2406-523 Suai 1:25,000 geological map sheet

Data compilation and interpretation by Tim Charlton, November 2021

Geological mapping undertaken by the Timor GAP Onshore Block geological team
(Tim Charlton, Dino Gandara, Debora Freitas and Maria Guterres), 2017-2019

Note that this report was compiled before and during the drilling of petroleum exploration wells
Feto Kmaus and Liurai which commenced drilling in October 2021, and no data from these new wells
was available to the present study.

Location
The Suai quadrangle (topographic mapping of Bakosurtanal) is located in southwest Timor-Leste,
bounded by latitudes 9°15’S-9°22.5’S (9.250°S-9.375°S) and longitudes 125°15’E-125°22.5’E
(125.250°-125.375°E) (Figure 1). Suai town, the largest settlement and the administrative centre of
Covalima Municipality, is located in the west-central part of the quadrangle, with its suburbs
extending westward into the adjacent Ogues quadrangle. Other larger villages within the quadrangle
include Camanaça east of Suai, Matai to the north, and Suai Loro to the south. Smaller villages form
ribbon development along most of the older roads south and east of Suai (but not including the new
highway eastward from Suai to Zumalai). Hasain village is located near the west bank of Mota
Raiketan.

The southern coast of Timor island is located approximately 6km south of Suai town, and nearly half
(~45%) of the quadrangle lies offshore. An alluvial and young marine paralic coastal plain, typically
4km wide, follows the WSW-ENE trend of the coastline, with elevations rarely exceeding 50m.
Topography begins to increase noticeably to the north of this coastal plain, reaching a maximum
elevation of 490m on the western boundary of the quadrangle at (9°15.670’S, 125°15.000’E), 5km
north of Suai town (Figure 1).

Several large rivers drain the quadrangle. In the west Mota Caraulun (not to be confused with the
river of the same name in the Samé and Holarua quadrangles) drains to the SSE immediately north
of Suai town, while its tributary Mota Nabuc has more of a north to south trend. Further east the
very large (and in the wet season voluminous) Mota Raiketan and Mota Foura have broadly north to
south flows, although both rivers swing more to NW-SE orientations within the quadrangle, and
Mota Foura in particular largely disappears into the alluvial plain before reaching the coast (except
at the heights of the wet season). Several small streams, notably Mota Zolai midway between
Raiketan and Foura, usually lack substantial river flow during the dry season, but frequently have
moderately good geological exposure. In general, however, geological exposure is limited within the
Suai quadrangle.

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Figure 1: Suai quadrangle location map.

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Figure 2: Geological map of the Suai quadrangle.

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Geological overview
Alluvium is the most widely occurring geological mapping unit in the Suai quadrangle, covering
nearly half the onshore area of the block (Figure 2 and accompanying full-scale 1:25,000 map). A
further 20% of the onshore block comprises regions mapped as Quaternary marine paralic to reefal
sediments (Suai and Baucau Formations: see Figure 3), while three distinct outcrop areas of ‘older
river gravels’ (Ainaro Formation, also presumed to be of Quaternary age) are associated with,
respectively, the Caraulun, Nabuc-Raiketan and Foura rivers. These four mapping units together can
be considered the postorogenic succession of the Suai quadrangle.

The synorogenic succession is represented by the Viqueque Formation. Elsewhere in Timor the
synorogenic succession also includes the Batu Putih Formation, but this unit, which normally
underlies the Viqueque Formation stratigraphically, was only found in three or four outcrops within
the Suai quadrangle. Because of the very limited occurrence within the quadrangle, the Batu Putih
Formation has not been recorded as a separate mapping unit on the geological map (Figure 2).

Pre-orogenic stratigraphic mapping units recognised in the Suai quadrangle include the Permian
Maubisse Group; the Triassic Niplelo and Aitutu Formations and the Fatu Limestone Group (Perdido
Formation); and the Eocene Dartollu Formation. In addition there are two non-stratigraphic mapping
units: the Lolotoi (metamorphic) Complex and the Bobonaro (mélange) Complex. Additional
recognisable stratigraphic units are locally present within the quadrangle, outcropping in areas
mapped as the Bobonaro Complex, and locally along the faulted boundaries of other mapped
formations. These include the Babulu Group and the Wai Luli and Borolalo Formations, although
these units are not present in sufficient quantity to warrant separate representation on the map (as
will be discussed in more detail later).

The syn- and postorogenic successions in the southern onshore area form part of the Suai Basin
which extends laterally into adjacent map quadrangles to west and east, and into the offshore
domain to the south. The Suai Basin offshore locally contains more than 2000m of Pliocene to
Recent sedimentary succession, although this feathers out on the northern margin of the basin
within the Suai quadrangle in either onlapping or in normal faulted contact against the pre-orogenic
successions further north (as will be discussed in more detail in the Structure section).

The pre-orogenic successions in the north of the quadrangle are broadly considered to form part of
the Timor Neogene orogenic complex. As will be documented more fully in the Structure section,
this domain can be further divided into three sub-domains within the quadrangle:

- A western zone primarily exposing Maubisse Group which, together with local occurrences
of the Lolotoi Complex and the apparently overlying Fatu Limestone Group, probably
represent pseudo-basement to the fold and thrust belt;

- A western-central domain represented primarily by the Bobonaro Complex which is

interpreted in this report as corresponding to a strongly deformed décollement zone at the
base of the fold and thrust belt collision complex;

- A central-eastern domain which comprises more coherent fold and thrust belt structuring
(the Raiketan-Foura fold and thrust belt).

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An additional important geological feature of the Suai quadrangle is the abundance oil and gas
indications. Natural hydrocarbon occurrences are documented in the Oil and Gas Seeps section of
this report, while hydrocarbon discoveries resulting from the commercial search for oil are
documented in the Previous Work section.

Figure 3: Lithostratigraphic framework (mapping units) employed in this study. For more details see Charlton
et al. 2020 (unpublished). The colour scheme is as for the mapping units in Figure 2. Uncoloured named units
were not encountered during the Timor GAP Onshore Block mapping, 2017-2019.

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Previous work
Early exploration

Geological investigation of the Suai area has focused primarily on the petroleum potential of the
area. Active petroleum exploration commenced at least as early as 1910 when a petroleum
exploration licence was granted to L.L. de Mascarenhas Ingles, representative of Companhia
Internacional de Petroleo (Hong Kong), covering two areas near Suai named as Ray-Noco (Ranoco or
Ranuc, now known locally as Weimarok), and We-Foco in the reino of Camanaça (Boletim Oficial,
31/12/1910). Initial exploration under the direction of a Mr Scott from Australia (AMC, 1937), and a
first well at Ranoco reportedly drilled to 250’ and encountering a small flow of oil (J.G. Antliff report,
3/8/1956), was halted by the Boaventura rebellion in December 1911 (Gunn, 1999). Drilling was
again attempted after the First World War by a Mr Schofield from Sumatra, but activities were
terminated after four months due to sickness among the drilling staff (AMC, 1937). Junked drilling
equipment from this period was found during fieldwork near the Weimarok seep at (9°18.412’S,
125°14.570’E). Geologist L. von Loczy visited Suai in a brief survey on behalf of Bataafsche Petroleum
Maatschappij in 1922 (Wanner, 1956), collecting macrofossil material described subsequently by
Kutassy (1930/1931) – see the Palaeontology section.

During the Second World War Japanese personnel carried out an experimental oil survey in the Suai
area (Matai) and elsewhere. By the end of the war Suai was producing more than 200 barrels per
day of oil from a pit at Matai (Australian government memo, 19/12/1945). By 1946 three pits had
been dug to depths of approximately 25 feet (Australian Consul, Dili, 4/11/1946). In 1956 the pits
produced an average of 184 gallons per day by bailing (J.G. Antliff report, 3/8/1956).

Timor Oil

Australian company Timor Oil Limited assumed the exclusive petroleum exploration rights to
onshore areas of then-Portuguese Timor in 1956. Fieldwork in the Suai area commenced in August
1957, undertaken by geologists S.M. Rowe and B. Quinn, supervised by Chief Geologist and
Exploration Manager R.O. Brunnschweiler. Their initial reconnaissance geological map of the Suai
area is reproduced in Figure 4 (Schneeberger, unpublished report to Timor Oil 1959). From October
1958 the team was directed by American consultant G. Downs (Schneeberger, 1959; Brunnschweiler,
1978). Between 1958 and 1960 a programme of shallow core drilling was undertaken across the Suai
area (Boyd, unpublished report 1960). By 1960 the Suai area had been further mapped at a
reconnaissance level, as shown in Figure 5. This map is re-drawn from an original uncoloured map
authored by B.R. Boyd dated March 1960 (Timor Oil, unpublished). This improved mapping was
reportedly undertaken by Boyd in 1959 at a scale of 1:40,000 (Warwick, unpublished report 1970).
The map in Figure 5 also shows the location of the 39 coreholes (these are also shown on Figure 2,
indicated by the drill symbol with ‘x’ as opposed to ‘+’ cross-bars). It was presumably on the basis of
this mapping that the first six modern petroleum exploration wells in the Suai quadrangle were
located (the Matai series wells: Figure 5).

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Figure 4: Earliest known geological map of the Suai area compiled by S.M. Rowe & M.B. Quinn (in
Schneeberger, unpublished report to Timor Oil, 1959). The approximate area of the Suai quadrangle is
indicated. Original mapping was at a scale of 1:40,000. Uncoloured units are alluvium, gravel and coral; yellow
is Viqueque Formation; orange unit is described as ‘Bibileu – Tertiary’; and grey as ‘Mota Bui – Triassic’.

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Figure 5: Status of geological mapping by Timor Oil in the Suai area in 1960, immediately before
commencement of the Matai drilling campaign.

The six Matai-series wells were drilled between December 1960 and May 1962. The first four wells,
Matai-1, -1A, -3 and -4, were all drilled within a few hundred metres of each other to the southwest
of Matai village (the still-existing Matai-1A wellhead is located at 9°18.025’S, 125°15.338’E). Figure 6
summarises the sections drilled by these four wells. All four wells intersected minor intervals of syn-
to postorogenic section above approximately 350m of section assigned by the drillers to the
Bobonaro Scaly Clay [=Complex], with the three deeper wells then penetrating Lolotoi Complex,
which in Matai-3 extended to a depth of at least 2534’ (772m). The greater lithological range within
the sedimentary succession recorded in the Matai-4 well compared to the three earlier wells is
probably a result of this well being drilled by a different drilling company to the three previous wells,
with the later company recognising distinct geological intervals that the earlier drillers had lumped
together in the Bobonaro interval.

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Figure 6: Well correlation of Matai-1 to -4 drilled to the SW of Matai village.

Matai-1

Location: 9° 18.046’S, 125° 15.299’E. No wellhead pipe is apparent at this GPS-determined location,
but this position for the well was indicated to us by a local person. This site is 10m from a position
suggested by a contemporaneous report: 272’/83m bearing 256° from the existing Matai-1A
wellhead.

Spudded: 4th December 1960. Completed ~10th March 1961. Plugged and abandoned after a strong
flow of water at TD.

Depth reached: 2037’ (621m).

Drilling results: The well penetrated 95’ (29m) of alluvium, then a few feet of Viqueque Formation
above Bobonaro Complex down to 1200’ (366m). Below this was strongly weathered/altered Lolotoi
Complex. Oil was encountered at a depth of 760-825’ in grey limestones of the Eocene Dartollu
Formation. At 1330’ (405m) the well encountered further oil and gas shows within weathered
Lolotoi Complex. The well was abandoned at 2030’ after encountering a strong flow of fresh water
within the Lolotoi Complex. Oil samples were described as having a paraffin base with 36.5° API
gravity. According to Boutakoff (1967, unpublished report) and Cross (2000) the well yielded
180bopd from a zone between 770-855’, but no contemporary reports have been found to confirm
this. A letter from F.M Crawford (Timor Oil CEO, dated 30/12/1960) indicated that 12 gallons of oil
were recovered.

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Matai-1A

Location: 9°18.023’S, 125°15.341’E. The wellhead location is marked by a metal cap approximately
1m high that still leaks small quanitities of oil.

Spudded: 28th June 1961. Completed 20th August 1961 as an oil well.

Depth reached: 848’ (258m).

Drilling results: Matai-1A penetrated about 100’ of alluvium, followed by 40’ of Viqueque Formation,
and then Bobonaro Complex to TD. A core was taken between 840-848’ which indicated the
presence of both gas and oil in a soft grey, permeable and porous limestone enclosed within the
Bobonaro Complex. On a preliminary test the well flowed at a rate of 110bpd, yielding 37°API oil.
Due to technical difficulties additional tests could not be made and Matai-1A was suspended.
Reports from the Australian consul in Dili (21/7/1961 and 1/9/1961) indicate that Matai-1A
produced very high grade, water-free oil from about 850 feet at a rate of something over 110 barrels
a day, but the flow rate was only maintained for a few minutes. Schneeberger (unpublished report,
1961) indicated that the 110 barrel/day rate was measured over a 20 minute period, suggesting that
only 1½ barrels of oil were recovered.

Matai-3

Location: Estimated 9°18.029’S, 125°15.344’E. A wellhead has not been relocated. This is a
compromise location (±5m) between contemporaneous reports of a location 85m bearing 067° from
the Matai-1 wellhead, and another reported position 54’SE of Matai-1A [or possibly 54’NW?].

Spudded: 29th August 1961. Plugged and abandoned 22nd September 1961.

Depth reached: 2534’ (772m).

Drilling results: Small shows of 34°API oil and gas were encountered around or above 863’ within
the Bobonaro Complex. Tests on the 800-foot horizon indicated that oil and gas were present in such
small quantities (3bopd) that further tests were not warranted. The well was deepened to 2,534’
(772m), penetrating about 400m of Lolotoi Complex. Gamma ray and electric logs were reportedly
recorded on this well (to 863’ and 840’ respectively), but these have not been relocated.

Matai-4

Location: Estimated 9°18.045’S, 125°15.343’E. The wellhead has not been relocated, but a
contemporaneous report indicated a position 81m bearing 088° from the Matai-1 wellhead.

Spudded: 13th December 1961. Suspended 4th January 1962.

Depth reached: 1615’ (492m).

Drilling results: It had been intended to take this well down to at least 4500 feet and probably to
6500 feet, but drilling was halted because bedrock [Lolotoi Complex] was encountered (Australian
consular memos 23/12/1961 and 16/2/1962). Oil stains were observed in samples taken at 930-950’
(~287m) and 1060-1080’ (~326m). No logs were recorded. This was the first well drilled by Canadian
company International Drilling Services following the departure of Tradewinds Exploration, and

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rather more detailed lithological descriptions are available for this well than for the previous three
Matai wells (Figure 6). Samples down to 1180’ may include genuine stratrigraphic succession, but
these were assigned to the Bobonaro Scaly Clay [Complex] due to the lack of good evidence for
inter-well correlation. As in the previous Matai wells, the oil shows appear to be associated with
Eocene limestones of the Dartollu Formation. Lolotoi basement was penetrated at 1070’ (326m),
and continued to TD at 1615’.

Matai-5 (also known as Camanassa-1)

Location: Near 9°18.862’S, 125°17.116’E (precise location not re-established).

Spudded: 18th February 1962. Plugged and abandoned 4th April 1962.

Depth reached: 4588’ (1398m).

