IPA18-129-G
PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION
Forty-Second Annual Convention & Exhibition, May 2018
AN INTEGRATED SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC APPROACH AND DEPOSITIONAL FACIES
ANALYSIS OF THE TALANG AKAR FORMATION IN THE JAMBI MERANG AREA, JAMBI
SUB-BASIN
Rizqi Amalia Melati*
Dody Apriadi*
ABSTRACT
The Talang Akar Formation is expected to be a
deeper play in the Jambi Merang Area that has not
been intensively explored or studied yet. This paper
aims to define the depositional facies of the Talang
Akar Formation by using a sequence stratigraphic
approach based upon the integration of six basic data
sets, including well log responses, core, seismic
facies, biostratigraphy, eustatic cycle chart, and
outcrop data as analogue. This approach is effective
for recognizing the depositional environment and for
predicting reservoir distribution. Obtaining an
understanding of basin configuration is the first thing
to do to evaluate the geological setting of the Talang
Akar Formation since the sequence stratigraphy
principles are very close to the depositional trends
which are controlled by the interplay of
sedimentation and base-level shifts. The area of
investigation can be divided into 3 focused areas that
are the North Area, South Area and Gelam Area. In
general, there are 3 depositional sequences in the
Talang Akar Formation which started by low
systems tract consisting of fluvial channel and
overbank deposits which are only well developed in
the North and Gelam Area whereas in the South Area
are absent (SB-1/28 M.y.a). Then the area was
covered by transitional deposits consisting of
swamp, tidal estuarine and shoreface deposits as part
of transgressive systems tract (SB-2/24 M.y.a). The
last stage of the Talang Akar Formation is a
highstand systems tract consisting of inner – middle
neritic deposits which are characterized by shale
dominated (SB-3/23 M.y.a). From this study, it
concludes that the area surrounding the North and
Gelam Areas show promise for further work to
generate prospects in low systems tract of fluvial
environment with a combination between
stratigraphic and structural trap.
Keywords: Sequence Stratigraphy, Depositional
Facies, Talang Akar Formation, Jambi Merang Area,
Jambi Sub-Basin
* JOB Pertamina Talisman Jambi Merang
INTRODUCTION
Currently, the Jambi Merang Block has two
producing gas and condensate fields with the
carbonate build-up Baturaja Formation (BRF) as the
main reservoir. In the other side, Jambi Merang has
one unitization field which is located adjacent to the
block with Talang Akar sandstone as the productive
reservoir. Moreover, the Talang Akar Formation
(TAF) is also well known as a proven play in the
South Sumatra Basin especially in the Jambi Sub-
Basin, nevertheless focused studies regarding the
startigraphic framework of TAF in Jambi Merang
Block are still slightly limited. Along with the
exploration strategy to find a “new play” in this
block, this study was conducted to get more
knowledge about potential reservoirs of the TAF by
using a sequence stratigraphic approach. This kind of
method used the integration of a variety of types of
data such as well data, seismic data and other
additional data. The objective of this study is not only
to describe lithofacies and stratal architecture of TAF
but also to demonstrate the paleoenvironment
reconstruction time after time until eventually the
lateral distribution of potential reservoir(s) can be
estimated.
This study was divided into 3 focused study areas,
the North Area, South Area and Gelam Area. The
North area covers the Muara Sabak (MSK-1) and
East Ketaling (EKG-1) wells, the South Area
encompasses Kukulambar (KKL-1), Sungai
Kenawang (SKN-1) and Pulau Gading (PGD-1,
PGD-2, PGD-3) wells, and finally the Gelam Area
used Gelam (GLM-1, GLM-2, GLM-4) wells. A total
of 10 wells were analyzed by optimizing the data in
each well. Based on the completeness and the
innermost depth, three wells were determined as key
wells; MSK-1 for North Area, PGD-1 for South
Area and GLM-4 for Gelam Area. To do the analysis,
puzzle, all data was integrated to make a better
interpretation. Fieldwork on TAF has been carried
out as well to get lithology analogue since core and
petrography was so limited in this study. As we know
the interpretation of lithology is the first thing to
perform before doing further steps. Lithology
