Application of 9-component S-wave 3D seismic data to study sedimentary facies and reservoirs in a biogasbearing area:A case study on the Pleistocene Qigequan Formation in Taidong area,Sanhu Depression,Qaidam Basin,NW China

To solve the problems in restoring sedimentary facies and predicting reservoirs in loose gas-bearing sediment,based on seismic sedimentologic analysis of the first 9-component S-wave 3D seismic dataset of China,a fourth-order isochronous stratigraphic framework was set up and then sedimentary facies and reservoirs in the Pleistocene Qigequan Formation in Taidong area of Qaidam Basin were studied by seismic geomorphology and seismic lithology.The study method and thought are as following.Firstly,techniques of phase rotation,frequency decomposition and fusion,and stratal slicing were applied to the 9-component S-wave seismic data to restore sedimentary facies of major marker beds based on sedimentary models reflected by satellite images.Then,techniques of seismic attribute extraction,principal component analysis,and random fitting were applied to calculate the reservoir thickness and physical parameters of a key sandbody,and the results are satisfactory and confirmed by blind testing wells.Study results reveal that the dominant sedimentary facies in the Qigequan Formation within the study area are delta front and shallow lake.The RGB fused slices indicate that there are two cycles with three sets of underwater distributary channel systems in one period.Among them,sandstones in the distributary channels of middle-low Qigequan Formation are thick and broad with superior physical properties,which are favorable reservoirs.The reservoir permeability is also affected by diagenesis.Distributary channel sandstone reservoirs extend further to the west of Sebei-1 gas field,which provides a basis to expand exploration to the western peripheral area.

Evolutions of sedimentary facies and palaeoenvironment and their controls on the development of source rocks in continental margin basins:A case study from the Qiongdongnan Basin,South China Sea

Hydrocarbon resources in the Qiongdongnan Basin have become an important exploration target in China.However,the development of high-quality source rocks in this basin,especially in its deep-water areas,are still not fully understood.In this study,evolutions of sedimentary facies and palaeoenvironment and their influences on the development of source rocks in diverse tectonic regions of the Qiongdongnan Basin were investigated.The results show that during the Oligocene and to Miocene periods,the sedimentary environment of this basin progressively varied from a semi-closed gulf to an open marine environment,which resulted in significant differences in palaeoenvironmental conditions of the water column for various tectonic regions of the basin.In shallow-water areas,the palaeoproductivity and reducibility successively decrease,and the hydrodynamic intensity gradually increases for the water columns of the Yacheng,Lingshui,and Sanya-Meishan strata.In deep-water areas,the water column of the Yacheng and Lingshui strata has a higher palaeoproductivity and a weaker hydrodynamic intensity than that of the Sanya-Meishan strata,while the reducibility gradually increases for the water columns of the Yacheng,Lingshui,and Sanya-Meishan strata.In general,the palaeoenvironmental conditions of the water column are the most favorable to the development of the Yacheng organic-rich source rocks.Meanwhile,the Miocene marine source rocks in the deep-water areas of the Qiongdongnan Basin may also have a certain hydrocarbon potential.The differences in the development models of source rocks in various tectonic regions of continental margin basins should be fully evaluated in the exploration and development of hydrocarbons.

Automatic discrimination of sedimentary facies and lithologies in reef-bank reservoirs using borehole image logs

Reef-bank reservoirs are an important target for petroleum exploration in marine carbonates and also an essential supplemental area for oil and gas production in China. Due to the diversity of reservoirs and the extreme heterogeneity of reef-banks, it is very difficult to discriminate the sedimentary facies and lithologies in reef-bank reservoirs using conventional well logs. The borehole image log provides clear identification of sedimentary structures and textures and is an ideal tool for discriminating sedimentary facies and lithologies. After examining a large number of borehole images and cores, we propose nine typical patterns for borehole image interpretation and a method that uses these patterns to discriminate sedimentary facies and lithologies in reeI^bank reservoirs automatically. We also develop software with user-friendly interface. The results of applications in reef-bank reservoirs in the middle Tarim Basin and northeast Sichuan have proved that the proposed method and the corresponding software are quite effective.