Drilling results: See Figure 7. According to Boutakoff (unpublished report 1967), the well was
spudded in an area of alluvium. No oil sands were encountered, but many Viqueque sands with good
porosity and permeability were sampled, and some cored. From log descriptions it appears that the
Viqueque Formation was encountered to a depth of 2095’ (639m), below which the drill entered the
Bobonaro Complex, described in part as block clay. However, further Viqueque Formation was
encountered at deeper levels, between 2880-3200’ (878-975m). It is possible that the higher interval
of Bobonaro Complex was a shale diapir intruding into the Viqueque Formation, or alternatively that
this was a misidentified shale interval within the Viqueque Formation. Below 3200’ the well was
drilled without a site geologist, but the interval down to 4400’ (1341m) was interpreted as Bobonaro
Complex. At that depth the bore entered Lolotoi Complex. Small ‘tar shows’ were recorded at 870-
890’, 1276-2065’ and 2065-2093’ (Boutakoff, unpublished report 1967). No geophysical logs were
recorded.

Matai-6

Location: Approximately 9°16.500’S, 125°16,711’E. The precise well location has not been re-
established. This estimate is based on a Timor Oil location map accompanying the Suai Loro-2
abandonment report (Timor Oil, 1971) that locates the well just east of the northernmost of three
prominent meanders on Mota Nabuc.

Spudded: 3rd May 1962; abandoned 6th May 1962.

Depth reached: 1231’ (375m).

Drilling results: See Figure 7. This well was drilled without a wellsite geologist. It was abandoned at a
depth of only 375m having encountered shallow Lolotoi Complex basement. No shows were
encountered, and no logs were recorded.

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Figure 7: Well sections for the Matai-5 and -6 wells. Note the different scales.

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Following the completion of the Matai series wells in 1962, there was a hiatus in Timor Oil’s field
activities until 1968 when a grid of single-channel seismic lines was acquired by Compagnie Generale
de Geophysique (CGG) along the coastline eastwards from Suai, with several lines extending short
distances inland. In 1969 and 1970 a more detailed grid of low-fold multi-channel seismic lines was
acquired largely over the coastal plain in the Suai quadrangle and adjacent quadrangles (Ogues,
Maudemu) by United Geophysical Ltd. (UGC). Mapping of two horizons within the Viqueque
Formation are shown in Figure 8 (redrawn from original mapping by R.E. Seavey, UGC, unpublished
report to Timor Oil, 1969). These maps are reproduced here as several structural features from the
seismic mapping are transferred onto the Suai quadrangle geological map (dark blue structural
lineaments on Figure 2).

Figure 8: Seismic mapping of the ‘intra-Viqueque’ and ‘Top Viqueque’ reflectors as interpreted from the 1969
Timor Oil seismic grid (UGC, 1969). The area covered is the Suai map quadrangle together with a small area of
the Ogues quadrangle (west of Suai town).

Based on this seismic mapping, Timor Oil drilled a further ten wells in the Suai area during the period
1969-1971. Seven of these wells were located within the Suai quadrangle:

Suai-1

Location: 9°20.530’S, 125°15.185’E (GPS determination on wellhead marker pipe).

Spudded: Early April 1970?; completed 1st May 1970.

Depth reached: 6178’ (1883m) (driller depth); or 6220’ (1896m) (logging).

Drilling results: Suai-1 probably spudded in the Suai Formation, but the shallowest sample for which
there are records was at 610’ in the Viqueque Formation, which continued down to 2505’ (764m).
Below this the well entered the Bobonaro Complex down to 4205’ (1282m), and then the Lolotoi
Complex down to TD. No hydrocarbon shows were reported. The well was thought to have
encountered a fault at a depth of about 4,000 feet (The Times, 27/7/1970) – presumably at its
intersection with the Lolotoi Complex (see Figure 9).

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Suai-2

Location: 9°20.772’S, 125°15.307’E (GPS determination on wellhead marker pipe). Suai-2 was
reportedly spudded 1,650’ (500m) south of Suai-1.

Spudded: 7th June 1970. Abandoned 30th September 1970.

Depth reached: 5929’/1807m.

Drilling results: Suai-2 penetrated Suai Formation to about 1420’ (433m), then Viqueque Formation
to 3260’ (994m). Below this the Bobonaro Complex was penetrated down to TD. Minor gas shows
were encountered at several levels in the well, including wet gas at 3406’ (1038m), and dry gas at
4866’ (1483m). The well was abandoned after the drill bit became stuck in Bobonaro Complex clays.

Suai-2A

Location: 9°20.784’S, 125°15.296’E (estimated). Suai-2A was spudded 100’ (30m) SW of Suai-2, but a
wellhead was not relocated during our fieldwork, even though an online photo shows a metal
marker board at the well location.

Spudded: 9th October 1970, abandoned 21st November 1970.

Depth reached: 6800’ (2073m).

Drilling results: Suai-2A penetrated 1435’ (437m) of Suai Formation, then Viqueque Formation down
to 3330’ (1015m), Bobonaro Complex down to 5929’ (1807m), and then Lolotoi Complex down to
TD. No significant hydrocarbons were recorded.

Cara Ulo-1

Location: 9°18.043’S, 125°15.187’E (GPS determination on existing wellhead pipe).

Spudded: 9th December 1970; abandoned 22nd December 1970.

Depth reached: 530’ (162m).

Drilling results: Abandoned due to drilling problems (difficulty drilling through the Bobonaro
Complex). Approximately 90’ of river gravels were penetrated above 290’ of Viqueque Formation,
before entering the Bobonaro Complex which continued down to TD.

Suai Loro-1

Location: 9°20.193’S, 125°17.142’E. The wellhead still exists, marked by a circular metal plate in the
ground, with a central cavity down which minor oil can be sampled.

Spudded: 28th January 1971; completed 24th May 1971. Suspended and capped for possible later
testing.

Depth reached: 5088’ (1551m).

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Drilling results: Suai Loro-1 drilled through Suai Formation to 710’ (216m), then the Viqueque
Formation to 3305’ (1007m), and the Bobonaro Complex to 4990’ (1521m). The final 98’ (30m) to TD
consisted of red shales that were dated by Munasri (2020) as Late Jurassic (see the Stratigraphy and
Paleontology sections), and this interval is now assigned to the Tchinver Formation. The well had
significant oil and gas shows during drilling, with 42°API gravity oil recovered from a drill stem test
between 4127-4164’ (1258-1269m) after the well had been sidetracked. Drilling was abandoned
after encountering problems due to high pressures.

Suai Loro-2

Location: 9°20.954’S, 125°16.854’E (GPS determination on existing wellhead pipe).

Spudded: 11th June 1971; abandoned 10th November 1971.

Depth reached: Drilled to 3575’ (1090m), then sidetracked due to mechanical problems, reaching
5200’ (1585m).

Drilling results: Suai Loro-2 penetrated 180’ (55m) of Suai Formation, then passed through the
Viqueque Formation to 3360’ (1116m), and the Bobonaro Complex to TD. The well encountered a
strong gas flow with overpressure at 4343’ (1324m). At 5060’ (1542m), a 20’ (6m) bed of basalt was
penetrated, followed by a 50’ (15m) zone of limestone with good oil fluorescence, identified in the
field as Eocene. The well was plugged and abandoned when the well proved impossible to deepen.

Cota Taçi-1

Location: 9°21.018’S, 125°16.777’E. The wellhead still exists, composed of junked drilling equipment.
The wellhead sometimes stands in a pond of leaking oil 2-3m diameter.

Spudded: 15th November 1971; suspended 5th July 1972.

Depth reached: 9202’ (2805m).

Drilling results: The well penetrated the Suai Formation to a depth of 160’ (49m), then the Viqueque
Formation to 3540’ (1079m), the Bobonaro Complex to 8240’ (2512m), the Dartollu Formation to
8430’ (2569m), and then the Lolotoi Complex to TD at a depth of 9202’ (2805m). Oil shows were
encountered below 6,050’ (1844m) during drilling. A swab test in Eocene limestone recovered
216bpd of 25°API oil. Some oil shows were also encountered within fracture planes in the Lolotoi
metamorphics.

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Figure 9: Fence diagram linking the principal petroleum exploration wells of the Suai quadrangle (Charlton et
al., 2018).

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Stratigraphy/mapping units
Stratigraphic mapping units for the Suai map sheet (and other areas mapped during 2017-2019 by
the Timor GAP Onshore Block geological team) are summarised in Figure 3.

Lolotoi Complex

Darker purple colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Lolotoi metamorphic complex has only limited exposure within the Suai quadrangle, although it
has also been encountered in the subsurface in eight petroleum exploration wells drilled by Timor
Oil within the area of the Suai quadrangle during the 1960s and 1970s (Matai-1, -3, -4, -5 & -6; Suai-1
& -2A; Cota Taçi-1). Minor outcrop of the Lolotoi Complex is restricted to the NW of the quadrangle,
in two areas along Mota Nabuc and in isolated outcrops along the crest of the ridge to the north of
Mota Nabuc, along the track NW from Hasain village.

On the ridge NW from Hasain, an isolated outcrop of probable Lolotoi metavolcanics occurs at
(9°15.147’S, 125°16.662’E). This greenstone rock appears lithologically similar to more clearly
metabasic Lolotoi Complex outcropping further NW along the ridge in the southern part of the
Lolotoe map sheet, although it is possible that this outcrop is weathered Maubisse Group volcanics
rather than Lolotoi Complex.

In Mota Nabuc definite outcrop of Lolotoi Complex occurs at (9°15.525’S, 125°16.354’E). This is a
greenish to dark grey quartz-veined metabasic greenstone with a foliar fabric dipping shallowly to
the north, and a second steeper (brittle?) fabric dipping 50-60° to the south. The southern margin of
the outcrop is a normal fault trending 125° and downthrowing to the south. Further downstream at
(9°16.138’S, 125°16.170’E) there is poor outcrop of Lolotoi Complex in the river floor.

In the petroleum exploration wells, the Lolotoi Complex was described as follows:

Matai-1: The Lolotoi Complex lithology was extremely rotted in this well, and was not originally
recognised as metamorphic rock, being described instead as a rather monotonous series of
arenaceous and argillaceous siltstones and, deeper down, variegated shales with two very porous
sandstones (W.F. Schneeberger, letter to Timor Oil 10/1/1961).

Matai-3: A core taken from 2370-2375’ (~723m) depth was originally reported as hard siltstone, but
was subsequently identified as hornblende-epidote-andesine schist.

Matai-4: A core at 1218’ recovered 6” of chlorite-mica greenschist and 12” of serpentine and talc
schist. At 1300’ bentonitic crystalline volcanics were recovered.

Matai-5 & -6: No record of lithological descriptions has been found for these wells.

Suai-1: Five cores were recovered from the Lolotoi Complex below 4205’ depth (described by D.J.
Carter, unpublished report to Timor Oil, 1970b):

Core 5 (4232-4247’, 7’6” recovered): Two sub-samples examined consisted of sheared and
broken, secondarily calcite-veined hornblende schist. A third sample consisted of crushed,

17
 calcite-veined, graphitic shale and dark grey, calcite-veined, argillaceous, gritty siltstone
showing low-grade metamorphism. The shale was processed for spore and pollen
determination, but the residue proved too carbonised to be determinable.

Core 6 (5289-5295’, 15” recovered): A single sample examined was a pale greyish-green
glauconitic sandstone, broken and sheared, with crushed and contorted shaly stringers. The
sample contained no microfossil fauna.

Core 7 (6093-6114’, recovery a handful of pieces): Fragments of dark grey, slickensided,

quartz-veined schist and hard shale with no determinable microfauna.

Core 8 (6168-6178’, recovery a teacupful of broken fragments): Pale grey, broken to dark
grey slickensided, rotten schist containing rounded pebbles, apparently indigenous, of
radiolarian chert, etc. The grade of metamorphism seems to have been too low to have
affected the pebbles. The schist contained no recognisable organic remains. The radiolaria
were poorly preserved and indeterminate.

Core 9 (6178-6185’, recovery a handful of mushy, pulverised material): A single sample

examined consisted of greyish-black, sheared, slickensided, calcite-veined, carbonaceous
shale. No organic remains were found.

Suai-2A: Cutting samples from 6600’ consisted of more than 50% metamorphic dark metallic green,
black schists, vein quartz and pyrite. At 6660’ fragments of schist were angular, fairly soft, striated,
and graphitic. There was additionally some greenstone and meta-siltstone. Core 1 (6731-6750’)
recovered 2’ of crushed soft contorted metallic grey quartz-veined schists.

Cota Taçi-1: The following material from the Lolotoi Complex below 8430’ depth was described by
D.J. Carter (unpubished Palaeontological Report 16, 1972b):

Sidewall core (SWC), 8552’: Shattered, quartz-veined gneiss with schist stringers.

SWC 8650’: Quartz-veined gneiss with schist stringers.

SWC 8723’: Soft, rotten, sheared, silky schist.

SWC 8932’: Quartz-veined, shattered, dark grey gneiss with black schist stringers and minor
pink crystalline limestone (the latter considered contamination).

SWC 9000’: Shattered quartz-veined gneiss with schist stringers.

SWC 9152’: Rotten, shattered, soft, shining dark grey to black schist.

SWC 9170’: Shattered, shining, very dark grey schist with quartz stringers.

SWC 9197’: Rotten, shattered, dark grey to black schist.

18
Maubisse Group

Orange colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Maubisse Group is mapped as outcropping over an area of ~5km2 in the NW of the Suai
quadrangle (Figure 2), with outcrop continuing westwards into the adjacent Ogues quadrangle. This
area has, however, not been investigated in any detail during the present mapping, and the outcrop
area shown is largely interpreted from Google Earth imagery and extrapolation from outcrop in the
Ogues quadrangle. Only a single GPS-constrained outcrop in the Suai quadrangle was recorded on
the southern margin of this outcrop area, in a small stream Mota Hulis at (9°17.160’S, 125°15.250’E)
where red, green to dark brown, quartz-veined vesicular basalt is exposed.

In the headwaters of Mota Nabuc and the slope immediately to the north, Maubisse Group
limestones and lesser volcanics occur commonly, intermixed with outcrops dominated by shale
mélange. It is possible that the Maubisse Group forms a coherent body below the mélange,
continuous in the subsurface with outcrops to the west rather than constituting blocks within the
mélange: however, insufficient outcrop precludes certainty (see further discussion in the Structure
section). Some of the limestone outcrops in this area were initially assigned in the field to either the
Perdido Formation (whitish limestones) or the Borolalo Formation (sheared red limestones) on
lithological grounds, but at (9°15.189’S, 125°16.306’E), within a good outcrop section of limestones,
we found crinoids, ammonoids and bivalves apparently of Permian aspect, and it now seems more
likely that most or all of the limestones in this area should be assigned to the Maubisse Group.

Perdido Formation

Medium blue colour mapping unit on Figure 2

A single outcrop of hard white limestone, interpreted in the field as Fatu Limestone and here
provisionally assigned to the Perdido Formation, was seen in Mota Nabuc at (9°16.215’S,
125°16.268’E). This outcrop of older limestone is unconformably overlain by young Baucau
Formation reefal limestones. The geological map (Figure 2 and accompanying full-scale map)
interprets the hill Foho Holbellis immediately to the NE of this outcrop as also formed of Perdido
Formation limestone. This hill was not visited during our fieldwork, but it may correspond to the
‘huge block of Cablac Limestone resting in the Bobonaro Scaly Clay’ to the north of a hill capped by
Baucau Limestone mentioned by Warwick (unpublished report to Timor Oil, 1970). This section of
Mota Nabuc contains numerous large boulders of white limestone probably derived from the
Perdido Formation, and these most likely originate from the Foho Holbellis massif. More fieldwork is
required in this area.