contains mineral composition, texture and also
sediment structure that lead us to the sedimentary
processess and depositional environment
interpretation. Another key data that must be
examined is biostratigraphy data. Fossils analysis
give us the information about paleowaterdepth and
the age of the rocks.
Some hypotheses from literature studies and
previous research can be summarized into three
aspects, that is lithostratigraphy, tectonostratigraphy
and chronostratigraphy. By lithostratigraphy, TAF in
Jambi Merang can be divided into two groups, Lower
and Upper TAF. Both of them were distinguished by
the properties of lithology. Lower TAF is
predominantly composed by the intercallation of
sand and shale, with coal layers in some
places.Whereas Upper TAF is dominated by
calcareous shale, laminated by limestone and a layer
of coals as well. By tectonostratigraphy, TAF in
Jambi Merang is a product of Late Syn-rift to Early
Post-rift phase which is characterized by the seismic
facies features like onlap, downlap and also offlap.
By chronostratigraphy, TAF in Jambi Merang
consists of 3 sequences which started by terrestrial
deposits and ended by marine deposits along with the
transgression of sea level. Surely those hypotheses
which were made from limited data and the lack of a
regional scale of study must be examined in more
detail with the data availability for this study.
Previous work on this related subject was made by
Ginger and Fielding (2005) regarding
paleogeography of TAF which happened during Late
Oligocene to Earliest Miocene with depositional
environment ranges from fluvial – shallow marine
deltaics – marginal marine and marine shale. Ginger
& Fielding (2005) used more regional scale to
generate that paleogeography map which showed the
relative position between sediment supply to the
acommodation space. Another prior study that
talking about sequence stratigraphy is an inhouse
study from Pertamina Hess Jambi Merang (2006)
that only focused on Lower TAF definition. Lower
TAF is divided into 2 types of accommodation
systems tract. Low accommodation systems tract
forming braided stream than high accommodation
systems tract resulting meander stream. The latest
study concerning the depositional sequences of TAF
in Jambi Merang came from from Geotama Energi
(2015) which mentioned that TAF in the South area
is a product of transitional to marine environment,
meanwhile North and Gelam area have freshwater or
fluvial deposits below transitional and marine
deposits. From all previous studies, there is no one
that has used the integrated sequence stratigraphic
approach which combines not only well log and
seismic data but also other additional data such as
core and petrography, outcrop analogue, multi
resolution grap clustering (MRGC), biostratigraphy
and geochemistry data. In contrast, this study was
trying to make in depth sequence stratigraphy
analysis not only by using integrated data but also by
more detailed chronostratigraphy. In summary, it can
describe the depositonal facies evolution of TAF and
hopefully this study can also reveal the upside
potential of the TAF objective and create added value
to the exploration strategy in Jambi Merang as well.
Based on this study, the depositional facies of TAF
in Jambi Merang can be divided into 3 sequences.
The first sequence in age ~28 Mya is a product of a
terrestrial environment with two associated facies :
fluvial channel and overbank facies, which was then
covered by transitional deposits which are a product
of tidal estuarine and nearshore/marginal marine
facies in age ~ 24 Mya. The last sequence is an open
marine environment which is composed of thick
shale deposits in ~ 23 Mya as a boundary between
Oligocene and Miocene. This depositional facies is
certainly related to reservoir continuity and quality
analysis to lead and prospect generation.
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
Location
Jambi Merang Block is located in Bayung Lencir,
Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatera (Figure 1). This
area can be reached by land in approximately 3 hours
from Jambi city, which is faster than the route taken
from Palembang city. The Jambi Merang Block is
part of the Jambi Sub-Basin, Northeastern part of the
South Sumatra Basin. The basin type of the Jambi
Merang Block is a pull-apart basin which is
dominantly controlled by transtensional tectonic
systems. The basin configuration around this block
