Integrated Sequence and Seismic Stratigraphy of the Jurassic Strata, Northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Jamal A. Obid
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

The Upper Juarssic-Lower Cretaceous strata in northeastern Gulf of Mexico consist of the Norphlet, the Smackover, and the Haynesville Formations, and the Cotton Valley Group. These strata are characterized by a thickness of mixed siliciclastic and carbonate, non-marine, marginal marine, and marine deposits.

A large number of well log data were examined and then integrated with about 3500 km of two dimensional, multi-channel seismic reflection data. The integration process of the two types of data was performed using check shot surveys and synthetic seismograms in an effort to establish an integrated seismic and sequence stratigraphic analysis for the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous strata in the study area.

Three transgressive-regressive sequences, (T-R J1, T-R J2, T-R LK1) recognized on seismic reflection data. Conversely, four transgressive-regressive sequences (T-R J1, T-R J2, T-R J3, and T-R LK1) were recognized on well log data. Major sequence boundaries, transgressive surfaces, and surfaces of maximum transgression were identified from well log signatures and from seismic reflector configurations. These inferred significant stratigraphic surfaces were then traced across the study area. They were found to have utility for regional correlation in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico area. Furthermore, the surfaces of maximum transgression, which represent major events of marine flooding, may have potential for global correlation.