© IPA, 2006 - 14th Annual Convention Proceedings, 1985
PROCEEDINGS INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION
Fourteenth Annual Convention, October 1985
EARLY MIDDLE MIOCENE DELTAIC PROGRADATION IN
THE SOUTHERN KUTAI BASIN
ABSTRACT
Synthesis of geology, paleontology and seismic strati-
graphy ina 1200square km areamrrounding Balikpapan Bay,
East Kalimantan, has led to the recognition of an eastward
prograding delta system, active during Middle Miocene time.
. Facies interpretation based on well cuttings and side wall
cores fiom 9 wells combined with approximately 4000
shothole samples from seismic time equivalent rock units
in outcrop, provided the frame-work for this synthesis.
Subsurface delineation of the 3 main depostional en-
vironments was achieved by means of seismic stratigraphy.
It is inferred that this progradationand observed eastward
shift of paleoenvironments in thi's delta and shore complex
are the result of uplift during Early Middle Miocene times.
The source for these fairly pure, well-sorted and rounded
quartzose sediments are probably sandstones of an earlier
progradational cycle that was derived directly from the
highly granitic Sunda shield.
INTRODUCTION
The study area is located in the southern part of the
Huffco Contract Area in the vicinity of the Balikpapan
Townsite (fig. 1). Seismic correlations of electric-log markers
in the early Middle Miocene section define three time slices
in a 1200 square km area. Seismic markers "1 2", "Beta",
"Omega" and "Bebulu" were mapped and tied to Huffco
Bongkaran No. 1 and other existing wells using well velo-
city surveys. Due to inaccessability and/or lack of exposure,
more than 4000 seismic shotholes samples were collected
from outcrops in the Mentawir and Rlko areas. Shotholes
were drilled 20' to 40' deep and usually one composite
sample taken. These samples were processed for paleonto-
logy to determine age and paleoenvironment. Paleoenviron-
mental facies distribution mapped on outcrop was tied to
time-equivalent seismic isochrons and wellbore data. Re-
gional seismic lines, incorporating all available paleonto-
logical and geological data, were used to project the facies
into the subsurface.
GEOLOGY.
During Mjddle Miocene time, uplift in the southwest and
the western interior of Borneo caused rapid progradation,
* HUFFCO INDONESIA, Jakarta, Indonesia
Etty S. Nuay*
A.M. Astarita*
K. Edwards*
resulting in abrupt vertical and lateral facies changes within
the study area. The stratigraphic interval which reflects
this geologic history is the Middle Miocene Klandasan Beds
(Marshall, 1981) or Balikpapan Group (Marks et al., 1982)
(fig. 2).
Transgressive shales within this interval were correlated
throughout the area using well logs and seismic sections.
The most widespread shales divide the section into three
iso time units : "12", "Beta" and "Omega" (fig. 7).
The Balikpapan Group rests conformably on the Bebulu
Group (Marks, 1982), a sequence of alternating shallow
marine shelf and coastal environments which are composed
of inner shelf to marginal marine coals, shales, barrier bar
sands, shelf and reefal limestones. Overlying the Balikpapan
group is the Kapung Baru group (Marks, at a1 1982) a se-
quence of regressive deltaic deposits with minor trans
gressive shales interrupting progradation.
During late Lower Miocene time, a northwest trending
shelf edge was present in the Samboja area. A coastline is
postulated to have been present west of the w o area.
The present day geologic structure of the study area
was formed mainly by Plio-Pleistocene gravity sliding and
associated wrench faulting (fig. 4). Late Lower Miocene
and early Middle Miocene growth faulting affects the Be-
bulu, "Omega" and "Beta" intervals. In general, the study
area is a doubly-plunging syncline, bounded by anticlines
on the southeast and northwest.
Omega Zone
In the Klandasan and Samboja areas, the "Omega" interval
consists of 90% siltstone deposited in middle- to outer-
shelf and upper bathyal environments. The "Omega"
slltstone represents an early Middle Miocene transgression
in response to Kutai Basin subsidence and growth faulting.
