Sinuous submarine channel systems are important sedimentary components of continental margins and form significant oil reservoirs in the deep offshore. Their internal sedimentary architecture and the processes that govern this are very poorly understood, thus limiting their sedimentary predictability. The investigators propose an integrated study to analyse the gross-scale hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes of sinous submarine channels in order to evaluate controls on intra-channel facies distribution. This will be achieved by controlled laboratory experiments, examination of modern systems, and analysis of high resolution 3D-seismic datasets utilising innovative 3D modelling and visualisation technologies. The investigators will then use these results to build generic facies models of intra-channel architecture, and to develop 3D-modelling tools to enhance reservoir prediction.

Deposition in many Ocean Margin settings involves settling of non-cohesive grains ('sand') through a non-Newtonian suspension of colloidal ('mud') particles. Although sand or mud-only settling is well constrained, combined sand-mud settling is poorly understood. Complex particle interactions ensure sand-mud settling is not simply the addition of individual sand and mud settling behaviour. Novel experiments will develop a better understanding of sand-mud settling dynamics in the context of submarine turbidity currents, in order to predict lateral variations in mud-content and reservoir quality of their deposits (turbidites). Many of the World's largest petroleum reservoirs occur within turbidites. Results will also aid prediction of pollutant flux to the sea-floor in diverse marine settings, as pollutants are preferentially incorporated onto mud particles.