was represented by horst and graben. The horst
named Merang High has played a major role in
hydrocarbon accumulation which comes from the
graben named Ketaling Deep in the relatively
Western and Merang Deep in the relatively Eastern
to the block (Bishop, 2001).
Tectonic History and Stratigraphy
By tectonic, this area was influenced by two major
tectonic events. Firstly is the rifting phase during
Eocene to Late Oligocene which mostly influenced
by strike slip extensional faulting with Northeast –
Southwest trend. Secondly is the inversion phase
which happened in Plio-Pleistocene and resulting
Northwest – Southeast trend compressional faulting
reactivation of older structures along with Bukit
Barisan Sumatra uplift. This structure is only well
developed in the North Area of Jambi Merang Block
and gave an impact to the trapping mechanism.
Structural history is very related to the basin forming
and basin filling which eventually implied to the
vertical succession and how the petroleum system
elements work. The depositional environment
changed gradually and resulted in the different
stratigraphic records. Refer to Argakoesumah and
Kamal (2004), the stratigraphy in Jambi Sub-Basin
started by basement package which is mostly
composed by metamorphic rocks such as quartzite
and schist (Figure 2). After that, the sediment of TAF
is unconformably directly overlayed above the
basement. Lahat and Lemat Formation is absent in
Jambi Merang Block due to the differences of basin
configuration. During the transgressive events,
carbonates of Baturaja Formation started to grow
along the basement high especially in South Area.
The initial carbonate deposits were argillaceous,
eventually cleaning up to form platform limestones.
On top of these platform area developed carbonate
build-up. In Late Miocene, the Gumai Formation
formed as shale dominated and intercallated by
sandstone. The depositional processes ended at
Middle Miocene when the area was wrenching. The
subsidence occurred to form the Air Benakat
Formation which comprises predominantly of shale
in the Lower part and claystone in the Upper part,
with occasionally coal and dolomite stringers. This
formation is overlain conformably by the Muara
Enim Formation which comprises mainly of
interbedded shale-siltstone, with coal bed dominant
in Lower part during Upper Miocene to Lower
Pliocene. There is a regional unconformity at Muara
Enim time, which represents the onset of the Plio-
Pleistocene compression which formed Northwest-
Southeast trending folds. However, this
compressional phase is in association with a regional
tilt towards the Southwest and the uplift of the
Sembilang High which was followed by a
considerable amount of erosion over the last few
million years (Clure and Fiptiani, 2001).
Petroleum Systems
In term of exploration activities, the understanding of
regional geology, especially structural history and
stratigraphic record, are related to the petroleum
system generation. In this area, the key elements of
petroleum system or kitchen area supported by
Ketaling Deep and Merang Deep. The source rock
mostly comes from shale of TAF with TOC more
than 3% and HI more than 300 mgHC/g. The kerogen
type vary from type I-III in the North Area
meanwhile type II/III in the South Area. This
kerogen type was influenced by the
paleoenvironment. The maturity of source rock has
been entering the maturity window with Tmax value
more than 4350 C. Oil generation occured in 1300
meters while gas generation happened in 1700
meters. Refer to Clure & Fliptiani (2001), the first
migration of hydrocarbon took place on 10,6 Mya
with perpendicular direction to the basin trend (NE-
SW). Syn-Rift phase resulting intensive structures
that can be utilized as migration pathway especially
for vertical migration. While Post-Rift phase forming
extensive lateral deposition that can support the
lateral migration. Many proven reservoirs in Jambi
Sub-basin are fractured basement reservoirs, Talang
Akar sandstone, Baturaja carbonate build-up, Gumai
sandstone, and Air Benakat sandstone. Concerning
the potentiality of TAF in Jambi Merang Area,
Lower TAF has average porosity of 18 – 30%. Then
covered by regional sealing capacity from Upper
TAF which composed by thick shale member.
Combination trap between stratigraphic and
structural trap can be made from this play.
METHODS
Sequence stratigraphy is a study of depositional
