The Ormen Lange turbidite systems: sedimentary architectures and sequence structure of sandy slope fans in a sediment-starved basin - From Depositional Systems to Sedimentary Successions on the Norwegian Continental Margin - page 641

channelised area and overspilling and sedi-
ment delivery to further downslope mini-
basins and terraces.
5 Channel storeys and lobe storeys form the
fundamental architectural element in the two
turbidite fan systems and probably reflect major
flooding events in the hinterland or drainage
basin. Compensational stacking of the channel
storeys to lobe storeys formed a series of chan-
nel complexes and lobe complexes related to
autogenic, self-organising processes operating
on the fan surface.
6 The uppermost part of the two fan systems rep-
resents a mass-transport influenced fan deposi-
tional style, formed as a response to an early
phase or initial tilting of the basin margin slope.
Cessation in fan growth was a response to subse-
quent structuring along the basin margin and its
hinterland and sand capture in further upslope
and proximal subbasins.
7 The limited siliciclastic supply is a characteristic
feature to the Ormen Lange fan systems and has
resulted in the overall sandy but thin nature of the
two fan systems.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study reflects the work of a team of Shell
Exploration and Development geologists and geo-
physicists working over a period of several years
on the Ormen Lange and neighbouring assets.
The authors thank colleagues and partners in
joint ventures for fruitful discussions over this
period. Special thank goes to Cato Berge, Ciaran
O'Byrne, Pete Mears, Carlos Pirmez, Ru Smith
and Chris Townsend. Partners in the Ormen
Lange Field (Statoil, ExxonMobil, DONG and
Petoro) are acknowledged for permission to pub-
lish results from the Ormen Lange field model
update completed in 2008. We would also like to
thank I. Kane, D. Pyles and volume editor R.J.
Steel for reviewing and suggesting improvements
to this paper.

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