Detailed sedimentary facies of a sandstone reservoir in the eastern zone of the Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin

Given sustaining exploration, the eastern zone of the Sulige gas field may soon become a key area of exploitation. In order to explore its genesis, types and distribution of the reservoir sandstones in the eastern zone of this gas field, we focused in our study on the provenance and detailed sedimentary facies of sandstone of the He8 （the eighth part of the Shihezi formation, Permian system） and Shanxil （the first part of the Shanxi formation, Permian system） members, based on core observations, analyses in petrography, granularity and logging. The results show that： 1） the sandstone provenance of Shanxil and He8 in the eastern zone of the Sulige gas field is from the north of the Ordos Basin, characterized by dual directions from the north and northeast. 2） The He8 and Shanxil members were deposited in a fluvial-delta sedimentary system. The He8 was mainly deposited in braided rivers, in- cluding braided channels, channel bars, levee and floodplain sub-environments, whereas the Shanxil Member was deposited in braided rivers and deltas, including braided channels, channel bars, floodplains, tributaries and inter-tributary sub-environments. 3） Sedimentary facies bands migrated in drastic fashion towards the basin from the Shanxil to the He8 Member. Base levels of sedi- mentation generally present a trend of small increases in-amplitude, large decreasing amplitudes and slow and gradual Increases. 4） The continuity of the reservoir sandbodies along the source direction is better than that perpendicular to the direction. Compared with Shanxil, both dimensions and continuity of the sandbodies in He8 are better from which we conclude that it is the most fa- vorable part of the reservoir.

Reconstruction of paleo river systems and distribution of sedimentary facies of Shanxi and lower Shihezi formations in southern Ordos basin

The study area is located in the south of Huanxian county,in Yan'an and Puxian counties and to the north of Xi'an.The Shanxi and lower Shihezi formations are important gas-bearing formations.Given our analysis of the direction of rivers,the contents of stable heavy minerals and of feldspar of palaeo river systems,the study area is divided into six palaeodrainage patterns corresponding to six feldspar regions and six sedimentary facies regions.On this basis,the distribution of sedimentary facies was also analyzed.During the Shanxi stage,a delta front was deposited in the Huanxian region and delta plains and fronts were deposited in the Pingliang,Chunhua-Yaoxian and Hancheng-Chengcheng regions.In the Yan'an-Daning region,only a delta front was developed.The distribution of sedimentary facies in the earlier Shihezi stage originated from the Shanxi stage.A delta front was developed in the Huanxian region while a delta plain and front developed in the Pingliang-Zhenyuan region during the same time.Lakes originated only in the Zhenyuan-Huanxian-Huachi-Zhengning and Daning-Jixian zones.This analytical method shows that different palaeodrainage patterns can be effectively distinguished in order to forecast sedimentary facies.

Research on 3D Distribution of Meandering River Sand Body Using Sedimentary Facies Method and 3D Geological Modeling

Sedimentary facies study is an important method in describing the property and distribution of reservoir. 3D geological modeling is a powerful tool in 3D characterization of geological bodies. By combining the sedimentary facies study with 3D geological modeling to generate 3D sedimentary facies model, the 3D geometry and distribution feature of sand bodies can be more accurately characterized, particularly in 3D view. In Liuchu oilfield of Jizhong depression, the Ed2IV formation was recognized as meandering river deposition facies and five sedimentary facies were identified, which include point bar sand, levee, channel margin, abandoned channel and floodplain. All the 24 sand body facies in Ed2IV were mapped and the 3D sedimentary facies model established based on 2D facies maps. The result shows that the 3D sedimentary facies model is well matched for the research result of sedimentary facies. Being an extension of traditional sedimentary study, the 3D sedimentary facies model can be used to describe the 3D geometry and distribution orders of a single sand body more reliably and more accurately.

The Features of Sedimentary Facies and Copper Enrichment Metallogenic Regularities of Kuzigongsu Group in Sareke Glutenite Type Copper Deposits,Wuqia,Xinjiang

1 Introduction Sareke glutenite-type copper deposit is the large size copper deposit discovered in recent years,and it is located Sarekebayi intracontinental pull-apart basin in the western margin of the Tarim basin.Conglomerate of

The sedimentary facies and dynamic environment of the Diaokou lobe in the modern Huanghe River Delta of China

