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Ancient Talang Akar deepwater sediments in South Sumatra Basin: a new

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Conference Paper · December 2004

DOI: 10.29118/IPA.1730.251.267

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Proceedings, Deepwater And Frontier Exploration In Asia & Australasia Symposium, December 2004

ANCIENT TALANG AKAR DEEPWATER SEDIMENTS

IN SOUTH SUMATRA BASIN: A NEW EXPLORATION PLAY

R.M.I. Argakoesoemah*
Asril Kamal*

ABSTRACT are mature- to over-mature shales of Lemat and

The ancient Talang Akar deepwater reservoir in
South Sumatra Basin has never been intensively
explored and distribution of the play is not fully
understood. However, some indications of ancient
deepwater sediments have been observed in the
southern margin of Central Palembang Sub-basin.
An integrated exploration technique involving
analyses of wireline logs, biostratigraphy,
petrography and outcrop, plus seismic and sequence
stratigraphic interpretations has been applied to
assess the possible presence of ancient Talang Akar
deepwater deposits in the basin. However, the poor
quality of the 2-D seismic vintages has limited
direct observation of the reservoir distribution.
There are two potential areas where Talang Akar
deepwater sediments could be present in the basin:
Central Palembang Sub-basin in the west, and
Benakat Gully in the east. Possible sediment
provenance for the deepwater sediments is the
Lemat Formation rocks and/or older rocks on the
local paleo-basement highs. This is consistent with
the paleogeographical reconstruction of the Central
Palembang Sub-basin during the Early Miocene
lowstand phase. However, this is still speculative
and requires further geological and geophysical
research. The expected reservoir is sandstone, with
a possibly wide range of rock properties and
compositions. The tuffaceous content observed in
the Central Palembang Sub-basin could be derived
from the litharenite of the volcaniclastic affinity in
the Musi Platform and Mambang High. The
sediment sources in the Benakat Gully could
possibly be from the quartz-rich sediments of the
Talang Akar active delta system to the southeast
and other coastal plain deposits surrounding the
basin centers.
The hydrocarbon potential of this Talang Akar
deepwater play remains unknown. The source rocks
* Medco E&P Indonesia
Talang Akar Formations. Results of basin modeling
indicate that the sources entered oil window in the
middle Lower Miocene and began generating gas in
the Middle Miocene. The trap is mainly
stratigraphic in combination with structure
developed during the Late Miocene to Plio-
Pleistocene orogeny. Intraformational deep marine
shales provide the vertical seal. The structure is
generally complex. Variation in fold and fault
development is present as a result of Plio-
Pleistocene regional compression tectonics.
INTRODUCTION
The most productive play in South Sumatra Basin is
Late Oligocene – Early Miocene Talang Akar
sandstones and Early Miocene Baturaja limestones.
The other play is the sandstones of Middle Miocene
Lower Palembang Formation. At present,
hydrocarbon discovery in this conventional play
may have already reached plateau , as the play is
fairly mature. The need to search for new play
concepts is crucial to maintaining current oil and
gas production from the basin.
South Sumatra Basin has not yet been considered as
having deepwater sediments exploration potential.
Scattered deep exploration wells have been drilled
in the basin depocentre area, but none of them was
intended to test a deepwater reservoir play. This
paper will discuss the possibility of the presence of
ancient Talang Akar deepwater sandstones as a new
exploration play concept in South Sumatra basin.
The term “deepwater” used in this paper refers to
any sandstone reservoirs of deepwater depositional
origin, even though drilling for these reservoirs
commences from onshore. It is also assumed that
deepwater deposition includes bathyal (water depth
of more than 200 meters) and environments
seaward of the continental shelf-slope break.
Therefore, the term “deepwater sediments” means
any sediment deposited in bathyal water depth or
deeper. It is not yet possible to recognize details of
the depositional processes. However, it is assumed
that the sediments were deposited by gravity flows.
Interpretation is primarily based on an integrated
evaluation of 2-D seismic, borehole data and
outcrop observation. The database includes the most
recent biostratigraphy, petrography, and wireline
log shape analyses. Efforts have also been made to
provide ideas on how sequence stratigraphy might
be applied to the overall deepwater deposition
cycles during the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene.
PRE-BATURAJA REGIONAL GEOLOGY
South Sumatra Basin is a Tertiary back-arc
sedimentary basin located in the southern part of
Sumatra Island (Figure 1). The basin can be
subdivided into three sub-basins: Jambi, Central
Palembang, and Lematang (South Palembang). The
structural framework of the basin is dominated by
three major tectonic episodes of tectonism: (1)
Early Eocene to Early Miocene extension, (2)
relative quiescence during Early Miocene to Early
Pliocene, and (3) Plio-Pleistocene oblique
compression. The Paleogene rifting developed when
extensive crustal extension occurred resulting in the
formation of north-to-south oriented half grabens.
The rift initiation and syn-rift sediments consist of
mostly alluvial, fluvial, and lacustrine deposits of
