Abstract: Sequence Stratigraphy and Petroleum Potential of Plio-Pleistocene Strata in Northern Green Canyon, Deep Gulf of Mexico

Rafael Martinez, Fadjar M. Budhijanto, Zurilma Acosta

The Green Canyon lease area is both a frontier exploration area and a producing province in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The area consists of complex salt features and sediments deposited in intraslope basins. The study area covers 5800 sq km and lies in water depths ranging from 70-1100 meters.

Integrated interpretation is based on 5600 km of 2-D multifold migrated seismic data, biostratigraphy data from 79 wells and wireline logs. Plio-Pleistocene strata are a maximum of 6000 m thick. Twelve depositional sequences, predominantly consisting of bathyal turbidite systems, were recognized (4.2, 3.8, 3.0, 2.6, 2.4, 1.9, 1.4, 1.1, 0.8, 0.7, 0.5, 0.4, Ma). A major condensed zone (3.0-1.4) is present in the northeast and central areas, which varies in thickness from 70 to 280 m.

Sand-prone intervals are interpreted to be slope fan and basin-floor fan deposits. Major sand development occurs mainly at the base of sequences 4.2, 3.8, 3.4, 3.0, 1.9, and 1.1 Ma. and represent potential reservoirs. In addition three well developed submarine canyon systems of 0.5 Ma or younger developed primarily on the northeastern part of the study area.

Growth faults and salt movement played an important role in the evolution of the area and created favorable conditions for petroleum entrapment. Future prospects include a variety of combination structural/stratigraphic traps including updip pinchout of sand intervals against salt bodies, thrust faults, faulted rollover structures and subsalt structures.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994