19
Niplelo Formation

Light pink colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Niplelo Formation in the Timor GAP revised lithostratigraphy (Charlton et al., 2020 unpublished)
is equivalent to the Niplelo Member (upper Niof Formation) as previously defined from West Timor
(Bird & Cook, 1991). The Niplelo Formation consists typically of multicoloured (red, green, grey,
black) shales, siltstones and occasional fine sandstones. These fine-grained sediments
characteristically but fairly rarely contain large, flat bivalve shells, possibly Daonella indica, indicating
a broadly mid Triassic (Ladinian-Carnian?) age. In the Suai area (including the adjacent Ogues and
Lolotoe quadrangles) the red shales pass upward transitionally into the Aitutu Formation, with
initially isolated dm-scale white Aitutu-type limestones interbedded with the shales, and the
limestones becoming progressively more prominent within the red-green shales up-section, and the
red-green shales then giving way to grey shales and marls typical of the Aitutu Formation. In general
the Niplelo shale sequences are structurally incompetent and consequently are only poorly exposed;
it is only in the Aitutu transition zones where the structurally more competent limestones provide
some rigidity to the sections that bedded shale sequences are seen in good exposure. Elsewhere, in
areas of poor exposure, it is difficult to tell whether the shaly terrain should be mapped as coherent
Niplelo Formation or as Bobonaro mélange.

Within the Suai quadrangle the best exposures of the Niplelo Formation and its upward transition
into the Aitutu Formation are seen in Mota Raiketan northward from Hasain village (near 9°16.2’S,
125°18.3’E – and continuing northward into the Lolotoe quadrangle). Approximately the first
kilometre northward from this point exposes a syncline-anticline pair, with the Niplelo transitionally
underlying the Aitutu Formation (see also the Structure section). At (9°15.855’S 125°18.393’E), for
instance, typical limestone-shale successions of the Aitutu Formation pass downwards into
limestones increasingly interbedded with red shales and siltstones and with occasional thin black
carbonaceous shales (almost coals) ~2cm thick interbedded with light to dark grey shales. At
(9°15.808’S, 125°18.388’E) is a succession of interbedded limestone, siltstone and shale, with the
limestones hard, blotchy red to medium grey, standing out from the cliff face in bands ~30cm thick.
The siltstones are laminated with low-angle cross-bedding, weathering dark reddish-brown but
greenish-khaki when fresh; or sometimes strongly red to almost chocolate brown and locally green
colours. Shales vary in colour from pale to virtually black and coaly. Occasional unidentifiable
bivalves(?) are seen on some bedding planes – equidimensional, globular species, not
Daoella/Halobia.

At the base of the extensive outcrop section in Mota Raiketan around (9°16.017’S, 125°18.347’E)
described further below under the Aitutu Formation, in the basal transition down into the Niplelo
Formation there is a zone with small tight folds in Niplelo shales discordantly below much gentler
folding in the Aitutu Formation. This was interpreted in the field as a syn-sedimentary extensional
slide downthrowing to the south. Such Triassic (Niplelo/Aitutu) syn-sedimentary extensional
structures were also recorded elsewhere in the Raiketan and Foura rivers, particularly in the Lolotoe
quadrangle to the north of the Suai quadrangle.

In Mota Zolai, 2km east of Mota Raiketan, at (9°15.012’S, 125°15.113’E) there is a large but poor
outcrop of Niplelo Formation with minor Aitutu limestone interbeds. The outcrop contains large flat
?Daonella bivalves. This is, however, only a single outcrop at the boundary of more extensive Aitutu
Formation, and the Niplelo Formation was not mapped separately in this area on Figure 2.

20
There is a further isolated outcrop of Niplelo Formation in Mota Nabuc at (9°15.360’S. 125°16.406’E)
where interbedded brown, reddish and greenish shales are exposed on the west bank of the river.
On the east bank sandstones of the Foura Member (Lapunuf Formation, Babulu Group) are exposed,
with the contact between the two apparently a thrust emplacing the Niplelo Formation onto the
Babulu Group. With limited exposure and a lack of outcrop continuity, however, it was not possible
to map this area as individual formations, but both formations were included within the ‘sack’
Bobonaro Complex mapping unit.

Aitutu Formation

Lilac colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Aitutu Formation outcrops extensively in the north-central part of the Suai quadrangle,
particularly in the region between the Raiketan and Foura rivers (Figure 2). Best exposures are again
in the syncline-anticline pair in the banks of Mota Raiketan east of Hasain village (around 9°16’S,
125°18.4’E), and further north along the river around (9°15.5’S, 125°17.8’E). At (9°16.017’S,
125°18.347’E), for instance, the Aitutu Formation comprises thinly interbedded limestones and
shales in an exposed stratigraphic succession approximately 25m thick in an outcrop section ~60m
long. The limestones are mainly flat-bedded but are in part nodular, with beds 5-10cm thick,
although occasionally comprising multiple beds up to ~40cm thick. Shales are mostly light to medium
grey, locally greenish (transition down into the Niplelo Formation?), in beds typically 5cm thick,
although some intervals are up to about 1m thick with occasional thin limestone interbeds.

As will be described further in the Structure section, the Aitutu Formation outcrops primarily within
the Suai quadrangle in a fold and thrust belt domain (the Raiketan-Foura fold and thrust belt). The
limestone-dominant Aitutu Formation, which is located stratigraphically between shales of the
Niplelo Formation below and further shales of the Wai Luli Formation above, tends to comprise a
relatively rigid structural interval that during thin-skinned fold and thrust belt deformation formed a
series of imbricate thrust slices with top and basal décollements in the overlying and underlying
shales. Based on structural reconstructions of these thrust stacks, the Aitutu Formation in this area is
estimated to have a stratigraphic thickness of the order of 200-300m.

Babulu Group

The Late Triassic Babulu Group is not mapped separately on the geological map (Figure 2), but does
occur within the Suai quadrangle, particularly within areas mapped as the Bobonaro Complex.
Although not established by any compositional analyses, it is likely that a significant portion of the
shale within the Bobonaro Complex derives from the Babulu Group (and the Wai Luli Formation –
see below). In addition there are sandstone-dominant outcrop sections that, although not dated
palaeontologically, very likely derive from the Babulu Group (Lapunuf Formation), and particularly
from the sandstone-dominant Foura Member of the Lapunuf Formation. At (9°15.408’S,
125°16.402), for instance, on the east bank of Mota Nabuc (opposite the outcrop of Niplelo
Formation mentioned previously) the Foura Member consists of massively bedded greenish-grey
sandstones, in part cross-bedded, with thin interbeds of black shale. Further downstream at
(9°15.950’S, 125°16.185’E) there is a large outcrop of massive green to light grey fine grained

21
micaceous sandstone also undated but assigned to the Foura Member on lithology. On the NW
trending ridge immediately north of Mota Nabuc and on the track NW from Hasain village, poorly
exposed sandstone-shale lithologies were recorded in the field as Babulu broken formation, for
instance at (9°15.357’S, 125°16.914’E) where lithologies include micaceous sandstone and medium
grey shale. Similar lithologies occur all along the hilltop track, together with some small mélanged
shale/siltstone outcrops, and some isolated Aitutu-type limestone blocks.

Wai Luli Formation

As with the Babulu Group, the Wai Luli Formation, dated regionally to the latest Triassic and Jurassic,
is present in the Suai quadrangle, but has not been found in sufficiently continuous outcrop to
warrant separate delineation on the geological map (Figure 2). As with the Babulu Group, shales of
the Wai Luli Formation probably contribute significantly to the shaly portion of the Bobonaro
Complex shale mélange, but so far to an undetermined extent. The Wai Luli Formation can also be
recognised locally in transition at the top of the Aitutu Formation, particularly within the Raiketan
fold and thrust belt. An example of this type of outcrop is seen in Mota Foura at (9°15.031’S,
125°20.541’E) near the northern boundary of the quadrangle where sheared dark grey shales
lithologically comparable to the Wai Luli Formation transition into interbedded limestones and
shales of the Aitutu Formation. For mapping purposes this locality was included within the Aitutu
Formation. In Mota Nabuc two predominantly shaly outcrops (at 9°15.360’S, 125°16.405’E and
9°15.778’S,125°18.383’E) were also provisionally interpreted in the field as Wai Luli Formation, but
could be Fatoro Formation/Babulu Group – their palaeontological age has so far not been
determined. These small shale exposures are, however, mapped within the Bobonaro Complex.

Tchinver Formation

In its type locality south of Lospalos town in the extreme east of Timor-Leste the Tchinver Formation
consists of multicoloured (red, green, grey) shales and minor siltstones of Late Jurassic age (Charlton
& Gandara, 2014). This formation has not been recognised at outcrop in the Suai quadrangle, but
was encountered in the Suai Loro-1 petroleum exploration well in a 98’ (30m) thick interval down to
TD (interval 4990-5088’/1521-1551m). Lithological descriptions from this interval record red non-
calcareous shale, light grey micritic limestone, minor calcareous shale and arenite; and red shale
grading to siltstone, light grey micritic limestone, and quartz arenite (Timor Oil Suai Loro-1 well
abandonment report, 1971). This interval was undated by Timor Oil, but cuttings held by P.T.
Horizon Geoconsulting were re-located in 2019, and were examined by radiolarian specialist Munasri
who determined a Late Jurassic age (see the Palaeontology section for further details). This drilled
interval in Suai Loro-1 is now, therefore, assigned to the Tchinver Formation.

In examination of the washed cuttings from the Tchinver Formation in Suai Loro-1, Munasri
(unpublished report to Timor GAP, 2020) also noted quartz and dark grey to black probable
metamorphic rock grains. These might indicate a provenance linkage between the Tchinver
Formation and the Lolotoi Complex.

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Kolbano Group

The Kolbano Group, which in Timor-Leste consists regionally of the Early Cretaceous Wai Bua
Formation, the latest Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) to Paleogene Borolalo Formation and the
Miocene Aliambata Formation (all in the sense of the Timor GAP lithostratigraphic scheme: Charlton
et al., 2020, unpublished) has not been specifically identified at outcrop in the Suai quadrangle,
although it could be present as occasional blocks within the Bobonaro Complex. Rocks assignable to
the Kolbano Group were, however, recognised from cores in the Suai-2 well (Carter, unpublished
core report to Timor Oil, 1970d) and from sidewall cores in Cota Taçi-1 (Carter, Timor Oil,
Palaeontological Report 15, 1972a). From Suai-2:

Core 3 (4175-4188’): Recovered 9’. Nine sub-samples analysed by Carter were all similar in
lithology and organic content to the radiolaria-rich facies of the Borolalo Limestone.
Lithologies described were typically milk-chocolate-brown, pale grey or greenish-grey, partly
glauconitic and siliceous.

Core 4 (4872-4919’): Recovered 5’. Several sub-samples analysed by Carter consisted of

loose pebbles rather similar in lithology to those from Core 3, containing a fairly abundant
fauna of planktonic foraminifera of Senonian [Late Cretaceous] age derived from the
Borolalo Limestone. Another loose block from the core consisted of reddish-brown
limestone with shiny sheared waxy clay surfaces, yielding Senonian-Paleocene planktonic
foramifera (see further details in the Palaeontology section).

From Cota Taçi-1:

Sidewall core (SWC) 3640’: Sheared waxy buff and pale grey clay yielding a washed residue
of hard white marl pellets and free planktonics of Early Eocene age from the Kolbano facies
[Carter’s description]. See the Palaeontology section for Carter’s full faunal list for this and
subsequently described sidewall core samples.

SWC 5004’: Dark grey waxy clay with reddish-brown waxy clay inclusions. The washed
residue contained flakes of pale grey and pink fibrous lamellar calcite, fragments of pale grey
siltstone, Lolotoi metamorphics, sheared pink limestone and grey marl. The clay matrix
yielded a planktonic foraminiferal fauna of late Middle or early Late Eocene age, while the
grey marl inclusions yielded a Lower Eocene planktonic foraminiferal fauna typical of the
Kolbano facies [Carter’s description].

SWC 7330’: A pale buff to pink slightly silty waxy clay, yielding a washed residue of pink
calcilutite with occasional glauconite grains, and a planktonic foraminiferal fauna of late
Early to early Middle Eocene age with strong reworking of Paleocene and Late Cretaceous
species characteristic of the Kolbano Group.

SWC 7350’: A dark grey and reddish-brown sheared waxy clay yielding a washed residue of
pink crystalline calcite, white radiolarite and white marl. Loose in the washed residue was a
planktonic foraminiferal fauna of Middle Eocene age with reworked Late Cretaceous
material.

23
Dartollu Formation

Blue-green colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Dartollu Formation, which typically comprises shallow marine limestones rich in larger benthic
foraminifera of Eocene age, outcrops in a good section in Mota Nabuc between (9°15.541’S,
125°16.321’E) and (9°15.616’S, 125°16.246’E), and is exposed locally along the ridgetop track
immediately to the N of Mota Nabuc and NW of Hasain village. The formation was also intersected
in six petroleum exploration wells drilled within the Suai quadrangle by Timor Oil during the 1960s
and 1970s (Matai-1, -1A, -3, -4; Suai Loro-2; Cota-Taçi-1). To date, the Dartollu Formation is the only
lithostratigraphic interval from which flowing oil has been recovered to the surface in significant
quantities (from Matai-1/1A at a rate reported as 110 barrels per day; and from Cota Taçi-1 at a rate
of 240 barrels per day).

The section exposed in Mota Nabuc is approximately 200m long with a fairly consistent dip of ~20°
to the NW (Figure 2), suggesting an exposed stratigraphic thickness of perhaps 50m (further detailed
study required). Lithologies include whitish, in part bedded, in part nodular limestones locally rich in
large benthic foraminifera; also sedimentary breccias and biocalcarenites. Samples from this section
have been dated as Late Eocene by D.J. Haig (analyses of Timor GAP samples for Timor Resources:
see the Palaeontology section). In terms of reservoir potential for petroleum exploration, the Nabuc
section shows little evidence of significant primary intergranular porosity, but intraclastic porosity
may be present in the sedimentary breccias, and the outcrops show pronounced vertical open
fractures that may suggest the possibility of both substantial fracture porosity and good
permeability. This section appears to have normal faulted contact with the Lolotoi Complex to the
north, and presumably overlies the Lolotoi Complex unconformably – a relation seen more clearly at
outcrop in the adjacent Ogues quadrangle.

Audley-Charles (personal communication to Tobing, 1989) suggested that the originally defined type
section of the Dartollu Formation at Dartollu village 15km WNW of Suai (Fatululik quadrangle) was
inadequately exposed, and that a new type section for the formation should be defined. It was
suggested in the Timor GAP lithostratigraphy (Charlton et al., 2020 unpublished) that the section in
Mota Nabuc could provide an alternative type locality.

A particularly significant outcrop of Dartollu Formation occurs on the ridgetop track to the NW of
Hasain village at (9°15.218’S, 125°16.677’E). Poor outcrop along the track floor exposes boulders of
Maubisse Group vesicular basalts and limestones (including characteristically crinoidal limestones)
enclosed within a limestone matrix containing Alveolina large benthic foraminifera typical of the
Dartollu Formation. The Dartollu Formation in this area therefore shows clear stratigraphic
relationship with both the Lolotoi Complex (well established by previous studies), but also with the
Maubisse Group. While the Lolotoi Complex and Dartollu Formation have often been widely
interpreted as allochthonous (‘Asian’) structural elements in the Timor collision complex, the
Maubisse Group is clearly a parautochthonous (‘Australian’) tectonstratigraphic element (e.g.
Charlton et al., 2002), and the same Australian margin origin must therefore also apply to the
Dartollu Formation, and by extension the Lolotoi Complex.