The Huanghe River captures the Diaokou River in 1964 and forms a deltaic lobe in the subsequent 12 a. The progradational process of the Diaokou lobe is in associated with complicated evolution of riverine sheet flooding, merging, and swinging. On the basis of 11 borehole cores and 210 km high resolution seismic reflection data set, the sedimentary sequence and dynamic environment of the Diaokou lobe Cone subdelta lobe of the modern Huanghe River Delta） are studied. The stratigraphy of the lobe is characterized by an upward-coarsening ternary structure and forms a progradational deltaic clinoform. Totally six seismic surfaces are identifiable in seismic profiles, bounded six seismic units （SUs）. These SUs correspond to six depositional units （DUs） in the borehole cores, and among them, SUs 4-6 （DUs D to F） consist of the modern Diaokou lobe. Lithological and seismic evidences indicate that the delta plain part of the Diaokou lobe is comprised primarily by fluvial lag sediments together with sediments from sidebanks, overbanks, fluvial flood plains and levees, while the delta front part is a combination of river mouth bar sands （majority） and distal bar and deltaic margin sediments （minority）. As a result of the high sedimentation rate and weak hydrodynamic regime in the Huanghe River Delta, the sediments in the delta front are dominated by fine-grained materials. The grain size analysis indicates the Huanghe River hyperpycnal-concentrated flow shows the suspension, transportation and sedimentation characteristics of gravity flow, and the sediment transportation is primarily dominated by graded suspension, while uniform suspension and hydrostatic suspension are also observed in places. The strength of the hydrodynamic regime weakens gradually offshore from riverbed, river mouth bar, sidebank, distal bar subfacies to delta lateral margin and flooding plain subfacies.

Sedimentary facies of the subaqueous Changjiang River delta since the late Pleistocene

The sedimentary facies of the subaqueous Changjiang （Yangtze） River delta since the late Pleistocene was studied based on lithology and foraminifera analysis for two boreholes, CJK07 and CJK11, along with 14C dating. Four sedimentary facies were identified, namely fluvial, tidal flat, offshore, and prodelta facies. The fluvial sedimentary facies is comprised of fluvial channel lag deposits, fluvial point bar deposits, and floodplain deposits, showing a fining-upward sequence in general with no benthic foraminifera. A layer of stiff clay overlies the fluvial deposits in core CJK07, indicating a long-term exposure environment during the Last Glacial Maximum （LGM）. During the postglacial sea-level rise around 13-7.5 cal ka BP, the tidal flat facies was deposited in core CJK11, characterized by abundant silt-clay couplets. Euryhaline species dominate the subtidal fiat foraminiferal assemblages, while almost no foraminifera was found in the intertidal fiat. The offshore environment was the major sedimentary environment when the sea level reached its highest level around 7.5 cal ka BP, with a maximum accumulation rate of 10 mm/a found in core CJK11. Prodelta sediments have been deposited in core CJK11 since -3 cal ka BP, after the formation of the Changjiang River delta. The difference in sedimentary facies between core CJK07 and CJK11 is due to their location： core CJK07 was in an interfluve while core CJK11 was in an incised valley during the LGM. Furthermore, AMS 14C dating of core CJK07 shows poor chronological order, indicating that the sediments were reworked by strong tidal currents and that sediment deposited since -7.7 cal ka BP in core CJK07 was eroded away by modem hydrodynamic forces caused by the southward shift of the Changjiang River delta depocenter.

Sedimentary facies characteristics and organic matter enrichment mechanism of lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in South China

The purpose of this study was to examine the sedimentary facies characteristics of lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation(∈1n)in South China,to reveal the mechanism of organic matter enrichment,and to guide exploration of shale gas.Macro investigation and experimental analyses were used to assess the lithology in detail,total organic matter mass fraction w(TOC),mineral composition,and trace element characteristics of∈1n.The influencing factors of organic matter enrichment were discussed extensively,and a sedimentary facies mode was suggested.In the early stage of∈1n,the locations of Well E’yangye 1,Well Ciye 1,Well Changye 1,and Well Anye 1 respectively develop,platform inner sag,outer shelf,Jiangnan slope belt,and South China detention basin.In the late stage of∈1n,the sedimentary facies evolve with decreasing sea level.The study area presents a complete three-step basin in the Early Cambrian.In the early stage of∈1n,the first step is the Yangtze carbonate platform,the second step is the outer shelf and slope,and the third step is the deep-water basin.From the Yangtze carbonate platform to the deep-water basin,w(TOC)and the mass fraction of quartz gradually increase,the mass fraction of carbonate mineral decreases,and the mass fraction of clay mineral is higher in the second step.The sea level fluctuation results in a higher w(TOC)vertically in the lower∈1n shale,and the paleogeographic(provenance)conditions lead to better horizontal development of organic matter in the outer shelf,slope and detention basin.Trace elements are abundant in the lower∈1n,and w(TOC)is correlated positively with many trace elements.In the outer shelf,slope,and adjacent areas,hydrothermal activity and upwelling current bring nutrient-rich material and promote organic matter enrichment under a strong reducing condition.Deep-shelf,slope and deep-water basin are the best facies for the formation and preservation of organic matter,especially deep-water basin facies.It remains necessary to strengthen the exploration of shale gas in the deep-water basin of∈1n in central Hunan,China.

