Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Abstract
Introduction
Combined stratigraphic and structural traps of Lower
Talang Akar Formation (LTAF) syn-rift deposits create a The study area is located in PetroChina’s Jabung Block
typical play type in South Sumatra Basin, Indonesia. in the northern area of the South Sumatra Basin (Figure-
Three field examples from Jabung Block show pop-up 1). This northern area has become more actively
features caused by Plio-Pleistocene tectonics inverting explored since the discovery of North Geragai and
the pre-existing structures. This phenomenon creates Northeast Betara fields by Santa Fe Energy Resources.
the major hydrocarbon traps in the Jabung (Tungkal) Properties currently are held by PetroChina
sub-basin providing strong targets for further exploration International.
work.
This study focuses on the Oligocene Lower Talang Akar
Incorporating existing 3D seismic and wireline log data, reservoirs. These reservoirs have the highest cumulative
a tectono-sedimentary model unique for the each field production and new field discoveries in South Sumatra
was generated. All three field geological models are in Basin. Other productive zones are fluvio-deltaic Oligo-
close proximity to each other within the Betara Complex. Miocene Upper Talang Akar, Miocene Batu Raja, Gumai
Generally, there are three distinct identifiable sub-basin and Air Benakat reservoirs. In the study area, the Lower
evolution periods. First, a period of horst-graben Talang Akar Formation is dominated by non-marine
development controlled by major localized extensional deposits and currently has contributed 20% of the total
faults that initiated the basin architecture. This episode Jabung Block’s cumulative oil equivalent production.
was followed by rapid to moderate sedimentation However, the reservoir contains over 70% of the total
controlled by normal faults resulting in deposition of proven reserves. More than 60% of the exploration wells
Oligocene Talang Akar alluvial, fluvial and deltaic in Jabung have targeted this formation. In the Sumatra
deposits. Secondly, a period of decreased fault activity Basin, where total cumulative production is 2.1 BBO and
along with regional subsidence coinciding with the 2.3 TCF, the Talang Akar reservoirs have produced
deposition of post-rifting fine marine Miocene sediments more than 65% of the total oil production from more than
which provided a regional seal for the underlying 120 field discoveries (Pertamina BPPKA, 1997).
reservoirs. The third period is marked by regional uplift
resulting in wide spread basin inversion over the entire
region providing a period of hydrocarbon trapping. Methodology
Basin evolution provided complex stratigraphic and Incorporating geological (well logs, sample, and cores),
structural features and constitutes compartmentalized geophysical (2D and 3D seismic) and engineering (DST,
2 IPTC 10094
pressure, and production) data and analyses, some area was deposited in extremely various thicknesses
effective methods such as integrated wireline logs, ranging from more than 6000’ (1828m) in low areas to
seismic interpretations, seismic event flattening, 3D thin 2000’ (610m) draping onto areas of paleo-highs.
Visualization, seismic attribute analysis and wireline log The Lower Talang Akar Formation is typically absent
cross plots were applied in this research to better around paleo-horst basement highs.
understand the complex nature of basin architecture in
the area. Second, a period of decreased fault activity along with
regional subsidence coincide with deposition of post-
Structural interpretation and analyses were used to rifting fine to coarse Miocene to younger sediments of
determine the basin’s development history, as well as to the Batu Raja, Gumai, Air Benakat, Muara Enim and
better understand possible spatial and temporal younger deltaic, marine, and fluvio deltaic deposits.
sedimentary styles and their development.
The third period was regional uplift due to a
compressional phase initiated in late Miocene
Basin Development (Pulunggono, 1986) and accelerated in Plio-Pleistocene
which resulted in widespread structural rejuvenation in
South Sumatra Basin is a back-arc basin where thick the entire region. This tectonic regime has inverted many
sediment filled structurally controlled graben/half-graben earlier basins and grabens, generated folding, reversed
of rifted basins within a relatively short geologic history structures and basement uplift. In the study area these
during the Tertiary period. Depocenter of the Palembang complex structures are characterized by high-angle
sub-basin to the south (Figure-1B) show more than reverse faults created by the reactivation of older normal
19,600’ (6000m) of Tertiary sediment had filled the faults. This young structuring is oriented northwest-
basinal area (Pertamina BPPKA, 1997). Jabung southeast roughly parallel to the southwestern coast of
(Tungkal) sub-basin study area, consists of a separated the Sumatra Island. Sediment associated with this period
half-graben series that formed “boomerang” shape consists of coarse to volcano clastic deposits of Kasai
features controlled by older northeast-southwest and and younger formations.
northwest-southeast normal faults (Figure-1B and C).
