depositional model derived from outcrop and seismic
analyses which nally lead to a better understanding of
stratigraphic geometries and basin evolutions.
The 3D image in Figure 11a illustrates the stratigraphic
geometry generated by the DIONISOS program. The image
demonstrates shoreface/shelf sequences that are modeled for
the last 540, 000 years. The model simulates the geometry
that is similar to the architectures observed on seismic
proles. Moreover, the image (A) in Figure 11b illustrates
the initial bathymetry showing coastal plains, shelves, and
slopes on two margins and a basin oor at 600 – 1000 m
water depth with some local highs and lows. The image (B)
in Figure 11b shows a nal stratal architectures produced by
the DIONISOS. The delta has prograded across the western
shelf, the submarine canyon on the western margin is lled
with sediment, and the complex basin-oor topography
shows an obvious impact on the distribution of deep-marine
sandstones.
SEDSIM MODEL
SEDSIM is a 3D stratigraphic modeling program
initially developed at Stanford University in the 1980’s by
a consortium of European and American oil companies. The
software was then developed and rened as a commercial
package at the University of Adelaide, South Australia
in 1994. SEDSIM eventually switched to CSIRO and
underwent enormous development by Stratigraphic Forward
Modelling group in 2000. The application of SEDSIM
enables users to perform sedimentary studies on systems
that range from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in
size. The most important application of SEDSIM is that it
helps geoscientists, particularly in Petroleum Industry, to test
play concepts and model complex reservoir heterogeneity.
Furthermore, it can be used to model both modern
depositional environments and the formation of sedimentary
systems over the geological time scales.
SEDSIM utilizes part of Navier-Stokes equations rather
than the full Navier-Stokes equations describing the uid
ow in three dimensions. This is because of the limitations
in computer speed (it would take longer to simulate a
ow than the real event). SEDSIM simplies the ow by
applying isolated uid elements to represent continuous
ow (Tetzlaff and Harbaugh, 1989). The core of SEDSIM
is a hydrodynamics module that applies a Particle-in-Cell
method for moving uid across a surface. This Particple-
in-Cell Lagrangian approach to the hydrodynamics allows
a signicant increase in the computational speed and
simplication of the uid ow equation.
SEDSIM numerically models the physical processes in
near shore and marine environments that inuence the way
sediment is distributed in many sedimentary systems. Those
processes include sea-level uctuations, carbonate growth,
geostrophic currents, ocean currents, wave and storm effects,
turbidity and uvial. It also includes subsurface processes
such as loading effects and isostasy, tectonic subsidence,
and compaction (Grifths et al., 2001).
SEDSIM helps to visualize a conceptual carbonate and
siliclastics depositional model. The image in Figure 12a
shows an example of a 3D SEDSIM output of a carbonate
reef that interacts with siliclastics in a shelf setting. The grid
system used range in sizes from centimeters to kilometers.
The picture in Figure 12b shows pseudo-gamma ray logs
that can be produced by using SEDSIM. The logs are
located at well intersections to compare them with the
observed wireline or core data. The color variations signify
the different grain sizes. Sequence stratigraphy can be

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Figure 11: (A) Stratigraphic geometry (shore face sequences) modeled by DIONISOS stratigraphic simulation. (B) Initial bathymetry
showing coastal plains, shelves, and slopes on two margins and basin oor generated by the DIONISOS model. After (Burgess et al.,
2006).
Figure 12: (A) The 3D SEDSIM output showing a carbonate reef that interacts with siliclastics in a shelf setting. (B) Pseudo-gamma
logs at well intersections generated by SEDSIM program to compare with observed wireline and core data. (C) A 3D SEDSIM output
showing a deltaic succession with four parasequences. The color variations signify water depth of position. (D) A 3D SEDSIM output of
a deltaic succession with different depositional settings and distances from the shoreline. From SEDSIM model demonstration.
Figure 13: SEDPAK simulation results of Levant Basin from 4.9 Ma to the present time. The salt tectonics effects obviously disturbed
the Messinian evaporitic sequence during 1.68 Ma.
understood better by using SEDSIM. For example, Figure
12c demonstrates a deltaic succession consisting of four
parasequences that are presented by different color codes.
This helps the users to predict reservoir or seal locations
and qualities. Another advantage of SEDSIM application is
that it facilitates the users to model paleoenvironment maps;
for instance, Figure 12d shows a 3D output of a deltaic
succession with different depositional settings.
