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DE BOLIVIA
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF THE
LATE SILURIAN - DEVONIAN SUBANDEAN BASIN,
SOUTHERN BOLIVIA & NORTHERN ARGENTINA
MIRANDA, A. P.
1
, SOUZA CRUZ, C. E.
2
, OLLER, J.
3
(1)
Petrobrs Internacional S.A., BRASPETRO, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (e-mail: aloisio@braspetro.petrobras.com.br )
(2)
Petrobras S.A., CENPES, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
(3)
Consultant geologist, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
INTRODUCTION
Due to the recent discovery of several giant gas fields in
the Subandean Basin in both Argentina and Bolivia, it has
been noticed an increasing interest in detailing the
stratigraphic setting of the Devonian reservoirs in these
areas. Although extensive regional geological studies had
been already performed, they basically consisted in a
lithostratigraphic description. The absence of a suitable
chronostratigraphic control was a major constraint for the
understanding of the late Silurian - Devonian
paleogeography (Figs. 1 and 2).
The present work intends to apply a modern sequence
stratigraphic approach on the late Silurian - Devonian
section within the study area, in order to provide more
reliable chronostratigraphic correlations between outcrop
and well data. In this sense, selected outcrops were
studied, regarding their palynological content, sedimentary
facies and related processes, depositional systems and
sequence stratigraphic elements. Well data, some of them
related to recent gas discoveries, were also regionally
integrated, providing a more consistent stratigraphic view
throughout the Subandean Basin.
STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY
The remarkable compressional deformation presently
observed in the phanerozoic section of the Subandean
Basin is a result of the Andean Orogeny, which recorded
its maximum activity during Miocene Pliocene times. This
deformation propagated eastwards through the studied
Subandean Basin, creating three major physiographic
features: (1) the Eastern Cordillera, mainly composed by
Cambrian Devonian outcrops, (2) the Subandean zone,
mainly composed by Carboniferous Tertiary outcrops
and (3) the Beni Chaco Plains, mainly composed by
Quaternary outcrops (Fig.1).
The Eastern Cordillera and surrounding areas present
excellent outcrops of Silurian and Devonian rocks,
observed through narrow roads and canyons along few
major rivers. Fieldwork logistics in such kind of
environment are very complex, mainly related to transport
and accommodations. In this difficult terrain, two field
campaigns were performed during the present study,
aiming at describing selected outcrops between Tarija and
Sucre, in southern Bolivia. In the first campaign, from
October to December 1997, seven outcrop sections were
measured and preliminarily described. During the second
campaign, in October, 1998, a detailed facies analysis,
reconnaissance of depositional systems and sequence
stratigraphic key elements were carried out along the
seven previously measured sections, together with
scintillometer measurements in more easily accessible
outcrops (Sella, La Yesera and Sobo Sobo sections). A
modified Selley type composite stratigraphic column,
including available scintillometric data, sedimentary facies
and environment description and sequence stratigraphic
elements, was performed for each studied outcrop section
(Souza Cruz et al., 2000). Also, 94 rock samples were
collected in both campaigns for palynological studies in
PETROBRAS RESEARCH CENTER (CENPES) (Melo et
al., 2000).
A field trip guide for each outcrop section was prepared in
BRASPETRO, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including extensive
photographic data and detailed facies description. Later
on, several electric log data from exploratory wells were
integrated with the outcrop data already calibrated with
palynological information, generating regional stratigraphic
sections, with a sequence stratigraphic approach,
throughout the studied area (Souza Cruz et al., 1999). The
main constraint for a proper sequence stratigraphic
analysis of the Subandean Basin is the restoration of the
paleogeographic setting of most of phanerozoic
sediments, due to the intense tectonic deformation
promoted by the Andean Orogeny. Therefore, any regional
stratigraphic sections and paleogeographic maps must
take into account such limitation.
DATABASE
The following 7 outcrop sections were studied in southern
Bolivia: Sella, La Yesera, Balapuca, Pilaya, Huacareta,
Sobo Sobo and Tarabuco (Fig.1).