the Eocene to Early Oligocene Lahat and Lemat
Formations (Figure 2). Some volcaniclastic
components are locally present.
The post-rift deposition began when the estuarine
and deltaic-to-shallow marine associated facies of
Talang Akar Formation were widely deposited
during a transgressive cycle. It is believed that the
Talang Akar progradating delta, which developed in
the eastern margin of the basin, marked the onset of
highstand conditions. Wells have rarely encountered
Talang Akar deepwater sediments. These lowstand
sediments developed in the basin center prior to the
deposition of transgressive limestones of the lower
part of Baturaja Formation. Subsequent highstand
limestones are marked by deposition of reefal build-
up limestones of the upper part of the Baturaja. This
is consistent with the examination of some
conventional cores of the Baturaja cut in wells
drilled on the stable local basement highs. The main
reefal build-ups are noted by a series of exposure
surfaces indicating the period of maximum reef
development and regression (Kalan et al, 1984).
Large, long linear asymmetric folds and faults mark
the Plio-Pleistocene oblique compression. The
normal faults which occurred during the rifting
phase were re-activated , resulting in high angle
reverse and local strike-slip faults. Tectonic uplift
produced basin inversion which resulted in
extensive erosion of the younger sediments,
basement-involved compression with locally tilted
paleo-basement highs, and tight fold structures of
older sediments. In some places, these tilted
basement highs have caused hydrocarbon re-
migration.
Sundaland is considered to be composed of a
mosaic of the Mergui and Malacca continental
microplates and the East Malaya oceanic microplate
accreted and sutured together in the Late Triassic
(Pulunggono and Cameron, 1984; Pertamina-
BPPKA, 1997; Bishop, 2001). This pre-Tertiary
framework of Sumatra experienced further
accretion involving the west coast Woyla Terrains
in Late Mesozoic. Woyla Terrains consist of
tectonized, Jurassic and Cretaceous arc volcanics
and ophiolites (Pulunggono and Cameron, 1984).
Subduction began in Late Oligocene and uplift of
Barisan Mountains commenced in Late Miocene,
with the main uplift occurring in Plio-Pleistocene
(Bishop, 2001).
The major sedimentary depocentre in South
Sumatra Basin during the Talang Akar deposition is
believed to have been located in the Central
Palembang Sub-basin (Figure 3). Dua Belas
Mountain in Bangko Platform to the northwest,
Suban-Mangunjaya High to the east, and Mambang-
Mangos-Pendopo Highs to the southeast broadly
delimit the present day boundary of the sub-basin.
Another well-known depression is a northeast-
southwest orientated trough, the Benakat Gully,
located on the eastern downthrown side of Kikim
Fault Zone, immediately east of the Musi Platform.
This structure is a half graben produced by Late
Creataceous - Early Tertiary tension (de Coster,
1974) or a Late Paleogene - Eocene major
lineament (Pulunggono et al, 1992). Harding (1983
and 1985) interpreted that at least two structural
episodes of deformation could be dated with
seismic control: (1) An early episode of extension
indicated by the presence of thick Eocene and
Oligocene deposits in the fault’s hanging wall and
absence or thinness of such deposits in the adjacent
platform date the normal faulting here as Eocene
and Oligocene; and (2) A late episode of
compression documented by the reverse separation
on shallow segment of the fault which initiated in
the Pliocene with subsequent folding in the
Pleistocene.
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF EXPLORATION
HISTORY
Nederlandsche Koloniale Petroleum Maatschappij
(NKPM), predecessor to Stanvac, made the first
hydrocarbon discovery in Talang Akar Formation of
Talang Akar Field in 1922 (Ford, 1985 and Zeliff et
al, 1985). A series of other discoveries were then
made in the same formation. As the most productive
reservoir, the formation has contributed more than
65 % of the cumulative hydrocarbon production of
the basin, which has produced about 2.1 BBLLS of
oil and 2.3 TCF of gas. Talang Akar has contributed
about 38 % of all new field discoveries in the basin
(BPPKA-Pertamina, 1997). At present, the Talang
Akar reserves addition might have already reached
plateau and further production decline is inevitable
if no other significant discoveries are made.
Perhaps the success of hydrocarbon exploration in
Talang Akar Formation is coincidentally related to
the position of the Talang Akar fluvio-deltaic
sandstone facies distribution in the basin. Several
large discoveries are in the areas where this facies is
located (Figure 4). Distribution of deltaic facies is
limited in the southeastern part of the basin close to
Sunda Landmass as the primary sediment source.
To the north of this region, discoveries in Talang
Akar are small and mostly unsuccessful due to lack
of reservoir encountered.
The exploration concepts applied in the
southeastern portions of the basin have also been
applied to the area surrounding Central Palembang
Sub-basin in the northwest since early 1970s. The
results have not been encouraging. Almost no
Talang Akar sandstones were encountered in the
wells, with the exception of the most recent Well-1,
which penetrated some deep marine (bathyal)
sandstone. The relatively steep dip flank of paleo-
basement highs surrounding the sub-basin might
partially be responsible for the lack of Talang Akar
delta facies in the region.
Until the early 1980s, the exploration target was