Sequence Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Facies of Feixianguan Formation in the Kaijiang-Liangping Area of Sichuan Basin, China

The Feixianguan formation in the Kaijiang-Liangping basin has been the focus of extensive research on multiple aspects. Based on field survey, core observation, laboratory analysis and seismic data interpretation, the sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary facies of the Kaijiang-Liangping area are studied. Four sequence boundaries and three maximum flooding surfaces of the Feixianguan formation are detected in this area. Three third-order sequences are identified as first sequence (SQ1), the second sequence (SQ2), and the third sequence (SQ3) in which SQ1 corresponds to the member 1 of the Feixianguan formation, SQ2 corresponds to the member 2, and SQ3 corresponds to the member 3 and member 4. Member 1, 2, 3 and 4 are lithologic sections divided by predecessors. On the basis of this sequence division and their sedimentary marks, the facies of the Feixianguan formation can be divided into open platform and evaporate platform categories. The open platform is composed of three subfacies identified as platform bank or basin marginal bank, interbank, and platform basin. Thus, a sedimentary evolution model is established. According to the sedimentary and seismic characteristics of the Kaijiang-Liangping area, we determine that two oolitic bank models, the aggradation model and the progradation model, are developed in this area. The aggradation model is developed in the Longgang region, which includes the basin marginal bank as a favorable exploring zone. The progradation model is developed in the Jiulongshan and Longhui areas, besides the basin marginal bank, the favorable exploration zones also include the oolitic bank developing areas of the inner basin.

Sedimentary Facies Architectures of Third-Order Sequences from Early to Middle Triassic in Nanpanjiang Basin

There are complex and regular changes on sedimentary facies from the Early to the Middle Triassic in the Nanpanjiang basin. After the obvious drowned event of carbonate platforms in the transitional period between Permian and Triassic, carbonate platforms have evolved into the ramp type from the rimmed shelf type. The differentiation of sedimentary facies becomes clearer in space, which are marked by the changes from an attached platform to a turbidity basin and several isolated platforms in the basin. The striking characteristics are the development of oolitic banks on isolated platforms in Nanning and Jingxi and the reef and bank limestones in the margin of the attached platform in the Early Triassic. Despite the difference of the time span and the architecture of facies succession of third order sedimentary sequences, the process of the third order relative sea level changes reflected by the sedimentary facies succession of the third order sequences is generally synchronous. Therefore, six third order sequences could be discerned in the strata from the Early to the Middle Triassic in the Nanpanjiang basin. Using two types of facies changing surfaces and two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records as the key elements, the sedimentary facies architectures of the third order sequences that represent sequence stratigraphic frameworks from the Early to the Middle Triassic in the Nanpanjiang basin could be constructed.

Lower Jurassic Sequence Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Facies on the North Slope of Mount Qomolangma

The Lower Jurassic is subdivided in ascending order into the Wulong, Kangdui and Yongjia Formations on the north slope of Mount Qomolangma, with a total thickness of 1362 m. They are thought to have been deposited respectively in the environments of the carbonate ramp fault-bounded basins and carbonate platform, with six sedimentary facies and six sub-facies. During the Early Jurassic, the Qomolangma area experienced strong faulting and subsidence, and was of a matured rift basin. The Lower Jurassic consists of eleven 3rd-order sequences, which can be grouped into three 2nd-order sequences and form a large transgressive-regressive cycle. The 3rd-order sequences and the corresponding sea-level changes recognized in the area can be correlated quite well with those set up in the western Tethys, and may have been caused by the eustatic fluctuations, while the 2nd-order sequences seem to be more closely related to the basement subsidence and the variation in sedimentary influx, indicating the evolution of the eastern Neotethys and the movement of the plates on its two sides.

