Palynological studies on the Upper Cretaceous Wata and Matulla formations in Bakr Oil Field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Document Type : Research and Reference

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Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University

Abstract

Palynological investigation of the subsurface Upper Cretaceous (Turonian-Santonian) Wata and Matulla formations in three wells drilled in the Bakr oilfield, Gulf of Suez area is presented. 147 species of palynomorphs (spores, pollen dinoflagellate cysts and prasinophytes green algae) are identified. A Turonian-Santonian age is suggested based on the occurrences of many diagnostic taxa such as Liliacidites farafraensis, Droseridites senonicus, Ephedripites ambiguus, Isabelidinium cooksoniae, Isabelidinium glabrum, Odontochitina porifera, Odontochitina costata, Canningia reticulata and Trichodinium castanea. The paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the studied interval indicates the carbonate-dominated Wata Formation was deposited during the Turonian transgressive condition and the Matulla Formation which is consist of clastic-dominate deposited during the Coniacian-Santonian regressive phase. The presence of Palm Province pollen such as Arecipites, Retimonocolpites and Longapertites associated with the pteridophytes spores refer to a tropical humid climate in the area of deposition. The abundance of green algae Pediastrum and occurrences of Crybelosporites water fern indicate discharge of freshwater into the basin.

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