sandstones of the Middle Palembang, Lower
Palembang, and Talang Akar Formations. The first
well to test significant hydrocarbon in the
limestones of Baturaja Formation was Tanjung
Laban-1 well, drilled in mid-1982 following an
unsuccessful test in Batang-1 well (Kalan et al,
1984; Zeliff et al, 1985). Since that time, numerous
discoveries have been made in the same formation.
The biggest oil discovery in the Baturaja limestones
is the Kaji-Semoga oil field (stratigraphic trap) in
Palembang High in 1996 (Hutapea, 1998 and 2002;
Setyobudi, 2001).
The latest successful exploration play in South
Sumatra Basin is fractured basement reservoirs.
Dayung Field is the first major gas field, discovered
in 1991. The reserves are in the pre-Tertiary rocks,
including granite wash, highly weathered in-situ
granites, fresh granites and limestones. Over the
following eight years another seven significant pre-
Tertiary gas fields were discovered in the area,
representing nearly 15 TCF of raw, recoverable gas
reserves (Zeliff, 2001). The largest gas discovery in
fractured pre-Tertiary basement rocks was Suban
Giant Gas Field in 1998.
No other new play has been fully applied in the
basin since the successful fractured-basement
exploration in 1991. However, the South Sumatra
Basin remains very attractive, and there is still the
opportunity for further exploration. Hence it is
proposed that deepwater sandstone play be a new
play concept. No technical publication on
deepwater sediments in the basin is yet in the public
domain. The basin has not yet been considered as
having deepwater exploration potential.
ANCIENT TALANG AKAR DEEPWATER
SEDIMENTS
The deepest depression in the South Sumatra Basin
is the Central Palembang Sub-basin, oriented in a
northwest-southeast direction. The top pre-Tertiary
basement in this sub-basin could be more than 4
seconds of two-way time or more than 15,000 feet
(BEICIP, 1985 and Pertamina-BPPKA, 1997), as
seen in Figure 3. The Middle-Late Miocene section
is partially eroded. In some areas, the erosion could
reach down to Lower Palembang Formation and
occasionally down to Telisa Formation. Based on
regional geological correlation, it is believed that
the location of the Talang Akar paleo-sedimentary
depocentre is immediately to the northwestern end
of Central Palembang Sub-basin connected to the
southern end of Jambi Sub-basin (Figure 4).
Consequently, Central Palembang Sub-basin
provided the largest accommodation space for the
Late Oligocene to Early Miocene deposition. In this
sub-basin, Talang Akar Formation could have a
gross thickness of more than 3000 feet. Several
deep exploration wells have been drilled in the
basin depocentre area, but none of them was
intended to test deepwater reservoir.
Tembesi-Setiti Fault provides the northwestern limit
of Central Palembang Sub-basin. It is believed that
this fault had a significant control on the deposition
of the Talang Akar Formation along the
southeastern flank of the Bangko Platform margin.
This southwest-northeast fault plane orientation
provides a sliding surface for the northwestern limit
of the sub-basin subsidence. Consequently, the fault
is responsible for the accommodation space
development during Late Oligocene and older. The
movement on the fault might have been intermittent
or inactive during the Early Miocene period as
indicated seismically by the progradational prisms
of clastic sediments directly onlapping onto Bangko
Platform (Figure 5). This platform is a large paleo-
basement high consisting of pre-Tertiary igneous
and metamorphic rocks.
Recent seismic interpretation indicates that a
depression seems to be present in the southwestern
portion of Bangko Platform. Current observation is
limited only to the eastern part of the low due to
limited seismic coverage. The geology and
hydrocarbon potential of this West Merangin
Depression remains unknown, but seismic
correlation suggests that the low occurred during
Talang Akar time and ceased when Baturaja
limestones were deposited. The low is interpreted to
be the northwestern extension of “Greater” Central
Palembang Sub-basin.
On top of the platform, carbonate reefal facies are
likely to be developed. Although there is a lack of
evidence of this carbonate facies, seismic
stratigraphic interpretation strongly indicates the
presence of internal seismic characters typical of
carbonate sediments. Some wells drilled in the
region obviously encountered various thicknesses of
carbonate sediments dated Early Miocene. Two
limestones with total thicknesses of about 200 feet
near the bottom of Limbur-1 (1974) could be
correlated to Baturaja Formation. Bangko Platform
is thought to be very similar to two other large
carbonate platforms in South Sumatra Basin: the
Musi Platform and the Palembang High. The
boundary between Late Oligocene and Early
Miocene sequences in the Bangko Platform is
possibly unconformable. This sequence boundary is
predicted to occur at about the top of P22 (the
boundary between Late Oligocene and Early
Miocene) or close to 24 million years ago (mya) of
the Vail’s coastal onlap chart (Vail et al., 1977).
The surface becomes conformable toward the basin
center, as seen in seismic sections.
An attempt has been made to correlate wells to the
southeast of the Tembesi-Setiti fault. It is obvious
that regional lithostratigraphic correlation of Talang
Akar Formation across Central Palembang Sub-
basin depocentre area is very difficult. The
“traditionally” defined delta plain sandstones,
siltstones, and shales that grade basinward into
