High frequency (4th order) sequence stratigraphy of Early Miocene deltaic shorelines, offshore Texas and Louisiana

Well logs and 3D seismic reflection data are integrated to image Lower Miocene depocenters of the upper Texas and westernmost Louisiana coastal and offshore areas. Although previously interpreted at a large scale (3rd order cycles), the detailed stratigraphy and depositional history of the early Miocene succession has not been fully developed. The upper lower Miocene interval from Robulus L (MFS10) to Amphistegina B (MFS9) has been further subdivided into five 4th order cycles (each 200–300 m thick) to provide finer scale stratigraphic detail and interpretation of depositional environments. Results of the finer scale correlations are presented in a series of sandstone percent maps. Overall, the maps display a strike-elongate (sub-parallel to the present day coastline) orientation for the sandstone bodies which thin to the southeast (basinward). Net sandstone thickness is relatively low in older cycles and increases in younger cycles suggesting an overall progradation of the deltaic system into the mapped area through time. Continued marine regression and southward movement of the shoreline are also confirmed by seismic amplitude maps. After a major transgression associated with Robulus L deltaic progradation occurred under rising sea level conditions. Deltaic sediments prograded southward and sandstone brought to the upper Texas coast was distributed laterally by longshore currents to form strandplain coast lines. Maximum regression occurred during the interval MFS9_2 to MFS9_3 when a deltaic depocenter formed offshore Texas in east High Island area. However, sandstone thickness progressively decreased laterally to the east (offshore Louisiana) where more shale was present and marine processes reworked deltaic derived sandstones into shore parallel bars. There was a clear retreat of the shoreline during the youngest cycle marking the beginning of transgression associated with Amphistegina B. Detailed stratigraphic interpretation (at a 4th order scale) shows more variability in the dominant shoreline processes during early Miocene than previously thought. Recognition of sedimentary systems variability at a 4th order scale is critical for improved hydrocarbon exploration and in understanding potential future CO2 storage in the area.