Dr C Stevenson, Dr I Kane, Dr Rhodri Jerrett, Dr M Poyatos More
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Deep-water turbidite systems have transition zones where flows change their behaviour from bypassing to depositional, often associated with a break in slope and a distinct change in architecture from channels into lobes (i.e. channel lobe transition zones). Competing flow dynamics generate a mix of complex erosional and depositional architectures. The stratigraphic preservation of these transition zones is often low, meaning we have a poor grasp of how to identify and interpret transition zone successions. From an applied perspective, these transition zones can form effective upslope stratigraphic traps in large hydrocarbon plays, comprising sand body pinch outs or erosional truncations. Exploiting these zones in the subsurface is challenging because their architecture typically falls below seismic resolution, and analogue data is lacking to assess sub-seismic facies assemblages.
This PhD aims to develop a framework to recognise and interpret deep-water transition zone successions in outcrop and the subsurface. For this the student will examine the stratigraphic expression of deep-water transition zones from classic outcrops in the spectacular Jaca Basin, Pyrenees. Complementing the outcrop work, the student will also work closely with industry partners, linking outcrop observations with subsurface data from the producing Magnus oilfield, North Sea. The Magnus oilfield is data-rich providing the student access to kilometres of drill core and wireline log data, 3D seismic data and over 30 years of dynamic production data. The student will be rigorously trained in field techniques, deep-water sequence stratigraphy and subsurface data interpretation. In addition, the student will complete placement over several months with the industry partner (EnQuest). As such, this PhD provides pathways into both academia and industry. Candidates should have a 2.1/1 BSc degree or Masters in a related discipline (e.g. geology, physical geography), with strong interests in sedimentology and petroleum systems. Ideally you will enjoy traditional geology fieldwork, and working alongside oil industry partners in a range of professional environments.
Other supervisors:
Dr Ian Kane (University of Manchester)
Dr Rhodri Jerrett (University of Manchester)
Dr Miquel Poyatos More (University of Oslo)
Funding Notes
Full funding (fees, stipend, research support budget) is provided by the University of Liverpool. Formal training is offered through partnership between the Universities of Liverpool and Manchester in both subject specific and transferable skills to the entire PhD cohort and at each University through local Faculty training programmes.
References
Brooks, H.L., Hodgson, D.M., Brunt, R.L., Peakall, J., Hofstra, M., Flint, S.S., 2018. Deep-water channel-lobe transition zone dynamics: Processes and depositional architecture, an example from the Karoo Basin, South Africa. GSA Bull. 130, 1723–1746. doi:10.1130/B31714.1
Hofstra, M., Hodgson, D.M., Peakall, J., Flint, S.S., 2015. Giant scour-fills in ancient channel-lobe transition zones: Formative processes and depositional architecture. Sediment. Geol. 329, 98–114. doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2015.09.004
Stevenson, C.J., Jackson, C.A.-L., Hodgson, D.M., Hubbard, S.M., Eggenhuisen, J.T., 2015. Deep-Water Sediment Bypass. J. Sediment. Res. 85.
Wynn, R.B., Kenyon, N.H., Masson, D.G., Stow, D.A. V, Weaver, P.P.E., 2002. Characterization and recognition of deep-water channel-lobe transition zones. Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull. 86, 1441–1462.
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