The approximate limit of the "Omega" transgression is in
the vicinity of Balikpapan townsite, west of Gunung Ba-
karan No. 1 , Bongkaran No. 1 , and Raden no. 1 (fig. lsa).
West of this line sand percentages increase and the dorni-
nant "Omega" paleoenvironment is shallower, ranging from
marginal marine - inner shelf to deltaic.
During "Omega" time in the Mentawir and Riko outcrop
areas, faunal analysis reveals a complex of changing en-
vironments. In the area surrounding the Mentawir well, a
deltaic facies is present throughout "Omega" time, almost
down to the Bebulu beds (fig. 5). To the northeast, a del-
taic facies grades into marginal marine to inner-shelf facies.
Farther northeast, the "Omega" becomes a middle to outer-
shelf environment (fig. 6). The middle t o outer-shelf de-
posits are thought to reflect a shelf-edge canyon present
during late Lower Miocene to early Middle Miocene time.
Shothole samples show that by the end of "Omega" time
the deltaic environment had already prograded through
the Mentawir area and that it persisted throguh "Beta" and
"12" time. Field evidence from outcrops in the Mentawir
area confirms deltaic deposition w i t h this time interval
and supports the paleoenvironmental analysis (Faber,
1949; Edwards, 1978; Suprapto, 1979).
Faunal analysis in the Riko outcrop area shows that the
"Omega" interval was depo&ed in a predominantly margi-
nal marine to inner-shelf environment (fig. 7). An area of
"Omega" deltaic facies is present northwest of Penajam
No. 1 separated from the Mentawir deltaics by a marginal
marine facies. To the southwest, a high energy, marginal
marine to inner-shelf environment is interpreted. This is
a possible paleosetting for barrier bar and beach sand
deposition during "Omega" time. Most of the shothole
samples show a generally barren sequence with a relatively
rare frequency of large, reworked arenaceous benthonic
foranis and low diversity of faunal population. This cor-
relates to the Klandasan area, where well log control in
the "12" and "Beta" intervals supports a coastal to high
energy shallow marine interpretation based on stratigraphy,
lithology and log character.
Due to the structural complexity in the Riko outcrop
area. "Omega" and "Beta" markers were projected above
the Bebulu seismic marker using average thicknesses
on trend to isochron contours. A seismic isochron of the
"Omega" interval relates subsurface geometry to facies
distl-ibution (fig. 8). In general, the isochron shows thinning
to the southeast. Isolated thickening on the downthrown
sides of growth faults also affects this section. The depo-
center, at least in part, is indicated by the isochron thick in
the Mentawir area. In the Klandasan area, isochron thinning,
low sand percentages, and deeper water environment reflects
distance from the deltaic complex.
The high sand percentages in the Penajam and Nenang
wells on trend with isochron thicks indicates proximity to
the deltaic environment found on outcrop to the northwest.
These sands may have been deposited as bar sands in a
high energy marginal marine to innershelf environment.
"1 2" and "Beta" Zones
In the Riko outcrop area, faunal analysis of the "Beta"
interval suggests that the deltaic facics that was present in
"Omega" time northwest of Pcnajam No. 1 persisted i n
"Beta" time (figs. 7, 9). To the south and east, a high
energy marginal marine to inncr-shelf environment is inter-
preted.
Data from wells on the Klundasan anticline show that the
"1 2" and "Beta" intervals consist predon~inantlyof nlassivc,
tine gl-ained, well sorted, subrounded quartz sandstone.
An increasing number of shale interbeds are found in the
"Beta" section. In the area surrounding the Bongkaran N o . 1
well, the intewals were deposited i n ;I marginal mar-ine to
inner-shclf environ~i~cnt (fig. 10). "Beta" was dcpositcd in
a deeper w:iter, inner to middle-shelf environment in the
Lamaru and Samboja areas. This shift in environment is
also expressed in decreasing sand percentages (fig. 1 1).
During"l2"time in the Klandasan area, a closed isochron
thick is associated with the increased sand percentages
