--> Abstract: Well-Log Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy of Aruba and its Application to the Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Caribbean Area, by W. W. Wornardt and P. R. Vail; #90988 (1993).

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WORNARDT, WALTER W., Micro-Strat Inc., Houston, TX, and PETER R. VAIL, Rice University, Houston, TX

ABSTRACT: Well-Log Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy of Aruba and its Application to the Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Caribbean Area

Several wells have recently been drilled in offshore Aruba approximately 12 degrees North Latitude and 70 degrees West Longitude, just north of the Westernpart of Venezuela, South Central Caribbean. One of the wells, the Oxy Chuchubi # 1 well penetrated a largely carbonate section that ranged in age from early Pliocene to early Oligocene to late Eocene? at its total depth of 9,210 feet. High resolution biostratigraphy of benthic and planktonic foraminifers and calcareous nannofossils provided the abundance and diversity histograms necessary to recognized a series of maximum flooding surface condensed sections (MFS). Fourteen maximum flooding surfaces within the MFS condensed sections were identified on the well log and dated using the planktonic foraminifers and calcareous nannofossil . These maximum flooding surfaces range in age from 4.0 Ma to 35 Ma or possibly 36.5 Ma. The paleobathymetry varies from middle to outer neritic in the upper portion of the well to lower bathyal to abyssal in the lower portion of the well. Fourteen third order sequences and their systems tracts were identified and annotated on a well log. These sequences were correlated with the Global Cycle Chart of Haq, 1987. The sequence stratigraphy provides a means of chronostratigraphic correlation to Venezuela and provides a direct tie to the geological history and hydrocarbon potential of the area.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90988©1993 AAPG/SVG International Congress and Exhibition, Caracas, Venezuela, March 14-17, 1993.