EXAMPLES OF STRATIGRAPHIC SIMULATION
APLICATIONS
There are many examples of SEDPAK simulation
applied in sequence stratigraphy and basin analysis. For
example, Kim et al. (2007) used SEDPAK to investigate
the stratigraphic response to tectonism in the late Tertiary
southern Ulleung Basin back-arc basin, East Japan Sea.
They found that the sequence development is sensitive
to the changes in the sediment supply rate depending on
whether those changes are in-phase or out-of-phase with
the controlling local tectonism in the hinterland.
In another example (Figure 13), SEDPAK was used to
analyze the structural evolution of Levant Basin following
the so-called “Messinian Salinity Crisis” (Ben-Gai et al.,
2005). The objective was to test the hypothesis that the thick
Messinian evaporitic sequence was deposited in shallow-
water in a topographically deep (eastern Mediterranean)
basin, i.e. the basin essentially dried up due to a great
drop in sea level. This type of hypothetical problem is
well-suited for a stratigraphic simulation package such
as SEDPAK, as it allows us to examine the response of
the stratigraphic development to such factors as sea level
and clastic supply. Hence, the thick Messinian evaporitic
section in the Levant basin was simulated by using a high
rate of pelagic deposition to form the basinal evaporite.
Indeed, in that study, the observed stratigraphy was able to
be replicated by allowing the sea level to drop at least 800
m below present level. Subsequent analysis of the 2D/3D

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seismic and well data by Bartoni & Cartwright (2007)
provides further evidence of a major event at the end of
the Messinian Salinity Crisis.
Examples of studies using the more sophisticated 3D
package, DIONISOS, include those by IFP themselves, e.g.
in the Mahakam Delta, to investigate the interactions between
deltaic progradation, carbonate platform development
and deep-marine turbidity current processes (Granjeon
et al., 2004). Another example is in the Gulf of Mexico
(Granjeon et al., 2002) where the stratigraphic development
is inuenced not just by sea level and sediment supply, but
a host of other structural effects such as growth faulting and
detachment surfaces, as well as mud and salt diapirism. IFP
has also applied it in fold-thrust belt situations, such as in
the Zagros foreland basin in Iran (Vedrenne et al., 2006).
Since the development of DIONISOS by IFP was sponsored
by oil companies, its applications have been used more by
the oil companies, including the supermajors. DIONISOS
is used by Shell to model carbonate environments, e.g. in
their Middle East ventures and elsewhere (e.g. Burgess et
al., 2004). ExxonMobil has used it in carbonate applications
in the British West Indies (Roehl and Becker, 2006). The
example of a 3D output image from DIONISOS is shown
in Figure 14.
The CSIRO package, SEDSIM, has been used more
frequently on the NW Shelf of Australia to predict sand
distribution and quality (Grifths, 2001; Grifths et al.,
2001). It has even been used to examine gold distribution
in buried river channels in West Australia. All the above
examples show the value of using stratigraphic simulation
techniques in petroleum exploration and development
studies.
CONCLUSION
This review paper gives an overview of the available
stratigraphic simulation techniques, as an introduction to
the subject, as well to provide an overview of the different
types of software packages. Stratigraphic simulation is
undoubtedly a potentially useful tool for studying basin-
ll history and geometry, and when used with appropriate
techniques, e.g., sequence stratigraphy and basin modelling,
it may aid explorationists in identifying and delineating
facies distribution, be it reservoir, source or seal. Major
oil companies have even developed their own proprietary
stratigraphic simulation software, which give them the
advantage when analyzing basins, and help them in making
the right exploration decisions. As this technique, especially
the 3D version, is still an actively researched topic, the
potential for further developments is high. No doubt, we
will see more developments of this technique in years to
come, particular in the linkage with the more established
basin modelling techniques.
The SEDPAK modelling package is the best compared
to the other 2D models reviewed. SEDPAK considers not
only the major factors (eustasy, subsidence rate, and sediment
supply rate) but also other factors that are neglected by other
2D models. These effects include faulting, erosion, water
depth, and the isostatic response of the basin to sediment
loading. Among the 3D models reviewed, DIONISOS is
more preferable since it is able to handle the interaction
between the long-term evolution of sedimentary processes
(controlled by long-term uvial and gravity transport) and
the short-term evolution (induced by catastrophic rain fall,
slope failures, and turbidity ow). DIONISOS is physically
and geologically more consistent than other 3D models;
therefore it is able to adopt an experimental approach
that deals with parameters more systematically than are
considered in most sequence-stratigraphic analyses. Besides,
with further development, it may be linked with other
models, such as tectonic or structural model, for enhanced
stratigraphic analyses.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to thank the management of Group
Research of PETRONAS Research & Technology Division
for permission to present and publish this paper.
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