evident from the wellbore control (fig. 12). Deltaic in-
fluence during late "12" time is shown in the Samboja
area. Faunal analysis of shothole samples in the Mentawir
outcrop area indicates that a deltaic facies was present
during "1 2" and "Beta" time in this area.
Based on isochron geometry and well data, the "1 2" and
"Beta" sands in the Klandasan area are interpreted to be a
series of stacked, sub-parallel barrier bars and beach com-
plexes deposited in a high-energy marginal marine to inner-
shelf environment. Isochron thicks in the Klandasan area
are separated fiom Mentawir thicks by Isochron thins.
Because the Mentawir outcrops show a deltaic environment,
and the isochron thick in the Klandasan area is a barlbeach
complex, these intervening isochron thins are interpreted to
be possible lagoonal facies. Thelower part of the "1 2" inter-
val is projected into the syncline northwest of Penajam
based on the trend of the isochron maps. From faunal ana-
lysis, a marginal marine t o inner-shelf environment is inter-
preted in this section.
PALEONTOLOGY
Detailed benthonic foraminifera1 analysis was made of
more than 4000 seismic shothole samples and about 1500
ditch cutting samples from the wellbores. The study revealed
the age of sampled rock and four major paleoenvironments.
These environments are : Deltaic, Marginal Marine to Inner
Shelf, Inner to Middle Shelf and Middle to Outer Shelf.
The study of planktonic forams from neritic facies
indicates that the "Omega" faunal age range is late Lower
Miocene to early Middle Miocene (N8-9, Blow zonation,
1969), based on the occurence of index species Globi-
gerinoides sicanus, Praeorbulina glomerosa, Praeorbulina
transitoria and Globigerinoides diminutus (fig. 2). Some
of the associated species occuring in this zone are Globi-
gerinoides subquadratus, Globigerinoides trilobus, and
Globigerina praebulloides. The occurrence of the index
species Globigerinoides sicanus almost coincides with the
"Omega" seismic marker in the wellbores penetrated in the
study area. Therefore, it is interpreted that the age of the
"Omega" to Bebulu interval is no younger than lower N9
(fig. 2). The age of the "12" and "Beta" intervals is difficult
to define due to the absence of index pelagic species in
shallow water deltaics, and relatively high-energy, marginal
marine to inner-shelf environments.,
The large benthonic forarns are unsuitable for time cor-
relation in this study area because of their long age range
and the absence of important index fossils. The smaller
benthonic fo~aminiferawhich were found in most samples
ald in cstahlisliing tlcpositional fxies rather than time
boundaries. However, " I 2" and "Beta" markers could be
correlated to several wellbores which contain the very rare
planktonic species of Globigernoides subquadratus (N5-
N13). Based o n thcse data and seismic corl-elations, "12"
and "Beta" intervals are assumed as Middle Miocene pro-
bably NO - N13 (Fig. 3).
The following is a summary of each paleoenvironment
recognized and paleontological evidence for each facies.
Deltaic
The deltaic facies is characterized by the occurrence of
small arenaceous species such as Itlilliammina cf. quadri-
loba, Trochammina sp., Haplopragmoides compressa,
Haplopragmoides canariensis, Haplopragmoides sp . Ammo-
baculites sp. These arenaceous or agdutinated forams
are normally present in the samples which are typical for
low salinity, brackish water environments such as near
a river mouth or in a deltaic environment (Parker, 1952).
The faunal assemblage present in a deltaic environment is
rather poorly developed, rare to common (3-20 specimens)
in number of population and in some samples are poorly
preserved.
Marginal Marine to Inner Shelf
The faunal association of the shallow water marginal ma-
rine to inner-shelf'facies (0-20 m depth) is composed of
a mixture of common to abundant (20-50 + specimens)
small calcareous benthonic species and a few long-range
pelagic forams.
The characteristic benthonic forams in this facies are
Ammonia beccarii, Pseudorotalia gaimardii, Pseudorotalia
yabei, Nonion spp, Elphidium crispum, Elphidium crati-
culatum, Elphidium gunterii, Quinqueloculina spp, Tri-