Electric log data were analysed from the following 10
exploratory wells: Chango Norte 1 (ChN X-1), Porcelana
1001 (Po X-1001), Aguarague profundo 1 (Ag Xp-1), in
Argentina; Bermejo 44 (BJO - X44), San Alberto 10
(Sal - X10), Sabalo 1 (Sbl - X1), Huayco 1 (HYC - X1),
Caigua 11 (CAI - X11), Cumandairenda-1 (CMD - X1)
and Iau- 2 (IAU X2), in Bolivia (Fig.1).
47
Fig. 1
Geological Map of the Subandean
Basin.
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF THE LATE-
SILURIAN DEVONIAN MEGASEQUENCES
According to the sequence stratigraphic concepts, the
regional depositional patterns of a certain sedimentary
basin are primarily controlled by major tectonic events,
forming 1
st
order cycles. The effects of eustatic sea level
changes are superimposed upon this broad regional
control to produce depositional sequences and determine
the facies distribution, forming 2
nd
order megasequences
(Vail et al., 1991).
The late Silurian / Devonian section of the Subandean
Basin, as part of the 1
st
order Cordilleran Cycle, was
divided into three 2
nd
order megasequences, designated
as TAK, ISR and LMH (Fig.2). Whenever enough data
were available, these megasequences were divided into
3
rd
order sequences.
The LMH megasequence presents the largest available
dataset, which led to a regional definition of four 3
rd
order
sequences, denominated LMH-1 to LMH-4. The definition
of these sequences allowed a regional mapping of the
major Devonian reservoir units from northern Argentina to
southern Bolivia.
The basal limits of TAK, ISR and LMH megasequences
are constituted by regional unconformities or their
correlative conformities (sequence boundaries, SB, sensu
Vail). The following lowstand system tract (LST) is
constituted by continental to transitional deposits. Marine
sediments are predominant above a transgressive surface
(TS), rapidly reaching a maximum flooding surface (MFS),
composing the transgressive system tract (TST). Following
the MFS, a normal large package of sediments progrades
basinwards, forming shallowing upward cycles, the
highstand system tract (HST). A subsequent relative sea-
level fall, promoting subaerial exposure and erosion in the
proximal areas, leads to the establishment of another
sequence boundary (SB). These megasequences
compose 2
nd
order cycles, with approximate duration of 20
- 30 Ma (Fig. 2).
The 3
rd
order sequences represent rapid relative sea-level
changes, more sensible in shallow marine environments,
with approximate duration of 5 - 10 Ma. The 3
rd
order
sequences are the fundamental cyclicity observed in the
Silurian Devonian interval along the studied area. They
mainly represent eustatic variations, depending on their
depositional rates. According to Mitchum and Van
Wagoner (1990), the 3
rd
order boundaries can be easily
recognized through well or seismic data, due to the high
lateral continuity of sand bodies, even basinwards. These
boundaries are also the surfaces represented by Haq et al.
(1988) cycle chart, which allow regional biostratigraphic
dating and correlation. The 3
rd
order condensed sections
are widespread marine shales, easily recognizable in
outcrops and well logs, widely used as biozone and
mapping markers.
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC KEY ELEMENTS
The critical factor for interpreting cyclicity in the
stratigraphic record is the ability of recognizing the
different building blocks of the depositional sequences
(sedimentary facies), flooding surfaces, parasequence
stacking patterns and regional erosional surfaces. The
recognition of these key elements within a sedimentary
succession allows more accurate predictions of its facies
distribution, geometry and continuity.
Flooding surfaces and sequence boundaries are the key
stratal surfaces observed in outcrops and well logs.
Flooding surfaces are easily identified in higher radioactive
shale-prone intervals. On the other hand, sequence
48
boundaries are not always clearly recognized, since they
are commonly recorded within a more homogeneous
sand-prone interval.
The criteria for identification of sequence boundaries are
listed as follows: evidence of a regionally defined erosional
truncation; basinwards shifts of facies and environments;
evidences of regional exposure and subsequent
ravinement by transgression; changes in parasequence
stacking patterns, from progradational to retrogradational,
and hiatuses indicated by biostratigraphy.
Several schematic cross-sections were performed in this
study, detailing the stratal surfaces, system tracts,
sequence orders and facies relationships. The selected
datum for the mentioned cross-sections (see example in
Fig.3) is the first marine flooding surface above the latest
representative sand body of the Huamampampa Fm. .