trends which are controlled by interplay of
acommodation space and sediment supply in units of
time (Catuneanu, 2006). The acommodation space is
influenced by two main factors, that is tectonic and
sea-level changes or eustacy. Tectonic can be uplift
or subsidence. This study integrated many diciplines
in geology such as sedimentology, stratigraphy,
geophysics, geomorphology, geochemistry and basin
analysis. After litterature studies and flashback to
basic principles of sequence stratigraphy, there are 4
main steps in sequence stratigraphy analysis :
interpretation of lithology, electrofacies analysis,
electrosequence analysis & marker determination
and seismic interpretation. Each step has specific
tools and references to produce the results. In more
detail, the workflow can be specified as follows
(Figure 3) :
1. Interpretation of lithology
Interpretation of lithology is the first thing to do
before anything else. This is one of the most
important steps because lithology contains
extensive information about depositional
processess and the depositional environment.
This interpretation was done by combining well
 log data, mudlog, core, petrography and outcrop
data as analogue. This integrated approach was
developed to make accurate interpretation of
lithology. Log variety that has been used in this
steps are GR, SP, NPHI, RHOB and DT. Log
curves observation was then validated by
mudlog data to determine the lithology
description. Core and petrography data in some
intervals were also used to validate the
interpretation. In addition, the interpretation of
lithology was also confirmed by outcrop
analogue data which has been observed in
Tanjung Baru and Muara Dua outcrops, South
Sumatera.
2. Electrofacies analysis
Electrofacies is a kind of method to characterize
log data sets which are commonly expressing
facies. This step started by identifying baselines,
trends, log shapes, abrupt breaks and anomalies.
This analysis can really help in differentiating
one facies to another facies based on log
characteristics. Electrofacies can be done from
the smallest scale in hierarchy units of strata, but
for this study the smallest scale that used is from
parasequences with thickness ranges from 10 –
250 ft.
3. Electrosequence analysis and marker
determination
Basically, log values mean something.
Electrosequence analysis is log analysis which
focuses on certain intervals by seeing
consistency of log responses. The purpose of this
analysis is to collect geological information as
much as possible to get the depositional trends
and the sequence stratigraphy units. The
additional data such as biostratigraphy and
geochemistry was applied to validate the
interpretation especially related to the
paleowaterdepth, age and paleoenvironment.
The abrupt changes and anomalies features in log
resistivity, NPHI, RHOB and DT commonly
used as well to determine the candidate of key
surfaces or marker stratigraphy.
4. Seismic interpretation
After marker candidates and well correlation was
made, the next step is incorporating that results
with seismic data. This is important to see lateral
distribution and to analyze the geometry of
depositional environment time after time.
Seismic facies analysis was also applied to
characterize the depositional facies and systems
tract. Paleogeography map and depositional
model also can be proposed as well. The net to
gross ratio of potential sandstone is also used to
enhance the potentiality of reservoir distribution.
RESULTS
Lithofacies – Electrofacies – Electrosequence –
Marker Determination
A total of ten wells were analyzed in this study, but
this paper will only focus on three key wells as
follows; MSK-1 for North Area, PGD-1 for South
Area and Gelam-4 for Gelam Area since those wells
have more complete data. Gross thickness of TAF in
MSK-1 is around 379 meter. Interpretation of
lithology used variations of data such as well log
(Gamma Ray, Density, Neutron, Sonic), core, side
wall core, petrography and outrcrop analogue. In
depth 1413 – 1568 meter of MSK-1 well, Lower TAF
composed by intercallation of sandstone and
claystone. Mostly the sandstone is loose or
unconsolidated, abundant with quartz, fine to
medium grain size, rounded, with shale and layers of
coal. In depth 1189 – 1343 meter of MSK-1 well,
Upper TAF consists of greyish sandstone, compacted
enough, fine to medium grained, calcareous and
intercallated by dolomite and coal (Figure 4). Core