marginal marine sandstones and shales (de Coster,
1974) are not present in the basin. In this Talang
Akar depocentre area, the sediments are
predominantly claystones with minor sandstones.
Unconformity or hiatus are not well recognized in
the basin center area.
Identification and correlation of Late Oligocene to
Early Miocene sequences have been accomplished
using a combination of well-log criteria, lithology,
and micropaleontological data. Biostratigraphic
correlation results show that at least approximately
4500-foot thick of sedimentary sequence, “barren”
of fossils, is assigned to an interval of Late
Oligocene and older in age, (Figure 6). Distribution
of this sequence is widespread across the sub-basin,
but it thins and onlaps onto basement highs, as
observed in Bangko Platform and Mambang High.
The sequence predominantly consists of light gray
to white claystones with some volcaniclastic
(tuffaceous) materials. Local coals are occasionally
present and sand is fairly developed. It has been
interpreted that this sequence was deposited in the
non-marine to shallow marine depositional
environment during Late Oligocene. Based on the
regional lithostratigraphic nomenclature, it is
assigned to Lemat Formation.
Talang Akar coarse sediments of the footwall apron
alluvial fan coarse clastics of the rift climax (early
stage of the Prosser’s model, 1993) and fan deltas of
the late synrift (later stage) were possibly deposited
perpendicular to the Tembesi-Setiti fault plain
(Figures 5 and 6). Similar features could also be
present on the flank of Mambang High, though this
could be a basal Lemat facies. Consequently,
Talang Akar shallow marine sandstones in the
region are older than the Talang Akar deepwater
sandstones penetrated in Well-1. If possible, further
seismic stratigraphic interpretation should be
performed to locate the sequence distribution
laterally. These coarse clastics could be an
important conduit as carrier beds for hydrocarbon
migration from the mature kitchen in the basin into
stratigraphic traps on the flanks and structural traps
on the highs.
In the deep basinal areas, the uppermost portion of
the Late Oligocene Talang Akar sediments consists
of interbedded dark grey claystones and dark
bathyal marine shales. De Coster (1974) named the
zone as Black Globi Zone, because the Globigerinid
fauna in this zone are dark brown to black. There
are restricted marine shales of upper Talang Akar in
the distal parts of the basin. The Early Miocene
interval also consists of mainly black to dark grey
claystones of the deep marine transgressive zone.
The zone has abundant planktonic and benthic
foraminifera typical of a marine, outer sublittoral to
bathyal environment, Figure 6. The top of Talang
Akar is generally assigned to the top of N4 (early
Early Miocene) or close to 22.5 mya.
An integrated study of biostratigraphy, petrography,
and bio-sequence stratigraphy has been applied to
establish the age, the depositional environment, the
sediment provenance, and the reservoir quality of
the Talang Akar Formation and older in Well-1.
The biostratigraphic analyses include quantitative
analyses of microfauna, calcareous nannofossil and
palynology to observe fossil abundance and
diversity distribution. This comprehensive approach
has successfully confirmed the presence of
deepwater sediments at the well location, with much
better definition and vertical resolution. Results of
biostratigraphic analysis confirm the presence of
Talang Akar Formation dated Chattian (Late
Oligocene or P21-P22) to Aquitanian (early Early
Miocene or N4) as seen in Figure 7. Abundant and
diverse planktonic Foraminifera assemblages of
mainly Globigerinoides primordius, Globigerina
ciperoensis, and Globorotalia opima group indicate
an open-marine depositional setting. Significant
taxa of deepwater benthonics are Bathysiphon,
Vulvulina pennatula, Chilostomella oolina, and
Buliminids, suggesting that the sediments were
deposited in an open-marine bathyal environment,
with a paleo-water depth ranging from 200 to 4000
meters. The absence of mangrove palynofloras
suggests that lowstand conditions may be dominant
and/or indicative of narrow coastal plains. This
lowstand sequence extends into the section below
the total depth of the well. Seismic interpretation
suggests that the reservoir sandstones in this deeper
section are well developed. A major sequence
boundary is interpreted to be present between Late
Oligocene and Early Miocene, or at about 24 mya.
This sequence boundary is defined
biostratigraphically on the basis of major change in
microfossil diversity and abundance distribution.
Wireline log shape analysis results also indicate
possible submarine channels with fining and
coarsening upward parasequences. The same
possible sequence boundary is also present in Suban
Gas Field, occurring at the top of Talang Akar, but
it has been assigned to about 25 mya . The Lower
Talang Akar in this area was deposited in a coastal
environment (Pujasmadi et al., 2002).
Preliminary results of seismic stratigraphic
interpretation and biostratigraphic observation of
wells drilled on the flank and top of the Bangko and
Mambang paleo-basement highs support the
presence of a major lowstand event between Late
Oligocene and Early Miocene in Central Palembang
Sub-basin. Talang Akar deepwater deposition
possibly occurred during Early Miocene, or
approximately between 24 mya and 22.5 mya.
Other lowstand events could also have occurred as
observed in Well-1, but are possibly just rapid falls
of relative sea level or the effect of local tectonics.
