Bouroullec, Renaud1, Paul Weimer1, Olivier Serrano2
(1) University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
(2) Bureau de Recherche Geologique et Miniere, Orleans, France
ABSTRACT: Regional Structural Setting and Evolution of the Northeastern Deep Gulf of Mexico
This study presents the results of structural analyses of the Mississippi Canyon and
Atwater Valley protraction areas, northeastern deep Gulf of Mexico. Analysis included
19,557 km of 2-D and 378 square miles of 3-D seismic data, tied to 150 exploration wells
and biostratigraphy. The study area is an active exploration province, including 50 fields
and discoveries.
Structural analyses were carried out to characterize the geometry and kinematics of (1)
the basement, (2) the extensional, contractional and strike-slip systems, and (3) the
multi-level allochthonous salt systems from Jurassic to present. This study also
investigates the intricate temporal and spatial relationship between these three tectonic
systems, in relation to the formation of main structural traps.
Basement structures consist of a series of horsts, grabens and half-grabens with various
orientations. This organization greatly controls the subsequent evolution of the basin.
Three successive extensional and contractional systems are present: (1) a regional pre
mid-Oligocene E/W trending system, (2) a regional post mid-Oligocene NNW/SSE trending
system migrating landward through time, and (3) series of local NNW/SSE trending Upper
Miocene systems. Three levels of allochthonous salt systems are present at the top Albian
(99 Ma), top Cretaceous (66 Ma) and during the Neogene (between 10 and 4 Ma). Four main
contrasting styles of allochthonous salt systems have been identified: basement,
counterregional, Roho, and foldbelt related systems. Some of these systems have been
modified by late strike-slip tectonics triggered by differential subsidence along the
slope, itself related to the irregular early (autochthonous and early allochthonous) salt
distribution.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.