--> ABSTRACT: Paleontology Resources at the Minerals Management Service, United States Department of the Interior: Biostratigraphic Baseline and Problem Solver, by Anton R. Friedmann; #91020 (1995).

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Paleontology Resources at the Minerals Management Service, United States Department of the Interior: Biostratigraphic Baseline and Problem Solver

Anton R. Friedmann

The role of biostratigraphy in subsalt prospect analysis, sequence-oriented basin studies, deep-water Gulf of Mexico ventures, and frontier provinces such as the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the United States Atlantic Coast is discussed. Paleontologic data flow and routine use of biostratigrahic interpretation in the resource evaluation process are reviewed. Examples illustrate how the micropaleontologist interfaces this expertise at the field study, prospect, and regional levels.

Geologic information that the Minerals Management Service, United States Department of the Interior obtains from nongovernment sources to accomplish mission-defined projects includes paleontologic reports from operators and consultants, published reports, and maps. Additionally, government micropaleontologists examine cuttings and prepare detailed reports. Nonproprietary paleontologic reports, maps, cross sections, and regional atlases are available as public information.

Geoscientists at the Minerals Management Service, United States Department of the Interior use comprehensive paleontologic analysis as a baseline and problem solver. This analysis includes determination of relative extinction horizon age (tops), genetic sequence definitions, and paleoecologic indicators to correlate with logs and seismic sections. These data and interpretations are then used in defining producing trends and potential plays, analyzing prospects, and solving stratigraphic problems.

Biostratigraphers provide a framework method to integrate different types of data from a wide range of sources, internal consistency of interpretations, and availability of reports to the public.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995