ABSTRACT

The evolution of Southeast Gulf of Mexico comprises three main periods: pre-orogenic, syn-orogenic and post-orogenic. During pre-orogenic time, from Lower Jurassic to Campanian, the stages are the rift of Pangaea and the thermal subsidence (or drift). In drift stage two domains interacted in the space; the carbonate platforms (Bahamas, Yucatan, Organos and others) and the deep water basins. These fluctuations were dictated by the differential subsidence and horizontal displacements of basement blocks as well as by the eustatic movements of the ocean. The Organos platform, for example, was entirely submerged since Upper Jurassic and sedimentation continued in a deep water environment. The collision between Greater Antilles Volcanic Arc and the continental margins has modeled the Cuban orogen since the Upper Cretaceous. Here, the southern facies was thrusted over the northern section with simultaneous strike slip movements. The interaction suddenly ceased in the Eocene.

The source rock levels are considerably more frequent in the deep water domain than in the platforms. The Lower and Upper Jurassic as well as the Lower and Middle Cretaceous horizons have a very high content of organic matter. The offshore seismic profile shows the transition from the thrusted belt to the foreland basin with a typical triangle zone configuration. Reservoirs are expected in the Cretaceous section and are covered by seals formed of early foreland basin sediments of Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene age. Foothill structures have a great potential for hydrocarbon exploration.

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