Sedimentary Facies Controls on the Upscaling of Petrophysical Properties from Core to Log Scales and Its Implications to Petroleum Exploration

The clastic sedimentary realm comprises a number of genetically distinct depositional systems, which are dominated by distinct depositional processes. A variogram and a Levy-stable probability distribution-based geostatistical method have been applied to analyze petrophysical properties from well logs and cores from a variety of depositional environments in sedimentary basins from Australia to quantify the heterogeneity and upscaling range of different depositional systems. Two reservoir sequences with contrasting sedimentary facies, depositional processes and a diagenetic history are investigated for their petrographic, petrophysical and log characters and their scaling behaviour. The microscopic derived petrophysical parameters, including visual porosity, grain size, sorting and amount of matrix, core plug measured porosity and permeability and log-derived V-shale, porosity and permeability, have been found to be well correlated (|R|=0.72 to 0.91) across all the scales for the reservoir sequence deposited under a single predominant depositional process and a gradational change of the energy regime (Bilyara-1). In contrast, for the reservoir sequence (East Swan-2), which was deposited in heterogeneous processes and underwent diagenetic alteration, the cross-correlation of the petrophysical properties derived from the three different scales is extremely poor (|R|=0.01-0.54). Log-derived porosity and permeability for a thinly bedded reservoir sequence with an individual bed thinner than one metre can therefore be affected by the intrinsic averaging effects of the logging tools.

Application of multi-attribute matching technology based on geological models for sedimentary facies:A case study of the 3rd member in the Lower Jurassic Badaowan Formation,Hongshanzui area,Junggar Basin,China

Regarding high drilling costs,an effort should be made to substantially reduce the drilling operation.To achieve this goal,exploration and development stages should be carried out precisely with maximum information acquired from the reservoir.The use of multi-attribute matching technology to predict sedimentary system has always been a very important but challenging task.To resolve the challenges,we utilized a quantitative analysis method of seismic attributes based on geological models involving high resolution 3D seismic data for sedimentary facies.We developed a workflow that includes core data,seismic attribute analysis,and well logging to highlight the benefit of understanding the facies distribution in the 3 rd Member of the Lower Jurassic Badaowan Formation,Hongshanzui area,Junggar Basin,China.1)Data preprocessing.2)Cluster analysis.3)RMS attribute based on a normal distribution constrains facies boundary.4)Mapping the sedimentary facies by using MRA(multiple regression analysis)prediction model combined with the lithofacies assemblages and logging facies assemblages.The confident level presented in this research is 0.745,which suggests that the methods and data-mining techniques are practical and efficient,and also be used to map facies in other similar geological settings.

Research on Thin Layer Structure Identification and Sedimentary Facies of Middle and Deep Layers Based on Reflection Coefficient Inversion—By Taking Dongying Formation of CFD Oilfield in Bohai Offshore as an Example

The sand layer B of Dongying Formation of CFD oilfield in Bohai offshore belongs to the middle deep layer of buried hill overlap deposit. Its reservoir distribution has the characteristics of large burial depth, thin thickness and rapidly lateral change. Because of low resolution of seismic data and overlying sand layer. It is difficult to identify and interpret the structure of sand layer accurately. The uncertainty of structure and reservoir restricts the fine development of B sand layer. In order to identify the top surface of reservoir effectively. The seismic data are processed by using the reflection coefficient inversion method. The results show that the inversion resolution of reflection coefficient is significantly higher than that of original data. The top surface of sand layer B and its overlying sand layer can be well identified and traced. Carrying out structural interpretation of B sand layer based on reflection coefficient inversion data and the microstructure and the formation tip extinction point are implemented. Based on the constraint of new interpretation level, the sedimentary facies plane distribution of B sand layer is described and make prediction of dominant reservoir development area in detail combining with sedimentary paleogeomorphology, along layer attribute section and limited drilling data. The research shows that the study area is mainly from the northwest material sources, the slope belt in the northwest is close to the lake shoreline with a gentle slope and shallow water depositional environment, which is located on the main transport and deposition channels. The shallow water gentle slope landform is suitable for forming large-area sand bar deposition, mainly composed of underwater distributary channel and debouch bars facies, which is the dominant reservoir development area. The research conclusion guides the deployment and implementation of the development well location effectively.

Fine Single Channel Identification Controlled by Sedimentary Facies—Taking KLA Oilfield as an Example

The Neogene fluvial reservoir in the Bohai oilfield is one of the leading development horizons for increasing reserves and production in the Bohai oilfield. However, the development of offshore fluvial reservoirs is faced with the problems of thin reservoir thickness, narrow plane width, rapid lateral change, and thin well pattern. Taking the KLA oilfield as an example, this paper discusses the nuanced characterization and configuration of a single channel controlled by sedimentary facies to guide developing offshore river facies’ narrow channel main control oilfield. Firstly, based on a large number of core data, the acceptable sedimentary facies identification is realized, the sedimentary model of the study area is established, the delicate calibration of logging facies and seismic facies is realized under the constraint of the sedimentary model, and a set of technical methods for nuanced reservoir characterization guided by seismic sedimentology is summarized, to realize the boundary identification of composite channel configuration and further realize the nuanced characterization of the single narrow channel. Based on this set of technology, it guides the smooth implementation of horizontal wells in the oilfield. The drilling encounter rate of the reservoir in the horizontal section of the single well exceeds 90%, ensuring the injection production connectivity and increasing the reserve production rate by more than 10%.