and petrography data showing similar description
that Lower TAF dominated by loose sandstone with
lithic fragments. Meanwhile Upper TAF is
dominated by calcareous shale with molluscs
fragments. Overall, lithofacies in MSK-1 can be
divided into 5 (five) facies based upon log motif and
lithology description.
Interpretation of lithofacies in PGD-1 is a little bit
different from MSK-1. Only transition member of
Lower TAF group which appears in South Area
while gritsand members was absent. With total
thickness around 145 meter, lithofacies in PGD-1 can
be divided into 4 (four) lithofacies with typical log
pattern. Light grey sandstone, fine to medium
grained, subangular – subrounded, non calcareous
with traces of pyrite and black carbonaceous material
constructed the transition member in PGD-1. Then
Upper TAF predominantly composed by thick
claystone and siltsone with streak of limestone which
are almost present throughout that area (Figure 5).
Core and petrography data of PGD-1 are also useful
to strengthen the analysis.
In Gelam Area, GLM-4 consists of 6 (six) type of
lithofacies with total thickness around 350 meters.
According to mudlog data, the Lower TAF is mostly
composed by intercallation of sandstone, claystone
and coal. The sandstone is very light grey, light
brown, fine to coarse grained, subangular –
subrounded, silliceous cement and traces of pyrite.
The claystone is dark to very dark grey, non
calcareous and carbonaceous lamination. Coal is
black, brittle, platy, vitrinite lusters and conchoidal
fracture. Vertically, fine sediments dominated the
Upper TAF interspersed by limestone which
indicated marine environment (Figure 6). There was
no core and petrography data in this well.
For more convincing earlier analyis regarding
lithology interpretation, the outcrop analogue
became one of the considerations in determining
lithofacies. Two stop sites were observed for this
study. This fieldwork objective is to obtain
lithological data to be an analogue model. The
outcrop in Tanjung Baru, Ogan Komering Ulu, South
Sumatera represented Lower TAF which is known as
Gritsand Members (GRM). This location is
approximately 200 km going Southwest to
Palembang city. This outcrop has 10 meter in height
with length of around 70 meter (Figure 7). Cross
bedding quartz sandstone was really clear from
distant observation. Imbrication and graded bedding
are also observed. Many traces of terrestrial
environment were found surrounding the outcrop e.g
amber and rootlets. The simplified of vertical
succession of Tanjung Baru can bee seen as follows
(Figure 8).
Second stop site is located in Muara Dua, Ogan
Komering Ulu Selatan, South Sumatera. From a
distance, there are 4 (four) bedding sets with diffrent
colour and structures. The lowermost is brownish
massive sandstone then covered by greyish nodule
sandstone. The third bed is carbonaceous shale with
layers of coal which are characterized by presence of
burning ash. The uppermost of the outcrop is greyish
light sandstone with abundant molluscs fragments
(Figure 9). With outcrop dimension around 100
meter length and 12 meter height, some features like
trace fossil Glossifungites, cross lamination
structure, nodule and coal were found surrounding
this outcrop. All of the features indicated
depositional environment with low energy and
anoxic such as swamp or lagoon. The vertical
stratigraphic model of Muara Dua outcrop can be
seen as follows (Figure 10). From two stopsite, we
can presume that the depositional enviroment
changed from terrestrial to transition zone along with
transgression event. After that, abundant molluscs
fragments on the uppermost of the outcrop indicating
that deeper environment was formed towards open
marine environment.
Electrofacies was done to define the depositional
facies and its facies association by doing log motifs
observation. From this observation, one
parasequence can be distinguished from another
parasequence (Figure 11 - 13). Flooding surface and
erosional base can be seen from the log pattern.
Usually maximum flooding surface is
characterized by maximum values of GR log
which are followed by anomalies or abrupt
changes of another log sets. Sequence boundary is
marked by the minimum values of GR log and also
availability of abrupt changes or anomalies
features of resistivity log, NPHI, RHOB and DT.
All of them must be noted for further validation
