PALYNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE SUBSURFACE SEQUENCE FROM NORTHERN GULF OF SUEZ (EGYPT)

Abstract

This study is based on the analysis of two borehole samples (GS9-l and GS24-l wells) from offshore northern Gulf of Suez area, Egypt. Nearly 1440 ft of Upper Carboniferous to Lower Permian strata were investigated palynologically from the GS-9-1 borehole, offshore northern Gulf of Suez, Egypt, in which this dated is based on the presence of Spelaeotriletes owensii, Cannanoropollis and Laevigato.sporites vulgaris. These are overlain by a Triassic interval in which the present palynomorphs failed to assign its exact age. This succession is overlain by Middle to. Upper Jurassic sequence fi•om depth 4410 ft - to depth 5910 ft, dated as Upper Bathonian-Lower Oxfordian, based on evidence of dinocysts (e.g. Lithodinia jurassica and .systematophora penicillata). Its overlain by Upper Jurassic sections which recorded as Oxfordian-Tithonian f'l•om depth 3950ft to depth 4300ft, based on (he combined evidance of dinocysts (e.g. Dichadogonyau/ax pannea) and miospores (e.g. Cicatricosi.sporites). The sediments of the Upper Cretaceous, which are reported between depth of 3710ft to depth 3980 ft, terminate the borehole succession. This last interval is dated as Upper Cenomanian based on the J)resence of index angiosperm pollen' (e.g. Scabratriporites simpl((ormis). A major hiatus is recorded in the studied well, based on the absence of, at