Influences on major lowstand depositions in the
basin are unknown.
In the Benakat Gully area, Talang Akar deepwater
deposits are interpreted to exist immediately
southwest of the ancient Talang Akar delta location
(Figure 4). The southwestern limit for these ancient
deltas is in the Rambutan area, immediately east of
Musi Platform. Well-3 penetrated a fairly thick
section of the delta sequence, consisting of delta
plain and coarsening upward parasequence sets of
the delta front sequences (Figure 8).
It is possible that there were two ancient Talang
Akar deltas present in Early Miocene. The first
delta developed in the west and the second in the
east (Figure 4). The west delta is possibly older than
the east delta and is associated with the depositional
sequences observed in the Tanding, Kali Dua and
Ibul areas. This delta appears to have been thin
with wider distribution of the delta front facies. In
contrast, the delta plain sandstones are better
developed in the east delta due to proximity of
sediment sources from the main Sunda Landmass.
The east delta section could reach more than 3000
feet of gross thickness with a net-to-gross ratio of
sandstone of up to 70 %. The gross sandstone
thickness isopach indicates that the sediment
provenance for the ancient Talang Akar deltas is
Sunda Landmass located further to the east. The
approximate size of the individual Talang Akar
delta plain is about 50-60 km in length and 30-40
km in width (Figure 4). In comparison, these Talang
Akar deltas are possibly of a similar size to the
modern Mahakam delta in East Kalimantan, which
is approximately 30 km x 60 km (Allen and
Chambers, 1998). The Mahakam delta has
developed since Early Miocene.
The Talang Akar Formation outcrops in Garba
Mountain, but is not present in Gumai Mountain
(Kamal, 1999). Several Talang Akar shallow
corehole samples were successfully collected from
the outcrops in the Sipatuhu and Bedeng Gula areas
in the Muara Dua region (Figure 4) to further
observe the fresh rock samples for sedimentology,
reservoir, geochemistry, and biostratigraphic
analyses. Sipatuhu’s corehole recovered 153 feet of
core, consisting of sandstones with minor shales.
The sandstones are tan to light grey, medium-to-
coarse grained, argillaceous, highly calcareous,
poorly sorted, angular to sub-angularand rich in
volcanic material. The sedimentary structures are
massive, homogeneous, convolute bedding with
dewatering features. Based on foraminifera and
nannofossil, the rocks are Late Oligocene in age. In
contrast, corehole in Bedeng Gula recovered mostly
shales, medium gray, massive, very calcareous, with
occasional stringers of fine-grained immature
sandstone. Minor conglomerate and tuff are also
present. The conglomerate consists of light gray
limestone clasts in clay matrix. The distinguishing
features are homogeneous bedding and low energy
with re-deposited shallow water clasts. Based on
biostratigraphic analysis, the rocks are Late
Oligocene (N3-N2 or NP25-NP24) to Earliest
Miocene (N4 or NN1) in age. Both cores in
Sipatuhu and Bedeng Gula are interpreted to be
deepwater sediments deposited in open-marine,
outer sublitoral to bathyal environment. In Perahu
Anticline, the upper Talang Akar outcrops consist
of mainly Early Miocene (N4-N6) shales of the
deep marine environment, with lower Talang Akar
mainly sandstone and shale with minor coal
stringers interpreted to be non-marine to coastal
plain deposits.
DISTRIBUTION OF TALANG AKAR
DEEPWATER SEDIMENTS
The ancient Talang Akar deepwater sediments in
South Sumatra Basin were originally interpreted to
be deposited in an outer sublittoral to bathyal
environment, based on the results of
biostratigraphic analysis of sandstone sequences
encountered in wells, described in shallow cores,
and observed in outcrops. It is interpreted that this
sandstone facies was deposited in a deepwater
geological setting, probably during lowstands.
Several efforts have been made to follow up the
interpretation, but the detailed depositional types
and reservoir geometry have not yet been assessed
due to lack of data and poor seismic quality.
Seismic acquisition and processing have not yet
been specifically designed to explore for a
deepwater play, and 3-D seismic data coverage is
still lacking. The paleomorphology and geometry of
the basin floor during Talang Akar deposition
remains unknown. Isochron and isopach maps can
only help provide a rough prediction on the possible
location of the sedimentary depocentre. Regional
geological and seismic correlations and cross-
sections are only useful in helping to locate the area
of possible deepwater sediments. As a result, an
outline of their distribution remains speculative and
only serves to introduce the exploration concept of
an ancient Talang Akar deepwater play in the basin.
There are two possible areas where ancient Talang
Akar deepwater could be present: the Central
Palembang Sub-basin and the Benakat Gully
(Figure 4). The latter is very speculative and is
interpreted only from the shallow corehole results
and outcrop observations. Both areas are in the
southwestern portion of South Sumatra Basin and
are still in the frontier stage of exploration.
The lack of borehole control has resulted in a
limited distribution outline, since the exploration
wells were intended to test “shallow” reservoir
targets. In Central Palembang Sub-basin the western
end of the outline boundary is uncertain, but it is
possible that Talang Akar thins and onlaps onto the
pre-Tertiary basement highs currently cropped-out