The 2
nd
order sequences present their maximum flooding
surfaces (MFS) in the more distal parts of the Kirusillas,
Icla and Los Monos Fms., within radioactive shale
intervals. At least in the Icla and Los Monos Fms., the MFS
is found close to their basal portions, indicating a rapid
sea-level rise, due to an eustatic and/or strong tectonic
subsidence effects.
The 3
rd
order sequences observed in a pericratonic setting
(ramp-type basin), such as the Subandean Basin, are
generally thin and poorly differentiated when compared to
their passive margin equivalents. Slow subsidence rates,
low depositional slopes or ramps and shallow water depths
collectively result in reduced sediment accommodation
within the basin. Thin sheet-like sequences are
predominant, although laterally persistent, and only few of
them present recognizable progradational geometries and
erosional boundaries.
During sea-level lowstands in a ramp-type basin, little or
no accommodation space is available. Sediments mainly
bypass the proximal areas towards the basin and,
consequently, lowstand deposits may be poorly
developed. Thus, the studied Silurian - Devonian
successions are commonly comprised by stacked
transgressive to highstand deposits, separated by near-
planar unconformities or paraconformities, and flooding
surfaces commonly coincide with sequence boundaries.
Seaward of the mouth of incised rivers, shoreline
regression takes place during lowstands. In opposition to
normal regressions, common in sea-level highstands, the
source of sediments is provided by the cannibalization of
the exposed platform and coarse-grained sediments may
be then provided to a more basinal setting. This process
has been referred to as forced regression (Posamentier
et al., 1992), and explains the long-distance shoreline
regression across the shelf observed in lowstand deposits
of the Huamampampa Fm..
Paleocurrents observed from sedimentary structures
formed by unidirectional currents (tabular and trough
cross-stratification; sigmoids) show a predominant
sedimentary supply direction from south to north in the
studied area. As a consequence, most of the thicker and
cleaner fluvial to paralic sand bodies are predominant in
northern Argentina and southernmost Bolivia, while
thinner, more argillaceous sand packages mainly
deposited in a storm-dominated shallow marine platform,
are found in south to central Bolivia (Souza Cruz et al.,
2000).
Fig. 2 Simplified Stratigraphic Chart Late Cambrian to
Devonian Subandean Basin.
MEGASEQUENCE DESCRIPTIONS
TAK Megasequence
Only the upper part (HST) of the TAK megasequence was
observed in few outcrops and logs within the studied area.
It is predominantly constituted by wave-dominated shelf
deposits. Its uppermost shale-prone portion is related to
the top of the Tarabuco Fm., informally called cuello
pelitico or Jumbate Fm. (Fig. 2).
ISR Megasequence
49
The ISR megasequence may be regionally correlated
within the studied area. Its sequence boundary (SB) is
represented by a regional unconformity. A thick sandy
section, deposited in fluvial to paralic environments,
represents the lowstand tract (LST) (Santa Rosa Fm.). A
ravinement surface (TS) is regionally found at the base of
the Icla Fm.. The transgressive tract (TST) is thin, since
the subsequent rapid relative sea-level rise led to the
establishment of the maximum flooding surface (MFS)
during Pragian. The highstand tract (HST) is composed of
coarsening-upward parasequence cycles, deposited in a
storm-dominated shallow marine platform (Figs. 3 and 4).
LMH Megasequence
The sequence boundary of this megasequence is
represented, in northern Argentina and southern Bolivia,
by a regional unconformity, recognized in both outcrops
and well logs, formed in response to a sea-level fall during
the Early Emsian (Melo et al., 2000). In the northernmost
part of the studied area, the occurrence of an almost
continuous shaly section from Pragian to Early Givetian
age makes difficult the traditional lithostratigraphic division
between Icla and Huamampampa fms., although the
proper palynological control allows the distinction between
3
rd
order sequences within the same interval, in the LMH
megasequence (Fig.3). A regional transgression started in
the Early Givetian (TS is found in uppermost
Huamampampa Fm.), rapidly reaching the MFS during the
Middle Givetian (basal part of the Los Monos Fm.). The
intense erosion promoted by the Early Hercinian Orogeny
has removed most of the transgressive and highstand
deposits in the studied outcrops (Figs.3 and 4).
