IPA07-G-141

PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Thirty-First Annual Convention and Exhibition, May 2007

EXPLORING SHALLOW PROSPECTS IN THE ILIRAN BASEMENT HIGH,

SOUTH SUMATRA BASIN

Didit A. Firmansyah*
Aziz Rifai*
Sinto Yudho*
Asril Kamal*
R.M.I. Argakoesoemah*

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Iliran High region
began in the early 1900s, when numerous shallow
wells were drilled and an unknown amount of heavy
oil was produced. A surface anticline and seeps of
asphalt, oil and gas lead the early explorers to the
area. Seismic surveys were acquired in the 1980s
and wells drilled in down flank areas discovered
fields such as West Iliran and South Tabuan. These
exploration drilling results have led to the current
exploration strategy for this region.
Although seismic quality is generally poor and
geologic information is inadequate, it is believed
that the hydrocarbon potential in this region remains
attractive. Several exploration efforts have been
made to define the possibility of a significant
amount of hydrocarbon in this area, such as surface
geological fieldwork and shallow stratigraphic slim-
hole wells. Other immediate activities include 2-D
seismic acquisition and gravity-magnetic surveys.
The Iliran High remains high, at least since Late
Oligocene, when the Talang Akar was deposited.
This high has been the focal point for hydrocarbon
migration since Late Miocene. The major Plio-
Pleistocene tectonic has resulted in the high tilting
toward the southwest.
At least three exploration plays have been
identified: crest-structure, down-flank, and fractured
basement. The prospects are all shallow, at depths
of less than 2500 feet, and the seal seems to be the
highest risk. Seismic quality may not be
significantly improved and the geologic model
remains highly uncertain, therefore geological
analogs are required to support the concepts.
* P.T. Medco E&P Indonesia
The Iliran High is located approximately 40
kilometers west-northwest of Palembang city
(Figure 1). The terrain is generally flat, with
elevations of between 0 and 5 meters above mean
sea level. The area is covered mostly by swampy
land. Geologically, the Iliran High is situated in the
North Palembang Anticlinorium (Pertamina-
BPPKA, 1997; Argakoesoemah and Kamal, 2004)
(Figure 2).
The Iliran High has been an attractive site for
hydrocarbon exploration since the Dutch colonial
period. Several geological methods, such as surface
geological mapping and oil and gas seepage
mapping, were used by geologists from the Dutch
government and NKPM, a Dutch-American oil
company. Jaarboek Mijnwezen, a Dutch
Government official report written in 1920, stated
that there were 6 areas with very large asphalt
deposits. One deposit in the Balai Bukit area was
known as the “big asphalt deposit” and contained an
estimated 31,000 m3 of asphalt (Harrell and Davis,
1930). At least 26 wells were drilled by NKPM in
the region, some of which were reported to produce
an amount of heavy oil.
From 1982 to 1988, several seismic surveys were
conducted within the region by PT Stanvac
Indonesia. South Tabuan field was discovered on
the northwestern flank of the Iliran High. The field
produced both heavy and light oil from the Talang
Akar Formation. The crest of the high remained
unexplored until PT Medco E&P Indonesia took
over the area. During 2004 and 2005, a surface
geological mapping program was conducted and
three, fully cored, shallow stratigraphic wells were
drilled to establish the local stratigraphy. Further
activities are planned to be undertaken in the near
future.
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
Two main tectonic events dominated the Tertiary
tectonic evolution of South Sumatra Basin.
Extensional movement occurred during the Early
Tertiary and resulted in the north-south to
northwest-southeast trending graben systems. The
grabens were filled with volcanic and non-marine
Lahat and Lemat Formations. In the Early Miocene,
the basin was tectonically quiescent and a major
marine transgression resulted from thermal sag and
eustatic sea level rise. Minor volcanic activity also
occurred at this time. With continued transgression
during the Early Miocene, carbonate buildups of the
Baturaja Formation developed in the high areas.
The Baturaja Formation was overlain by marine
shales of the Telisa Formation. In the late Middle
Miocene, deposition of the shallow marine to non-
marine Palembang Formations began (Figure 3).
In the Late Miocene, subduction of the Indo-
Australia plate beneath the Eurasian plate caused a
compressional regime in Sumatra. This resulted in
basin inversion and uplift of the Barisan Mountains
to the south. This uplift continues today. This
compressional phase produced the northwest-
southeast faults and folds that later become major
hydrocarbon traps.
Structurally, the Iliran High is the northern part of
the Palembang Anticlinorium, one of several
Paleogene highs which began to form in Late
Eocene. Source rocks of the Lemat Formation were