near the Tembesi-Rawas area. The eastern boundary
is the steep dip of the Suban-Mangunjaya High. To
the north, the most likely limit for deepwater
sediments is in the southernmost portion of Jambi
Sub-basin, Where the Talang Akar predominantly
consists of shales with minor sandstones. To the
northwest, the limit is the steep dip ot the Tembesi-
Setiti fault bounding the Bangko Platform. To the
south, the limit is the steep flank of the paleo-
Mambang High, (Figure 4).
In Benakat Gully, the southeastern limit of the
Talang Akar deepwater distribution outline is
mainly controlled by geological data collected from
rock samples of shallow coreholes and observation
of outcrops in the flank of Sipatuhu Ridge, Garba
Mountain, Bukit Bedil, and Perahu Anticline in the
Muara Dua region (Figure 4). To the north, the
shallow marine deposits in the south of the
Lematang area define the limit. The paleo-shelf
floor topography could be gentle and wide to allow
deeper depositional settings far away from the delta
deposition. The southern end of the outline is
unknown. It is possible that this “open-gate”
connected seawater in-and-out flows into the basin,
especially to Central Palembang Sub-basin during
the Early Miocene (Figure 4).
SEDIMENT PROVENANCES
Sediment sources for ancient Talang Akar
deepwater sediments in Central Palembang Sub-
basin could have varied significantly and are
difficult to predict due to lack of data. For regions
close to the Musi Platform and Mambang High in
the south, the sediment provenances might have
produced a significant amount of tuffaceous
content. All of the wells drilled in the region
encountered tuffaceous material with various
degrees of concentration within the Talang Akar
section. The source of this volcanic material is
possibly the volcanic rocks of the Jurassic-
Cretaceous arc association of the Saling Series as
part of Woyla Terrains, a possible Cretaceous
subduction complex (Pulunggono and Cameron,
1984; and Kamal, 1999).
Petrographic analysis results of Talang Akar
cuttings in Well-1 indicate the presence of discrete
sand grains and sandstone fragments, which are
medium-to-coarse grained, and poorly-to-
moderately sorted (Figure 9). The grains are
predominantly volcanic lithic fragments with
subordinate quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, and
chert. The sandstone fragments are classified as
litharenites and are composed mainly of andesitic
volcanic rock fragments with subordinate of
plagioclase and quartz. It is possible that the
sandstones were derived from clean litharenite of
volcaniclastic affinity located nearby or on top of
the Mambang High.
A similar sediment source is also described for the
Suban basement complex. The basement consists
primarily of Jurassic-Cretaceous igneous granitic
rocks with subordinate amounts of Jurassic volcanic
and Permo-Carboniferous metasedimentary rocks.
Coarse-grained conglomerates of the Lemat
Formation unconformably overlie basement rocks
(Pujasmadi et al, 2002).
Toward Bangko Platform, the provenances could be
associated with more shallow marine quartz-rich
sediments deposited in the southern part of Jambi
Sub-basin. The granitic basement rocks and coastal
plain clastics of Bangko Platform could produce
better deepwater reservoir rock quality than those
derived from Woyla Terrains in the south. The
granite-wash rock composition shows that the rocks
are quartz-rich, fine-to-very coarse grained with
angular to sub-rounded grains. In thin sections, the
rocks are described as conglomeratic arkosic
sandstones.
Sediment provenance for deepwater sediments in
the Benakat Gully area could be generally better
than those in Central Palembang Sub-basin. The
paleo-active Talang Akar delta and/or shallow
marine sediments could be one of the best-expected
sediment supplies of quartz-rich clastics. Stacked
sandstone sequences of the fluvial channel deposits
of the lower part of Talang Akar Formation could
be found in the area near Tanding and Kalidua , as
seen in the wells and seismic lines. These channels
extending southwards provided depositional
sequences in the Talang Akar delta region. The
precise Talang Akar delta depositional dip remains
unknown, but should be to the south (Figure 4).
This is in line with the results of the seismic
reconstruction for paleo-depositional dip and
detailed seismic mapping for sedimentary channels
in the Kalidua, Tanding, and Ibul region.
The uppermost part of Talang Akar Formation in
the Raja Field area was deposited in a beach and/or
barriers island environment (Hutapea, 1981).
Conventional cores cut in Well-2 show the presence
of very thin glauconitic shallow marine sandstones
in the uppermost portion of Talang Akar Formation.
The Talang Akar deltaic distributary channels
developed in the lower part of the formation
(Figure 10). The sandstones are highly quartzose
with composition ranging from quartz arenite to
subarkose. Wireline log correlation across the field
shows various stages of channel
incision (Martadinata and Wright, 1984), as seen in
Figure 11.
In the Limau region, Talang Akar Formation
consists of thick sandstone beds interbedded with
shales and coals. The sandstones are coarse, locally
conglomeratic, and are channel and delta plain
deposits (BEICIP, 1985). Similar large amounts of
quartz-rich clastic sediments could be sourced from
Garba Mountain, where granitic intrusive rocks and
metasediments including chert and quartzite are
present. The Talang Akar sandstones are generally
mature, with 70 to 90 percent of quartz mineral