Ioculina spp, and Amphistegina radiata.
Some fauna found in this facies appear to have beer, depo-
sited in a high energy environment. This conclusion is
based on type of fauna present, log character, and litho-
logy. In this facies, most samples contain very rare fauna,
frequently barren or containing indeterminate species.
The few diagnostic assemblages include very scarce, poorly
preserved or partial specimens of just a few species. Such
assemblages are normally associated with sediments that
were deposited in high energy, turbid waters. Under these
conditions the growth of the fauna and flora could not be
sustained and preservation is poor. Only the large thick
shelled foraminifera such as Cyclammina sp, Thurammi-
noides sp, Haplopragmoides sp, and Bathysiphon escape
transportation and destruction of their tests.
The sand deposited in Klandasan area during the "1 2" and
"Beta" time is well sorted and subrounded indicating
that much skeletal material smaller than sand size has been
transportated out of this environment. According to Phleger
(1960), the principal characteristic of a beach and nearshore
environment is extreme water turbulence. The organisms
which grow in this environment are those which can with-
stand the rigors of water turbulence.
Thus, paleo data and electric-log characteristics support
the interpretations that part of the marginal marine to
inner-shelf facies in the Klandasan and Riko areas during
"1 2" and "Beta" time was probably part of a high energy,
barrier bar and beach complex.
Inner to Middle Shelf.
Within this paleoenvironment, the faunal assemblage
predominantly contains small calcareous benthonic forams
indicating intermediate open marine environment (10-
100 m depth). The inner to middle-shelf facies is marked by
the appearance of Bolivina striata,AnomalineUa rostrata,
Reusella simplex, Cibicides sp, Eponides praecintus, Tex-
tularia sp, Operculina granulosa, Operculina complanata ,
Pseudorotalia sp, Occasionally,long range planktonic species
occur such as Gloginerinoides trilobus, Globigerinoides
praebulloides and Globorotalia obesa. The fauna are
common, diverse and fairly well preserved. The sediments
were deposited within the outer limit of the inner shelf
where the water was relatively calm and where light pe-
netration was still effective.
Middle to Outer Shelf.
In this biofacies, the fairly rich fauna are typical of open
marine (appr. 100-200 m), quiet waters with abundant
organic life. The characteristic fauna of middle to outer-
shelf facies predominantly consists of small benthonic
forams, including Eponides praecintus, Gyroidina soldanii,
Uvigerina schwagerii, Bolivina sp, Operculinella sp, Lenti-
culina sp, Marginulina sp,Cyclammina cancellata, Haplo-
pragmoides carrinatum, and Bathysiphon.
SEISMIC STRATIGRAPHY
Although there are no unique relationships between
reflection configuration and lithologies, seismic lines in-
corporating all available paleontological and geological data
were used to project the paleoenvironmental facies into
the subsurface. Important indicators for seismic delineation
of facies are amplitude continuity, reflection character,
frequency and to a lesser extent interval velocity (Mitchum,
1977).
Three de~ositionalenvironments were correlated from
outcrop into the subsurface: deltaic, marginal marine to
inner-shelf and middle to outer-shelf (Fig. 13). The deltaic
environment is identified by shingled to discontinuous,
hummocky clinoform reflectors. Discontinuous, high
amplitude reflectors are interpreted as coal beds. The
marginal marine to inner-shelf facies was recognized by:
1) more continuous reflectors probably due to develop-
ment of the limestones. 2) reflec,tion terminations such as
baselap and toplap, and 3) reflection convergence and
divergence. The middle to outer-shelf facies is usually
devoid of reflections, although discontinuous low-ampli-
tude reflections do exist, perhaps due to thin, deep-water
limestones. A thick section of reflection free, marginal
marine to inner-shelf also exists in the "12" interval in the
Klandasan area but can be differentiated from middle to