deposited in adjacent low areas such as the
Bentayan, Jemakur and Tabuan Grabens in the
north, North Benakat Gully in the west, and
Lematang Trough in the south (Figure 4). These
major productive lows have been proven by major
discoveries beginning in 1912 (Talang Akar Field)
and continuing until the most recent large discovery
in 1996 (Kaji-Semoga Field).
During the latter part of the Plio-Pleistocene
tectonism, the Iliran High tilted toward the
northeast. The Kluang-Iliran Fault is a reverse fault
that also developed during this tectonic event
(Figure 5). Based on the isochron map of the
Neogene interval, the Iliran High is interpreted to
have remained structurally high and been the focal
point for hydrocarbon migration since the Late
Miocene.
EXPLORATION PLAYS AND PETROLEUM
SYSTEM
Based on interpretation of the 1980s vintage 2D
seismic, three main exploration play concepts were
identified: structures at the crest of the Iliran High,
down-flank traps, and fractured basement plays
(Figure 6). All of the plays are shallow, ranging
from only 100 feet to about 2500 feet.
Structural Crest Play
The structural crest play consists of simple structure
traps located on the crest of the Iliran High.
Variations of this play type include 3-way dip
closures bounded by the Kluang-Iliran Fault and/or
its subsidiary faults and 4-way dip closures of the
Telisa, Baturaja and Talang Akar Formations.
The Talang Akar Formation has been intersected in
the shallow stratigraphic core holes. The formation
is approximately 300 feet thick and consists of
interbedded coarse grained siliciclastics, pebbly
sandstone and kaolinitic claystone. The Talang
Akar Formation is interpreted to have been
deposited in proximal alluvial to fluvio-coastal
transitional environments. The porosity of the
Talang Akar Formation sandstone ranges from 27%
to 32%. Another potential reservoir is the Baturaja
carbonate, primarily consisting of skeletal bioclastic
wackestone and packstone intercalated with
calcarenitic sandstone. The bioclasts consist mainly
of foraminifera and molluscs. Thickness of the
Baturaja ranges from 40 to 70 feet. The formation is
regarded as a barrier complex to lagoonal carbonate
deposited in littoral to inner neritic water depths.
Porosity of Baturaja Formation from core samples
varies from 1.0 to 19%.
The Baturaja carbonate is overlain by sandstones of
the Telisa Formation, with a thickness as observed
in the core holes of approximately 120 to 450 feet.
This unit predominantly consists of sandstone,
glauconitic sandstone, siltstone and shale. The
amount of sandstone diminishes up section, passing
into an interval dominated by shale and siltstone
with minor sand intercalations and common well
cemented sand horizons. The depositional
environment of the Telisa Formation is interpreted
as shallow marine. Sandstone porosity ranges from
17.0 to 37 %.
Potential seal intervals are provided by intra-
formational Talang Akar shales, Baturaja muddy
carbonate facies and Telisa shales (Figure 6). There
is a risk of leakage because of fractured top seal
since the structural crest play is developed adjacent
to the large Kluang-Iliran Fault. Conversely, it is
also possible that the asphalt observed in the core
holes and in outcrop could fill and plug the
fractures.
Down-Flank Play
The Down-Flank Play includes structural,
stratigraphic and combination traps. The structural
traps include basement drapes and 3-way dip
closures. The most likely stratigraphic trap is the
Baturaja reefal build-up. The combination traps are
possible where the Talang Akar and basal
transgressive Telisa sands onlap onto Basement.
The reservoir objectives in this play are similar to
those in the Structural Crest Play. The reservoir
quality is also likely to be much the same, but the
thickness and lateral extent of the Talang Akar
sandstones could be larger (Figure 6). This play has
been proven at the Tabuan, South Tabuan and West
Iliran oil fields (Figure 4).
Exploration in this play is difficult, since there are
no obvious traps seen on the structure map. The
bed dip is generally monoclinal toward the
northeast. Although seismic vintages vary, the traps
seem to be visible on individual seismic lines
(Figure 7). Some seismic sections show the onlap of
the Talang Akar Formation on Basement. A similar
phenomenon could also be present in the Telisa
Formation.
For the Baturaja limestone, the trap style could be
large and similar to that in the Kaji-Semoga Field
(Hutapea, 1998). The field is a combination trap
with minor structural closure enhanced by a
stratigraphic component where the limestone
reservoir facies shales out toward the crest of the
Iliran High. This could be an analog for the Baturaja
limestone trap in the down-flank play of the Iliran
High.
The main risks in this type of play are the up-dip
lateral seal and definition of the trap geometry.
There is also significant uncertainty about the size
of possible traps. The vertical seal is generally
better than the seal for the crest structure play, since