These half-graben series are marginal in size typically
about 12 x 19 sq miles (20 x 30 sq kms) or smaller with Lower Talang Akar Stratigraphic Framework
accumulated sediment loads of over 15,000’ (4500 m)
thick. However these scattered lows, components of the Generally thick sediments were deposited within the sub-
sub-basin, present an excellent petroleum generating basin study area, similar to the South Sumatra Basin
system in the Jabung Block. during a relatively short geologic time in the Tertiary
period. Over 15,000’ (4570m) of sediment is expected to
Encroachment and subduction of the India-Australia have filled the basin depocenter in the Betara and
oceanic plate under the Sunda Continental Plate from Geragai deeps during Oligocene to present day.
early Pre-Tertiary to end of the Tertiary period, revealed
a dynamic and complex geological history (de Coster, The Lower Talang Akar reservoir in the study area varies
1974, Pulunggono, 1986, Hall, 1997). It has resulted in from thin to moderately thick reservoirs consisting of fine
various types of basins, as well as very complex to coarse grained sandstones as predominantly channel
structural features. fluvial sands to thin fine grained sandstones of a coal-
rich delta-lake type setting to locally alluvial pebbly and
In the South Sumatra Basin, generally there are three conglomeratic sandstones deposited in an alluvial
documented periods of sub-basin evolution. Figure-2 is a environment.
common feature developed in the field study area
showing evolution of the Tertiary Basin taken from RPH The Upper and Lower Talang Akar sediment contains
seismic section with it’s interpretation. First period is the approximately 20% of the total volume of Tertiary
development of Pre-Tertiary horst-grabens controlled by sediment deposited in the Jabung Block sub-basin.
major and local extensional faults that initiated the basin Thicknesses range from 0’ on basement highs to 4000‘
architecture. This period during mid-Mesozoic to (1220m) deposited in lows that were accelerated by half
Oligocene time is presumed to provide a basis of graben movement. Three major field examples in the
structural and basin architecture for subsequent basin Jabung Block are covered in this study. Two fields (NEB
development (de Coster, 1974, Pulunggono, 1986). In and GHM) were deposited in a fluvial environment with a
the study area major structural oriented northwest- third (RPH) in a more distal fluvio-deltaic setting.
southeast and southwest-northeast normal faults formed
a series of half-grabens (Figure-1C). Rapid to moderate Sediments of the Lower Talang Akar Formation filled
sedimentation rates controlled by these faults resulted in troughs during rifting within the graben/ half-graben
deposition of documented Oligocene Talang Akar system. Source of sedimentation is believed to be from
alluvial, fluvial and deltaic deposits that filled in lows adjacent paleo-highs created during formation of the
within half-grabens. This syn-rift sediment in the study horst-graben system. In NEB Field, the Lower Talang
IPTC 10094 3
Akar reservoir on lapped onto steeply dipping paleo- characterized by deposition of coarse to pebble grained
basement highs thickening northward into the basinal alluvial sediment driven by gravity flow due to a steeply
area. Sediment was absent over horst generated paleo- dipping basin slope. In the NEB area, when the basin
basement highs. When the Jabung sub-basin was fully became subsequently more stable with a lower slope
covered by marine shales of the Upper Talang Akar gradient, deposition of coarse to medium grained
Formation, sediments covering the region provided a moderately well sorted sands were deposited in a
seal for early stratigraphic trapping. Subsequently later braided river system during lowstand system track in the
tectonic compression formed a more pronounced Lower LTAF Formation. Blocky and locally serrated,
structural component to existing stratigraphic traps. In stacked sands, indicated by gamma-ray patterns, had a
GMH Field, the Lower Talang Akar Formation appeared large variation in porosity ranging from less than 10 to
to be deposited on a paleo-ramp that had a moderate 27% porosity with local permeabilities up to a darcy.
slope providing conditions for development of more Sediments are sourced from adjacent paleo-basement
homogeneously reservoirs in the lower part of the highs.
formation. Both NEB and GMH field’s main reservoirs
are meandering fluvial channel sands from middle to In an adjacent area towards the southeast, basins
upper LTAF with good reservoir properties. seemed to have moderately gentle slope patterns. In
GMH area, sands consists of coarse to medium grains,
RPH Field, south of NEB and east of GMH, displays clean thick blocky gamma-ray signatures, better sorting
highly heterogeneous reservoir sand development that is and are laterally homogeneous formed in a braided river
considered to have been developed in a more distal system in the Lower LTAF. Reservoirs have porosities
fluvio-deltaic environment. This environment differs from up to 28% and permeabilities up to 1.8 darcies. Mapping
NEB and GMH by having more coals and finer basement that represented paleogeographic
sediments with marginal reservoir properties. configuration, proved to be of great assistance in
locating the paleo-drainage for sedimentary fairways
(Figure-1C and Figure-5).
