Correlation and Dating of Major Stratal Surfaces Between Gondwana and Eurasia – the Impact of Sequence Stratigraphy

Kilner, Ben¹, Aimee Brown¹, Carola Hulka¹, Dave Kemp¹, Domenico Lodola¹, Mike Simmons¹, Owen Sutcliffe¹, Alice Thomas¹, Joanne Wyton¹ (1) Neftex Petroleum, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Variations in eustatic sea level through geological time have left a globally correlatable record of major stratal geometries. These geometries can be identified in the rock record on the basis of sequence stratigraphic surfaces, such as maximum flooding surfaces (MFS) and sequence boundaries (SB). The age of these surfaces can be constrained using standard chronostratigraphic tools, such as biostratigraphy and geochronology. By careful comparison of regional biostratigraphic correlation, we can demonstrate the time equivalent nature of major stratal surfaces, in widely separated, and geologically variable areas.

Using the major stratal surfaces outlined in Sharland et al, 2001, we have been able to identify and chronostratigraphically constrain co-eval, large scale sediment geometries in Arabia, North Africa, Central Asia, West Siberia and Baltica. These packages exhibit similar source, reservoir and seal geometries. We are now applying the same methodology to identify equivalent sediment packages in other areas, including South and North America, and East Asia.