Stratigraphic and depositionai significance of bioclastic horizons within the Ben Nevis Formation (Lower Cretaceous), White Rose Field, Jeanne D'Arc Basin

摘要

The Ben Nevis Formation is a siliciclastic succession of Early Cretaceous age, deposited in a marine shoreface setting within the Jeanne D'Arc Rift Basin, offshore Newfoundland. The Formation contains intervals of calcareous bioclasts, which are the focus of this study, and the research aims to understand the depositionai and stratigraphic significance of these bioclastic concentrations. The thesis intends to provide insight as to the magnitude, type and frequency of events responsible for deposition of bioclast layers, as well as to evaluate their possible lateral extent and use as stratigraphic marker beds. The latter is potentially useful to the oil and gas industry for subsurface correlations within the Ben Nevis sandstones. Furthermore, these bioclastic horizons are highly relevant to hydrocarbon reservoir quality because they commonly make up the core of calcareous cemented intervals.