content (Kamal, 1999). These delta plain sequences
are associated with the east Talang Akar delta.
PETROLEUM SYSTEMS
The hydrocarbon potential of the Talang Akar
deepwater play remains unknown. Reservoir quality
will depend on the sediment provenance. The
sandstone reservoir in Benakat Gully might consist
of less tuffaceous content, and in Central
Palembang Sub-basin the reservoir could be a mix
of quartz-rich and tuffaceous sandstones. The log
porosity of the lowstand sandstones in Well-1 well
ranges from 8 to 15 %.
In the mature depressions, Early Oligocene Benakat
Shale and Lemat produce lacustrine oils, while the
Talang Akar shales generate deltaic oils. These oils
have been observed in the Musi Platform and
Palembang High (Rashid et al, 1998). The expected
hydrocarbon sources for the Talang Akar deepwater
play are the mature to over-mature Lemat and
Talang Akar shales.
In Central Palembang Sub-basin, the Talang Akar
shales in the depocenter areas are likely to be in the
over-mature level. On the flank of the sub-basin, the
shales have already entered the main gas generation
window with Ro values ranging from 1.04 to 1.46
%. Basin modeling suggests that the source rocks
entered the oil window as early as 20 mya (middle
Lower Miocene) and began generating gas
approximately 10-15 mya (Middle Miocene). The
expulsion could have begun earlier in the deeper
parts of the sub-basin. Schematic reconstruction of
the petroleum system events chart for the sub-basin
is shown in Figure 12. It is believed that the sources
in this sub-basin are very productive. The Suban gas
field area covers more than 100 sq km and contains
in excess of 1000 meters of proven gas column.
Preliminary reserve estimates indicate that Suban
Field will be classified as a “Giant Field”
(Pujasmadi et al, 2002).
The Talang Akar Formation in the Limau-Lematang
and Muara Enim Deep areas, northern portion of
Benakat Gully, has good source potential with total
organic carbon (TOC) of 1.5-8 %. The maturity
ranges from 0.45 to 0.94 % Ro (Sarjono and
Sardjito, 1989).
In the southern part of Benakat Gully, especially in
the Muara Dua outcrops, several oil and gas seeps
and widespread oil staining have been observed in
the surface rock samples and shallow corehole
samples. Oil shows were described in Ruas-1. The
shales in this well contain up to 5 % TOC with
hydrogen indices (HI) ranging from 110 to 400 mg
HC/g . The coals have HI values of 400-470 mg
HC/g . Maturity of the Talang Akar shales varies. In
Garba Mountain, the shales are immature (Ro =
0.35-0.40 %). In Ruas-1 well, the shales are also
immature (Ro = 0.4-0.46 %). In contrast, the shales
in the Perahu anticline within Ruas Graben are
already in mid-to-late mature (Ro = 0.73-1.11 %).
Further to the south in the Mekakau area, the shales
are over-mature (Kamal, 1999).
Intraformational seal and thick widespread Telisa
shales provide the vertical seal. Another potential
vertical seal is the surface cover of the thick young
volcanic deposits (Kamal, 1999). The likely traps
available in the basin are a combination of structure
and stratigraphy. The present-day depth to reach the
traps could be approximately 8000 feet, or deeper in
the Central Palembang Sub-basin, but possibly a
shallower depth in the Benakat Gully.
Perhaps the highest exploration risk is the trap,
which is very difficult to locate due to poor seismic
data. In addition to the lack of modern seismic data,
the existing 2-D seismic acquisition was not
designed to explore a deepwater reservoir. Efforts
should be directed to improve the seismic data
quality. 3-D seismic is preferred, but at present
lacking. The Tertiary sediments in Central
Palembang Sub-basin are heavily folded with
several thrust fault developments. Very thick shales
of Telisa Formation might locally add difficulty to
recognizing the deepwater reservoir geometry.
CONCLUSIONS
1. The ancient Talang Akar deepwater play is still
in the frontier stage of exploration, with
unknown potential.
2. There are two potential areas for Talang Akar
deepwater exploration: Central Palembang Sub-
basin and Benakat Gully.
3. Sediment provenances for the Talang Akar
deepwater sediments remain unknown, but a
significant amount of tuffaceous content could
be present in the Central Palembang Sub-basin.
In contrast, the sediment sources for deepwater
sediments in the Benakat Gully are possibly
quartz-rich sediments of the Talang Akar deltas
and shallow marine clastics deposited in the
Talang Akar-Benakat-Limau area.
4. Petroleum systems for deepwater play are
attractive. Gas is probably the likely exploration
target in Central Palembang Sub-basin, while
oil and gas are the target in the Benakat Gully.
5. The poor quality of existing 2-D seismic data
has hampered further observation of the
geometry of the sandstone reservoir; therefore
new 2-D seismic acquisition or preferably 3-D
seismic with state-of-the-art technology is
obviously needed.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to thank the Management of P.T.
Medco E&P Indonesia and BP Migas for their
permission to publish this paper. R.M.I.
Argakoesoemah wishes to thank Steve Noon of PT.
Corelab Indonesia, for his constructive discussion
on biostratigraphy. They also wish to acknowledge
the input from their colleagues on many of the
concepts. Some information has been drawn from
the files of the Geosciences and Exploration
Division. Anang Ismail prepared the figures.
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 Figure 1 - Location of South Sumatra Basin.

