ENHANCED BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC RESOLUTION ON THE SCOTIAN MARGIN THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF CALCAREOUS NANNOFOSSILS

Of the approximately 180 hydrocarbon exploration wells drilled on the Scotian margin, less than 10 have published studies of their calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. These studies have been restricted to the Upper Cretaceous to Paleocene interval.

New analysis of ditch cuttings, sidewall core and core samples at approximately 20m intervals from the entire sampled section of 6 deepwater wells from the Scotian margin, reveals that calcareous nannofossils are present from the Callovian to the Pleistocene. The Cretaceous nannofossils present on the Scotian margin show affinities to Tethyan floras, while the Cenozoic assemblages are more cosmopolitan.

The integration of calcareous nannofossil datums with those from foraminifera and palynomorphs enhances the biostratigraphic resolution in these wells. Using time depth and chronostratigraphy plots the integrated results are used to define major stratigraphic breaks that occur in all the studied wells together with smaller breaks of more local significance.