Reservoir Characterization
South of NEB Field lies the RPH area. RPH reservoirs
Basin framework includes basin configuration slope, are mainly thin fine grained sandstones with poor to
movement, and relative mean sea level (base level) marginal reservoir properties deposited in a fluvio-deltaic
changes are the main ingredients that controlled environment characterized by serrated gamma-ray
sedimentary style and volume in the Jabung sub-basin. shape interbedded with local siltstones, coals and
shales.
A preliminary reservoir characterization of Tertiary
sediments has been done (Suta, 2003). In vertical In NEB and GMH Fields, sandstones of the upper LTAF
sequence through time, older reservoirs generally exhibit are the main producing reservoirs in the area and were
a reduction in reservoir properties (porosity and deposited in a relatively stable environment with a gentle
permeability) due to compaction and/or diagenesis slope gradient. Reservoirs are characterized by coarse
process (Figure-3). to fine quartz grained sandstones with occasionally lithic
grains, clean, moderately well sorted deposited in a
Tertiary sediments in the Jabung area is considered meandering channel environment. Basin configuration
controlled by existing mostly granitic provenance Pre- strongly controls the sedimentary style of reservoirs
Tertiary basement. Re-working, re-cycling, and re- (Figure-6). Wireline log GR character of the upper LTAF
deposition of sediments through time have caused is blocky, clean with fining upward channel sands.
reduction of it’s radioactive mineral make-up. A simple Reservoir consists of mainly multi-stacked sands with
approach shown in Figure-4A indicates older Tertiary thickness ranging from 10’ to 25’, porosities from 19% to
(LTAF) to younger Muara Enim Formation (MEF) sands 30% with pemeabilities from 200 mD up to 1.2 darcies.
have a consistent reduction in the thorium-potassium
concentration. Interestingly, Figure-4B with a significant Paleo-troughs tend to provide thicker better reservoir
lack/or absent of LTAF sediment in NEB-6 located on a distribution in contrast to paleo-highs which have shalier
paleo-horst is due to either a depositional hiatus or and thinner sediments. Drilling NEB Gas Inj-A/Ast is an
sediment erosion. Being a granitic provenance, example of finding better reservoir near paleo-highs. The
basement constantly shows the highest radioactive original well was directionally drilled north towards the
components on natural gamma ray logs. basin area but encountered low porosity/permeable
alluvial fan system with no fluvial channels. A decision
was made to sidetrack the well to the northeast targeting
Lower Talang Akar Reservoir Characterization sands within a paleo-trough. The sidetrack encountered
several thick fluvial channel reservoirs that will be used
Early stage of Tertiary sedimentation was controlled by for gas injection.
horst-graben configuration and normal fault movement.
This period of instability within the basin was In the GMH area, these upper reservoirs have similar
4 IPTC 10094
Figure-2 3Dseismic inline-450 and section interpretations showing Tertiary basin development. Period-1, extensional phase marked by
rifting period, in South Sumatra Basin this is a period of reservoirs and source rocks development. In RPH area, Normal (main) fault
responsible for syn-rift sedimentation (Oligocene to Early Miocene LTAFand UTAF) and controlled sedimentary drainage. Basin become
more stable, no significant structural development, marked by deposition of post-rift sediments (BatuRaja, Gumai, from Miocene to
younger formations): period-2. This period provided regional seal for underlying reservoirs. Finally, regional compression phase causing
basin inversion marked by trusting, folding and rejuvenation of pre-existing structures in Plio-Pleistocene. This is period of trap
formation: period-3.
Figure-3 NEB-7&6, GMH-5 and NG-2 Core K vs. Phi Cross-plot. In general,
reservoir porosity increases in younger formations.
IPTC 10094 7
Figure-4 A. NEB-4 Well TH-K crossplot from Air Benakat to Lower Talang
Akar Formations and Basement.
Figure-4 B. In NEB-6 Well the cross-plot shows thin/ or absent of the Lower
Talang Akar unit.
8 IPTC 10094
Figure-7 A. Well pressure analysis (PetroChina, 2001) plots showing reservoir compartmentalization in
NEB Field. The reservoir have been compartmentalized laterally and vertically (details are discussed on
the paper).
B. NEB Field log profile showed by NEB-10 Well log