DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-RESOLUTION CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY FRAMEWORKS UTILIZING MULTI-DISCIPLINARY MICROFOSSIL DATA, AS AN AID FOR EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION ACTIVITIES

The formulation and formalization of a high-resolution chronostratigraphic framework is imperative to the successful identification and characterization of reservoir stratigraphy for global exploration and exploitation activities. The development of such frameworks requires the integration of multi-disciplinary microfossil data with other stratigraphic information including sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, petrophysics, geochemistry, and basin modeling among others. Additionally, the data derived from various microfossil groups (foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, and palynomorphs) must be of sufficient high quality to adequately and correctly characterize the reservoir stratigraphy and be of value to the exploration and exploitation teams.

A global chronostratigraphy provides a starting point from which to develop these high-resolution frameworks. Through integration of the varied stratigraphic data, a basin specific framework evolves which more accurately characterizes local reservoir stratigraphy, and further addresses additional exploration/exploitation risk parameters. The chronostratigraphic framework and quantitative microfossil data additionally refine sequence stratigraphic interpretations by delineating systems tracts through the identification of sequence boundaries (unconformities/hiatuses) and maximum flooding surfaces. Age calibration of these significant stratigraphic surfaces provides valuable input to basin models and thermal maturation histories. Paleoenvironmental interpretations based on foraminifera and palynomorphs can be utilized to produce paleogeographic reconstructions for specific reservoir and/or source intervals.