A review of knowledge about fine-grained sediments<subtitle>Mudstones, siltstones and shales</subtitle>

Siltstones, mudstones and shales have been studied mainly with regard to general transportdeposition processes and clay mineralogy. A small group of investigators, with differing backgrounds, have worked on these fine-grained deposits. Recent studies on deepwater deposits from cores and outcrops indicate that the presence of finer-grained deposits greatly affect the fluid flow properties of deepwater reservoirs. Characteristics and rock properties of these deposits, which resulted from a variety of depositional processes, are just beginning to be understood.