outer-shelf facies by paleoenvironmental data in the well
bores.
SOURCE AREA
Although more petrophysical examination needs to be
completed, the grain size, sorting, the predominant quartz
sand conlposition and lack of accessory minerals may be
evident of multi-cyclic sedimentation. It is thought that
the original source area for the Middle Miocene sandstones
in the study area is the Sunda Shield (Fig. 14). Eocene and
Oligocene clastic sediments derived from the Sunda Shield
were uplifted in late Oligocene time and in part, redeposited
in the Barito Basin. Early Middle Miocene uplift in the
western part of Barito basin redeposted the older sediments
and may have been the source of the Middle Miocene sands
in the study area.
SUMMARY
Paleoenvironment analysis of fauna shows an eastward
prograding deltaic sequence during early Middle Miocene
time in the Southern Kutai Basin (fig. 15).
A thick sequence of barrier, bar, nearshore and beach
sedments was deposited in the Klandasan area during
"Beta" and "12" time. This complex was probably depo-
sited b y nearshore currents along the coast line in front of
the delta. The sandstones deposited in this sequence in-
dicate multi-cyclic sedimentation. The provenance was pro-
bably sediment derived from an earlier progradational cycle
of the Sunda Shield.
The direction of the delta progradation may have been
controlled by the shelf edge position in the Samboja area.
This position and orientation of the shelf edge was closely
related to the northwest trending growth faults which
occur in the southern part of the Kutai Basin.
Three basic depositional environments can be dis-
tinguished on seismic sections using paleontological and
geological data. Thus, it may be possible to recognize
optimum reservoir facies seismically. This technique may be
used t o high-grade drilling prospects.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Southeast Flank of Mentawir Nose: Unpublished
The writers wish to thank Huffco Management for
granting permission to publish this paper. Appreciation is
also expressed to Mr. David Hoffman and all colleagues for
their thoughts and guidance during preparation and writing
of this paper.
REFERENCES
Bdrnan, H.G. and Witoelar, K.L. 1974, Late Tertiary
Biostatigraphic Zonation, Kutei Basin, Offshore
East Kalirnantan, Indonesia. Indonesian Petrol.
Ass. Proc., P 301 -310.
Blow W.H. 1969, Late Middle Eocene to Recent
Planktonic Forminifera Biostratig~aphic:I st Inter-
national Conference Planktonic Microfossils, Gene-
va (1 967).
Edwards, G.A., 1978, Structure and Stratigraphy,
Mentawir Area, Semoi and Samboja Quardrangles,
East Kalimantan, Indonesia: Unpublished Huffco
Report.
Faber, J., 1949, Geological Survey of Mentawir:
BPM Report No. 10406.
Marks, Edward et. al., 1982, Cenozoic Stratigraphic
Nomenclature East Kutai Basin, Kalimantan, IPA
Bulletin.
Mitchum, R.M., and Vail, P.R., 1977, Seismic Strati-
graphy and Global Changes of Sea Level, Part 7:
Seismic Stratigraphic Interpretation Procedure in
Seismic Stratigraphy-applications to hydrocarbon
exploration, Charles E. Payton Ed.; AAPG Memoir
26, pp 135-145.
Parker, F.L. 1952, Foraminifera1 Distribution in the
Long Island Sound - Buzzards Bay Area: Bull
Mus. Comp. Zoology, V. 100, No. 2, p.213-241.
Phleger, F.B., 1960, Ecology and Distribution of
Recent Foraminifera: John Hopkins Press.
Suprapto, A. 1979. Reconnaissance Sumey of the
Huffco Report.
Wilcoxon Group, 1980, Calcareous Nannoplankton
Report: Mentawir No. 1, Iamaru no. 1 , Samboja
H-1 Wells for Roy M. Huffington, Inc. un-
published.
 67

HUFFCO
CONTRACT AREA

INDONESIA
STUDY AREA

LOCATION MAP
FIGURE 1
HUFFCO INDONESIA

TYPE LOG

HUFFCO BONGKARAN-1

FIGURE 3
HUFFCO INDONESIA

BEBULU
TIME SmUCTURE MAP
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23 STRIKE AND DIP OF SURFACE
ROCKS.
RlKO OUTCROP

FIGURE 7
 I2 - BETA ISOCHRON
WITH
SAND PERCENTAGES
AND
PALEOENVIRONMENTS
C.1 : 50 MS. FIGURE 12
 S O U T H CHINA SEA

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JAV.4 SEA

' HUFF60 INDONESIA

BORNEO ISLAND
MIDDLE MIOCENE
TECTONIC ELEMENTS

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FIGURE 14
FIGURE 15