Print this pageGraphic Correlation 
Analysis
of
Upper Tertiary Rocks in the Gulf of Suez and Nile Delta, Egypt, and the Adana
Basin, Southern Turkey: Advantages and Improvements in Stratigraphic Resolution
for Exploration and Production
By
William N. Krebs1
(1) Energy and Geoscience Institute, Houston, TX
Graphic correlation illustrates the relationship of rock sections to geologic time. A line of correlation (LOC) drawn through paleontological datums that have been calibrated to geologic time depicts this relationship. The LOC consists of oblique line segments separated by horizontal lines or “terraces.” If not fault related, these terraces represent hiatuses produced by erosion (unconformities) or transgression (condensed intervals). The oblique segments are rock sections with continuous deposition, or “chronostratigraphic sequences.” Sedimentation rates and missing geologic time are estimated from the LOC’s, and their integration with seismic and geologic data on the workstation enhances stratigraphic interpretations in exploration and production.
Graphic correlation of Upper Tertiary rocks in two tectonic and one deltaic
basin in the eastern Mediterranean region indicates that they consist of several
chronostratigraphic sequences. The Upper Tertiary section of the Gulf of Suez is
divided into nine widespread sequences that reflect basin evolution through rift
initiation, climax, and post-rift phases. Play
types are related to rift phase:
half-graben fills during rift initiation, turbidites and fans at climax, and
deltas and evaporites in the post-rift phase. Hiatal events within the syn-rift
section reflect major tectonic events. Correlative rocks in the Adana Basin of
southern Turkey consist of four chronostratigraphic sequences whose hiatal
boundaries are also related to tectonism. The Messinian-Quaternary section of
the Nile Delta, however, contains six widespread hiatuses produced by eustatic
fluctuations. Those formed by regional flooding are effective gas seals in the
Nile Delta.