with additional data. Log shape in the lower part
of TAF is dominated by blocky and funnel shape
whereas the upper part is mainly reflected by
irregular shape as characteristic of shale. In most
cases, blocky shape was interpreted as channel facies
however this interpretation must be adapted with
lithology attributes. The kind of retrogradational,
aggradational and progradational stacking pattern is
also important to analyze the depositional facies.
Subsequent to marker candidates determination, all
the interpretation needs to be validated with
additional data biostratigraphy and geochemistry.
Biostratigraphy data used benthonics foram to
interpret paleowaterdepth which implies the
depositional environment. Moreover, biostratigraphy
contains planktonic and nannofossils as well which
represents the age of the rocks. In accordance with
biostratigraphy analysis in MSK-1, there are 3
significant events which are characterized by shifting
of depositional environment. In PGD-1, only two
major events were recorded due to the relative
position of basin configuration at that time. Similar
with MSK-1, there are 3 candidates of marker in
Gelam-4 which expressing three depositional setting.
Each marker was then confirmed by global
chronostratigraphic cycle chart from Haq (1988) to
check its correlation with global geological events.
Biomarker analysis from geochemistry data was
used to indicate paleoenvironment as well. We made
sure that biomarker are derived from shale rock
sample not oil sample. Two kind of simple methods
of biomarker analysis was applied for this study that
is seeing the shape of bulk GC envelope either linear
or irregular, and finger printing method which is
looking at the value Pristane and Phytane ratio. The
linear shape of GC envelope indicating the marine
environment while non-linear shape indicating non-
marine environment. The Pr/Ph ratio showing the
oxigenity level of environment with cut off value is
5 (five). Less than 5 (five) means anoxic or marine
condition, meanwhile if the value more than 5 (five)
means oxic or probably showing non-marine
condition.
In North Area, the biostratigraphy analysis from
MSK-1 and biomarker analysis from EKG-1 was
utilized to confirm the candidate of markers and
depositional facies. Both of them showed that all the
interpretations make sense. There are 3 sequences in
MSK-1 : SB-1 28 Mya at depth 1390 meter, SB-2 24
Mya at depth 1300 meter and SB-3 23 Mya at depth
1200 meter. After that, each marker is then correlated
with EKG-1 to see the lateral continuity. In South
Area, biostratigraphy and geochemistry analysis
from PGD-1 confirmed that only two sequences are
present in this area while SB-1 was absent, SB-2 24
Mya at depth 1963 meter and SB-3 23 Mya at depth
1871 meter. These markers then correlated with
SKN-1 and KKL-1 to know the lateral distribution.
In Gelam Area, only biostratigraphy analysis was
available. There are 3 sequences in Gelam-4 : SB-1
28 Mya at depth 1717 meter, SB-2 24 Mya at depth
1662 meter and SB-3 23 Mya at depth 1597 meter.
Depositional Facies
The depositional facies is defined by the
visualization of subsurface map which used
maximum flooding surface (MFS) as marker
horizon. Seismic facies was also applied to the
interpretation to make logical interpretation. By
using regional 2D seismic which encompasses over
the area, paleoenviroment can be interpreted time
after time. The map visualized the geometry of
depositional environment and the relative position of
sediment inputs and its direction. Based on the top
basement map, Jambi Merang Block is located along
the Merang High which is situated by Ketaling Deep
and Merang Deep (Figure 14). The possible sediment
inputs come from Sembilang High which is located
in the Northeastern of the block. So, the possible
trend of deposition is NE – SW. After major
unconformity above basement, the depostional
environment was formed. Firstly, at MFS-1 time the
Ketaling Deep represent the lacustrine environment
which is characterized by isolated and narrow
geometry (Figure 15). This depositional facies then
can be defined as many facies associations like
fluvial channel and overbank facies in North and
Gelam Area, alluvial fan and fluvio-deltaic facies in
some places. Seismic facies features such as onlap
and offlap were identified in this sequence. This
character also prove that Lower TAF is a product of
Late Syn-Rift phase which has localized distribution.
