22 Praccting ofthe 2 Annual Conention of The ndonesion Asociton of Geologits 'THIN-SKINNED TECTONICS AND. FAULT-PROPAGATION FOLDS : NEW INSIGHTS TO THE TECTONIC ORIGIN OF BARITO FOLDS, SOUTH KALIMANTAN ” By: ‘Aviang Harun Satyana and Parada Devy Siitonga **) ABSTRACT Barito Basin, South Kalimantan is located in between Sunda Shield to the west and Meratus Range to the east. The area is foreland- backarc region typified by foredecp atthe frontal zone of Meratus and platform approaching the shield, The structural spe ofthe Barto Foredeep is characterized by parsllel {onds of folds and thrusts that repeat in closely spaced, wavelike bands coastituting the belt. The folds are bounded by high angle, westerly -hanging thrust faults. These structures become increasingly imbri cate towards the Meratus Range. Conjugate pair of strike-slip faults eut older structures. The platform is marked by weak tectoni patterns some of which with gente folds ‘The study tried to apply concepts of thin-skinned (detached) tectonics and fault-propagation folds in search of the tectonic origin of Barto fold. Seismic sections were examined to define the structural characteristics of the basin, Retrodeformable sections were tested to solve the problems of structural his- tory. ‘The study showed that the Barito Basin had been tectonized into different structural syles of un- seal basement-involved tectonics with fault-rclated folds inthe foredeep and indistinct thin-skinned tec- tonics in the platform with discontinuous decollement, ramps axd obscure faul-propagation folds, The Inydrocarbon so far is known to be trapped in the fault-related folds and paleohighs ‘of the northeastern end of Barto Foredeep. The possibility of decollement folds to trap hydrocar- bon sill needs tobe examined by newer-and bette quality seismic sections of the platform area, 1. INTRODUCTION This paper describes the structural eon: figuration of Barito Basin, South Kalimantan. The study tried to apply concepts of detached (thin- skinned) tectonics and fault-propagation folds in search of the tectonic origin of Barto folds. The classic view asserts that all Barto faults involve basement and that fold formation has nothing to do with faults (nonfault-related folds) In this paper, firstly we discuss the charac- teristics of thin-skinned tectonics and fault- propagation folds in general terms. Following this part we examine the tectonic origin of Barito foldsin which the detached faults, fault-propaga- *) Presented at the 22nd Annual Convention of the fo- denen sono Geog, Barn? Deter vm **) Bpoion Depo ERTAMINA Baiipep tion folds and basementinvolved tectonics are discussed. Finally, implications to the hydrocar- bon exploration significance are considered, Grateful appreciation is extended 10 the Exploration Dept. of PERTAMINA Balikpapan from whom this study originated, and to the Ex ploration Dept. of PERTAMINA Jekaeta for their permission to publish it. Those in Balik: papan who took part in the discussion when the paper was being prepared have also contributed to the paper and to them we also offer our deep gratitude. 2. TECTONICS OF FOLD AND THRUST BELTS 24 Thin-Skinned Tectonics ‘The Appalachian Mountains, which extend slong the eastern side of North America, are cas:Proseing of the 22" Anal Comenton of The indo sic ground for structural gcology, for here many of, the major concepts of the science were developed. The Pine Mountain thrust sheet in the Valley’ and Ridge Province of Southern Ap- palachian ie the classic model for thineskinned Soformetion (Harris and Milic, 197%, Suppe, 4985). Rich (1934) see Harris and Milici (1972), utilizing the Pine Mountain dhrust as an example, saggested that deformation was confined to the sedimentary cover, which wes stripped off erystel- ‘basement above a detached fault and was in- dependentiy-deformed. This particular style of Geformation, because it has been confined to the sedimentary sequence above the basement com- plex, has been termed "thin-skinned tectonics’ (Rodgers, 1949). A 32-km -long seismic profile from part of the Valley and Ridge of Tennessee (Fie.1A) clearly ectablishes the thin-skinned style cof deformation. Decallement (floor thrus:) seg- ‘ments of thrust Faults are confined to stratigraphic horizons that appear to be inhereatly weak either because of low rock strengih, high fluid pressure, cr both (Suppe, 1985). ‘The thin-skianed tectonics may be related with basemeatinvolved toctonies (hiek-skioned tectonies). Compressive settings ean mix detached thrusts and fold with basemen thrusts, Detached thus systems ia the outer fringe of orogenic belts ccan ukiimstely root downdlip as basement thrust toveard the core region of orogenic belts (Harding and Lowell, 1929), 22 Fault Propagation Folds Fauk-propagation folds are feultrelated folds that