Slope Sedimentation in the Lower-Mid-Pleistocene, Offshore Louisiana, Northeast Gulf of Mexico

PULHAM, ANDY, and CARL EVANS, BP Exploration, Houston, TX, PETER KAHN, BP Exploration, London, United Kingdom, and PHIL FISH, BP Exploration, Houston, TX

Seismic stratigraphic analysis of lower-mid-Pleistocene stratigraphy (approximately P.Lac2 to P.Lac3) over a 4000-mi2 area of the modern Louisiana slope has identified and mapped a major canyon and related slope sequence. A depositional history has been erected that identifies an early phase of sediment supply to the slope that is widespread and lacks seismic-scale channels followed by more focused sediment supply, canyon formation, canyon filling, and finally slope abandonment.

Integrated seismic and well log stratigraphy identifies several condensed intervals that define and punctuate the slope sequence. Reconstruction of the local and regional paleogeographies further illustrate some of the principal controls on slope deposition in the study area. Contrary to many current models of slope deposition, the canyon fill is at least 50% sand. In addition, the application of current sequence stratigraphic models to the data set is also problematic and illustrates that clear genetic links with local and regional processes are required before slope deposition in the Gulf of Mexico can be fully understood.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91006 © 1991 GCAGS and GC-SEPM Meeting, Houston, Texas, October 16-18, 1991 (2009)