the overlying Telisa shale is much thicker with less
erosion.
Fractured Basement Play
The fractured basement play consists of structural
traps, mostly 3-way dip closures bounded by the
Kluang-Iliran fault. The size of this closure could be
up to 200 sq km (Figure 8).
The stratigraphic core holes intersected Basement
and found granite, marble and other metamorphic
rocks (Figure 9). The granite cores recovered in SH-
1 are described as reddish to greenish, mottled, with
hypidiomorphic texture. The granite consists
predominantly of quartz, phlogopite-biotite and
potassic feldspar, often altered to kaolinite. Minor
shear fractures are observed within the granite
surface with relative dip angles ranging from 20 to
600. Adjacent to the alkaline granite found in SH-1
and SH-3 wells, marble basement was found in the
SH-2 well. There are two fracture types in this
marble. The first type is the healed or closed
discontinuity as represented by calcite filled
fractures or stylolites. The second type of fracture
is associated with rubble zones, with the block size
ranging from sand to boulder.
The highly fractured zones might be controlled by
the major fault near this well location. The fault
throw is estimated as about 1000 feet and by
analogy with the proven fractured basement plays in
the South Sumatra Basin (e.g. Suban and Sumpal)
this should create better reservoir permeability in
the granite and marble (Chalik et al., 2004). Asphalt
was commonly seen within the fractures of this
uppermost marble. These hydrocarbon shows were
extensive and consistently distributed throughout
the fractured basement interval and confirm that
hydrocarbon migration has reached the basement on
the Iliran High.
Seal is the most challenging part and highest risk in
exploring the basement potential in this area. If the
asphalt distribution and altered basement are not
extensive, hydrocarbons could leak to the surface. It
is expected that other seals could work well for this
play. Another significant risk could be caused by
the vertical leakage along the Kluang-Iliran Fault.
Lateral seal is considered low risk since the
basement is juxtaposed against thick Telisa and
Palembang intra-formational shales (Figure 6).
EXPLORATION EFFORTS AND STRATEGY
In this current exploration phase, activities have
included surface geological fieldwork, stratigraphic
slim-hole wells, core description, biostratigraphy
and petrographic analysis. Although seismic quality
is generally poor and geologic information is
inadequate, three exploration plays have been
defined. 2D seismic and gravity-magnetic surveys
will be conducted in the near future to reduce
geological risk and uncertainty of petroleum system
components.
Geological Fieldwork
NKPM conducted surface geology mapping
throughout the Iliran area in 1930. The mapping
showed that the oldest rock exposed at the surface
was the Lower Palembang Formation. This map is
inconsistent with the geologic map subsequently
published by the Indonesian Geological Research
and Development Center (Gafoer et al., 1986). Each
map has different implications for the Iliran High
exploration play. To resolve this conflict geological
fieldwork was undertaken in 2004 and followed by
the drilling of three shallow slim-hole wells to
Basement.
The 2004 geological surface mapping on the
upthrown side of the Kluang-Iliran Fault showed
that the oldest stratigraphic unit cropping out is the
Telisa Formation. This was confirmed by the
presence of Discoaster kugleri, indicating NN7
(Middle Miocene) age. The formation is composed
of shale interbedded with sandstone. Thin coals
with claystone and sandstone suggest the presence
of Middle Palembang Formation on the
downthrown side of the fault (Figure 5). Several
asphalt deposits, oil and gas seeps and numerous
Dutch shallow wells were found and documented
(Figure 10).
Shallow Slim-Hole Wells
Three shallow slim-hole wells, designated SH-1,
SH-2, and SH-3, were drilled to confirm the sub-
surface geology of the Iliran High area. The wells
were drilled in a triangular configuration, about 5
km distant from each other (Figure 8). Each slim
hole well was cored from surface to total depth with
approximately 1500 feet of core recovered. The
stratigraphic units encountered were the Pre-
Tertiary Basement, Talang Akar Formation,
Baturaja Formation, and Telisa Formation. The
rocks at the surface were Neogene (not younger
than NN7 as indicated by the assemblage of
Triquetroshabdulus carinatus and Discoaster
drugii).
From the recovered cores, the development of the
sediments in the Iliran High can be separated into
three depositional regimes. The oldest one,
consisting of coarse to medium grained siliciclastic
terrestrial sediments, records deposition in a
proximal alluvial basin to fluvio-coastal transitional
environment. The deposits that directly overlay the
crystalline basement complex are correlated here
with the Talang Akar Formation. These deposits
pass up abruptly into the carbonates of the Baturaja