form as part of the process of fault propagation. ‘The growth of & fault- propagation fold associated with the stepping up of a thrust fault was outlined schematically by Suppe (1985) (Fg.28). As the propagating foul tip begins to diverge from the bedding-plane of decollement land step up through the section, two kiak bands, A’ and B-B, immediately form. Axial surface B is pinned to the footwall eutoff and beds roll through it, Axial surface A! terminates at the fault tip and beds roll through it as favle propagates. ‘Axial surface ABY, formed by the merging of A ‘and BY, moves with the velocity of the thrust sheet tnd is the only axial euefiee fixed in the material The important evidence For faul-propaga tion fol isthe faults die cut in the cores of folds ‘This upseetion dying-out of fault eventwally cvans> on Aucigion of Geos 283 for its slip to fold ac its tp, of by distributing it among several splays (Mitra, 1986) (Fig 1C). 3, TECTONIC ORIGIN OF BARITO FOLDS 34 Barlto Basin Frameworks ‘Tectonic and Stratigraphic ‘The Barito Basin is located slong the southeastern edge of the stable continental Sunda Shield, ‘The Meratus Range defines the basin in the east, To the north itis distinguished from the ‘Ketel Hasin by the Burito-Kutei Cross High. Sout- ‘wards it extends into the Java Sea. Within its in- {ermal framework the Barito Basin contains the present-day NE to SW trending Barito Foredeep, flanked to the west by the Barito Platform or Shelf, The Buntok Subbasin, situated to the NW fof the foredsep is probably an offset extension of the foredcep (Fig 2A). “The geologic history of the basin during ‘Tertiary was started by rifting of the basement in Paleo-Eocene. The condition prevailed up to Oligo Miocene during which localized and regional subsidence, ithorpheric stretching, inter- rupted by uplifting, impressed the basin, Grabea- fill comprises Tanjung, and shallow platform and rmacl of Bérai formations were established. By mmid-Miocene, the prevailing structural style changed to more compressional nature. Regional ‘uplift, appeared in middle Miocene and Plio- Pleistocene established the sediments of Warukin and Dahor formations and gave tise to the present sintotural configuration (Figs 2B,5A). “The rifting or block faulting of the Barito bosement is # unique structural history and eru- ial to the present stud. The rifting produced a set of horsts and grabens that were decisive for the following siractures. The consequence of carly rifting followed by compression and uplii- ing, hes reactivated the old favk blocks rather than developed enticly now structures. ‘32 Barite Thin-Skinned Tectonics ‘The thin-skinned tectonics in the Barito Basin may be observed ia the area beyond the Barito Foredsep (Barito Platform), Seismic see- {Gone reveal that the mest areas in the Barito Plat- form aro weakly tectonized (Figs 3B,C). ‘The possibility of the existence of thin- skinned tectonics in the basin is apparent in some284 Proceedings of ihe 22"! Annual Convention of The Indonesian Assoxistion of Geologists Fig.1 ~A. Seismic profile and interpretative, structure section showing major reflectors dipping steeply to’x’ and decreasing their dips gradually to where they merge with the decol lenent. Just above tho basement (from Harris and Hilfet, 1977). B. Schematic progressive develormont of a fault-propagation fold at the tip of @ thrust fault (From Supe, 1985). Cc. Formation of imbricate thrust systems from thrust faults propagation for large (2) and mat? (11) initial spacings of faults (From Mitra, 1986).Proceedings ofthe 22" Annual Convention of The Indonesian Association of Geologists ExeLANATION =F wana digate aoe or dey) 2. Bangeang-2 10. Terutan-t 3. Merldv=1 IL. Kebayon = 12, Kuote Kapaa 13.Perigl=1 14 Menteat-| 18.Panaia = = Sete Section fig. 3A See Fig. 38. See Fig. 4A - See Fa. 4c See Fig, 30 See Fle. 40 2, Se Fle, 48 Ta 2 - A. Tectonic setting of srito Basin. Locations of well and selenic section discussed in the text are shown (modified efter PERTAMINA and INOCO, 1985, conpleted with well and seismic section locations). 8. sedimentary, Stratigraphic, and tectonic summary of Sarito Basin (from Bow Valley, 1992)Proceedings of the 22% Annval Convention of The Indonesian Assocation of Geologists 286Proceeding of he 22 Annal Convention of The Indonesian Asecetion of Geologie 287288, Proceedings he 22% Anneal Convention Ihe Indonesian Assocation of Gectegins seismic sections gained for Conoco by UGC (1970) in Southwest Barito:(Fig.4). The soctions Show the presence of ramps that possibly root downdip and join the decollement just above the top of basement. These ramps are possibly trig gered by bends at the basement, Several ramps fre repeated subsequently one in front of another. ‘This shows tho sequential evolution of progresive detachment