In petroleum exploration wells the Dartollu Formation was described as follows:

Matai-series wells: Belford (1961) examined limestone cuttings from Matai-1 that were certainly
datable to the Late Eocene (on the occurrence of the genera Borelis and Pellatispira), while the

24
Early-Middle Eocene may also be present, represented by longer-ranging genera such as Alveolina –
see the Palaeontology section below for further details. Although the Dartollu Formation was
probably also present in the Matai-1A, -3 & -4 wells (see Figure 6), no age determinations from these
intervals have been relocated. Matai-4 did, however, provide some useful additional lithological
data, summarised in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Lithological log from Matai-4 well (depths in feet). The section of limestones (blue) is undated, but
based on comparison with the dating from Matai-1 well, located only 80m away, the section is very likely
Dartollu Formation of Late Eocene and older age (see the text in this section and in the Palaeontology section
below). The Dartollu Formation may overlie the Lolotoi Complex (purple) unconformably. It is uncertain
whether the clays (brown) at the top of the section illustrated are Eocene clays (as in Cota Taçi-1 well) or
Bobonaro Complex (or other).

Suai Loro-2: Initial interpretations by Timor Oil geologists recognised a discrete 20’ (6m) bed of
basalt at 5060’ (1542m) depth, underlain by a 50’ (15m) zone of limestone identified as Eocene on
the presence of Alveolina and Nummulites benthic foraminifera (Timor Oil well abandonment report,
1971). Volcanic rocks have not been found in outcrop in association with the Dartollu Formation
across the broader Suai area, but such is a reasonable possibility from regional comparisons (e.g.
Carter et al., 1976; Haig et al., 2018). Carter (unpublished Palaeontological Report 10, 1971) was,
however, dubious on this interpretation of the Suai Loro-2 section, considering the various
lithologies in the cuttings to be derived from blocks within the Bobonaro Complex rather than from a
coherent stratigraphic section. From cuttings below 5080’ depth Carter reported a pale cream to
yellowish rubbly, reefal limestone lithology, dated to the Late Eocene on benthic foraminifera.
Although he considered these as probably deriving from clasts within the Bobonaro Complex, the
limestones clearly originated from the Dartollu Formation. In the same cuttings interval Carter also
found a grey silty shale lithology of deeper marine aspect containing planktonic foraminifera yielding
a late Middle Eocene age (see the Palaeontology section below for further documentation of both
faunas).

Cota Taçi-1: The best drill section through the Dartollu Formation was found in the Cota Taçi-1 well
(Figure 11; see also further description in the Palaeontology section below). Sidewall cores from this
interval yielded the following (D.J. Carter, unpublished Palaeontological Report 16, 1972b):

25
 8200’: Silty clay consisting of abundant small rock fragments including a fine ashy(?)
sandstone with shale stringers, Lolotoi schist, and unfossiliferous, fine-grained grey
limestone. The rock contained a foraminiferal fauna interpreted by Carter as late Middle
Eocene in age (see the Palaeontology section for this and other sidewall core age
determinations). This sample was, however, considered to be derived from a block within
the Bobonaro Complex.

8300’: A dark grey and reddish-brown mottled waxy clay containing a rich planktonic
foraminiferal assemblage of late Middle Eocene age. This was interpreted by Carter as either
a block with within the Bobonaro Complex, or an in situ but disturbed stratigraphic section
of the Dartollu Formation.

8395’: A sheared, dark grey silty argillaceous limestone and shale with rotten calcite veins
and poorly preserved Nummulites and Discocyclina in flood abundance.

8424’: Recrystallised grey limestone packed with poorly preserved Asterocyclina and
Nummulites.

8426’: Shattered dark grey argillaceous limestone with stringers of crystalline limestone and
grey shale containing poorly preserved Discocyclina, Asterocyclina and Nummulites sp.
Carter considered these latter three sidewall cores to have been taken from an in situ but
disturbed Dartollu Limestone succession of early Middle Eocene age.

The section dated as Middle Eocene in Cota Taçi-1 is underlain either unconformably or with faulted
contact by the Lolotoi Complex, and is overlain with apparently transitional sheared structural
relationship by the Bobonaro mélange complex (Figure 11).

Figure 11: Dartollu Formation (Eocene) section in the Cota Taçi-1 well. Depths in feet. Black triangles indicate
the location of sidewall cores. The blue interval corresponds to Middle Eocene Dartollu Formation limestones
(‘Coinassa Member’: see text); the brown interval to the stratigraphically succeeding late Middle Eocene shale
interval (‘Cota Taçi Member’). The underlying Lolotoi Complex is shown in purple; the succeeding Bobonaro
Complex in grey.

26
Considering all the outcrop and well intersections of the Dartollu Formation across the Suai area, the
formation ranges in age through the Middle and Late Eocene. The oldest well-dated faunal
assemblage is from the shallow marine limestones sampled in the sidewall core at 8426’ depth in
Cota Taçi-1, which Carter (unpublished Palaeontological Report 16, 1972b) dated to the early Middle
Eocene. This basal limestone succession in Cota Taçi-1 apparently passes upward stratigraphically
into deeper marine shales containing a planktonic foraminiferal assemblage of later Middle Eocene
age. Comparable deeper marine shales also yielding a late Middle Eocene planktonic foraminiferal
fauna were encountered in Suai Loro-2 in cuttings below 5080’ depth, while a separate benthic
foraminiferal assemblage from the same cuttings interval were derived from Upper Eocene shallow
marine limestones (Carter, unpublished Palaeontological Report 10, 1971). Upper Eocene shallow
marine limestones have also been identified from outcrop in the Suai-Ranuc area (Crespin, 1956),
from the Matai-1 well (Belford, 1961), and from the Mota Nabuc outcrop section (D.J. Haig,
unpublished report to Timor Resources). In summary, there appears to be a consistent stratigraphy
for the Dartollu Formation of the Suai area, that can be described in terms of three members:

• Shallow marine limestones with Pellatispira, Biplanispira and/or Borelis (Late Eocene, ‘Matai
Member’);

• Deeper marine shales/silty shales with planktonic foraminifera (late Middle Eocene, ‘Cota Taçi
Member’);

• Shallow marine limestones with Nummulites or Alveolina (early Middle Eocene, ‘Coinassa
Member’). This name is assigned based on precedence for the apparently comparable Coinassa
Limestone described by Brunnschweiler (1978) from the Samé area.

The lowermost Coinassa Member is estimated to be 23m thick and the Suai Loro Member 44m thick
in the Cota Taçi-1 well (see Figure 11). The Matai Member is at least 10-15m thick in the Matai-1
well if Belford’s (1961) interpretation of an in situ succession between about 960-1000’ is correct,
but could be substantially thicker. Late Eocene ages were determined at two levels in Matai-1: in the
depth range 760-830’ based on the occurrence of Borelis sp. benthic foraminifera; and in the depth
ranges 830-880’ and 980-1000’ on the occurrence of Pellatispira sp. If there is an essentially intact
sedimentary section between 760’ and 1000’ depth in Matai-1 (very uncertain), then the (latest
Middle and) Late Eocene Matai Member might be at least 240’ (73m) thick. In the nearby Matai-4
well (80m distant from the dated Matai-1 section) the presumed Eocene limestone interval is
undated but is better constrained in terms of lithology and thickness (Figure 11), with the
dominantly limestone section 275’ (84m) thick. The outcrop section in Mota Nabuc, which would
correlate with the Matai Member based on Late Eocene age determinations, also has a broadly
comparable stratigraphic thickness, with the outcropping section estimated to be about 50m thick
(as suggested above). The combined stratigraphic thickness for these three members compares well
with Audley-Charles’s (1968) original estimate of 100m stratigraphic thickness for the Dartollu
Limestone in his suggested type locality.

Preliminary interpretation suggests that these three members may be correlatable between the Suai
and Samé areas. The section defined as the Coinassa Member in the Cota Taçi well apparently
correlates in age and lithology with the Coinassa Limestone of Brunnschweiler (1978) in the Samé
area, and with the Nummulites- and Alveolina-bearing limestones described by Haig & McCartain
(2007). The Cota Taçi Member appears to correlate closely in age and lithology with the planktonic
foraminiferal mudstones reported by Brunnschweiler (1978) and Haig & McCartain (2007) from the
western suburbs of Samé town. Late Eocene limestones containing Carpenteria sp. reported by

27
Audley-Charles (1968) from ‘north of Samé’ may correspond to the Matai Member of the Suai area,
although all these correlations will require additional future study.

Bobonaro Complex

Grey colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Bobonaro Complex is shown on the geological map (Figure 2 and accompanying 1:25,000 scale
map) outcropping over an area of approximately 10km2 in the NW of the quadrangle; in a narrow
zone along the valley of the small stream Mota Hulis immediately west of the hill Foho Matai; in the
valley of Mota Zolai; and in the valley of an unnamed small stream between Mota Zolai and Mota
Foura. Lithologies in these regions are predominantly shaly, although it is yet to be determined in
what proportions the various Mesozoic shale-dominated formations (e.g. Wai Luli, Babulu, Niplelo)
contribute to the broken formation and mélange of this mapping unit. Other lithologies present
within the Bobonaro unit are derived from other recognisable lithostratigraphic successions
including the Maubisse Group (primarily the limestone lithofacies, but also basic igneous rocks);
sandstone-shale succesions of the Lapunuf Formation of the Babulu Group (including successions of
the sandstone-dominant Foura Member); the Niplelo Formation and probably the Perdido
Formation. These various lithostratigraphic elements have not been mapped separately as they are
generally exposed in only single isolated outcrops or even single blocks within clay mélange, with no
lateral continuity apparent. Small outcrops of Lolotoi Complex within the northwestern outcrop area
may be inliers exposed beneath, rather than blocks within, the Bobonaro Complex, and the same
may also be true for the Maubisse Group (see further discussion in the Structure section). The hill
Foho Holbellis was apparently described by Warwick (unpublished report to Timor Oil, 1970) as a
‘huge block of Cablac Limestone resting in the Bobonaro Scaly Clay’, but this massif is treated here as
a distinct mappable massif of Perdido Formation separate from the Bobonaro Complex.

Batu Putih Formation

Although not present in sufficient outcrop for separate mapping to be feasible at the 1:25,000 scale,
occasional isolated outcrops of the distinctive Batu Putih Formation lithology (massive to poorly
bedded soft marly limestones with planktonic foraminifera) are recognised occasionally at outcrop
within the Suai quadrangle, and this lithology has also been recognised as a distinct stratigraphic
interval in at least one petroleum exploration well.

The Batu Putih Formation lithology was specifically noted during fieldwork by the Timor GAP team at
three places within the Suai quadrangle, while the best exposed example occurs in the lower Mota
Foura section, which would locate 70m north of the northern quadrangle boundary based on its GPS
latitude (9°14.960’S, 125°20.528’E) but which plots on the northern boundary of the map
quadrangle after grid system correction (see later). This outcrop is approximately 100m north of the
faulted northern boundary of the Suai Basin, south of which the Viqueque Formation is exposed (see
further description in the Structure section below). The best observed exposure of the Batu Putih
Formation within the quadrangle was in new cuttings for the Suai-Zumalai highway at (9°15.972’S,
125°18.758’E – location now buried under the road construction). In each of these outcrops the soft
marly Batu Putih limestone forms blocks within grey shale mélange of the Bobonaro Complex, but at

28
(9°17.159’S, 125° 17.726’E) the Batu Putih limestone-marl lithology may be in transitional contact
with shales and sandstones of the Viqueque Formation (Timor Resources field observation).

Carter (Progress Report 2 to Timor Oil, 1970c) reported a white marl at the base of the Viqueque
Formation section in the Suai-1 petroleum exploration well. Although no further information is
available regarding this interval, the lithology would appear clearly assignable to the Batu Putih
Formation (in the Timor GAP lithostratigraphic definition: Charlton et al., 2020 unpublished) based
on its stratigraphic position immediately below the Viqueque Formation. In the nearby Suai-2 well
Carter reported that this limestone interval was not present at the base of the Viqueque section, but
that derived fragments of it were reworked into the Viqueque section below 3100’ depth.

Regionally the Batu Putih Formation is dated to planktonic foraminiferal zones N18-N21 (latest
Miocene to Late Pliocene: Haig, 2012), and the single dated sample from the Suai quadrangle yields
a N19 zonal age (Carter, unpublished report, 1970e – see the Palaeontology section), consistent with
Haig’s regional age determinations.

Viqueque Formation

Light green colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Viqueque Formation is mapped in three main outcrop areas within the Suai quadrangle:
immediately north of Matai village, and in two areas between the Raiketan and Foura rivers
separated by an outcrop area of Ainaro Formation that overlies the Viqueque Formation in a minor
syncline. In addition there is a well-exposed section of the Viqueque Formation in the east bank of
Mota Foura just within the northern limit of the quadrangle. In all cases the Viqueque Formation
outcrop areas are bounded to the south by younger sediments (Ainaro Formation or alluvium), while
to the north outcrop areas are bounded by older mapping units where this boundary is not obscured
by other younger sediments mapped as the paralic Suai Formation, which drilling suggests is the
direct upward stratigraphic continuation of the slightly older and deeper water Viqueque Formation.
The Viqueque Formation was also intersected in most petroleum exploration wells drilled within the
Suai Basin.

The best exposed section of Viqueque Formation within the Suai quadrangle is that along Mota
Foura between (9°15.041’S, 125°20.249’E) and (9°15.157’S, 125°20.622’E). A 75m thick stratigraphic
section was logged by the Timor GAP Onshore Block geological team (Figure 12), and samples from
this section analysed by P.T. Rafflesia Baru indicate a Late Pliocene-earliest Pleistocene age for the
entire sampled section (see the Palaeontology section for further details). Environments of
deposition ranged from bathyal to outer neritic and possibly middle neritic. The succession consists
of interbedded sandstones, locally conglomeratic, interbedded with calcareous shales, and the
succession is considered to be turbiditic in origin, showing sedimentary structures including graded
bedding and sedimentary channelling, and also showing syn-sedimentary normal faulting. At the
northern end of the Mota Foura section the Viqueque Formation appears to be in normal fault
contact with Bobonaro Complex mélange containing blocks of Batu Putih Formation, and then
immediately upstream, within the area of the Lolotoe map quadrangle, by more regular outcrops of
Niplelo and Aitutu Formation (see further description in the Structure section). This boundary with
mélange may in part result from shale diapirism, and an interval of intrusive shale mélange is
recognised within the logged stratigraphic section (Figure 12), the intrusion apparently following a

29
bedding surface. The exposed Viqueque Formation section is overlain by the Ainaro Formation
above a well-exposed shallowly southward-dipping unconformity surface.

Other exposures of the Viqueque Formation within the Suai quadrangle are rather limited, with
minor outcrop seen in Mota Nabuc and in the small stream Mota Matai northward from Matai
village. In Mota Nabuc the best exposed section is at (9°16.942’S, 125°16.713’E) where an outcrop at
least 100m long exposes light to medium grey shale with occasional interbeds of siltstone and fine
sandstone. Hand specimens show abundant planktonic foraminifera. Slump folds indicate
sedimentary movement towards the west. In Matai village the well-known oil seeps emerge into the
small stream which has exposures of dm-thick sandstones interbedded with metre-scale light to
medium grey shales. The oil can be seen emerging from the outcropping sand beds, apparently
migrating updip along the porous sand beds between the impermeable shales (see further
description in the Oil and Gas Seeps section below).

