4. Wheeler Diagram
Harry Eugene Wheeler ( History to Wheeler
diagram)
Integrated data of Wheeler Diagram
Application of Wheeler diagram in
Exploration and hydrocarbon exploitation
Wheeler Diagrams related to base level
changes, system tracts, stratigraphic
surfaces, Unconformity
Wheeler diagram of a fluvial to shallow-
marine depositional sequence
(Dip oriented stratigraphic succession)
5. Interpretation of Wheeler diagram of
a fluvial to shallow-marine
depositional sequence
Wheeler diagram on the base of well
log data
(Pseudo Wheeler diagram)
Calibration through Pseudo wheeler
diagram
workflow for interpretation of Pseudo
Wheeler Diagram
6. wheeler diagram related to
interpretation of Coastal onlap curve
Wheeler transformation ( seismic
based wheeler diagram
Uses of Wheeler diagram
Conclusion
References
7. A stratigraphic summary chart on which
geologic time is plotted as the vertical scale,
and distance across the area of interest as the
horizontal scale, and on which a variety of
stratigraphic information is brought together.
Display both the horizontal distribution of the
contemporaneous component sedimentary
layers of a sequence but also the
significant hiatuses in sedimentation.
8. Stratigraphic summary chart
It’s a spatio-temporal diagram
Consist of x-axis and y-axis
On x-axis plot distance of stratigraphic area
of interest
On y-axis plot Geologic age ( absolute and
relative) of stratigraphic section
9. On the cross section above the A5 surface is truncated by
an unconformity but on this area-time plot of Wheeler (1964) the A5
surface extends across the entire region, with a large portion of it is
within the lacuna domain
Wheeler diagram
10. American Geologist and Stratigraphic
(1907 – 26 January 1987)
A professor of geology at the University of
Washington from 1948 until 1976
Wheeler's work in the 1950 and 1960s was
pivotal in the later development of sequence
stratigraphy
still used today, for example by Petroleum
industry
11. His 1964 paper, Baselevel, Lithosphere
Surface, and Time-Stratigraphy evolved the
concept of base level
To emphasize the continuous spatial and
temporal nature of stratigraphy, eventually
giving rise to wheeler diagram.
12. The contemporaneous component
sedimentary layers
Systems tracts of sequences in terms
of their relationship to
baselevel, hiatuses, timing and
geographic location.
14. Base level change
Interplay between base level change and
sedimentation
Interpretation of sedimentary environment
Stacking pattern (Progaradation &
retrogradation)
System tracts
Sequences Surfaces
15. Unconformity
Deposition
Condensation
Erosion
Hiatus
Hydrocarbon exploration
Economic minerals
Geologic time and thickness of formation
Geographic distance of stratigraphic
succession
19. Depositional patterns during a full
regressive-transgressive cycle
Base level Change
For the stratal stacking patterns of the four
systems tracts
Their inferred timing relative to the base-
level curve
20. Subaerial unconformity extends basinward
Due to forced regression of the shoreline
correlative conformity meets the basinward
termination of the subaerial unconformity
Appearance of fluvial onlap depends on
topographic gradients
21. Grading trends (fining- vs. coarsening-upward) are
temporally offset between shallow- and deep-
water systems
Progradation of basin-floor fans continues
throughout the regressive stage
onset of base-level rise marks a change from high-
density to low-density turbidity currents
sand starts to be trapped
22. aggrading fluvial to coastal systems during
lowstand normal regression
stratal architecture breakdown of a sequence into
the four systems tracts
A full cycle of base-level changes consists of a
succession of four distinct stages of shoreline
shifts
(i.e., two normal regressions, one transgression
and one forced regression)
23. Its logic in separating the products of deposition of
four stages in the evolution of a sequence
Each stage of shoreline shift is associated with
different economic opportunities
i. Petroleum plays,
ii. Exploration strategies
iii. change markedly between the products of forced
regression and subsequent lowstand normal
regression.
Correlative conformity marked the end of
regression and base level fall
24.
25. (1)Fluvial to shallow-marine depositional sequence
(2) Wheeler diagram
based on the Upper Cretaceous succession in
southern Utah,
End of the estuary life time (end of transgression)
is accompanied by an abrupt shift in fluvial styles
upstream
It recognize nonmarine portion of the maximum
flooding surface.
26. Landward shift of facies through time
Boundary between braided and meandering
stream facies
Fining upward trend within the fluvial part
of each systems tract.
Threshold of facies shift across the
maximum flooding surface
27. Maximum flooding surface in fluvial successions
indicated by an abrupt increase in fluvial energy,
from meandering to overlying braided fluvial
systems
End estuary life time triggers a rapid seaward shift
of the river mouth ( delta)
Maximum flooding surface is indicated by a grain
size.
28. Wheeler Diagram interpreted on the base of
Well log data
Calibration through a 'pseudo Wheeler'
diagram
A review of depositional episodes
Tectonic/ Eustatic gaps,
Allowing identification of correlations
The relevance of the sea level curve
33. Identification of depositional episodes
and Environments
Evaluation of tectonic/ eustatic gaps
Allowing identification of correlations
The relevance of the sea level curve
Petroleum play
34.
35. .
Wheeler Diagram of Dip oriented
stratigraphic succession and
relationships of the facies and the
‘coastal’ onlap curve
36.
37. ‘Coastal’ onlap curve is use in the seismic and
sequence stratigraphy for the construction of
the global cycle chart.
Composed mainly of a combination of fluvial
and marine onlap.
‘Coastal’ onlap indicates stages of
sea-level rise is misleading, and resulted in
the representation of sea-level fall as
instantaneous events.
38. Wheeler transform is the seismic equivalent of the
geologic Wheeler diagram.
Flatten the seismic data (or derived attributes)
along flattened chrono-stratigraphic horizons.
The vertical axis in the Wheeler transformed
domain is relative geologic time (as opposed to
absolute geologic time)
Wheeler transform can be performed in 2D and 3D
39. Purpose;
To flatten the seismic data while honoring
hiatuses caused by non-deposition and
erosion.
Work flow;
i. Select a pre-calculated chrono-stratigraphy
ii. Add a Wheeler scene and use the selected
chrono-stratigraphy to flatten the seismic
data (or attribute).
40.
41.
42.
43.
44. Wheeler diagrams provide a useful tool for
hydrocarbon exploration when it used in
junction with sequence stratigraphic
principles.
Reservoir risks can be significantly reduced
by using such charts
It use with sequence stratigraphic
depositional models to identify potential
sand-prone facies.
46. Principle of Sequence stratigraphy by
Octuvian Catuneanu
Sequence stratigraphy by Emry
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