Formation. The age of the Baturaja Formation in the
Iliran High is Early Miocene (N4-N6; NN1). The
Baturaja carbonates are overlain in the cores by
coastal to shelfal siliciclastic sequences assigned to
the Telisa Formation. The Telisa rocks are
interpreted to have been deposited in a shallow
marine setting, intermittently restricted, with a tidal
influence. Muddy sediments observed at some
intervals are typically lime mud and marl. The age
date for the Telisa Formation ranges from late Early
Miocene (N6/NN2) to Middle Miocene (N12-
N13/NN7).
The slim-hole cores have allowed information on
the stratigraphy, depositional environment and
reservoir properties of the Iliran High sedimentary
section to be gathered. Hydrocarbon shows found in
Tertiary sediments and in basement rocks indicate
that hydrocarbon migration has reached the Iliran
High area. This evidence encourages further
exploration in the region.
Geophysical Data Acquisition and Analysis
The core description results revealing the existence
of fractured granite and marble basement have led
to the idea of combining new gravity-magnetic and
2-D seismic surveys. This combination of
geophysical methods is proposed to constrain the
variation and distribution of the basement
lithologies and fractured basement interpretation on
the crest of the Iliran High. Variations in magnetic
susceptibility are expected between granite and
marble that should allow the major basement
lithologies to be differentiated. The existing 2D
seismic is considered inadequate both in terms of
the seismic grid spacing and image quality. For the
proposed seismic, acquisition and processing
parameters will be designed to resolve faults
shallower than 600 feet.
The planned 2D seismic program will also be
designed to maximize vertical resolution in the
shallow section and thus allow improved definition
of the down-flank plays, particularly the onlap and
carbonate build-up traps. Another objective of the
program is to identify possible seismic direct
hydrocarbon indicators. The seismic parameters will
be customized to suit shallow targets (1500 to 2500
feet).
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Three exploration plays are recognized in the
Iliran High area: the structural crest play, the
down-flank play, and the fractured basement
play. The hydrocarbon potential of the area is
significant as there are numerous identified
traps ranging in area up to approximately 200
sq km.
2. The Iliran High is particularly prospective
because it has been the focal point for
hydrocarbon migration since the Late Miocene.
The presence of adequate reservoir and source
has been confirmed by a program of field
mapping and shallow stratigraphic core holes.
3. The critical exploration risks are trap and seal
and these will be addressed by a proposed
program of 2D seismic and gravity-magnetic
surveys. The proposed geophysical program
will be designed to maximize resolution in the
shallow section (above 2500 ft).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to thank the management of PT
Medco E&P Indonesia and BPMIGAS for their
permission to publish this paper. The authors also
wish to thank the many geoscientists in the Medco
Exploration Department who have worked
previously in the Iliran High area and who have
willingly shared their ideas. Also we thank Anang
Ismail from Exploration Support who prepared the
figures.
REFERENCES
Argakoesoemah, R.M.I., and Kamal, A., 2004,
Ancient Talang Akar Deep Water Sediments in
South Sumatra Basin: A New Exploration Play,
Proceedings of Indonesian Petroleum Association
Deep Water and Frontier Exploration in Asia and
Australasia Symposium, p. 251 – 267.
Chalik M., Pujasmadi B., Fauzi M., and Bazed M.,
2004, Sumpal Field, South Sumatra – Case History
of the Delineation and Production of a Fractured
Basement Reservoir, Proceedings Indonesian
Petroleum Association Deepwater and Frontier
Exploration in Asia & Australia Symposium, p.
199-224.
Gafoer, S., Burhan, G., and Purnomo, J., 1986,
Geologic Map of Palembang, Sumatra, Geological
Research and Development Center, Bandung.
Harrell, D.C., Davis, M.J., 1930, Report on the
Geology and Oil Possibilities of the Area Northwest
of Palembang, Residency of Palembang, Sumatra,
Internal Report, PT Medco E&P Indonesia,
unpublished.
Hutapea, O.M., 1998, The Semoga-Kaji
Discoveries: Large Stratigraphic Baturaja Oil Field
in South Sumatra, Proceedings Indonesian
Petroleum Association, 26/1, p. 313-319.
Kamal, A., Argakoesoemah, R.M.I, Solichin, 2005,
A Proposed Basin Scale Lithostratigraphy For
South Sumatra Basin, Indonesian Association of
Geologists Stratigraphy of Sumatra Workshop,14 p.
Pertamina-BPPKA, 1997, Petroleum Geology of
Indonesian Basins: Principles, Methods, and
Applications, volume X, South Sumatra Basin,
Pertamina-BPPKA, 81 p.
Figure 1. – The Iliran High study area is located approximately 40 km to the north west of Palembang city.
The Kaji-Semoga oil field and several other oil and gas fields have been discovered to the
west.

