Abstract
ABSTRACT Surface and subsurface Devonian rocks of Saudi Arabia are correlated using a combination of palynology and sequence stratigraphy. Recent exploratory drilling in eastern Saudi Arabia has confirmed that sweet gas and condensate-bearing Devonian strata are preserved on the flanks of high-relief Hercynian structures such as Ghawar field. This Devonian succession is composed of three homogeneous litho-stratigraphic units, the Tawil, Jauf and Jubah formations that cannot be imaged seismically nor readily discerned with conventional wireline logs. An operational palynological zonation was consequently devised based on first down-hole occurrences (i.e. extinctions) of encountered palynomorphs. This zonation was calibrated with the standard European spore zonations of Streel et al. (1987) and Richardson and McGregor (1986), and further controlled by mega-fossil data from outcrops in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Six palynozones, and four subzones, have been recognized. A particularly reliable late Early Devonian zone is based on the acme of an endemic Leiosphaeridia species. This palynosubzone coincides stratigraphically with the upper part of the gas-bearing Jauf Reservoir.
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