Print this pageAbstract: Computer-Assisted Paleoecologic Analyses and Application to Petroleum Exploration
Several computer programs are in use in the oil industry to provide rapid, reliable, and consistent paleoecologic 
interpretation
of wells from paleontologic and lithologic data.
The basic input for these programs is the coded description of the fossil and lithologic constitutents of washed well samples as described by the paleontologist. The output is a basic paleontologic well log, plus several other products, including paleoecologic logs and displays. The basic paleontologic log consists of a sample-by-sample coded description of fossil and lithologic content of the entire well plotted to a vertical scale, usually 1 in. = 100 ft.
Two types of paleoecologic products are particularly useful: (1) paleobathymetric well logs, and (2) occurrence charts in which fossils found in a well are arranged in sequence and groups according to their paleoecologic significance.
The ultimate objective is to utilize all the interpreted paleontologic data in the most effective manner for the maximum contribution to the exploration program. To this end, the logs are synthesized to produce paleobathymetric maps, cross sections, and other displays which support the exploration program in numerous ways. Some examples of usage are: (1) to reconstruct geologic history, (2) to recognize eustatic sea-level changes and evaluate their influence on reservoir sand distribution patterns, (3) to enhance well correlations, and (4) to define depositional trends that are favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90965©1978 GCAGS and GC Section SEPM, New Orleans, Louisiana