Figure 2 – Present day structural elements of the Iliran High area, South Sumatra Basin (after
Pertamina-BPPKA, 1997; Argakoesoemah and Kamal, 2004).
 Figure 3 - South Sumatra stratigraphy and tectonic events (after Kamal et al., 2005).

Figure 4 – Paleogene geographic map showing potential hydrocarbon kitchen areas in the Jemakur and
Tabuan Grabens superimposed with regional structural elements during the Early Miocene.
Figure 5 – Regional seismic line in the Palembang High area showing the present day Jemakur Graben
where the Lemat Formation lacustrine source facies is deposited. The Kluang-Iliran fault
(solid blue line) is the primary structural element controlling the current geological.

Figure 6 – Exploration play concepts in the Iliran High region: (1) Structural Crest (2) Fractured
Basement, and (3) Down-flank Plays.
Figure 7 – Seismic section showing possible onlap traps in the Talang Akar Formation and some possible
fault traps in the overlying section.

Figure 8 - Granite, marble and other metamorphic rock have been intersected in the Iliran High Area. The
distribution of basement lithologies remains unknown and will be addressed by proposed gravity
and magnetic surveys. The area of prospective basement is approximately 200 sq km. Note
South Tabuan and West Iliran are the nearest oil fields down-dip from Iliran High area.
Figure 9 - Core photo (upper right) and thin section photo-micrograph of granite intersected in the upper
part of Basement in core hole SH-1. Feldspars have been extensively altered to clay, sericite
and carbonate. The clay minerals may contribute to a vertical seal for the fractured basement
play. Marble (lower right) was also intersected in the core holes. It is intensely fractured and in
many parts of the core contains oil and/or asphalt.

Figure 10 - Asphalt deposits and oil seepages can be found in several locations in the Iliran High area (a
& b). Many old Dutch wells continue to seep oil or gas (c). This phenomenon indicates that
the region has been a focal point during oil migration but also it can be a negative indication
of the trap and seal capacity. The distribution of asphalt deposits and oil and gas seepages (red
dashed lines) on the Iliran High has an elongate pattern sub-parallel to the main fault trend (d).