Guevara, Edgar H.1, Héctor F. Ruiz-Ruiz2, William A. Ambrose1,
Julieta Martínez-García2, Juan Rico-Pérez3, Tim F Wawrzyniec4,
Mario Aranda-García2, Khaled Fouad1, Shinichi Sakurai1,
Luis Sánchez-Barreda1
(1) Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at
Austin, Austin, TX
(2) Pemex Exploración y Producción, Poza Rica, Mexico
(3) Pemex Exploración y Producción, Tampico, Mexico
(4) University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
ABSTRACT: Use of Biostratigraphic Data in The Definition of The Geological Framework of The Neogene in The Southern Laguna Madre-Tuxpan Continental Shelf, Eastern Mexico
Hydrocarbon exploration in Tertiary siliciclastics in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico
(GOM) has highlighted the importance of biostratigraphic studies in defining the
geological setting of this relatively poorly known area. This presentation shows examples
of how foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton data help to define the stratigraphic
framework of the Neogene in the continental shelf between the Veracruz and Burgos Basins
in Eastern Mexico. The paleontological information constrained the age and helped in
paleoenvironmental interpretations of regional intervals defined by sequence boundaries
(unconformities) and maximum flooding surfaces delineated in integrated seismic and well
data analysis. The studies form part of joint Bureau of Economic Geology-Pemex
Exploración y Producción investigations of Neogene hydrocarbon plays in this area.
The assigned ages were based on species extinction (downhole first appearance) and/or
planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton biozone tops. Benthic foraminifera
were used in paleobathymetry interpretations. Key fossils for age determinations included Discoaster
brouweri, Sphenolithus abies, Globigerinoides obliquus extremus, and Globorotalia
margaritae margaritae in the Pliocene; Sphaeroidinellopsis disjuncta,
Globorotaloides variabilis, Discoaster quinqueramus, and Discoaster berggrenii
in the Late Miocene; Globorotalia mayeri, Globorotalia fohsi s.l., and Discoaster
hamatus in the Middle Miocene; and Globigerinoides bisphericus, Catapsydrax
dissimilis, and Sphenolithus dissimilis in the Early Miocene.
Integration of these results with those of coastal and offshore basins in Eastern and
Southeastern Mexico will result in unified biostratigraphic criteria for age and
bathymetric interpretations of the Neogene in the southern GOM. This will further lead to
an understanding of the stratigraphy of this underexplored interval in this region.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.