Examples of Viqueque Formation intersected in petroleum exploration wells include that in the
Matai-5 well drilled near Camanaça village (precise drill site not relocated: Figure 7) and in the Suai-
1, -2 & -2A; Suai Loro-1 & -2; and Cota Taçi-1 wells (Figure 9). In the latter three wells, all located
along the coastline SE of Suai town, slightly more than 1000m of Viqueque Formation section was
intersected, the greatest thicknesses known within the area of the Suai quadrangle. Despite this
maximum thickness, however, the Viqueque section in these wells furthest from the northern basin
margin is remarkable for being almost entirely composed of shale sediments, with sandstones very
reduced in proportion compared to the relatively more proximal Viqueque sections exposed in Mota
Foura (Figure 12) and in the Matai-5 and Suai-series wells, in which sandstones may comprise 30-
50% of the sedimentary succession. Age controls from these well sections are relatively limited, but
samples examined by D.J. Carter in various reports to Timor Oil suggest (later?) Late Pliocene or
Pleistocene ages for the Viqueque Formation (see the Palaeontology section).

30
Figure 12: Lithological log of the Viqueque Formation exposed in the lower Mota Foura section.

31
Suai Formation

Medium blue colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Suai Formation represents shallow marine but non-reefal sediments of broadly Pleistocene age.
Audley-Charles (1968) described the Suai Formation as similar to, and transitional downward into,
the underlying Viqueque Formation, but with the Suai Formation lacking consolidated sediments. He
defined the type locality of the Suai Formation as the coastal plain around Suai village, but noted a
lack of good exposure. Recent road cuts east and west of Suai town have more clearly shown the
Suai Formation at exposure, where the commonest lithology is buff coloured silty claystones. This is
best seen in road cuttings immediately west of Suai in the Ogues quadrangle, but is also seen within
the Suai quadrangle in cuttings along the Suai-Zumalai highway, e.g. at (9°16.505’S, 125°18.008’E)
where light grey and brown siltstones and fine sandstones, well bedded on a dm scale, underlie
Baucau Formation limestones. Similar lithologies are also exposed just east of Mota Foura around
(9°15.364’S, 125°20.931’E) where uniform and massive khaki-brown calcareous siltstone and
sandstone are seen. Further outcrops immediately north of this show increasing proportions of hard
cobbles, and there is a clear lateral transition from the Suai Formation into the Ainaro Formation.

As Audley-Charles (1968) indicated, the Suai Formation is best defined in petroleum exploration
wells, although drilling results to date do not adequately define this shallow-level and non-
commercial succession. Audley-Charles (1968) suggested 600m of section attributable to the Suai
Formation in the Matai-5 well, but seismic data suggests that this may be excessive. In Suai-2, Core
No. 1 from 618-637’ depth was probably still within the Suai Formation, described by D.J. Carter
(core report to Timor Oil, 1970b) as composed of soft, pale grey to olive-green or buff coloured
slightly silty to silty muds and mudstones, often showing small lumps and streaks of whitish marl,
and containing an extensive fauna of planktonic and benthic foraminifera indicating a Pleistocene
age (see the Palaeontology section). The deeper Core No. 2, (2154-2174’) consisted of hard, dense
gravel and pale buff to grey fine grained muddy sandstone yielding only a poor fauna of benthic
foraminifera described by Carter as typical of the Viqueque Formation. The boundary between the
Viqueque Formation and Suai Formation was estimated by Timor Oil at approximately 1420’ (433m)
depth, but the boundary is transitional and the boundary placement is somewhat arbitrary.

Ainaro Formation

Brown colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Ainaro Formation can be broadly defined as ‘older river gravels’ of suspected Pleistocene age.
Within the Suai quadrangle the Ainaro Formation occupies three principal mapping areas: around
Suai town; between the Raiketan and Foura rivers; and on the east bank of Mota Foura. The
formation consists typically of conglomerates up to cobble grade, but fining down into sandstones
and finer grained sediments, and there appears to be a complete transition from this interpreted
alluvial facies into marginal marine facies of the contemporaneous Suai Formation.

Most of the main outcrop areas of the palaeo-alluvial Ainaro Formation in the broader Suai area are
associated with the main present-day rivers, and probably indicate a general persistance of drainage
patterns since the Pleistocene. In the Suai quadrangle the Ainaro occurrences around Suai town are
probably associated with a palaeo-Caraulun river, while the Foura occurrences presumably indicate a

32
persistence of that river since the Pleistocene. The third mapped area, however, appears to have a
distinct structural control, occupying a syncline within the Suai Basin. This syncline will be discussed
further in the Structure section.

Baucau Formation

Light blue colour mapping unit on Figure 2

The Baucau Formation is a widely occurring lithological unit across Timor island, corresponding to
Quaternary reef limestones. It is characterised by very hard limestones which commonly contain
coral heads and other reefal faunal elements such as the bivalve Tridacna, with the extreme
induration of this lithological unit the result of cementation within the reefal environment. Although
the distinction of this unit from the contemporaneous Suai Formation is somewhat arbitrary, the
differentiation for mapping purposes is justified by the clear morphological expression of these hard,
indurated limestones compared with the generally soft lithologies of the Suai Formation. The
boundary between these two formations is, however, entirely transitional, as indeed is the transition
to the contemporaneous Ainaro Formation, although less commonly seen at exposure.

In the Suai quadrangle two main outcrop areas of Baucau Formation are mapped, corresponding to
the crests of two hills either side of the Nabuc river valley. These two hills (Foho Matai to the
southwest and Foho Sanati to the northeast), are believed to correspond to two very young
inversion anticlines, as will be discussed further in the Structure section. Inversion folding during the
Quaternary has apparently folded the hard carapace of Baucau limestone into a pair of anticlines,
with the presence of these hard limestones preventing erosion of the underlying stratigraphic
section, thus preserving the young folds as two distinct hills (a previous interpretation of a single
‘Matai Anticline’ through these two hills will be discussed further in the Structure section).

Alluvium

Yellow colour mapping unit on Figure 2

Alluvium is the most extensive mapping unit depicted on the Suai quadrangle map, covering nearly
half of the onshore area. Within the quadrangle alluvium forms an extensive coastal plain from the
mouth of Mota Caraulun in the southwest to the southern distributary streams of Mota Foura in the
northeast (Figure 2 and accompanying full-scale map). The unit is also mapped as extending further
north up the larger rivers including Mota Nabuc and Mota Raiketan. Apart from these upstream
areas, the alluvial plain largely corresponds to areas now known from seismic data to be underlain
by the Suai Basin (as described further in the Structure section). Lithologies are typical of alluvium
regionally, consisting of unconsolidated conglomerates, sands and finer clastic sediments showing
typical alluvial sedimentary structures.

33
Palaeontology

Aitutu Formation

Kutassy (1930/1) examined fossils collected from the Suai area by L. von Loczy, although location
descriptions are rather imprecise. Kutassy described a sample containing Daonella bivalves collected
on the bank north of Fort Suai. The old Portuguese fortaleza at Suai is located near the south coast,
just to the west of the Cota Taçi-1 well, and no Mesosoic outcrop is known from that area. If the
location reference is instead to a fort in present-day Suai town, then the sample was presumably
collected in Mota Caraulun to the north, perhaps from outcrops near Ogues village immediately
west of the Suai quadrangle. In strongly folded grey marly limestones Kutassy recognised Daonella
indica Bittner as the most common species, with numerous other poorly preserved specimens
including Daonella sp. ex aff. D. cassiana Mojsisovics. He assigned this sample a Ladinian-Carnian
age. A second sample, reportedly collected north of Suai on the banks of the Carauulum river, was a
grey Halobia lumachelle rock including Halobia styriaca Mojsisovics, thought to be of Carnian age. A
third locality was named as Metan Reef [or Metan Cliff in the Hungarian version of this paper],
described as located to the north of Fort Suai. This site has not been relocated. The rock was
described as a red ammonite calcareous limestone reminiscent of the red Hallstatt marble [of the
Alps]. The sample contained a rich ammonite fauna, but individuals were mostly very small and
poorly preserved. Fragments of Triassic Juvavites or Anatomites were recognisable, together with a
new species of belemnite, named as Aulacoceras striatus. This rock was assigned a Carnian age.

The first two samples probably derive from the Aitutu Formation, and the Ladinian to Carnian ages
indicated are typical for the Aitutu Formation regionally (Charlton et al., 2009; Charlton et al., 2020
unpublished). The third sample from ‘Metan Reef’ is too imprecisely known to assign with any
certainty to a particular formation.

Tchinver Formation

Radiolarian specialist Munasri (unpublished report to Timor GAP, 2020) examined cuttings material
from a previously undated section at the base of the Suai Loro-1 petroleum exploration well (4990–
5088’ depth). Of ten samples examined, two yielded datable radiolarian faunas: Sample 5 from 5050’
depth, and Sample 7 from 5060’ (Figure 13). The ages determined for these two samples are late
Oxfordian to early Kimmeridgian for the deeper sample, and late Kimmeridgian to early Tithonian for
the higher sample. As described in the Stratigraphy section, the lithologies for this interval (red non-
calcareous shale, light grey micritic limestone, minor calcareous shale and arenite; and red shale
grading to siltstone, light grey micritic limestone and quartz arenite: Timor Oil, Suai Loro-1
abandonment report, 1971) taken together with the determined Late Jurassic age, suggests that this
interval at the base of Suai Loro-1 well should be assigned to the Tchinver Formation (Charlton &
Gandara, 2014).

34
Figure 13. Biostratigraphic range of selected radiolarian species from samples (No. 7-5060 and No. 5-5050) of
the Suai Loro-1 well, based on the Unitary Association Zones (Baumgartner et al., 1995) and Jurassic
radiolarian zonation of Gawlick et al. (2009). Chronostratigraphic age in Ma after International Commission on
Stratigraphy (2020). This figure is taken from Munasri (unpublished report to Timor GAP, 2020).

35
Kolbano Group

[Note that planktonic foraminiferal zonations in square brackets are the zone ranges assigned to the
named species by Boudagher-Fadel (2013)].

From Cota Taçi-1 (Carter, Palaeontological Report 15, 1972a):

Sidewall core (SWC) 3640’: Sheared waxy buff and pale grey clay yielding a washed residue of hard
white marl pellets and free planktonics:

Globorotalia formosa formosa-velascoensis transition [Morozovella formosa P6-P7; M.

velascoensis P4-P5]
Globorotalia rex
Globorotalia pseudomenardii [Planorotalites pseudomenardii P4]
Globorotalia ehrenbergi [Pseudomenardella ehrenbergi P3-P4]
Globorotalia angulata angulata [Morozovella angulata P3-P5]
Globorotalia angulata abundocamerata
Globorotalia guetra
Globorotalia brodermanni [Igorina broedermanni P5-P11]
Globigerina primitiva [Acarinina primitiva P5-P12]
Globigerina triangularis [Subbotina triangularis P2-P6]
Globigerina trinidadensis
Globigerina pseudobulloides [Parasubbotina pseudobulloides P1-P4]
Racemiguembelina fructicosa [Late Maastrichtian]
Gublerina ornata
Gublerina decoratissima [Sigella decoratissima Late Santonian]
Planulina glabrata [Ventibarella glabrata Campanian]
Planulina acervulinoides [Planoglobulina acervulinoides Late Maastrichtian]
Heterohelix striata [Santonian-Maastrichtian]
Pseudotextularia elegans elegans [Campanian-Maastrichtian]
Pseudoguembelina excolata costulata [Campanian-Maastrichtian]
Ruboglobigerina rugosa group [Campanian-Maastrichtian]
Abathomphalus mayaroensis [Late Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana fornicata [Contusotruncana fornicata Coniacian-Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana contusa [Contusotruncana contusa Late Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana stuarti [Globotruncanita stuarti Late Campanian-Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana stuartiformis [Globotruncanita stuartiformis Late Santonian-Early
Campanian]
Globotruncana ventricosa [Campanian-Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana elevata group [Globotruncanita elevata Late Santonian-Early Campanian]
Globotruncana concavata [Concavotruncana concavata Coniacian-Santonian]
Globotruncana arca [Santonian-Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana linneiana linneiana [Santonian-Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana linneiana coronata [Marginotruncana coronata Turonian-Santonian]
Globotruncana rosetta [Late Campanian-Maastrichtian]

36
 Globigerinelloides escheri
Hedbergella amabilis [Clavihedbergella amabilis Late Cenomanian]
Hedbergella spp.
Praeglobotruncana delrioensis [Hedbergella delrioensis Late Aptian-Santonian]
Praeglobotruncana stephani [Late Albian-Turonian]
Rotalipora turonica
Planomalina buxtorfi [Albian-Cenomanian]
Carter assigned this sample an Early Eocene age, describing the rock as Kolbano facies. As is typical
of the Kolbano facies, there is a large reworked fauna of Paleocene and Late Cretaceous age.

SWC 7330’: The sample was described as a pale buff to pink, slightly silty, waxy clay that on washing
yielded a residue of disaggregated pink calcilutite with occasional glauconite grains. Carter
interpreted this as a block within the Bobonaro Complex, although derived from the Kolbano Group
based on lithology and age. The fauna listed for this sample:

Globigerina primitiva
Globigerina soldadoensis angulata [Acarinina soldadoensis P5-P8]
Globigerina triloculinoides [Subbotina triloculinoides P2-P5]
Globorotalia angulata [Morozovella angulata P3-P5]
Globorotalia aragonensis [Morozovella aragonensis P7-P11]
Globorotalia rex
Globorotalia bullbrooki [Acarinina bulbrooki P7-P11]
Globorotalia aequa [Morozovella aequa P3-P6]
Globorotalia formosa group [Morozovella formosa P7]
Globorotalia broedermanni [Igorina broedermanni P5-P11]
Globotruncana linneiana linneiana [Globotruncana linneiana Coniacian-Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana linneiana coronata [Marginotruncana coronata Turonian-Santonian]
Globotruncana arca [Santonian-Maastrichtian]
G. ventricosa [Campanian-Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana stuarti [Campanian-Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana conica [Maastrichtian]
Globotruncana rosetta [Campanian-Maastrichtian]
Ruboglobigerina rosetta group
Rotalipora greenhornensis [Thalmanninella greenhornensis Cenomanian]
The youngest species recognised based on the zonation of Boudagher-Fadel (2013) are from zones
P7-P11 (late Early to early Middle Eocene) which probably represents the age of the rock, although
the samples also contain a substantial older reworked fauna of Paleocene and Late Cretaceous age.

SWC 7350’: A dark grey and reddish-brown sheared waxy clay yielding a washed residue of pink
crystalline calcite, white radiolarite and white marl. Loose in the washed residue was the following
fauna:
Haplophragmoides sp. indet.
Heterohelix sp. [Late Cretaceous]

37
 Globorotalia lehneri [P11-P13]
Globorotalia bullbrooki [Acarinina bulbrooki P7-P11]
Truncoroaloides rohri [P12-P14]
Gyroidinoides sp.
Carter interpreted this sample as Middle Eocene in age with reworked Late Cretaceous species.

Dartollu Formation

Belford (1961) reported that the Matai-1 bore penetrated limestone between 760-830’ depth. Four
samples examined from this interval contained larger foraminifera, indeterminate smaller
foraminifera and algae. The larger foraminifera include:

Discocyclina spp.
Alveolina sp.
Borelis sp.
Amphistegina sp.
Miocene smaller foraminifera were also common in the cuttings through this interval, but despite
this Belford concluded that there was no evidence of any age other than Eocene for the limestones.
On the available evidence Belford considered that the presence of Miocene foraminifera was either
a result of contamination in the cuttings, or that the Eocene limestones occur as smaller blocks
contained within Miocene beds (i.e., within the Bobonaro Complex).

