(1.1.

590)
GEOSCIENTIFIC MODELLING OF A FEW REGIONAL TRANSECTS
ACROSS THE VINDHYAN BASIN: A PERSPECTIVE
Anil Kumar Kaul
Geoscience System Studies Division,
Basin Research Group, ONGC Ltd., K.D.M.I.P.E, Dehra Dun, 248195.
Email: kaul_ak1@ongc.co.in

ABSTRACT
Son Valley, of the Vindhyan basin has been one of the thrust areas of exploration, owing to the presence of large
structural features immediately to the north of the Son Narmada Lineament Zone.
An understanding is attempted in this paper of the subsurface along few regional transects in the Son valley area,
through the usage of seismo-stratigraphic techniques of evaluation, palaeotectonic analysis and through other
geoscientific techniques. The generated data is then modelled to build geological attributes for evaluating its
implication to the tectonostratigraphic evolution.

INTRODUCTION
The exploration for hydrocarbons in India has entered a new phase, under the New Exploration
Licensed Programme (NELP) exploration for hydrocarbons in the frontier areas is being brought under
renewed effort and Vindhyan basin is one such area of thrust. Therefore, there is a need to have a
better understanding of subsurface configuration of the Vindhyan basin in order that hydrocarbon
potential can be evaluated and exploration assisted.
Vindhyan Supergroup (Sastry, M.V.A and Moitra, A.K., 1984 ; Soni, M.K., et al 1987) constitutes
one of the most extensive and well preserved Meso-Neoproterozoic? sequence of rocks comprising
mainly sandstone, shale and limestones ; occupying one of the large basins in the world. It extends
from Dehri-on-Son to Hoshangabad and from Chittaurgarh to Agra, and has been named after the
Vindhyan range in central India. The basin has been studied in great detail mainly from the
perspective of geological mapping (Medlicott,H.B. 1859; Auden, J.B., 1933;) yet few attempts to
decifer the subsurface structure (Hari Narain and Kaila, K.L.,1982;; Jokhan Ram, et al., 1996 &
Mishra, D.C., et al., 1996) are also quite noteworthy.

PROLOGUE
Vindhyan Supergroup sequence of rocks is generally considered to be characterized by gentle
synclinal dips and simple outcrop pattern. In the western and southern margins against the Aravalli
and Chotanagpur orogenic / mobile belts, they are however highly sheared, brecciated and severely
folded (Naqvi, S.M and Rogers, J.J.W, 1987). However, for most of its part the internal architecture
of the basin is concealed owing to the overlying younger formations.
Son valley area of the Vindhyan basin has been the loci for hydrocarbon owing to the presence of
huge thicknesses of unmetamorphosed sediments and also due to the presence of large structural
features in the vicinity of the Son - Narmada Lineament Zone. Multi-channel seismic data has been
acquired in the basin in the previous many years to probe in to the subsurface and make an
assessment of the hydrocarbon prospects.
In early nineties the drilling of a maiden well (Well A) on the flank of a dome near Jabera was
accomplished (Sen A.K., 1992) and on testing the basin showed considerable promise. The first
exploratory location showed the presence of hydrocarbon (non-commercial flared gas @ 2000
m3/day) in the subsurface at a depth of around 2000 mts. The well provided optimistic parameters
with the right petroleum system in place (TOC of 1-3.0%, type II and III kerogen, having matured to
post mature thermal maturity). The optimism led to the drilling of two more wells (Well-B and Well-C)
but with no addition towards a commercial success.

