Abstract: Documentation and Recognition of Fourteen Third Order Depositional Sequences in the Late Miocene-Pliocene-Pleistocene Gulf of Mexico

Walter W. Wornardt Jr., Peter R. Vail

Fourteen third order Depositional sequences (Vail Sequences) and their systems tracts were recognized in 65 wells, in the late Miocene-Pliocene-Pleistocene, in the South additions and deepwater areas, offshore Louisiana and Texas, Gulf of Mexico, including High Island, West Cameron, East Cameron, Vermilion, South Marsh Island, Eugene Island, Ship Shoal, South Timbalier, Ewing Bank, Green Canyon, Garden Banks, and East Breaks. The sequences that were recognized in these areas are the 5.5, 4.2, 3.8, 3.0, 2.6, 2.4, 1.9, 1.4, 1.1, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, and 0.4 Ma. A maximum flooding surface condensed section and maximum flooding surface associated with the first occurrence downhole (Last Appearance Datum) of 25 important planktonic foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil bioevents were rec gnized within each Vail Sequence. The presence of these sequences have been documented through the integration of the high resolution biostratigraphic and paleobathymetric data with well-log sequence stratigraphic interpretations and their correlations with seismic reflection profiles. These Vail Sequences and their systems tracts were correlated from North to South through a series of five wells per dip section within 14 dip sections from High Island to Ewing Bank. The cross sections demonstrate the superpositional and lateral relationship of the various sequences and systems tracts updip, down dip and parallel to strike.

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