--> New Hydrocarbon Plays in the Gulf of Mexico – Potential of Jurassic Clastic Plays on Both the Yucatan and Florida Margins

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New Hydrocarbon Plays in the Gulf of Mexico – Potential of Jurassic Clastic Plays on Both the Yucatan and Florida Margins

Abstract

Observations from newly acquired seismic data in offshore Mexico suggest the potential for a new hydrocarbon play type. Observations from seismic in the deep water suggest that a Jurassic (Oxfordian?) clastic wedge is present on both the Yucatan and the Florida margins. Basin reconstruction models suggest that the seismic lines presented in this talk were opposite each other on the margins of Yucatan and Florida before they separated. The seaward termination of these clastic depositional systems occurs at the limit of oceanic crust (LOC) on both margins. We believe these strata are coeval and represent a Jurassic depositional system that has not been previously identified in the Mexican deep water. Understanding the paleogeography and plate reconstruction is critical to interpretation of the potential depositional facies contained within these 3-4km thick sedimentary wedges. We suggest they contain several well documented source (Tithonian) and reservoir (Norphlet, Smackover) intervals. The purpose of this talk is therefore to document this and identify future hydrocarbon plays in the region.