OBJECTIVE
Exploratory drilling is a costly business and no company can afford to take the risk of investing
millions of rupees in such a frontier area where the probability of striking a commercial discovery is
presently perceived to be less promising. Nevertheless, amidst debates of high expectancy and lack
of success in the basin, a compelling need is felt to decode the 2D multi channel seismic data in detail
probe the subsurface and recreate a detailed understanding of the configuration of the Vindhyan
basin in order that hydrocarbon potential can be evaluated and exploration assisted.
In pursuance to the above, the study of multi channel 2-D seismic data was taken up and the study is
primarily based on the subsurface interpretation of selected 13 (Thirteen) dip and 6 (Six) strike
seismic profiles projected on the compiled geological map of the basin (Sarma,V.S.B 1994). The
location of these lines is restricted to the area between 79 0 00 00 to 82 0 00 00 E and 23 0 00
00 to 25 0 00 00 N and falls mostly in the Son valley area of the Vindhyan basin (Fig.1).
SEISMIC DATA QUALITY
The seismic data quality in general is fair to good, except in areas close to the northern and southern
margin of the basin where it is also poor at some places especially in the areas of extensive faulting
and fracturing. The seismic reflections in Upper Vindhyan are in general horizontal, while in Lower
Vindhyan the seismic reflections are at higher angles.
SEISMIC - WELL TIE (Fig. 1)
The seismic section JJ passes through the exploratory wells on Jabera Dome and Damoh structure
and enables to establish the correlation between observed seismic reflection and formation
boundaries obtained from the well data.
Four seismic horizons corresponding to close to
the Base of Vindhyans (R1), top of Kajrahat
Limestone
(R2),
top
of
Jardepahar
Porcellanite(R3), top of Chakaria Olive
Shale(R4), top of Mohana Fawn Limestone,
top of Basuhari Glauconite and top of Rohtas
Limestone are consistent and persist in whole
of Son valley area. The above horizons were
projected and tracked down on all the seismic
lines from the drilled wells on Jabera Dome and
Damoh structure. This subcrop correlation has
been extended laterally in a closed loop through
most of the seismic lines of the Son valley. The
area has been mapped for structural
interpretation and contouring has been done at 50
ms interval. Stratigraphic features are also
observed in some of the seismic lines. Broadly
these features can be mapped but delineation of
these at micro level is beyond the scope of this
study.

Fig.1: Seismo - stratigraphic sequence

profile along JJ showing seismic - well tie.

GEOSCIENTIFIC MODELLING
Hydrocarbon exploration is a very tough task and it requires adequate and detailed image of the
subsurface to be able to comment on the three important facets of their occurrence. First, a
favourable basin form; second the favourable trap structural, stratigraphic or combination type; third
and the foremost is a good quality of the source rocks adjacent to the reservoirs.
In order to be able to comprehend the relationships of worked out subsurface / surface architecture of
the study area to the gravity magnetic data it was essential to visualize all the data (generated as
well as compiled) along all the 19 (nineteen) profiles in a three - dimensional frame to improve the
resolution of interpretation and explore the likely locales of hydrocarbon entrapment.
ISOMETRIC BLOCK DIAGRAM-I (N-S profiles) (Fig. 2)
All the studied seismic sections are oriented in the form of blocks to create an isometric view. One
striking feature of the profile is that the surface expression of synclinal is no longer relevant in the
subsurface. One extra seismic sequence below seismic sequence A is present in some of the profiles

and is designated as seismic sequence E and is placed below the Vindhyan base. All the other
sequences are generally flat and they dip and gradually thicken due southwest. In the vicinity of the
Narmada-Son lineament zone, the sequences suffer flexure owing to compression of an advancing
and inverted front.
PALAEOSURFACES
Reflector R1, corresponding to close to the base of Vindhyan, is the deepest reflector mapped to
study the base of the Son valley. It is a major unconformity level where many reflectors are truncating
against this reflector at some places and so it is considered a major unconformity between Bijawar
and Vindhyans. In general it is a disturbed fractured level with major and minor faults. The time
contour corresponding to reflector R1 shows that the palaeosurface on which Vindhyans were
deposited gradually slopes towards south and the deepest part lies close to Son-Narmada lineament.
The mapping at the base of Vindhyan has established a number of basement highs and lows, and its
geometry is controlled by major oblique faults.

Fig. 2. Isometric block diagram of N-S profiles.

