An integrated stratigraphy for the Paleocene and Eocene of the North Sea

Abstract A high-resolution sequence stratigraphy has been developed for the Paleocene and Eocene rocks of the North Sea Basin, using electric log data and biostratigraphy. A total of nine stratigraphic sequences has been defined, together with a further 11 subsequences. The sequences are bounded by high-gamma log markers representing maximum condensation surfaces that can be readily correlated over the whole basin. Biostratigraphic analysis has allowed the recognition of 37 last occurrence or top abundance dinocyst bioevents that have also been correlated with the microfaunal succession. Integration of the sequence stratigraphy and biostratigraphy demonstrates that a consistent relationship exists between individual sequence boundaries and bioevents, suggesting that these surfaces are time lines. The usefulness of developing an accurate stratigraphic framework is illustrated by a series of maps showing the lithofacies distribution for individual sequences on a regional scale. At the prospect or field level, it can be used in conjunction with seismic data to map the more subtle Tertiary hydrocarbon plays in the North Sea Basin.