Method for modelling the formation of a sedimentary area by simulating current-induced particle transport

A computer implemented method for modelling a formation of a sedimentary area, the method comprising:

• a setup comprising defining a geological gridded model of the sedimentary area comprising a plurality of cells, and setting a reference water level, at least one supply process of particles to be introduced within the model, and a plurality of modelled individual water currents, and
• simulating an evolution of the geological gridded model over a predetermined period of time, comprising:
• assigning a water depth to each cell of the geological gridded model,
• determining, for each cell of the geological gridded model, a direction and velocity of a water current,
• wherein the determination of a direction and velocity of the water current comprises, for each cell, determining a direction and energy of each modelled individual water current, and determining a direction and energy of a global water current resulting from a sum of each modelled individual water current,
• introducing at least one particle in at least one cell of the geological gridded model, transporting each introduced particle in the geological gridded model, based on the determined direction and velocity of the water current,
• wherein the transport of a particle comprises displacing the particle to a neighboring cell of the model or depositing the particle in the cell, and the transporting step comprises determining if the particle is displaced or if it is deposited, depending on a particle granulometric class and the velocity of the water current applied to the particle, and
• updating the geological gridded model of the area according to the transport of each introduced particle.

A computer implemented method for modelling a formation of a sedimentary area, the method comprising:

• a setup comprising defining a geological gridded model of the sedimentary area comprising a plurality of cells, and setting a reference water level, at least one supply process of particles to be introduced within the model, and at least one current to be modelled, and
• simulating an evolution of the geological gridded model over a predetermined period of time, comprising:
• assigning a water depth to each cell of the geological gridded model,
• determining, for each cell of the geological gridded model, a direction and velocity of a water current,
• introducing at least one particle in at least one cell of the geological gridded model, transporting each introduced particle in the geological gridded model, based on the determined direction and velocity of the water current,
• wherein each water current is decomposed into a plurality of sub-currents comprising at least:
• a plume current, located at water surface, and
• a bottom current, located at water bottom,
• wherein determining the velocity of the water current comprises determining a velocity of each sub-current into which the water current is decomposed,
• wherein the transport of a particle comprises displacing the particle to a neighboring cell of the model or depositing the particle in the cell, and the transporting step comprises determining if the particle is displaced or if it is deposited, depending on a particle granulometric class and the velocity of the water current applied to the particle, and
• updating the geological gridded model of the area according to the transport of each introduced particle.

A computer implemented method for modelling a formation of a sedimentary area, the method comprising:

• a setup comprising defining a geological gridded model of the sedimentary area comprising a plurality of cells, and setting a reference water level, at least one supply process of particles to be introduced within the model, and at least one current to be modelled, and
• simulating the evolution of the geological gridded model over a predetermined period of time, comprising:
• assigning a water depth to each cell of the geological gridded model,
• determining, for each cell of the geological gridded model, a direction and velocity of a water current,
• introducing at least one particle in at least one cell of the geological gridded model,
• transporting each introduced particle in the geological gridded model, based on the determined direction and velocity of the water current,
• wherein the transport of a particle comprises displacing the particle to a neighboring cell of the model or depositing the particle in the cell, and the transporting step comprises determining if the particle is displaced or if it is deposited, depending on a particle granulometric class and the velocity of the water current applied to the particle,
• wherein the transporting a particle comprises displacing at least one particle to a neighboring cell, and displacing a particle comprises:
• determining an advective movement of the particle and displacing the particle according to the determined advective movement, and
• determining a dispersive movement of the particle displaced according to the determined advective movement and displacing the particle according to the determined dispersive movement, and
• updating the geological gridded model of the area according to the transport of each introduced particle.