Reflector R2, corresponding to Kajarahat Limestone, is also a continuous reflector on all most all the
seismic reflectors. The main structural elements, which are present at the base of the Vindhyan, are
also found to continue at this level except the paleohighs which are submerged by the deposition of
Kajrahat limestone.
Reflector R3, corresponding to Jardepahar Porcellanite level is a strong reflector broken at number of
places. The general trend of the contours show that the lows are towards south and to some extent
on the northeastern margin of the basin. The major fault trends are also found to be more or less
similar to those mapped at the lower levels. The main structural features at this level are broader with
respect to their nature at older level.

Reflector R4, corresponding to top of Chakaria Olive shale is also a strong reflector and broken at
some places. In general, this unit shows weak reflections. Here, at this level also the major structural
features and fault trends are same as those mapped on older stratigraphic levels.
SEISMO - Stratigraphic Sequence Profile
A representative profile within the basin frame
and the brief description is as under.
It is a NW-SE profile The location of the
profiles have again been given showing slight
thickening due southwest. However, the
section is monotonously flat. The southwestern
part of the section is a structural high. The
structural high seems to be a latter/post
depositional high as any of the time
thicknesses of the sequences do not show
thinning towards this high. This is an indication
of the rejuvenation of the high owing to its
proximity to the progressive front.
Fig. 3. Seismo-stratigraphic sequence profile AA
PALAEOTECTONIC ANALYSIS Profile (AA) (Fig. 4)
At the time of deposition of time sequence B, the palaeosurface corresponding to Reflector R1 (Base
of Vindhyan)show a nearly flat disposition except for the steep gradient close to the Bundelkhand
massif. A palaeohigh is seen towards the south of this profile which on subsequent deposition flattens
out. At the same place, a corresponding low during the deposition of time sequence B, point towards
a selective extension and or transpression.

meter

610

Surface Relief

mGal

75
-46

-68

Composite Bouguer Anomaly

gamma

130

Composite Total Magnetic intensity Anomaly

-475

msec

280

680

Pseudo surface along Reflector 4

msec

360

msec

Pseudo surface along Reflector 3

1320

msec

840

Pseudo surface along Reflector 2

Subsurface Representation

960
560

1800

Pseudo surface along Reflector 1

Fig.4: Palaeotectonic analysis of seismostratigraphic sequence profile AA.

Fig. 5. 3-D modeling of the data set along the seismogeological profile (N-S) along AA (with a
buffer of 10 km on either side of the line
profile) - A Perspective View.

Towards the top of flattened reflector R4, the deposition of time sequence D (corresponding to
Chakaria Shale) shows gradual thickening towards south. A remarkable difference is visualized in the
present day disposition of palaeosurfaces vis--vis the flattened palaeosurfaces corresponding to the
tops of sequence A, B, C and D. The present day palaeosurfaces show moderately high angle dips.
The structural high which was developed at the time of the deposition of time sequence B (Jardepahar
Porcellanite) retains its configuration and gets more pronounced so as to shift the depositional axis
towards the centre of the profile.
3-D PERSPECTIVE VIEW
The data generated through the seismic reflection studies of the profiles, namely the time structure
maps, gravity magnetic data along with the DEM (digital elevation model) of the study area has been
modeled to bring out the perspective views in terms of relief. This has enhanced the resolution of the
data and helps in evaluating the relationship of subsurface architecture to the GM and topographic
data set.
Profile (AA) (Fig. 5)
It is a NW-SE profile showing deepening due southwest. A Gravity low expression of the order of -68
mGal in the southwestern portion of the section is expressed as a structural low. The southwestern tip
of the section is a magnetic/ gravity and structural high. The structural high seems to be a latter/ post
depositional high and thus a scarp gets manifested at the surface also. The trend of the gravitymagnetic anomalies is more or less parallel to the scarp except for the magnetic anomalies which
show a NW-SE orientation.
SUMMARY
1.

One striking feature of the profile is that the surface expression of synclinal is no longer
relevant in the subsurface.

2.

