Sequence stratigraphic interpretation of 3D seismic data offshore Louisiana - a case study

The morphology of the different sedimentary packages or systems tracts that compose stratigraphic sequences are now weil known, having been defined from 2D vertical seismic sections (Vail et al. 1977). This knowledge has since been extended to field outcrops, mainly in carbonate sequences (Ponsot and Vail 1991; Jacquin 1992) where as the initial definition was applied to clastic passive margins sediments. Recent studies on the Quaternary sediments of the Gulf of Mexico have tried to identify and describe in greater detail the morphology of the different sedimentary facies with respect to relative sea level change (Anderson et al. 1990; Abdulah and Anderson 1991). In this study we apply the principles of seismic facies interpretation to images of sub-horizontal surfaces provided by high-resolution 3D seismie data. Such a 3D sequence stratigraphic interpretation of chosen reflectors is shown to be a potent tool for the location of subtle sedimentary events, both in space and time.