At MFS-2 time, the transgression event created sea-
level rises, accomodation space increase and
shoreline moves landward (Figure 16). The
depositional environment changed into transitional
zone which covered almost the area. The facies
associations are tidal estuarine which characterized
by transgressive pattern, then nearshore or marginal
marine facies which characterized by prograding
pattern. At MFS-3 time, the entire area becomes
shallow marine environment which supported by
parallelism features on seismic (Figure 17). This
feature is believed to be a product of Early Post-Rift
stage.
Lead and Prospect Generation
This study succesfully reveal two potential leads and
reconfirm two existing prospects. South MSK and
Northwest PGD are the potential leads with
stratigraphic trapping style. The more specific
objective of those leads are coming from sandstone
in sequence 2 and sequence 3. Meanwhile, two
existing prospects named North Gelam and Buring
are combination of structural and stratigraphic trap
with objective from sandstone in sequence 1. Beside
the lateral distribution of potential reservoir, the
analysis of net to gross ratio of potential sandstone
was developed as well. The average net sand
thickness and net sand ratio in North Area are :
sequence 1: 68 m, 51%, sequence 2: 26 m, 20% and
sequence 3: 15 m, 9%. In South Area : sequence 2:
4,5 m, 28% and sequence 3: 14 m, 13%. In Gelam
Area : sequence 1: 135 m, 55%, sequence 2: 19 m,
36% and sequence 3: 12 m, 16%.
CONCLUSIONS
1. The architecture facies of Talang Akar
Formation in Jambi Merang area can be
summarized as follows :
North Area : 5 lithofacies (unconsolidated
sandstone intercalated with shaly siltstone,
interbedded of sandstone and claystone,
bioturbated sandstone intercalated with
claystone and layered of coal, shale with layered
of limestone and coal, calcareous siltstone with
mollusk fragments).
South Area : 4 lithofacies (nodule sandstone
intercalated with siltstone and mudstone, shale
intercalated with limestone, shale intercalated
with siltstone and layered of coal, calcareous
shale).
Gelam Area : 6 lithofacies (unconsolidated
sandstone intercalated with claystone and coal,
interbedded of sandstone and claystone,
sandstone intercalated with claystone and
layered of coal,sandstone with layered of
limestone and coal, claystone with layered of
coal calcareous shale).
2. Three depositional sequences were obtained in
Talang Akar Formation:
Sequence 1 (28 Mya) composed by lowstand
systems tract (LST), transgressive systems tract
(TST) and highstand systems tract (HST). The
depositional environment is fluvial channel and
overbank facies.
Sequence 2 (24 Mya) composed by transgressive
systems tract (TST) and highstand systems tract
(HST). The depositional ennvironment is
interpreted as tidal estuarine to nearshore
marginal marine.
Sequence 3 (23 Mya) composed by transgressive
systems tract (TST) and highstand systems tract
(HST). The depositional environment is open
marine.
3. The most potential reservoir is coming from
fluvial channel lowstand systems tract of
sequence-1, estuarine – marginal marine
sandstone product of transgressive systems tract
and highstand systems tract of sequence-2 and
shallow marine sand highstand systems tract of
sequence 3.
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Silisiclastic Sequence Stratigraphy Concepts and
Application. Tulsa: Society for Sedimentary
Geology.
Rider, M., 1996, The Geological Interpretation of
Well Logs, 2nd edition, Whittles Publishing, Malta.
Rider, M., Kennedy, M., 2011, The Geological
Interpretation of Well Logs, 3rd edition, Scotland:
Rider-French Consulting Ltd.
Serra, O., 1985, Sedimentary Environment from
Wireline Logs. Schlumberger.
Van Wagoner, J. C., Mitchum, R. M., Campion, K.
M., and Rahmanian, V. D., 1990, Siliciclastics
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Bapak Dwiharso Nugroho
from ITB as our QC Expertise who was always
available, giving us an insight and trust as well for
finishing this study. Special thanks also goes to
Upstream Technology Center of PT Pertamina
(Persero) especially for Ibu Mill Sartika Indah,
Hansen Wijaya and Leonardo Sebayang who
helped us for biostratigraphy analysis. Then last
but not least, thanks to Exploration Team and
Management JOB Pertamina Talisman Jambi
Merang for all the supports and for allowing us to
publish this study. Thanks for your all kindness.
 TABLE 1