Between 830-880’ depth are red limestones (no samples available to Belford), and then further clays
with blocks of limestone, the clays yielding a Miocene fauna similar to those between 370-760’
depth (see the Bobonaro Complex Palaeontology sub-section). Then in cuttings between 960-980’
depth an Eocene fauna was recognised including:

Discocyclina spp.
Pellatispira glabra Umbgrove
Amphistegina sp.
A further specimen of P. glabra was also found in the cuttings between 980-1000’ depth. In the
1020-1040’ depth interval and also in a circulation sample at 1024’ depth, limestones contained
larger foraminifera (Discocyclina spp. common; also Alveolina ovicula Nuttall), indeterminate smaller
foraminifera and algae. This interval was also determined as Eocene in age. [Alveolina ovicula
appears to occur primarily in the Early-Middle Eocene (Ypresian-Lutetian) of the Indo-Pacific region
from a brief review of publications online].

In Suai Loro-2, D.J. Carter (unpublished Palaeontological Report 10, 1971) examined cuttings from
5080-5200’ depth. This was clearly a section still within the Bobonaro Complex, comprising
intermixed lithologies of diverse origin. However, Carter was able to isolate two distinct Eocene
faunas. The first was from a lithology described as a pale cream to yellowish, rubbly reefal limestone,
yielding:

38
 Pellatispira orbitoides
Pellatispira madraszi
Pellatispira crassicolumnata
Discocyclina sowerbyi
Discocyclina dispansa
Fasciolites sp.
Nummulites djokdjokartae
Nummulites pengaronensis
Carter considered this fauna as characteristic of the Upper Eocene Dartollu Limestone.

A second fauna, from a grey silty shale, contained:

Globorotalia centralis [Turborotalia centralis, P11-P17]
Truncorotaloides rohri [P12-P14]
Globigerapsis index [P10-P17]
Bulimina jacksonensis s.s.
Uvigerina cf. cocoaensis [Carinoturborotalia cocoaensis, P14-P17]
Cicibides ungerianus
etc.
which Carter considered definitive of the Middle Eocene, and a deepwater assemblage. Based on the
presence of Truncatulinoides rohri, this fauna would appear to be from zones P12-P14 (later Middle
Eocene) in the zonation of Boudagher-Fadel (2013).

The geological section intersected by the Cota Taçi-1 well is shown in Figure 11. Carter (unpubished
Palaeontological Report 16, 1972c), identified the following from sidewall cores (SWC):

SWC 5004’: A dark clay waxy clay containing:

Truncorotaloides rohri [P12-P14]

Globigerinapsis semiinvoluta [Porticulasphaera semiinvoluta P15-P16]
Globigerina yeguaensis [Dentoglobigerina yeguaensis P12-P14]
Carter interpreted this fauna as late Middle to early Late Eocene age, while the zonation of
Boudagher-Fadel (2013) would suggest a P14/P15 boundary age, i.e. latest Middle Eocene. The grey
shale lithology with Truncatulinoides rohri etc. appears identical with the Cota Taçi Member of the
Dartollu Formation as outlined in the Stratrigraphy section above. The sample, however, also yielded
a fauna from reworked pink limestone containing:

Globorotalia rex
Globorotalia formosa formosa [Morozovella formosa P6-P7]
Globigerina triangularis [Subbotina triangularis P2-P6]
Globigerina primitiva [Acarinina primitiva P5-P12]
Globigerina triloculinoides [Subbotina triloculinoides P2-P5]
Rotalipora greenhornensis [Thalmanninella greenhornensis Cenomanian]

39
Carter described these reworked fragments as Kolbano facies. The reworking of typical Kolbano
facies limestone into the Cota Taçi Member of the Dartollu Formation would appear to provide a
stratigraphic link between the Australian margin Kolbano Group and the Dartollu Formation which is
widely (but perhaps incorrectly) considered allochthonous.

SWC 8200’: Silty clay consisting of abundant small rock fragments including a fine ashy(?) sandstone
with shale stringers, Lolotoi schist, and unfossiliferous, fine-grained grey limestone. Free in the
residue were:

Truncorotaloides rohri [P12-P14]

Globorotalia bullbrooki [Acarinina bulbrooki P7-P11]
Globigerina spp.
Uvigerina sp.
Bulimina sp.
interpreted by Carter as Bobonaro Scaly Clay including this high Middle Eocene planktonic
foraminiferal assemblage.

SWC 8300: Dark grey and reddish-brown mottled waxy clay containing a rich assemblage of high
Middle Eocene planktonic foraminifera, including:

Globorotalia centralis [Turborotalia centralis P11-P17]

Globorotalia lehneri [Morozovella lehneri P11-P14]
Globorotalia spinulosa [Morozovella spinulosa P9-P14]
Globorotaloides suteri? [P13-N8]
Globigerina venezuelana [Dentoglobigerina venezuelana P10-N19]
Pseudohastigerina micra [P7-P13]
Truncorotaloides rohri [P12-P14]
Truncorotaloides topilensis [P12-P14]
Globigerina yeguaensis [P12-P14]
etc.
Determination (Carter): Bobonaro consisting of slumped and reconstituted Middle Eocene
mudstone, or in situ but disturbed Middle Eocene.

SWC 8395’: Sheared dark grey silty argillaceous limestone and shale with rotten calcite veins. Poorly
preserved Nummulites spp. and Discocyclina sp. in flood abundance.

Determination (Carter): In situ but disturbed Dartollu Limestone (low Middle Eocene).

SWC 8424’: Recrystallised grey limestone packed with poorly preserved Asterocyclinae and
Nummulites spp.

Determination (Carter): In situ but disturbed Dartollu Limestone (low Middle Eocene).

40
SWC 8426’: Shattered dark grey argillaceous limestone with stringers of crystalline limestone and
grey shale containing poorly preserved Discocyclinae, Asterocyclinae and Nummulites sp.

Determination (Carter): In situ but disturbed Dartollu Limestone (low Middle Eocene).

A set of Dartollu Formation outcrop samples collected by the Timor GAP geological team from the
Mota Nabuc section was examined and dated by D.J. Haig on behalf of Timor Resources:

TGA-16 (9°15.544’S, 125°16.316’E): Discocyclinid floatstone with Pellatipira, Discocyclina,

Palaeonummulites, similar to TGA-17. Late Eocene.

TGA-17 (9°15.550’S, 125°16.311’E): Discocyclinid floatstone with Discocyclina,

Palaeonummulites, Pellatispira, smaller hyaline forams and abundant coralline algae and
common silicate grains in a grainstone matrix. Late Eocene.

TGA-19 (9°15.574’S, 125°16.277’E: Coralline algal grainstone with rare discocylinids and
pellatipirids (Pellatispira, Discocyclina, Fabiana). Late Eocene.

TGA-20 (9°15.617’S, 125°16.268’E: Discocyclinid floatstone with Pellatipira, Discocyclina,

Asterocyclina, Palaeonummulites, smaller hyaline forams and abundant coralline algae and
common silicate grains in a grainstone matrix. Late Eocene.

TGA-21 (=TGSN20) (9°15.616’S, 125°16.246’E): Discocyclinid floatstone with Discocyclina,

Palaeonummulites, Pellatispira, smaller hyaline forams and abundant coralline algae, and
common silicate grains in a grainstone matrix. Late Eocene.

Bobonaro Complex

Belford (1961) indicated that the Matai-1 drill section between 370-760’ was recorded by Timor Oil
as a block clay interval with a small band of limestone between 615-625’. In cuttings samples from
this section smaller foraminifera were found to be abundant, including both indigenous specimens
and specimens derived from older units. The fauna is uniform throughout the section and a
composite list of the species identified includes:

Globigerinoides quadrilobatus quadrilobatus (d'Orbigny) [G. quadrilobatus N4-N23]

Globigerinoides quadrilobatus (d’Orbigny) immaturus Le Roy [G. immaturus, N5-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus d'Orbigny trilobus (Reuss) [G. trilobus, N4-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus (d'Orbigny) irregularus Le Roy
Globigerinoides ruber (d'Orbigny) [N14-N23]
Globigerina bulloides d'Orbigny [N16-N23]
Globigerinoides subcretacea Lomnicki
Globorotalia cultrata (d'Orbigny) [N19-N23]
Globorotalia scitula (Brady) [N11-N23]

41
 Globorotalia truncatulinoides (d'Orbigny) [Truncorotalia truncatulinoides N22-N23]
Pulleniatina obliquiloculata (Parker and Jones) [N20-N23]
Sphaeroidinella dehiscens (Parker and Jones) [N19-N23]
Bolivinita quadrilatera (Schwager)
Pulleniatina bulloides (d'Orbigny)
Nonion pompilioides (Fichtel and Moll)
Cassidulina laevigata d'Orbigny
Ceratobulimina pacifica Cushman and Harris
Uvigerina sp.
Stilostomella lepidula (Schwager)
Bulimina aculeata d'Orbigny
Astrononion sp.
Hyalinea baIthica (Schroeter)
Sphaeroidina bulloides d'Orbigny
Bulimina inflata Seuguenza
Bolivina robusta (Brady)
Laticarinina pauperata (Parker and Jones)
Hoglundina elegans d’Orbigny)
The limestone band between 615-625’ also contains Amphistegina sp. and corals.

Belford (1961) interpreted an Upper Miocene age for this block clay [Bobonaro Complex] interval,
with derived specimens including Globotruncana spp., Rugoglobigerina sp. and Gumbelina sp. of
Upper Cretaceous age, and a keeled Globorotalia of a type characteristic of the Eocene. However,
the planktonic foraminiferal zonation of Boudagher-Fadel (2013) indicates that both Sphaeroidinella
dehiscens and Globorotalia cultrata are restricted to zones N19-N23: i.e., Pliocene or younger in age.
Carter (unpublished Palaeontological Report 1, 1970a) already recognised this younger age for
material within the Bobonaro Scaly Clay [Complex].

Batu Putih Formation

Carter (unpublished report to Timor Oil, 1970e) recorded a white marl ‘from the base of the
Viqueque section’ in Suai-1 well containing the following planktonic foraminifera:

Sphaeroidinellopsis subdehiscens subdehiscens [S. subdehiscens N13-N19]

Pullenitina obliquiloculata praecursor [P. praecursor N19-N22]
Sphaeroidinella dehiscens dehiscens [S. dehiscens N19-N23]
Globigerinoides gomitulus [N18-N22]
etc.
Carter interpreted this fauna as Early (or Middle?) Pliocene in age. The ranges of species in the
Boudagher-Fadel (2013) zonation, overlapping in zone N19, concurs with Carter’s originally
interpreted age. It should be noted, however, that Carter considered this sample probably slumped,
redeposited or reworked.

42
Viqueque Formation

From Suai-1 (D.J. Carter, well correlation report, 1970e), dated laminated grey clays from 2380-2430’
depth to the late Late Pliocene based on the occurrence of ‘typical specimens of Globorotalia
tosaensis tenuitheka and those transitional with G. truncatulinoides truncatulinoides’. In the
zonation of Boudagher-Fadel (2013) Truncorotalia tenuitheca has a range of late N21 to within N22,
and Truncorotalia truncatulinoides to zones N22-N23. If the species recorded by Carter match with
these two zone fossils, then the samples from this interval in Suai-1 may be Early (earliest?)
Pleistocene rather than latest Pliocene. However, the following sample, which is stratigraphically
higher, apparently yields a Late Pliocene age, and more strongly favours Carter’s original
interpretation of a Late Pliocene age.

From Suai-1 Core No. 1 (1362-1378’ depth, 4 foot recovery) Carter (Suai-1 core report, 1970b)
examined several pieces of core consisting of soft, greenish-grey to greyish-buff waxy clay with
abundant sand grains, irregularly laminated, firm, plastic silty clay and clayey silt. Indigenous
planktonic foraminifera include:
Globigerina bulloides [N16-N23]
Globigerina cf. bulloides
Globigerina parabulloides [N13-N22]
Globigerina rubescens [Globoturborotalita rubescens N20-N23]
Globigerina juvensis
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus trilobis [G. trilobus N5-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus quadrilobatus [G. quadrilobatus long ranging-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus sacculifer [G. sacculifer N5-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus immaturus? [G. immaturus N5-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus irregularus
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus cellatus
Globigerinoides gomitulus [N18-N22]
Globigerinoides ruber (group 2 variety of Parker) [G. ruber N14-N23]
Globigerinoides obliquus obliquus? [G. obliquus N5-N22]
Orbulina universa [N10-N23]
Sphaeroidinella dehiscens dehiscens [S. dehiscens N19-N23]
“Sphaeroidinellopsis” sp. 1
Globorotalia acostaensis pseudopima [Neogloboquadrina acostaensis N16-lower N21;
Paragloborotalia pseudopima N20-N23]
Globorotalia acostaensis humerosa [Neogloboquadrina humerosa N17-N22]
Globorotalia obesa obesa [Paragloborotalia obesa long ranging-N23]
Globorotalia crassaformis ronda [Truncorotalia crassaformis N16-N23; Truncorotalia ronda
N17-N23]
Globorotalia tumida tumida [G. tumida N18-N23]
Globorotalia cultrata menardii [G. cultrata N19-N23; G. menardii N12-N23]
Globorotalia cultrata exilis [G. exilis N19-early N21]
Globorotalia scitula scitula [G. scitula N11-N23]
Globorotalia acostaensis acostaensis [Neogloboquadrina acostaensis N17-early N21]

43
 Globorotalia tosaensis tenuitheka [Truncorotalia tosaensis N21-N22; Truncorotalia
tenuitheca late N21-N22]
Globoquadrina altispira altispira and derivatives [Dentoglobigerina altispira N4-early N21]
Pulleniatina obliquiloculata obliquiloculata [P. obliquiloculata N20-N23]
Globigerinita incrusta [N4-N23]
Globorotaloides variabilis hexagona [G. variabilis N8-N19; G. hexagonus N19-N23]
and an extensive list of derived planktonic species (not listed here) including Late Cretaceous and
Eocene forms.
The species listed overlap in early zone N21 in the zonation of Boudagher-Fadel (2013) (if correctly
cross-referenced), with Globorotalia exilis ranging as young as early zone N21, and Truncorotalia
tosaensis ranging as old as early N21 (although Truncorotalia tenuitheca ranges only as old as late
N21). A Late Pliocene age seems indicated, probably early zone N21.

At shallower levels in Suai-1 (610-880’) Carter interpreted an Early Pleistocene age, although the
planktonic foraminiferal fauna was reportedly poor, and was not listed.

From Suai-2 (D.J. Carter, core report to Timor Oil, 1970b):

Core No. 2, 2154-2174’ (1½’ recovered). From a sub-sample of a pale buff to grey fine-grained
muddy sandstone, the following benthic foraminiferal fauna was recovered:

Pyrgo sp. indet.

Elphidium advenum
Pararotalia sp.
Carter described these species as typical of the Viqueque Formation.

From Cota Taçi-1 (Carter, Palaeontological Report 15, 1972a):

Sidewall cores from between 1750-3390’ consist of dark grey laminated clays and soft muddy, silty
fine-grained sands. The clays and silty clays contain an extensive benthic foraminiferal fauna and the
following planktonic foraminifera:

Globigerina bulloides (very common, small) [N17-N23]

Globigerinita incrusta [N5-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus trilobus [both long-ranging to N23]
Globigerinoides gomitulus [N18-N22]
Globigerinoides ruber [N14-N23]
Globorotaloides hexagona hexagona (very small) [G. hexagonus N19-N23]
Globorotalia cultrata vexilis [G. cultrata N19-N23]
G. tumida tumida (very rare) [G. tumida N18-N23]
Also present were derived Eocene and Cretaceous planktonics (very rare), ostracods, echinoid
radioles and mollusc fragments.

44
The overlap of species in the Boudagher-Fadel (2013) range chart suggests an age within N19-N22
(Pliocene-Pleistocene), which is consistent with other determinations for the Viqueque Formation,
but is rather imprecise.