The large dataset related to the LMH megasequence
allowed a better application of the sequence stratigraphy
concepts. The LMH-1 to 4 sequences are recognized in
both outcrop and well log data (Fig.3). The LMH-1 and 4
sequences clearly show the basinward sediment bypass.
During the sea-level lowstand, forced regressions led to
the deposition of fluvial-estuarine or fluvial-deltaic
sediments to the north, in the distal portions of the basin.
This model explains the occurrence of thick isolated sand-
prone intervals deposited in predominant muddy offshore
environments northwards. The LMH-2 and 3 sequences
basically comprise stacked transgressive to highstand
deposits separated by sequence boundaries, represented
by ravinement surfaces. The maximum flooding surface is
situated close to the sequence boundary (SB). Lowstand
deposits, if present, might be found northwards from the
studied area. The LMH-4 sequence presents the
uppermost lowstand deposits related to the
Huamampampa Fm.. Its basal ravinement surface defines
the start of the transgressive succession that reached its
maximum expression through the deposition of the shale-
prone Los Monos Fm. (Figs.3 and 4).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this work clearly show that the sequence
stratigraphic concepts can be applied to the late Silurian
Devonian section in the Subandean Basin. The analyses
of sedimentary facies, palynological dating and recognition
of key surfaces provide the understanding of the geometry
of the sequences and their related controlling factors. Gas
reservoir distribution can be regionally assessed by the
correlation of 3
rd
order sequences. In general, the
Huamampampa gas reservoirs are mainly represented by
paralic widespread highstand sand bodies deposited
during normal regressions. To the north, they may be
locally present, mostly related to paralic isolated lowstand
sand bodies deposited during forced regressions. The
Santa Rosa gas reservoirs are related to fluvial - deltaic
lowstand sand bodies, widespread in the studied area.
REFERENCES
Haq, B.U.; Hardenbol, J.; Vail, P.R. 1988, Mesozoic and
Cenozoic chronostratigraphy and cycles of sea-level
change. In: Wilgus, C.K.; Hastings, B.S.; Ross, C.A.;
Posamentier, H.W.; Van Wagoner, J.C.; Kendall,
C.G.St.C. (Eds.), Sea level changes: an integrated
approach: Society Economic Paleontologists Mineralogists
Special Publication 42, p.71-108.
Melo, J. H. G., 2000, Palynological Evaluation and
Correlation of Some Silurian-Devonian Sections of
Southern Bolivia; in this edition.
Mitchum, R.M.Jr.; Van Wagoner, J.C. 1991, High-
frequency sequences and their stacking patterns:
sequence-stratigraphic evidence of high-frequency
eustatic cycles. Sedimentary Geology, v. 70, p. 131-160.
-Posamentier, H.W., and G.P. Allen, D.P. James, and M.
Tesson, 1992, Forced regression on a sequence
stratigraphic framework: concepts, examples, and
exploration significance: AAPG Bulletin, v. 76, p.1687-
1709.
Souza Cruz, C.E., Miranda, A.P., Oller, J., 1999, Facies
Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Late Silurian-
Devonian Subandean Basin, Southern Bolivia and
Northern Argentina; Internal report, PETROBRAS
INTERNACIONAL S.A. - BRASPETRO.
Souza Cruz, C.E., Miranda, A.P, Oller, J., 2000, Facies
Analysis and Depositional Systems of the Late Silurian-
Devonian Subandean Basin, Southern Bolivia and
Northern Argentina; in this edition.
Vail, P.R.; Audemard, F.; Bowman, S.A.; Eisner, P.N.;
Perez-Cruz, G. 1991, The stratigraphic signatures of
tectonics, eustasy and sedimentation. In: Einsele G.;
Ricken W.; Seilacher A. (Eds.), Cycles and events in
stratigraphy. Springer Verlag, Hilderberg, p. 617-659.
50
Fig. 3 -
Figure 3 - Regional Dip (S-N) Stratigraphic Cross Section through Studied Outcrops
(see Fig.1 for location).
Fig. 4 -
Regional Dip (S-N) Stratigraphic Cross Section through Exploratory Wells and
Studied Outcrops (see Fig. 1).