Foraminferal and Calcareous Nannoplankton Analyses
It is important to date a micropalaeontological assemblage in terms of standard biozones and necessary to recognise stratigraphically significant rock units based on their micropalaeontological assemblage for interwell correlation. Micropalaeontological and palynological assemblages can also be used to assess the depositional environment since different microfauna are found associated with different water depths. This data is valuable for geological and reservoir modeling since the depositional environment dictates the likely sand geometry, continuity and reservoir quality. Similarly in carbonate environments the recognition of fore reef, back reef, or lagoonal facies is important for predicting the most likely location for the reef.

Semi-quantitative analysis refers to visually estimated abundances and is recommended for basic interpretation of age and depositional environment. Quantitative analysis provides absolute counts and is particularly useful for detailed, high resolution biostratigraphic studies in a sequence stratigraphic framework.