State-of-the-art, in-house expertise

Fugro Robertson has approximately 20 highly skilled, specialist stratigraphers, supported by a well-trained technical back-up team. This capability ensures that long-term commitments can be met. In all the biostratigraphic disciplines (micropalaeontology, nannopalaeontology, palynology and lithostratigraphy), analyses are conducted by our own team of specialists, ensuring full integration and total confidentiality of quality assured data. Fugro Robertson can boast genuine expertise throughout the stratigraphic column, with in-house specialists in Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic stratigraphy. Our geographical experience is similarly unsurpassed (see expertise by area). The company's readiness to apply and develop the very latest analytical techniques has kept it at the forefront of biostratigraphic technologies.

Quality assurance

Well-developed computer support and editing facilities ensure a quality final product. All of our palaeontological preparations and outgoing reports are subject to strict quality assurance.

Flexible, cost-effective study options

On the basis of our broad experience we are able to design efficient, cost effective study programmes, utilising each of the palaeontological disciplines to its maximum potential.

The utility of each microfossil discipline is summarised (as an age and facies range) below.

Micropalaeontology

Micropalaeontology is the study of the fossilised remains of foraminifera (single cell protozoans), ostracods (bivalved crustaceans) and associated microfossils (such as radiolaria and diatoms). Foraminifera are of great importance as stratigraphic markers and indicators of marginal to fully marine environments. Fugro Robertson's team of micropalaeontologists includes experts in Cenozoic and Mesozoic foraminifera (planktonic, benthonic and larger benthonic), ostracods (marine and non-marine) and associated micro- and macrofossils.

Quantitative approach

The majority of well sections are prepared for micropalaeontological analysis by picking washed residues. At the clients request we can utilise a volumetric analytical approach based upon total microfaunal counts related to a constant volume of sediment. The quantitative biodata generated using this method enable detailed sequence stratigraphic interpretation, e.g. microfaunal floods enable identification of condensed sections associated with maximum flooding surfaces. Where lithologies are not appropriate for utilising picked washed residues effectively, thin section analysis can be used.

Palaeoenvironmental modelling

Such features as the presence of benthonic and/or planktonic foraminifera, planktonic:benthonic ratios, diversity and the taxonomic composition of the assemblage are used to provide environmental information on the degree of marine influence, water depth and quality of both near-surface waters and bottom waters.

Rigsite service

Micropalaeontology is utilised extensively for wellsite operations. Standard micropalaeontological preparation, involving picking, can easily be conducted at wellsite without any specialised equipment. Indurated limestones, however, require thin sectioning for micropalaeontological analysis. Thin section analysis is often employed at wellsite in the Middle East, and requires specialised equipment and/or a technician (to enable the biostratigrapher to concentrate on analyses), each of which can be supplied by Fugro Robertson.

Nannopalaeontology

Nannofossils are the ultra-microscopic calcareous remains of calcite secreting, unicellular marine phytoplankton (nannoplankton). The study of this rapidly evolving fossil group enables reliable, high resolution subdivision of Upper Triassic-Recent, marine, slightly to strongly calcareous sediments.

Industrial application

Fugro Robertson pioneered the industrial application of this relatively young biostratigraphic discipline, which is now widely recognised as extremely important in Mesozoic-Cenozoic stratigraphy world-wide. Our nannopalaeontologists have extensive experience in Jurassic-Quaternary nannoplankton from diverse regions of the world.

High resolution

Nannofossils can attain rock-forming levels of abundance, and are ideally suited to the application of fully quantitative counting techniques and morphometrics. These advanced techniques, developed and refined by Fugro Robertson staff, permit extremely high resolution stratigraphy enabling:

• detailed reservoir correlation and/or confident biosteering of horizontal wells within carbonate reservoirs, and
• delineation of sequence stratigraphy in marine basins worldwide.

Wellsite utilities

Nannofossils are easily prepared at wellsite, without any specialised equipment or chemicals. Standard analyses are performed on a high powered petrographic microscope. Fugro Robertson has utilised nannofossils extensively at wellsite in the North Sea, for both biosteering and casing/coring point selection in carbonate and clastic reservoirs. In addition, we have used this discipline for biosteering in Oman.

The Palaeogene marker species Discoaster lodoensis (left) and D. multiradiatus (right), viewed on the scanning electron microscope. The Lower Cretaceous and Jurassic nannofossils Micrantholithus obtusus (left) and Ellipsagelosphaera britannica (right), viewed on the light microscope.

Palynology

Palynology is the study of organic-walled microfossils (palynomorphs). These include marine (dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs, prasinophycean algae, chitinozoans) and non-marine (pollen, spores, freshwater algae) groups.

Age determination & correlation

In the Tertiary and Mesozoic, dinoflagellate cysts, pollen and spores are important age indicators, whereas in Palaeozoic sections acritarchs, chitinozoans, spores and pollen are used. When increased resolution is required for detailed correlation, quantitative counting techniques are employed to enhance the number of correlative datums. The innovative use of specific environmental groupings (SEGs) has also proved to be a valuable tool for palaeoenvironmental interpretation and correlation. Fugro Robertson's team of palynologists includes specialists in Cenozoic, Mesozoic and Palaeozoic palynostratigraphy.

A useful palaeoenvironmental tool

Variations in depositional facies are reflected in the relative proportions of marine and non-marine elements within palynomorph assemblages. This makes palynology a useful tool in palaeoenvironmental determination and sequence stratigraphy. Palynofacies analysis integrates the analysis of the various palynomorph groups with other kerogen types to provide more refined palaeoenvironmental data.

Rigsite service

Fugro Robertson has utilised palynology for wellsite monitoring in the North Sea, Barents Sea, Romania, Pakistan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru and the Falklands (see expertise by area). Mobile fume cupboards/laboratory systems can be arranged for short or long term contracts. Alternatively, where lithologies are appropriate, a technique known as Acid Free Palynology may be used. This is more cost effective and has simpler logistics.