One extra seismic sequence below seismic sequence A is present in some of the profiles and
is designated as seismic sequence E and is placed below the Vindhyan base.

3.

All the other sequences are generally flat and they dip and gradually thicken due southwest.

4.

In the vicinity of the Narmada-Son lineament zone, the sequences suffer flexure owing to
compression of an advancing and inverted front.

5.

On sequence stratigraphic analysis the NW-SE profile AA shows slight thickening due
southwest. The southwestern part of the section is a structural high.

6.

Palaeotectonic analysis of the point towards a selective transpression.

7.

A remarkable difference is visualized in the present day disposition of palaeosurfaces vis-vis the flattened palaeosurfaces corresponding to the tops of sequence A, B, C and D. The
present day palaeosurfaces show moderately high angle dips. It points towards a post Semri
tectonics and associated rejuvenation.

8.

The data along the profile AA has been modelled to bring out the perspective views in terms
of relief. The profile AA shows deepening due southwest. A Gravity low expression
corresponds to a structural low. The southwestern tip of the section is a magnetic/ gravity and
structural high.

9.

The structural high towards the south-western part of the profile seems to be a latter/ post
depositional high and thus a scarp gets manifested at the surface also. Any of the time
thicknesses of the sequences do not show thinning towards this high. This is an indication of
the rejuvenation of the high owing to its proximity to the progressive front.

REFERENCES
Auden, J.B. (1933). Vindhyan Sedimentation in the Son Valley, Mirzapur District. Memoir, Geological
Survey of India, No.62, Part-2, pp. 141-250.
Hari Narain and Kaila, K.L. (1982) Inferences about the Vindhyan basin from Geophysical data In :
Valdiya, K.S., Bhatia, S.B. and Gaur, V.K. (Eds.), Geology of Vindhyachal, Hindustan
Publ. Corp., New Delhi. pp. 179-192.
Jokhan Ram, Shukla, S. N., Pramamik, A.G., Varma, B.K., Chandra, Gyanesh and Murty, M.S.N
(1996) Recent Investigations in the Vindhyan basin: Implications for the basin tectonics
In: Ajit Bhattacharyya (ed.) Recent Advances in Vindhyan Geology. Geol. Soc. Ind.
Memoir 36, pp. 267-286.
Medlicott,H.B. (1859) Vindhyan rocks and their associates in Bundelkhand. Mem. Geol. Surv. Ind.
V.2., pt.1.
Meyerhoff, A.A., (1980). Geology and petroleum fields in Proterozoic and Lower
Cambrian
strata, Lena-Tunguska petroleum province, Eastern Siberia, USSR. In. Halbouty, M.T.
(Ed). Giant oil and gas fields of the decade: 1968-1978. AAPG mem. 30. p. 225-252.
Mishra, D.C., Gupta, S.B., Vyaghreshwara Rao, M.B.S., and Venkatarayudu, M. (1996). Crustal
structure and basement tectonics under Vindhyan basin: Gravity-Magnetic study. In: Ajit
Bhattacharyya (ed.) Recent Advances in Vindhyan Geology. Geol. Soc. Ind. Memoir 36,
p213-224.
Naqvi, S.M. and Rogers, J.J.W. (1987). Precambrian Geology of India. Clanrendon Press. Oxford.
223 p.
Sarma,V.S.B (1994) Report on compilation of field geological reports of Son valley, Vindhyan basin.
Unpublished ONGC report.
Sastry, M.V.A and Moitra, A.K. (1984) Vindhyan Stratigraphy - A review Geol. Surv. Ind. Memoirs
vol. 116 (Part II), pp. 109 143.
Sen, A. K (1996) Well Completion Report of Jabera -1 (Parametric Well) ONGC unpublished report.
Soni, M.K., Chakraborty, S. and Jain, V.K. (1987). Vindhyan Supergroup a review. In : Purana
Basins of Peninsular India. Memoir, Geol. Soc. India, Bangalore, No.6, pp.87-138