Figure 2 - Generalized lithostratigraphic column of South Sumatra Basin.

Figure 3 - Present day geological structure showing coarse structural grains and depth to
basement of South Sumatra Basin (BEICIP, 1985 and Pertamina-BPPKA, 1997).
Sedimentary depocentre of the basin during the Talang Akar deposition is likely
in the northwestern end of Central Palembang Sub-basin.

Figure 4 - Simplified Talang Akar depositional facies distribution in South Sumatra Basin
during Early Miocene lowstand phase. Distribution of the Talang Akar deltas and
possible deepwater deposits are highlighted.
Figure 5 - Schematic cross-section across Bangko Platform based on reprocessed seismic
lines. The section shows possible unconformity at approximately 24 mya and
West Merangin Depression developed during the Talang Akar time in the
southwestern end of the platform.

Figure 6 - Simplified geological cross-section of Central Palembang Sub-basin. The section

is flattened on top of N4 (early Early Miocene). Very thick Lemat Formation may
be present. Lacustrine deposits are interpreted to exist in the deeper part of the
basin.
Figure 7 - Biostratigraphy summary chart for Well-1 section. Biostratigraphic sample spacing is insufficient for detailed sequence stratigraphic interpretations,
but does enable the age and paleoenvironmental context to be gauged. The Early Miocene to Late Oligocene chronostratigraphic context is defined
by planktonic foraminifera, nannofossil and palynology biozones. Deepwater paleoenvironmental determinations are based mostly on the presence
of deepwater foraminifera assemblages in the absence of diagnostic shallow-water forms.
Figure 8 - Vertical sequences of delta plain and delta front of the ancient Talang Akar delta
system in the Rambutan area, immediately east of Musi Platform.
Figure 9 - Petrographic analysis results of the Talang Akar cuttings in Well-1. The sandstone
is mainly composed of andesitic volcanic rock fragments with subordinate of
plagioclase and quartz.

Figure 10 - Well-2 cores of the Talang Akar deltaic distributary sequences with very thin
shallow marine sandstones on top of the formation.
 Figure 11 - West-east stratigraphic cross-section through Ibul Field flattened on top of Talang
Akar Formation

Figure 12 - Petroleum system events chart for Central Palembang Sub-basin. Basin modeling
prediction suggests that the source rocks entered the oil window as early as 20
mya (middle Lower Miocene) and began generating gases approximately 10-15
mya (Middle Miocene). The expulsion could have begun earlier in the deeper
parts of the sub-basin.

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