This paper was presented at the 1997 CSPG Annual Convention in Calgary

Integrated Sequence Stratigraphy of the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, Offshore Newfoundland

BATEMAN, JASON A., Mobil Oil Canada, Calgary AB; DAVIES, EDWARD H., Branta Biostratigraphy Ltd,

Calgary AB; MCCRACKEN, JOCK N„ Mobil Oil Canada, Calgary AB; DUNSMORE, DENNIS J., Mobil Oil

Canada Calgary AB; SARG, JOHN F„ Mobil E&P Technical Center, Dallas TX; and SNEDDEN, JOHN W.,

Mobil E&P Technical Center, Dallas TX

The Jeanne d'Arc Basin is a Mesozoic failed-rift basin situated within the Grand Banks, 100 km off the

east coast of Newfoundland, Canada. To date 40 exploration wells have been drilled in the basin

resulting in 16 discoveries the giant Hibernia and Terra Nova fields are the largest discoveries with

recoverable oil reserves estimated at 650 million barrels and 400 million barrels respectively. Primary

reservoirs are contained within the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous interval, namely the Jeanne

d'Arc, Hibernia Avalon and Ben Nevis formations. With the first production in the Hibernia area

anticipated in 1997, over 25 years after its discovery, there has been renewed exploration interest in the

basin in the last few years.

The Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous sedimentary configuration of the Grand Banks is a function of

regional tectonic episodes related to the opening and fragmentation of the North Atlantic. Several

genetically related sedimentary sequences have been defined incorporating biostratigraphy, core and

log motif analysis, and seismic stratigraphy. Five major sequence boundaries and several maximum

flooding surfaces were verified from detailed descriptions of over 1.4 km of core. These events have

been calibrated to the ammonite zonation in the North Sea using high resolution biostratigraphy on

selective wells and time intervals, and broadly agree with the coastal onlap curve of Haq et al. Dip and

strike sections datumed on selected regional flooding surfaces and constrained using 2-D and 3-D

seismic lines reveal local variations in the stacking patterns and sedimentary style of individual

sequences. These relationships reflect a complex interplay between regional tectonics, sediment supply,

eustatic control and relative subsidence rates. A genetic lithostratigraphic chart for the Jeanne d'Arc

Basin has been summarized. This chart and regional gross thickness and net sand maps have been used

to define major depositional fairways and clarify prospectivity in accessible acreage located in the

unexplored areas of the basin.