Exploration applications of integrated biostratigraphic analysis, plio-pleistocene, offshore Southern Trinidad
The Neogene depositional history of the Eastern Venezuela Tertiary Basin is dominated by north to northeast transport of deltaic sedimentation overprinted by complex tectonics. Exploration requires precise correlations and carefully constrained depositional models and risk assessment is facilitated by an understanding of depositional environments based on integration of biostratigraphy, seismic sequence stratigraphy, log-motif analysis and seismic facies mapping. Correlation of the offshore Trinidad Columbus and Carambola wells, and their use in calibrating seismic reflection profile analysis, illustrates this process of integrated stratigraphic interpretation. The seismic reflection profiles are dominated by parallel continuous reflections and the tectonic overprint of phases of extension and compression. Locally developed unconformities and clinoforms of basin-slope scale identify what may be several sequence boundaries. Relative abundance plots of climatically controlled littoral and terrigenous derived palynomoph taxa show well developed arid-to-wet cycles. Biofacies analysis of benthic foraminiferal assemblages identifies patterns of shallowing and deepening environments. Integration of palynological and foraminiferal analyses defines two distinct associations/trends interpreted as environmentally significant: a. Low seal-level association: Arid palynomorph assemblage and shallowing foraminiferal biofacies. b. High seal-level association: Wet palynomorph assemblage and deepening foraminiferal biofacies. Within the context of major marine incursions, these biofacies cycles, when integrated with seismic facies and wireline log stacking patterns, provide a framework for defining and correlating sequences. The distribution of seismic facies, log-facies and biofacies within each depositional sequence provides paleogeographic maps suitable for assessing the probable depositional environment, and also reservoir and seal potential within each structural closure.
- OSTI ID:
- 6065035
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930306-; CODEN: AABUD2
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Vol. 77:2; Conference: International congress of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Caracas (Venezuela), 14-17 Mar 1993; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Integrated outcrop to seismic calibration of depositional sequences in the Upper Cretaceous Mesaverde Group, Rock Springs uplift, southwestern Wyoming
Precision sequence stratigraphy of the Plio-Pleistocene, Gulf of Mexico: Digital integration of seismic, log, paleontologic, and oxygen isotope data
Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
DEPOSITION
STRATIGRAPHY
CORRELATIONS
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
EXPLORATORY WELLS
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS
EXPLORATION
FORAMINIFERA
FOSSILS
MAPPING
SEDIMENTS
TECTONICS
TERTIARY PERIOD
TRANSPORT
ANIMALS
CENOZOIC ERA
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
INVERTEBRATES
ISLANDS
LESSER ANTILLES
MICROORGANISMS
PROTOZOA
SARCODINA
WELLS
WEST INDIES
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
580000 - Geosciences