Gayle Plenderleith

Ms. Gayle Plenderleith


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 February 2022 in Sedimentology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Thomas J.H. DoddThomas J.H. Dodd
Thomas J.H. Dodd
DMDave McCarthy
Dave McCarthy
LALawrence Amy
Lawrence Amy
GPGayle Plenderleith
Gayle Plenderleith
SCStuart M. Clarke
Stuart M. Clarke
Hybrid event beds are texturally and compositionally‐diverse deposits preserved within deepwater settings. They are deposited by flows exhibiting ‘mixed behaviour’, forming complex successions of sandstone and mudstone, which are often challenging to predict. Hybrid event beds are documented in deep‐marine settings, where they have been thoroughly characterized, and are well‐known as effective fluid transmissibility barriers and baffles in reservoirs. By comparison, there are far‐fewer studies of hybrid event beds from deep‐lacustrine settings, where their character and distribution remains relatively under‐explored. In order to provide insights into these deposits, this study presents the detailed analysis of three‐dimensional seismic data, wireline logs and core from a series of ancient deep‐lacustrine fan systems in the North Falkland Basin. Results confirm that deep‐lacustrine hybrid event beds comprise the same idealized sequence of the ‘H1–H5’ divisions. However, in this study H3 ‘debrite’ units can be sub‐divided into ‘H3a–H3c’, based on: sharp or erosional intra‐H3 contacts, bulk lithology, mud‐content and discrete sedimentary textures. This study interprets the H3a–H3c sub‐units as the products of multiple flow components formed through significant rearward longitudinal flow transformation processes, during the emplacement of a single hybrid event bed. Hybrid event beds are observed within lobe fringes, where flow types, energies and transport mechanisms diversify as a result of flow transformation. The temporal context of hybrid event bed occurrences is considered in relation to stages of fan evolution, including: the Initiation; Growth (I); Growth (II); By‐pass; Abandonment; and Termination phases. Hybrid event beds are mainly found in either the initiation phase where flow interaction and erosion of initial substrates promoted mixed flow behaviour, or in the abandonment phase as facies belts retreated landward. The results of this study have important implications in terms of flow processes of hybrid event bed emplacement, in particular sub‐division of the H3 unit, as well as the prediction of hybrid event bed occurrence and character within ancient deep‐lacustrine fan settings, in general.

4 January 2022 in Basin Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GPGayle Plenderleith
Gayle Plenderleith
Thomas J.H. DoddThomas J.H. Dodd
Thomas J.H. Dodd
DMDave. J. McCarthy
Dave. J. McCarthy
Fault relay ramps are important sediment delivery points along rift margins and often provide persistent flow pathways in deepwater sedimentary basins. They form as tilted rock volumes between en‐echelon fault segments, which become modified through progressive deformation, and may develop through‐going faults that ‘breach’ the relay ramp. It is well established that hinterland drainage (fluvial/alluvial systems) is greatly affected by the presence of relay ramps at basin margins. However, the impact on deepwater (deep‐marine/lacustrine) subaqueous sediment gravity flow processes, particularly by breached relay ramps, is less well documented. To better evaluate the complex geology of breached relay settings, this study examines a suite of high‐quality subsurface data from the Early Cretaceous deep‐lacustrine North Falkland Basin (NFB). The Isobel Embayment breached relay‐ramp, an ideal example, formed during the syn‐rift and was later covered by a thick transitional and early post‐rift succession. Major transitional and early post‐rift fan systems are observed to have consistently entered the basin at the breached relay location, directed through a significant palaeo‐bathymetric low associated with the lower, abandoned ramp of the structure. More minor systems also entered the basin across the structure‐bounding fault to the north. Reactivation of basin‐bounding faults is shown by the introduction of new point sources along its extent. This study shows the prolonged influence of margin‐located relay ramps on sedimentary systems from syn‐rift, transitional and into the early post‐rift phase. It suggests that these structures can become reactivated during post‐rift times, providing continued control on deposition and sourcing of overlying sedimentary systems. Importantly, breached relays exert control on fan distribution, characterised by laterally extensive lobes sourced by widespread feeder systems, and hanging walls settings by small‐scale lobes, with small, often line‐sourced feeders. Further characterising the likely sandstone distribution in these structurally complex settings is important as these systems often form attractive hydrocarbon reservoirs.

17 June 2025 in Geoenergy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
LAL. E. Abel
L. E. Abel
JWJ. D. O. Williams
J. D. O. Williams
KWK. A. Wright
K. A. Wright
TRT. A. Randles
T. A. Randles
PBP. Bridger
P. Bridger
JWJ. C. White
J. C. White
The utilisation of extensive saline aquifers for CO 2 storage will require careful consideration of the potential pressure responses. Displacement of formation waters result in far-reaching pressure footprints that extend beyond the storage sites. Where multiple storage projects share a connected saline aquifer, the available pressure budgets for neighbouring projects may be negatively impacted. Structures such as faults and salt walls can potentially divide an aquifer into smaller hydraulic units. The extent of hydraulic units in the Bunter Sandstone Formation (BSF) within the United Kingdom Southern North Sea (UKSNS) was investigated by structural interpretation of seismic data. A new classification scheme was developed to characterise the major structural features affecting the BSF, and their likely impact on boundary conditions. The resultant boundary condition map indicates where structures are expected to inhibit potential pressure communication through displacement/dislocation of the BSF aquifer. The results were validated by pressure data which confirmed the existence of variable pressure regimes across the BSF. Understanding these boundary conditions is essential to support the strategic deployment of CO 2 storage in the UKSNS and to maximise storage capacity. The methodology can also be applied to other regions where extensive saline aquifers are considered for CO 2 storage.