ABSTRACT: Biostratigraphic Application to Pliocene Sequence Stratigraphy of the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico and Its Integration to Lithostratigraphy

R. N. Rosen, W. A. Hill

Detailed biostratigraphic facies analysis and well log characteristics, combined with sequence stratigraphic techniques, assisted us in development of sequence stratigraphic basin models for the central and western Gulf of Mexico, enabling us to correlate shelf versus slope sequences. Utilization of abundant areanaceous and calcareous foraminiferal associates assisted us in recognition of high stand and transgressive system tracts. Integration of the above data with well log characteristics and internal sand quality identifies the sand prone intervals, which when combined with geophysical data assisted us in recognition of low-stand system tracts.

Utilization of biostratigraphic data for recognition of "tops" alone is not compatible with seismic stratigraphic techniques. Paleontologic data when used as a whole help identify major sequence boundaries and depositional environments relative to the shelf edge during each sequence cycle. Further, the combination of the internal characteristics of well logs and paleontologic data permits identification of system tracts within each sequence cycle. When constructing a stratigraphic cross section utilizing the above information, vertical and lateral scale can be assigned to sequence cycles not obvious on seismic data alone.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90999©1990 GCAGS and Gulf Coast Section SEPM Meeting, Lafayette, Louisiana, October 17-19, 1990