NET TO GROSS RATIO OF POTENTIAL SANDSTONE IN EACH MFS TIME

 
Figure 1 - The location of Jambi Merang Block which is situated in the Jambi Sub-basin, part of the South Sumatra Basin. The block is precisely located in Merang High
which is surrounded by Ketaling Deep and Merang Deep. Two major tectonics trends in Jambi Merang Block are the NE-SW trend and NW-SE trending
(Bishop, 2001).

 
Figure 2 - Regional stratigraphy in Jambi Sub-basin which affects the Jambi Merang Block (Argakoesumah
& Kamal, 2004).

 
 Figure 3 - Workflow of study

 
 Figure 4 - Mudlog description combined with GR log motif determined 5 lithofacies (A-B-C-D-E) in MSK-1

 
 Figure 5 - Mudlog description combined with GR log motif determined 4 lithofacies (A-B-C-D) in PGD-1

 
 Figure 6 - Mudlog description combined with GR log motif determined 6 lithofacies (A-B-C-D-E-F) in Gelam-4

 
 Figure 7 - The dimension of outcrop in Tanjung Baru, OKU, South Sumatera (left). Imbrication and cross bedding structures of quartz sandstone (right)

 
 Figure 8 - Vertical succession model of Tanjung Baru outrcrop as analogue for Gritsand Member of Lower TAF

 
 Figure 9 - The dimension of outcrop in Muara Dua, OKU, South Sumatera (left). Four bedding sets indicates transition zone (right).

 
Figure 10 - Vertical succession model of Muara Dua outrcrop as analogue for Transition Member of Lower
TAF

 
 
 

 
 

Figure 11 - Electrofacies analysis in MSK-1 identifying log motif, stacking pattern trendline, abrupt
changes and anomalies.
 
 

 
 Figure 12 - Electrofacies analysis in PGD-1 identifying log motif, stacking pattern trendline, abrupt changes and anomalies.

 
 Figure 13 - Electrofacies analysis in Gelam-4 identifying log motif, stacking pattern trendline, abrupt changes and anomalies.

 
 Figure 14 - Top basement time structure map shows the basin configuration in Jambi Merang Block.

 
 Lowstand Systems Tract – Direction of Sediment Inputs
Transgressive Systems Tract
Direction of Sediment Inputs

Depositional Environment : Ketaling Deep as Lacustrine

Facies Associations : Fluvial Systems Channel & Overbank in MSK-1

Figure 15 - Paleogeography map of MFS-1 time represent lacustrine environment in Ketaling Deep and showing the direction of sediment inputs.

 
 Transgressive Systems Tract Transgression created a
Landward sea-level rises,
accomodation space
increase, shoreline moves
landward

Marginal marine barrier ?

Basinward

Depositional Environment : Transition Zone

Facies Associations : Tidal Estuarine, Swamp, Nearshore/Marginal Marine in MSK-1, PGD-1 and Gelam-4

Figure 16 - Paleogeography map of MFS-2 time represent transition zone along with transgession event and resulting sea level rises, accomodation space increase and
shoreline moves landward.

 
 Highstand Systems Tract
Landward

Basinward Marine barrier ?

Depositional Environment : Shallow Marine

Figure 17 - Paleogeography map of MFS-3 time that the entire area changed into shallow marine condition.