Sequence associations of sedimentary facies in continental basins and their applications to palaeogeographic mapping

According to the characteristics of sedimentary facies and their vertical associations, sequence association of sedimentary facies can be divided into 2 types and 28 subtypes. The first type(type A)is a sedimentary sequence without volcanic rocks, including 18 subtypes. The second type(type B)is a volcanogenic succession including 10 subtypes. Each subtype may reflect certain filling condition under certain sedimentary environment. Time and space distribution of different types of sequence associations can reflect tectonics that controlled the basin evolution, sedimentary environments and palaeogeography.

Identification of carbonate sedimentary facies from well logs with machine learning Author links open overlay panel

Sedimentary facies identification is critical for carbonate oil and gas reservoir development.The traditional method of sedimentary facies identification not only be affected by the engineer's experience but also takes a long time.Identifying carbonate sedimentary facies based on machine learning is the trend of future development and has the advantages of short time consuming and reliable results without engineers'subjective influence.Although many references reported the application of machine learning to identify lithofacies,but identifying sedimentary facies of carbonate reservoirs is much more challenging due to the complex sedimentary environment and tectonic movement.This paper compares the performance of the carbonate sedimentary facies identification using four different machine learning models,and the optimal machine learning with the highest prediction accuracy is recommended.First,the carbonate sedimentary facies are classified into the lagoon,shallow sea,shoal,fore-shoal,and inter-shoal five tags based on the well loggings.Then,five well log curves including spectral gamma ray(SGR),uranium-free gamma ray(CGR),photoelectric absorption cross-section index(PE),true formation resistivity(RT),shallow lateral resistivity(RS)are used as the input,and the manual identified carbonate sedimentary facies are used as the output of the machine learning model.The performance of four different machine learning algorithms,including support vector machine(SVM),deep neural network(DNN),long short-term memory(LSTM)network,and random forest(RF)are compared.The other two wells are used for model validation.The research results show that the RF method has the highest accuracy of sedimentary facies prediction,and the average prediction accuracy is 78.81%;the average accuracy of sedimentary facies prediction using SVM is 77.93%.The sedimentary facies predictions using DNN and LSTM are less satisfying compared with RF and SVM,and the average accuracy is 69.94%and 73.05%,respectively.The predicted carbonate sedimentary facies by LSTM are more continuous compared with other machine learning models.This study is helpful for identifying compelx sedimentary facies of carbonate reservoirs from well logs.

Construction of a fluvial facies knowledge graph and its application in sedimentary facies identification

Lithofacies paleogeography is a data-intensive discipline that involves the interpretation and compilation of sedimentary facies.Traditional sedimentary facies analysis is a labor-intensive task with the added complexity of using unstructured knowledge and unstandardized terminology.Therefore,it is very difficult for beginners or non-geology scholars who lack a systematic knowledge and experience in sedimentary facies analysis.These hurdles could be partly alleviated by having a standardized,structured,and systematic knowledge base coupled with an efficient automatic machine-assisted sedimentary facies identification system.To this end,this study constructed a knowledge system for fluvial facies and carried out knowledge representation.Components include a domain knowledge graph for types of fluvial facies(meandering,braided and other fluvial depositional environments)and their characteristic features(bedforms,grain size distribution,etc.)with visualization,a method for query and retrieval on a graph database platform,a hierarchical knowledge tree-structure,a data-mining clustering algorithm for machineanalysis of publication texts,and an algorithm model for this area of sedimentary facies reasoning.The underlying sedimentary facies identification and knowledge reasoning system is based on expert experience and synthesis of publications.For testing,17 sets literature publications data that included details of sedimentary facies data(bedforms,grain sizes,etc.)were submitted to the artificial intelligence model,then compared and validated.This testing set of automated reasoning results yielded an interpretation accuracy of about 90%relative to the published interpretations in those papers.Therefore,the model and algorithm provide an efficient and automated reasoning technology,which provides a new approach and route for the rapid and intelligent identification of other types of sedimentary facies from literature data or direct use in the field.