The sandy beds yield a benthic foraminiferal fauna not listed here, and the following planktonic
species:
Pulleniatina obliquiloculata obliquiloculata [P. obliquiloculata N20-N23]
Sphaeroidinella dehiscens dehiscens (fragments) [S. dehiscens N19-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus trilobus (fairly common) [both long-ranging to N23]
Globigerinoides gomitulus (fairly common) [N18-N22]
Globigerinoides ruber [N14-N23]
Globorotalia tumida tumida (fragments) [G. tumida N18-N23]
Globorotalia tosaensis – pachytheka group (very rare) [Truncorotalia tosaensis N21-N22;
Truncorotalia pachytheca N22-N23]
Also derived Eocene Globigerinae, radiolaria, lignite, gastropod fragments, siliceous sponge
fragments, echinoid plates and ostracods.

The planktonic foraminifera in the sandy facies slightly improves the age to N20-N22 (late Early
Pliocene-Pleistocene), which is again consistent with regional interpretations for the age of the
Viqueque Formation.

The sidewall core at 3415’ is from a crushed and sheared grey silty clay containing a rich planktonic
foraminiferal assemblage:

Globigerinita incrusta [N5-N23]

Globigerina rubescens [N20-N23]
Globorotaloides hexagona hexagona [G. hexagonus N19-N23]
Globigerinoides gomitulus [N18-N22]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus quadrilobatus [G. quadrilobatus long ranging to N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus hystrichosus
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus trilobus [G. trilobus N4-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus immaturus [G. immaturus N5-N23]
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus recumbens
Globigerinoides ruber [N14-N23]
Globigerinoides obliquus obliquus [G. obliquus N5-N22]
Globigerinoides obliquus extremus [G. extremus N17-early N21]
Sphaeroidinella dehiscens dehiscens [S. dehiscens N19-N23]
“Sphaeroidinellopsis” sp. 1
Orbulina universa [N9-N23]
Pulleniatina obliquiloculata obliquiloculata [P. obliquiloculata N20-N23]
Globorotalia tosaensis tosaensis [Truncorotalia tosaensis N21-N22]
Globorotalia tumida tumida [G. tumida N18-N23]
Globorotalia cultrata menardii [G. menardii N13-N23]
Globorotalia cultrata cultrata [G. cultrata N19-N23]

45
 Globorotalia acostaensis pseudopima [Neogloboquadrina acostaensis N16-early N21;
Paragloborotalia pseudopima N20-N23]
Globorotalia tosaensis tenuitheka [Truncorotalia tenuitheca late N21-N22]
Globorotalia crassaformis crassaformis [Truncorotalia crassaformis N17-N23]
Together with a benthic assemblage (not listed here) described by Carter as in a Globocassidulina-
Uvigerina-Planulina-Oridorsalis-Gyroidina biofacies.

According to Carter, the composition of both the planktonic and benthic assemblages is consistent
with an early Late Pliocene age. The species in the range chart of Boudagher-Fadel (2013) overlap in
early zone N21, apart from Truncorotalia tenuitheca which appears in late N21. The age of this
sample is thus probably zone N21, perhaps latest Pliocene.

More recently samples from the section of Viqueque Formation exposed in Mota Foura in the NE of
the Suai quadrangle (logged in Figure 12) have been dated P.T. Rafflesia Baru based on planktonic
foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils (unpublished report to Timor GAP, 2018). A detailed
breakdown of the palaeontology is not available, but seven dated samples from Mota Foura were all
assigned to the upper part of planktonic foraminiferal zone N21 and to nannofossil zone NN16,
which is latest Pliocene or earliest Pleistocene age.

Figure 14: Summary of age zonation for Viqueque Formation samples collected in Mota Foura (see Figure 12).
Note sample TGA-39 is from the Batu Putih Formation, collected in the Lolotoe map quadrangle. The yellow
box highlights maximum reworking of older fossil material.

46
Suai Formation

Suai-2 (D.J. Carter, core report to Timor Oil, 1970b):

Core No. 1, 618-637’ (14’ recovered). Soft, pale grey to olive-green or buff coloured slightly silty to
silty muds and mudstones, often showing small lumps and streaks of whitish marl. Planktonic
foraminifera include:

Globigerinoides gomitulus [N18-N23]

Globigerinoides quadrilobatus group
Globorotalia acostaensis pseudopima [Paragloborotalia pseudopima late N21-N23]
Globorotalia subcretacea [Paragloborotalia subcretacea late N21-N23]
Globorotalia cultrata menardii [Globorotalia cultrata N19-N23; Globorotalia menardii N13-
N23]
Globorotalia tosaensis tenuitheka [Truncorotalia tosaensis N21-N22; Truncorotalia
tenuitheca late N21-N22]
Globorotalia truncatulinoides truncatulinoides [Truncorotalia truncatulinoides N22-N23]
Globorotalia crassaformis crassaformis [Truncorotalia crassaformis N17-N23]
Orbulina universa [N9-N23]
Sphaeroidinella dehiscens dehiscens [N19-N23]
Pulleniatina obliquiloculata obliquiloculata [N20-N23]
Globorotaloides variabilis hexagona
Globigerina bulloides* [N17-N23]
Globigerina cf. bulloides*
Globigerina juvensis*
Globigerina rubescens* [late N20-N23]
Globigerinoides ruber ruber* [Globigerinoides ruber N14-N23]
Globigerinita incrusta* [N5-N23]
Globorotalia scitula scitula* [N11-N23]
Those species shown with asterisks were only found as small diameter, stunted or immature species.
This fauna was dated by Carter as Pleistocene, zone N22.

An extensive list of benthic foraminifera was also recorded in the report (not listed here).

47
Oil and gas seeps
A noteworthy geological phenomenon of the Suai area is the abundance of natural oil and gas seeps.
This section briefly documents the known natural hydrocarbon seeps found in the Suai quadrangle,
in addition to the drilling-related oil occurrences summarised in the Previous Work section above.

Oil seeps

Matai

The Matai oil seeps are the most prolific and best known of those occurring in the Suai area. They
are located in the stream Mota Matai through Matai village (9°17.853’S, 125°15.832’E). These seeps
have long been known, and were exploited on a small scale at least as early as the Second World
War (e.g. Audley-Charles, 1968). Timbered shafts dug into the Viqueque Formation yielded more
than 200 barrels of oil per month (memo in the Australian Government archives dated 19/12/1945),
while Schneeberger (unpublished report to Timor Oil, 1959) recorded a three-month daily average
oil production of 528 gallons per day (= 365 barrels per month) from three pits at Matai. This oil was
used by Timor Oil directly as it came out of the ground for running their diesel trucks (Schneeberger,
1964 unpublished report to Timor Oil). Boutakoff (1967, unpublished report to Timor Oil) reported
that two new shafts were sunk in 1966, exposing oil sands. In the southern shaft about ten sand
horizons each about one foot thick dipped to the south at 17°, while in the northern shaft three
sands about 3-4 feet thick dipped 15° to the north. Four or five barrels of oil bled daily into the ten
or twelve shafts then active. But by 1970 Warwick (unpublished report to Timor Oil) reported that
only one pit was producing significant quantities of oil. The pits were infilled during the period of
Indonesian administration, reportedly for safety reasons.

The Matai seeps have been visited on several occasions during our fieldwork. The seeps were most
clearly active during a visit in June 2004 when the stream through Matai village had almost ceased
flowing at the beginning of the dry season, but when there was still standing water in small pools
and a minor flowthrough. Distinct trains of oil globules could be seen rising through the water pools
from the base of the stream. The oil was blackish-brown in colour with a slight greenish tinge, and
was mobile: a readily flowing liquid, but considerably more viscous than water. Gas bubbles were
seen to rise with the oil.

Outcrop along the stream consists of interbedded sandstones and shales of the Viqueque Formation.
The sands (hardly lithified fine to medium grade, probably poorly sorted and rather clayey) occur in
two ribs about 30cm thick interbedded within light to medium grey shale in beds more than 1m
thick. The beds dip gently to the NW (11°NW/042°), and the oil was migrating updip along the
porous sand horizons.

Nabuc

Timor Oil recorded an intermittent oil seep in a tributary of Mota Nabuc. Based on the locality
description we estimate this seep at (9°16.505'S, 125° 16.360'E), although the seep was not
relocated during our fieldwork. Audley-Charles (1968) described the Nabuc oil seep as follows
(quoting an unacknowledged report by Boyd, 1960):

48
 In a tributary of the River Nabuc and immediately to the south of the Matai fault is a small
intermittent oil seep in the creek bed. The seep produces small amounts of oil and saline
water in the wet season; in the dry season dark oil-stained rocks are the only indication.

Hasain

A very minor oil seep was recorded during our fieldwork at (9°15.639’S, 125°17.597’E) near the small
stream Mota Seba 1km NW of Hasain village. The seep is located in scrub jungle approximately 15m
south of the stream. At this place the water-saturated ground was covered by an oily sheen, and the
mixture of water and oil appeared to be emanating from a natural spring oozing into the vegetated
jungle floor. From this spring there was a clearing in the jungle vegetation some 4m wide and
extending gently downslope towards the bank of the Seba stream. Vegetation immediately
bordering this clearing was blackened – apparently poisoned by the oil rather than burnt by fire. The
seep locality was rather reminiscent of the Weimarok seep locality in the Ogues quadrangle visited
the previous day, although there was no clear evidence at the Hasain seep for mud volcanic activity
as was interpreted at Weimarok.

Oil in water wells

As well as oil occurrences found during petroleum exploration drilling (in Matai-1, -1A, -3 & -4; Suai
Loro-1; Cota Taçi-1), oil has also been encountered in a number of shallow wells in the Suai area
drilled for water. These include:

Suai town: The site is located in the grounds of an administrative office at (9°18.968’S,
125°15.757’E). Oil was reportedly encountered by drilling at 53m depth, and rose in the drill pipe to
3m below the ground surface. Oil can still be recovered from below a sealed well cap.

Suai-Matai: A water well drilled midway between Suai town and Matai village just north of Mota
Caraulun (at 9°18.209’S, 125°15.683’E) encountered a strong flow of low viscosity oil to the surface.

At least two further water wells in the Suai area (in the Ogues quadrangle) also encountered oil
during drilling.

Gas seeps

One moderate and several minor gas seeps have been recorded in the Suai quadrangle during our
fieldwork:

Asumaten: In the village of Asumaten in southern Suai town (9°19.218’S, 125°15.547’E) flammable
gas emerges over an area of ~1m2 through a fractured concrete slab. The gas emerges with sufficient
strength to support continuous burning. The gas comes from sands of the Suai Formation.

Mota Raiketan: Four minor occurrences of bubbling gas were observed on the west bank of Mota
Raiketan north of Hasain village:

9°15.402’S, 125°17.492’E: A minor gas seepage from river gravels.

9°13.887’S, 125°16.610°’E: A stronger gas seep through standing water on the edge of a
small tributary stream.

49
 9°15.176’S, 125°17.326’E: Minor gas seeps into water with surface oily iridescense.
9°15.121’S, 125°17.270’E: Minor gas seeps into water with surface oily iridescense.
Similar small gas seeps were also recorded along Mota Foura in the Lolotoe quadrangle.

Mota Matai: North of Matai village a minor gas seepage was observed emanating from the base of
the Mota Matai stream at (9°17.625’S, 125°15.878’E).

Lower Mota Nabuc: During the early dry season, when there were standing pools of water but no
flowthrough in Mota Nabuc, several minor to moderate trains of gas bubbles could be seen
emerging from the base of the stream over a distance of a few tens of metres around (9°17.323’S,
125°17.048’E). This site is immediately north of the Suai-Zumalai highway.

50
Structure
The Suai quadrangle divides into two fundamental structural domains: the Timor collision complex in
the north, and the syn- to postorogenic Suai Basin in the south. The collision complex can be further
divided into three sub-domains, interpreted here as representing a fold and thrust belt, a mélange
zone corresponding to the basal décollement of the foldbelt, and an area interpreted as relatively
undeformed basement and cover sequences beneath the foldbelt.

1. Structural basement (or pseudo-basement)

This structural sub-domain primarily comprises the large coherent area mapped as Maubisse Group
in the NW of the Suai quadrangle, and may also include the limestone massif of Foho Holbellis and
nearby small outcrops of Lolotoi Complex and Maubisse Group which may represent structural
windows through the Domain 2 mélange. The Dartollu Formation outcropping in Mota Nabuc, which
probably overlies the Lolotoi Complex unconformably, can also be placed in this structural domain.
These areas are characterised by structurally massif lithologies (igneous-metamorphic rocks of the
Lolotoi Complex; limestone-volcanic successions of the Maubisse Group; and massive limestones
largely without interbedded shales in the Perdido Formation). They show no clear outcrop evidence
for strong thrustbelt-type deformation, and in the case of the large Maubisse outcrop area show
apparently uniform lithology rather than repetitions of diverse lithologies as seen in the fold and
thrust belt and mélange areas of structural domains 2 and 3. It is inferred here that structural
domain 1 represents relatively lightly deformed structural basement beneath the more complexly
deformed areas of structural domains 2 and 3 outlined below.

Considered more regionally, structural domain 1 forms part of the SE margin of the large Lolotoe
structural massif centred on Foho Taroman in the Fatululik map quadrangle to the NW of the Suai
quadrangle. As in the Suai quadrangle, this structural domain regionally consists of Lolotoi
metamorphic complex overlain (whether stratigraphically or structurally is still debatable) by
Maubisse Group and the Perdido and Dartollu Formations. This structural domain also appears to
extend in the subsurface into the southern parts of the Suai quadrangle, forming basement (or
pseudo-basement) beneath the Suai Basin, as established by penetrations of the Lolotoi Complex in
multiple petroleum exploration wells.

It has not yet been established whether the Domain 1 successions represent coherent, essentially in
situ Australian continental basement and deep sedimentary cover, or whether Australian basement
and cover have been entrained into the Timor collision complex by thrusting of a large and coherent
structural flake. However, an Australian basement rather than allochthonous ‘Asian’ origin for the
Lolotoi Complex seems strongly indicated to the present writer, based on its low structural position
(to a depth of at least 2800m below sea level in Cota Taçi-1) and its position beneath the entirety of
the Australian-affinity continental margin succession including the Maubisse Group. Furthermore
there is evidence from reworking of metamorphic clasts apparently originating from the Lolotoi
Complex into the Tchinver Formation in Suai Loro-1 well and into the Kolbano Group in Cota Taçi-1
well (see the Stratigraphy section), suggesting proximity between the Lolotoi Complex and the
Australian-affinity Tchinver Formation and Kolbano Group during the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous-
Paleogene.

51
2. Mélange belt (thrustbelt décollement zone?)

