295-312－Palaeocene biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy of the UK central North Sea.pdf

Marine and Petroieum Geology, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 295-312, 1996
Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd
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Palaeocene biostratigraphy and sequence
stratigraphy of the UK central North Sea
David C. Mudge*
6 Ki/mardinny Crescent, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 3NR, UK
Jonathan P. Bujak
The Lexis Group, Albion House, 9Albion Avenue, Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 8NA, UK
Received 14March 1995; revised 15August 1995; accepted 19August 1995
The Palaeocene of the central North Sea can be divided into four stratigraphic sequences named
the Ekofisk, Maureen, Lista and Forties. These sequences display consistent and predictable
patterns on electric log data and are bounded by high-gamma log peaks which represent thin
condensed mudstones. Five additional subsequences are recognized within the Lista sequence.
Biostratigraphic analysis has enabled the Palaeocene to be divided into six dinocyst zones and
11 subzones based on last occurrence or last abundance events that are considered to have
chronostratigraphic significance across the North Sea basin. The dinocyst zonation has been
integrated with bioevents based on other microfossil groups, and correlated with onshore
NW European sections, permitting calibration with the standard worldwide nannoplankton and
planktonic foraminiferal zones. These bioevents display a consistent relationship with the
stratigraphic sequences, allowing the construction of a confident stratigraphic framework for the
Palaeocene.
Keywords: Palaeocene; stratigraphy; North Sea
The integration of well log data with a high-resolution with worldwide chronostratigraphy; (3) calibrate the
dinocyst zonation has allowed the development of a zones with other microfossil events to establish an
detailed stratigraphic framework for the Palaeocene integrated ession of bioevents including planktonic
rock