Exploring a basinscale synthesis of Mesozoic depositional systems
Exploring a basin-scale synthesis of Mesozoic depositional systems and salt tectonics in the northern GOM John W. Snedden, Patricia E. Ganey-Curry and William E. Galloway Institute for Geophysics The University of Texas at Austin
Objectives and History • Objectives: Assemble and synthesize well, seismic, and other data to establish basin-scale depositional history of the Gulf of Mexico Cenozoic – Test and refine onshore to deep basin stratigraphic correlations – Map progressive depositional systems associations for each of 18 intervals from Top Cretaceous to Pleistocene – Create GIS database with data from multiple sources; paleogeographic maps – Help guide prediction of reservoir distribution and characteristics • Project started in 1995; Current phase (VIII) thru YE 11 • Currently 22 sponsors including every major and most mid-sized companies operating in the GOM deepwater; 20 of 22 sponsors also AGL Members • AGL and GBDS have a long-standing collaborative relationship
GOM Stratigraphy and paleogeography From Galloway (2008)
Forward Plan (Phase IX) • Initiate basin-scale depositional synthesis of the Mesozoic – Onshore USA and Mexico Mesozoic Fields; no current DW Mesozoic production – Recent EGOM, deep LA Shelf discoveries – 10+ Cretaceous offshore wells; new deep seismic being collected by industry and academia – Important questions about evolution from Jurassic rift to Cenozoic passive margin • Re-engage with graduate students – Like AGL, provides both training with tools commonly used by industry as well as addressing important scientific problems • Expand ARCGIS database – Vertical (deep time) and lateral (Florida Platform to Cuba to Mexico) • Sequential restorations back to Base Triassic – Needed for rafted Jurassic section in EGOM, salt deposition and evacuation history (Ian Norton)
. From Galloway (2008) From Mac. Moran press release, June 11, 2011 . From Galloway (2008)
Mesozoic asymmetric expulsion rollovers, Mississippi Canyon area SE Courtesy ION GXT 2 sec TWT SW 2 sec TWT Courtesy ION GXT -Significance for understanding timing, location, and relative volume of sediment input as well as regional salt movement in Mesozoic
Origin and Extent of K/Pg Boundary Unit • • Plan to map ejecta, breccia and associated gravity flow deposits across deepwater of entire Gulf of Mexico using UTIG and industry seismic data Important reservoir in Mexico (Cantarell field); scientifically important unit Distribution reflects process and source point; wells provide lithologic calibration Cooperative effort of GBDS and S. Gullick (UTIG MG&G); GBDS grad student thesis project UTIG seismic data K/Pg From Bralower et al. (1998)
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