from inner to outer zone (from ESE to WNW directions). The ramps over the decolle- ‘ment appear to have deformed beds above their tips. Some Berai reefal build-ups are possibly connected with these ramps. However, not all ramps are followed by deformations of overlying beds, We assume thet the coherently strong com= petency of rocks either of Tanjung or Berai for- Gnations makes ramps that are not always ‘accompanied by deformations. "The basement itself is apparently not dis- turbed by faults, (i still dubious as to the con stant continuation of decollement along. the basement. The discontinuity of decollement is supposed to be caused by the varied basement Composition of the region Nine wells that penetrated the basement in this region showed that the bazement is composed of metaquartzite (Murung-l, Katapang-1), phyllite (Barito-1), granitic gneiss (Terusan-1), phylliic quarwite (Kahayancd), queriztic schist (Kuala Kapuas- 1), granodiorite (Perigi-1), granite (Montalat-1) and fand-shale (Panain-1). This different competency of rocks makes the decollements discontinuous. 33 Barito Fault-Propagation Folds Ic was Bow-Valley (1992) who was the first to say that, structurally, the Tanjung Raya Area, ht the northern end of the Barito Basin, was fault propaga- testence of such folds in Tanjang Raya Area and fo extond our examination to other parts of the basin, Having returned to the basic concepts of foult propagation folding, we were dubious about the existence of such folds a Tanjung Raya Area. We did not find any decollements from which propagated faults were originated, ‘The feults Gurusted both the basement and cedimentary covers (Fig3A). We did aot find any ramps that step up or bifvreate as splays from floor thrusts. In addition to that, faults appear to have thrusted all sedimentary sequences of the basin, so thers fare no dying-outs of Fault which should mark the fault propagation folds. Nevertheless, in the Western region beyond the foredeep area, we Found the appearances of fault- propagation folds that rightly juxtaposed with the postible ramps (Figs), Right to the west of Barito Foredeep bo der we found some dying- outs of fault which could be the indications of fault-propagation folds (Fig. 5A). Unforwunately, there are no significant ‘overlying ramp anticlines associated with the fault propagation. ‘One fact about Barito folds, about which ‘we are sure (o be right, is that all Rarito folds are faulteelated folds. Tt means that the folds ace formed by vertical force couple applied by slip ‘along the underlying nonplanar faults. This origin ‘of folds is connected with the contrast structural history of the basin from Paleogene to Neogene. ‘The folds were formed by inversion tectonic force that propagated along newly. formed thrust faults started in mid-Miocene and continued to Plio- Pleistocene to grow the amplimde of folds (Figs 5A,B). 34 Barito Basement-Involved Tectonics ‘The busement-involved tectonics of the Barito Basia is restricted around the Barito Foredeep and Buntok Subbasin. The structural configuration is clearly expressed in the Tanjung Raya Area (Figs 34,5A,B). We assumed that the involvement of the basement in thrusting was caused by strong compateney of composed rocks. Some wells that penetrated the basement in the foredeep (Hayup-1, Bongkang-2, Maridu-1, Miyawal, Martapura-1, Tabanio-1) reveal that the basement consists of limestone, granodiorite, basalt, altered porphyry, quartzite, and granite. Those competent rocks when tectonized, make fault erasseut the rocks diagonally (the rocks are involved) (see Harris and Milici, 1977; Supe, 1985). The restoration of tectonic stages reveals that the basement involvement in thrusting of Barito Foredeep is not a real basement-involved tectonics. It means that the basement is not thrusted at once by single tectonic force. Base- ‘ment thrusting of the Barite Foredeep was caused by inversion tectonics. It was started by rifling of the basement ia Paleogene and inverted by com- pressional force in Neogene as basement thrusts (FigSA), Figure 5B discerns tectonic origin of Barito bacement thrusts more clearly. It shows that Paleogene rifts trending, parallel to tectonicProceedings of the 22"! Annual Convention of The Indonesian Associstion of Geologists 289 NW fossa THN-skiWweD TecToMes | THleK-~skiMMED TECTOMES SE20 Proceading the 22" Annan Convention of Te lndonsian Asecition of Geologists transport (to W-NW) were inverted as basement thrusts, whereas the opposite trending rifts remained as rifts for the folloning stages. 4, HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION SIG- NIFICANCE, ‘Most petroleum in thrustfold’ belts has ‘boen trapped in asymmetric, Ranging-wall folds and lead edges of thrust sheets. Eflectve closures are commonly located at a relatively outer zone oF cxternal folds of a belt which are considered to be detached. Closures ai these positions kaye been only sligthly to moderately disrupted by faulting, allowing reservoir contimsity and migration path- ways to romain essentialy intact (Harding and Lowell, 1999). Ramp anticlines or fault propaga tion folds constivuce the simplest structural traps. Overlapping ramp anticlines or imbricate thrust systems constitute the best hydrocarbon traps be: cause of multiple stacking of the reservoir unit and enhanced fracturing resulting from increased curvature inthe overlapping sheets (Mitra, 1986). ‘The Berto Basin has evidently to be major hydrocarbon producer. Up to July 1993 the basin has produced 124 MMBO and 155 BCFG. Today the producing fields in the basin sill produce 318 BOPD and 3302 MSCFGPD (Fuly 1993 status), The fields are concentrated in Tanjung Raya Area, The hydrocarbon is trapped in fault- related folds, Some hydrocarbon entrapment is ‘connected with paleohighs. So far there is no ‘known other productive area in the basin. If the docolloment folds really eame into existence in the area of Barito Platform we ean still hope to find structural traps with probably better quality an quantity than that in Tanjung Raya area. The continuous decollement that root dovenip to the kitchen area in the foredeep can play a role as migration pathway. The hydrocarbon willbe ‘rapped elther in simple fault- propagation folds ‘or overlapping ramp anticlines, However, the available seismic sections for the western area (aken in 1968) so far do mot account for sig- nificant traps. We may need the newer- and bet- ie sections to asces the hydrocarbon potential beyond the existing productive areas. 5. CONCLUSIONS Jn general terms, the structure of fold ang, ‘thrust bells in the foreland-backarc tectonic ting is fundamentally dominated by thrust faults a¢ depth that dip towards the interior of the moug. tain belt and run along bedding planes over much of their length. The deformed structure ig detached from its substrate along 2 bedding plane zone of slip called a decollement. The individu ‘theusts called ramps or splays typically step-up from decollement upward and outward toward, ‘the margin of the mountain belt. Because of toe. tonie ansport along the step-ups, fault related folds are formed over the ramps os faull-propaga. tion folds, ‘The Barito structural style is typified by real basement involved tectonics around the foredeep in which the folds are originated ae fault-rclated folds. Beyond the foredeep ap- poaching the Sunda Shield the basement ig ‘devoid teetonized, otherwise the thin-skinned tec. tonics may have taken place. Discontinuous ‘decollements, ramps and f2ult-propagation folds ‘are indicated in some seismic sections of the arez even if without obvious characteristics (Fig.5C). ‘The hydrocarbon entrapment of the Barto Basin is knowa to be trapped in faut-rclatd folds of Tanjung Raye Area. So far, there is no other producing arca inthe basin. The newer and better “quality seismic sections of the Barito Platform are sictly noeded to asses the existence and capability of decollement folds as hydrocarbon closures. 6, REFERENCES CITED 1. Bow Valley (Asis) Lid, 1992, Taniang Raye ‘Area East Kalimantan, echnical eveh- tion, Bow Valle (Asia) Lid, Jakert, (un- pub), 2. Gupta, A, 1987, Seismic interpretation and pptrolaim potonial of Tanjung Raya Area Sout Kalimanten, Indonesi, Eksplorasi PERTAMINA DAK, Balikpapaa, (un pub. 3.Harding, TP. and Lovell, 1D, 1978, Stevtwral siyies, beit pate-tectonic habitats, acd lyroearoon traps in petroleum provinces The AAPG Bull, 63,907, pp. 1016-1058.Proeetings ofthe 22™ Arua Convention of The Indonesian Awatiton cf Geologie a1 4, Harris, LD. and Mille, R.C, 1977, Charae- teristics of thin-skinned siyle of deforma- ‘ion in the Southern Appalachians and potential hydrocarbon traps: USGS Professional Peper 1018. 5. Mitra, S,, 1986, Duplex structures and imbri- ‘cate thrust systems : geometry, structural position, and hydrocarbon potential : The AAPG Bilt, v0, 209, pp. W87-1112. 6, PERTAMINA INOCO, 1985, Geological as- sessment of target area TV, Vb, IVe, 18, Kalimantan, Indonesia, TndonesiaNippon OilCooperstion Co, Lid, Jakarta, (un- pub). —-~ and Tread Energy Kalimantan Lid, 1088, The hydrocarbon potanital of the lower Tanjung Formation, Berio Basin, SE Kalimantan, Indonesia, PERTAMINA- ‘Trend Energy Kalimantan Lid, Fakarta, (unpubl Rodgers, J, 1949, Evolution of thought om srueture’ of Middleand Southern Ap- palachian : The AAPG Bull. ¥33, 1010, pp. 1643-1654. 9. Supe, 1, 1985, Principtes of stuciurat geology, Prentice-Hall, Ine, Englewood Cif, 10. United Geophysical Co. (UGC), 1970, Final ‘report of the South Barto Basin geophysical survey for CONOCO of Indonesia, United Geoplysical Corporation, Takara, (un- Publ.)