Mélange of the Bobonaro Complex is the dominant lithology between the Maubisse Group outcrop
area in the NW of the Suai quadrangle and Mota Raiketan further east. Mélange is also mapped
along the southern boundary of the Raiketan-Foura fold and thrust belt (structural domain 3) further
east. Lithologies are varied within the mélange belt, but shales are probably predominant, although
often poorly exposed. Some of the most accessible mélange areas within the Suai quadrangle occur
in cliffs along the western bank of Mota Raiketan for approximately 1km northward from Hasain
village, although exposure is poor. In the section between (9°15.528’S, 125°18.285’E) and
(9°15.380’S, 125°17.633’E) semi-continuous if rather rubbly outcrop of Aitutu and Niplelo
Formations occurs, together with grey clays that are probably derived from the Wai Luli Formation
and/or Babulu Group. This section can best be described as broken formation, transitional to true
mélange, which occurs further north along the river section. The broken formation in this area is
characterised by irregular outcrop-scale anticlines and synclines with a predominance of NW-SE
bedding strike, but with considerable variation. At (9°15.203’S, 125°17.500’E) is an outcrop of true
clay mélange with the shale matrix dominantly grey in colour, and containing abundant blocks of
greenish friable medium sandstone of the Foura Member. Poorly exposed shales are also seen in
cliffs above the river. Upstream from here shale is predominant, but is poorly exposed. The
relationship between the mélange and the coherently bedded Aitutu and Niplelo Formations is far
from clear at outcrop, but given the broken nature of the bedded sequences and the inclusion of
zones of mélange within the bedded sequences, an intrusive shale diapiric origin for the mélange
seems most likely. This diapirism is interpreted to root downwards into an inferred shale-dominated
zone, perhaps the early to mid Triassic Fatoro Formation (shale-dominant unit of the Babulu Group)
beneath the later Triassic Niplelo and Aitutu Formations, with the shales acting as a décollement
zone beneath the thrusted Niplelo-Aitutu successions. This interpretation is, however, inadequately
constrained by direct outcrop observation, and is largely based on the relative distribution of the
Domain 2 mélange between the little deformed massive ‘basement’ sequences of Domain 1 and the
fold and thrust belt successions of Domain 3 within the Suai quadrangle.

A fauna of planktonic foraminifera collected from block clays in the Matai-1 well from section now
assigned to the Bobonaro Complex was listed by Belford (1961) – see the Palaeontology section. This
fauna was originally interpreted as Late Miocene in age, and Middle-Late Miocene ages were widely
reported in the older literature for the Bobonaro unit, then widely interpreted as an olistostrome
deposit (sedimentary mélange: e.g. Audley-Charles, 1968). The Bobonaro Complex is now more
widely recognised as a tectonic mélange (e.g. Harris et al., 1998), at least in part the result of shale
diapiric processes (Barber et al., 1986). The above-mentioned fauna listed by Belford is now dated to
the Pliocene-Quaternary, and Pliocene or younger ages are now widely recognised for the age of
shale mobilism within the Bobonaro Complex.

3. Raiketan-Foura fold and thrust belt

The name Raiketan-Foura fold and thrust belt is applied here to the structural domain extending
from Mota Raiketan eastwards through and beyond Mota Foura as an area characterised particularly
by imbricated Triassic sections of the Aitutu Formation and Babulu Group, together with smaller
proportions of Triassic Niplelo Formation and Jurassic Wai Luli Formation. This foldbelt is most
extensively developed within the Lolotoe quadrangle to the north of the Suai quadrangle, but
extends approximately 2km southward into the Suai quadrangle over a width of about 5km between
the Raiketan and Foura rivers (Figure 2).

52
Structural trends mapped in this domain in Figure 2 show strike elongation in a NNW-SSE direction,
approximately parallel to the Raiketan and Foura rivers, and suggesting structural shortening in a
WSW-ENE direction. This is rather oblique to the more widely interpreted N-S shortening in Timor
fold and thrust belts, and its significance is not entirely clear: it might perhaps reflect late-stage
lateral compression within a basement-constrained structural low. Further north, within the Lolotoe
quadrangle, there is clearer evidence for primary N-S shortening within the foldbelt, although still
with an overprint of WNW-ENE shortening. Although the foldbelt structures are rather poorly
exposed, an impression is gained from outcrops particularly along the Raiketan and Foura rivers of
imbricate structural packages of the Aitutu Formation of the order of 200-300m thick with footwall
thrusts in the Niplelo Formation or perhaps the underlying Fatoro Formation, and a roof thrust in the
Jurassic Wai Luli Formation stratigraphically above the Aitutu Formation.

The structure of the Raiketan-Foura fold and thrust belt is best displayed within the Suai quadrangle
in the east bank Mota Raiketan opposite Hasain village, where a large anticlinal fold and a smaller
syncline are moderately well exposed. The main exposed section is on the southern flank of the
anticline between (9°16.017’S, 125°18.347’E) and (9°15.528’S, 125°18.285’E). The section has a
predominant dip to the SE at moderate inclinations (11 bedding measurements 21-77°; median dip
39°, median dip direction 145°). The section is characterised by structural repetitions of stratigraphic
section, notably the Aitutu and Niplelo Formations, with lesser amounts of shale derived from the
Wai Luli Formation and/or Babulu Group. The section is also strongly affected by bedding-parallel
and low-angle (to bedding) reverse faulting. Meso-scale structures include chevron folds that appear
to be fault-propagation structures. The predominant direction of thrusting is to the south and east,
although one thrust with a northward vergence was seen. Because of the strong southward tilting of
the section, many of the thrusts (relative to bedding) have been re-oriented so that the sense of
override is now down to the south in a normal fault sense. The clear overall picture of this section is
of a sedimentary succession imbricated by low-angle thrusting with a southerly vergence, and this
thrusted succession subsequently tilted to the south (i.e. with the large-scale anticlinal fold post-
dating the thrusting).

4. Suai Basin

The Suai Basin occupies more than two thirds of the onshore Suai quadrangle to the south and east
of structural domains 1-3, although most of this area is covered by Quaternary alluvium and the
basinal nature of the area is only fully established by seismic data rather than from geological
outcrop. In terms of tectonostratigraphy the Suai Basin ranges from syn- to post-orogenic with
respect to the main phase of Timor fold and thrust belt development, which is dated regionally to
the period from the latest Miocene (e.g. Haig, 2012) to the Pliocene or early Pleistocene. The oldest
element of the syn-orogenic succession is the Batu Putih Formation, dated regionally to the latest
Miocene to early Late Pliocene (planktonic foraminiferal zones N18-N21: Haig, 2012). The single
dated sample of Batu Putih Formation from the Suai quadrangle (from the Suai-1 well: Carter,
unpublished report to Timor Oil, 1970e) yielded a N19 planktonic foraminiferal age, consistent with
Haig’s regional dating.

The succeeding Viqueque Formation is the main stratigraphic element of the Suai Basin, reaching
thicknesses of over 1000m within the Suai quadrangle, and substantially more offshore to the south.
The relatively deepwater Viqueque Formation passes up transitionally into the shallower marine
Suai Formation, and this transition can also be considered a transition from synorogenic to
postorogenic conditions. The other main postorogenic stratigraphic elements include the Ainaro

53
Formation, Baucau Formation and alluvium, although these (particularly the Ainaro Formation) are
not restricted to the Suai Basin. The Viqueque Formation appears to be of (later?) Late Pliocene and
(Early?) Pleistocene age within the Suai quadrangle, while the Suai Formation is dated to the
Pleistocene.

It is presumed that the Batu Putih Formation and the succeeding Viqueque Formation were
originally deposited unconformably over the Domain 3 fold and thrust belt succession (cf. Figure 9),
but no definitive outcrop showing the stratigraphic base of the synorogenic succession has ever
been reported from anywhere in Timor: all reported and observed basal contacts are sheared
against the Bobonaro Complex, primarily in the interpreted margins of shale diapirs.

A particularly well exposed example of this type of relationship is seen in Mota Foura at the
boundary between the Suai and Lolotoe map quadrangles. Along the east bank of Mota Foura old
river gravels of the Ainaro Formation form cliffs up to about 10m high, the gravel successions
dipping very gently downstream (southeast) at about 1-3°. The Ainaro cliffs continue in almost
unbroken outcrop upstream and downstream above older outcropping successions of the Suai Basin
and the southern edge of the fold and thrust belt succession immediately upstream. Over a distance
of about 180m (9°15.157’S, 125°20.622’E to 9°15.062’S, 125°20.553’E) the Ainaro Formation
unconformably overlies typical Viqueque Formation sandstone-shale successions that dip gently to
moderately northward (upstream). The central part of the Viqueque section is intruded by a shale
diapir (Figure 12) that is characterised by swirled and folded clays with entrained blocks including
white limestone of Batu Putih type. The shale diapir appears to have intruded along a bedding plane,
and this has caused the northern half of the Viqueque section to be slightly steepened (up to 30°
northward dip, compared to a uniform 11° northward dip to the south of the diapir). The top of the
diapir is truncated by the unconformity at the base of the Ainaro Gravels.

Upstream from the shale intrusion the base-Ainaro unconformity cuts down-section along a surface
parallel to bedding in the underlying Viqueque Formation. The top-Viqueque bedding surface has
been re-used as a low-angle normal fault, which is also marked by extensional tension gashes in the
underlying Viqueque clays. Continuing upstream, there is a gap in exposure other than Ainaro
Formation gravels for about 60m (9°15.062’S, 125°20.553’E to 9°15.028’S, 125°20.535’E) between
the northernmost occurrence of the Viqueque Formation (Suai Basin succession) and the deformed
successions of the Timor collision complex. This zone in which only Ainaro Formation is exposed is
cut by a minor normal fault downthrowing to the south. Although the exposed fault is only a small
secondary feature, it is located almost precisely at the northern boundary of the Suai Basin which is
probably controlled by larger normal faults in the unexposed subsurface. The first outcrop north of
the Suai Basin succession is mélanged shales (swirled red and green shales), and then higher
upstream by the Niplelo and Aitutu Formations. About 100m north of the first non-basinal outcrop
(at 9°14.960’S, 125°20.528’E) is a small outcrop of white Batu Putih Formation marlstone.

The Suai Basin overlies rock units directly equivalent to those exposed in structural domains 1-3 in
the north of the Suai quadrangle (as established by petroleum exploration drilling: Figure 9), and the
basin therefore developed after completion of the main fold and thrust belt orogeny. The geometry
of the basin is controlled by normal faulting, as established by seismic data constrained by drilling
(e.g. Figure 15). The uniform non-clastic sedimentary character and apparently slow sedimentation
rate of the Batu Putih Formation suggests that this stratigraphic unit accumulated before the
commencement of the strong vertical movements associated with the development of the Suai

54
Basin. The main phase of extension probably developed contemporaneously with deposition of the
predominantly siliciclastic Viqueque Formation, during the latest Pliocene and Pleistocene.

As Figure 8 illustrates, Timor Oil mapped the onshore Suai Basin succession as a large synformal sag
trending NNE-SSW between Suai town and Camanaça village. Timor Oil’s seismic data, taken in
conjunction with later drilling results, also defines a basin-margin low angle normal fault located in
the unexposed subsurface immediately east of Suai town trending approximately N-S, subparallel to
the synformal axis (Figure 2). The style of extension interpreted for the Suai Basin is illustrated in
Figure 16, particularly Profile 2 which shows extension associated with a low-angle listric normal
fault that cuts Lolotoi metamorphic basement beneath the Suai Basin. The synformal structure of
the onshore Suai Basin is then naturally explained as a hangingwall syncline, analogous to structures
developed in sandbox extensional models illustrating syn-sedimentary extension.

Figure 15: Example of Timor Oil legacy seismic data from the Suai quadrangle (1969 survey). Seismic Line I
connects the Suai Loro-2 well (9°20.954’S, 125°16.854’E) on the coast SE of Suai town (Figure 2) with the Ranuc
well (approximately 9°18.290'S, 125°14.913'E) in western Suai town, located just west of the Suai quadrangle
boundary. The Suai Basin succession (above the Bobonaro Complex) is interpreted as occupying the
hangingwall of a low-angle extensional fault shown in red. The footwall of this normal fault is interpreted as
Lolotoi Complex basement.

55
Figure 16: Cross-sections through the Suai quadrangle illustrating late-stage extension (Profile 2, middle
section) and a final stage of mild inversion producing the Foho Matai and Foho Sanati uplifts (Profiles 1 & 3,
upper and lower sections). Location of sections are shown by the green lines on Figure 2.

56
Late stage inversion

A final stage of deformation, post-dating the latest Pliocene-Pleistocene main extensional phase of
the Suai Basin, is a very young phase of mild inversion. This inversion phase, which has been
recognised in several areas of Timor island and adjacent offshore areas (e.g. Charlton 2001, 2002,
2004) is most clearly expressed in the Suai quadrangle by the uplift of the hills Foho Matai and Foho
Sanati between Matai and Hasain villages, and either side of Mota Nabuc (Figure 2). The very young
age of this deformation is demonstrated by the uplift of Quaternary Baucau Formation reefal
limestones to elevations of 321m and 311m respectively. Previously these two hills have been
interpreted as comprising a single Matai Anticline with an overall NW-SE trend (cf. Figure 5). Our
mapping suggests, however, that these two hills represent the culminations of two distinct inversion
anticlines. Bedding dips recorded during our mapping in the Matai area suggest the nearly N-S trend
of the fold axis immediately south of Foho Matai, while seismic data along the valley of Mota Nabuc
does not show any clear evidence of inversion folding (the river probably follows a synclinal saddle
between the two separate inversion anticlines). The western inversion anticline Foho Matai is
directly north along-trend from the basement fault defined by seismic immediately east of Suai town
(Figure 2), and the anticlinal crest appears to correspond to reversal of movement on the older
extensional basement-cutting normal fault, with the basinal sedimentary sequence thrust westward
over the basin-margin basement step (Figure 16, Profile 1). Similarly the Foho Sanati inversion
culmination apparently developed by thrusting of the Suai Basin succession northward over an E-W
trending basement-cutting normal fault at the northern margin of the Suai Basin (Figure 16, Profile
3).

It is possible that the large antiform in Mota Raiketan east of Hasain village is another late-stage
inversion anticline, but in this case re-folding the fold and thrust belt rather than the Suai Basin
succession. It is also worth noting, however, that there is no evidence for inversion of the the Suai
Basin margin further east in the Mota Foura section.

57
Suai map sheet
The primary aim of this report is to provide a record of data constraining 1:25,000 scale geological
mapping in the Suai quadrangle, and to provide a description of the stratigraphy, palaeontology and
structure of the area, with some preliminary interpretations. GPS-constrained field data for the
quadrangle is summarised in an accompanying Excel-format spreadsheet. The final geological
mapping is shown in reduced form in Figure 2, with a full-scale (1:25,000) map in pdf format also
accompanying this report.

The geological map shows the GPS-controlled field locations in the spreadsheet as small coloured
circles (the colour indicating formational assignment), together with bedding data (strike/dip) and
minor field notes. These together comprise the data part of the map.

The distribution of mapping units can be considered the interpretational part of the mapping.
Formational boundaries are rarely seen outcropping in the field, and so most of the boundaries
shown on the map are highly interpretive – the degree of confidence on boundary location being
indicated by the density of the GPS data points constraining the boundaries. In general there is
insufficient constraint on the nature of the boundaries to specify them as (for instance) discrete
thrust surfaces. Most of the suspected thrust contacts are indicated by dashed lines, while probable
stratigraphic contacts particularly at the base of the syn/postorogenic succession are shown more
confidently with solid boundary lines.

Some additional geological features shown on the Suai quadrangle geological map are based on
interpretation of seismic data, particularly beneath the area of the extensive alluvial plain in the
south of the onshore quadrangle. These features, indicated by dashed blue lines on the geological
map (Figure 2 and accompanying full-scale geological map) are rather poorly constained and
schematic, but they are added to the map as we believe that they greatly help in understanding the
structure and evolution of the quadrangle.

With the regards to location of the field data on the map, there is a minor discrepancy for latitudes
and longitudes recorded by GPS and the Indonesian grid system employed in the Bakosurtanal
basemaps. For the Suai quadrangle the GPS data has been corrected to the topographic basemaps
by a systematic shift of 60m bearing 235°. This is based on the offset between GPS measurements at
the monument located at a crossroads in southern Suai town, and its location shown on the
Bakosurtanal basemaps.

Unit colours on the map essentially follow a standardised formational colour scheme as summarised
in Figure 3.

The accompanying field database includes the field results of the Timor Resources geological team
(Jan Hulse, Jacinto Soares and Ana Belo), and their contribution to the mapping is gratefully
acknowledged.

58
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62