INFORMATION DOCKET

KRISHNA-GODAVARI BASIN

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HYDROCARBONS

MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
2017
 KG BASIN

CONTENTS
Page No.

INTRODUCTION 1
PHYSIOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND COMMUNICATION 5
STATUS OF EXPLORATION 9
Geological surveys 9
Geophysical Surveys 9
Exploratory Drilling 13

TECTONIC FRAMEWORK 99
Tectonic Evolution of Eastern Continental Margin 99
Tectonics of Krishna-Godavari Basin 103

STRATIGRAPHY 106
GEOLOGICAL HISTORY 132
Rift Stage 132
Syn Rift Stage 133
Early Drift Stage 134
Late Drift Stage 135
Sediment Induced Neogene Tectonics 137

PETROLEUM SYSTEMS 143

PRE-TRAPPEAN PETROLEUM SYSTEMS 143
POST-TRAPPEAN PETROLEUM SYSTEMS 163
HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL 174

UNCONVENTIONAL HYDROCARBON RESOURCES 179

SHALE OIL/GAS 179
GAS HYDRATE 180

BIBLIOGRAPHY 232
 KG BASIN

LIST OF FIGURES
Fig Description Page
No. No.

1 Index Map of Krishna-Godavari Basin 2

2 Location Map of Krishna – Godavari Basin 3

3 Oil and Gas Fields of Krishna-Godavari Basin 4

4 Physiographic Map of Indian Offshore 7
5 Geological map of Krishna-Godavari basin 10
6 Composite Bouguer Gravity Map, Krishna-Godavari Basin 11
7 Composite Magnetic Anomaly Map of Krishna - Godavari Basin 12
8 Map Of Krishna – Godavari Basin Showing Some of the Drilled Wells 18
9 Lithostratigraphy of Well Razole – 1 19
10 Lithostratigraphy of Well Gajulapadu – 1 20
11 Lithostratigraphy of Well Mandapeta – 1 21
12 Lithostratigraphy of Well- Bhimanapalli – 1 22
13 Lithostratigraphy of Well Pasarlapudi – 1 23
14 Lithostratigraphy of Well Mori – 1 24
15 Lithostratigraphy of Well Nimmakuru – 1 25
16 Lithostratigraphy of Well Bantumilli – 1 26
17 Lithostratigraphy of Well Narsapur – 1 27
18 Lithostratigraphy of Well Chintalapalli – 1 28
19 Lithostratigraphic Correlation of Some Onshore Wells In Krishna – 29
Godavari Basin
20 Lithostratigraphy of Well G-1-1 31
21 Lithostratigraphy of Well G-1-6 32
22 Lithostratigraphy of Well G-2-4 33
23 Lithostratigraphy of Well KB-1-1 34
24 Lithostratigraphy of Well KB-4-1B 35
25 Lithostratigraphy of Well GS-21-1 36
26 Lithostratigraphy of Well KG-1-B-1 37
 KG BASIN

Fig Description Page

No. No.

27 Lithostratigraphy of Well GS-8-1 38

28 Lithostratigraphy of Well GS-15-1 39
29 Lithostratigraphy of Well GS-23-1 40
30 Lithostratigraphic Correlation of Few Offshore Wells 41
31 Lithostratigraphy of well KG-D6-MA1 (RIL) 42
32 Lithostratigraphy of well KG-DWN-UD-1 (ONGC) 43
33 Lithostratigraphy of well KG-DWN-98/2-D1 (ONGC) 44
34 Lithostratigraphy of well KG-D4-MD1 (RIL) 45
35 Seismic section passing through the well KG-D6-K1 50
36 Lithostratigraphy of Well KG-D6-K1 51
37 Seismic Section passing through Well KG-D6-K2 52
38 Lithostratigraphy Of Well KG-D6-K2 53
39 Seismic Section passing through Well KG-D6-AK3 54
40 Lithostratigraphy Of Well KG-D6-AK3 55
41 Seismic Section passing through Well KG-D6-SH2 57
42 Lithostratigraphy Of Well KG-D6-SH2 58
43 Seismic Section passing through Well KG-D6-BA1-A 59
44 Lithostratigraphy of well KG-D6-BA1-A 60
45 Seismic Section passing through Well KG-D6-BA2 62
46 Lithostratigraphy of well KG-D6-BA2 63
47 Seismic Section passing through Well KGOSN04 NAAL-1 (Alankari-1) 64

48 Lithostratigraphy of Well KGOSN04 NAAL-1 (Alankari-1) 65

49 Seismic Section passing through KGOSN041NACS-1 (Chandrika 66
South-1) (Inline)
50 Seismic Section passing through KGOSN041NACS-1 (Chandrika 67
South-1) (X-line)
51 Lithostratigraphy of Well KGOSN041NACS-1 (Chandrika South-1) 68
52 Seismic Section passing through Well KGV-D3-B1 70
53 Lithostratigraphy of Well KGV-D3-B1 71
 KG BASIN

Fig Description Page

No. No.

54 Seismic section through well Nagayalanka-SE-1 72

55 Lithostratigraphy of Well Nagayalanka-SE-1 73
56 Seismic section through well KG-D9-A2 75
57 Lithostratigraphy of Well KG-D9-A2 76
58 Seismic section through well KG-DWN-2005/1-A (Inline) 77
59 Seismic section through well KG-DWN-2005/1-A (X-line) 78
60 Seismic section through well KG-D6-MJ1 80
61 Lithostratigraphy of Well KG-D6-MJ1 81
62 Seismic line passes through well Seripelam-1 82
63 Seismic line passes through well Mandapeta south -1 83
64 Seismic line passes through well Gedanapalli-3 84
65 Seismic line passes through well NANL-2 86
66 Seismic line passes through well NANL-1 87
67 Seismic line passes through well KG-DWN-98/2-M3 88

68 Seismic line passes through well KG-D6-MJ-1 89

69 Seismic line passes through well G-1-NE-1 91

70 Seismic line passes through well G-1-NE-2 (AB) 92

71 Seismic line passes through well GS-29-10 93

72 Seismic line passes through well YS-9-1 94
73 Seismic line passes through well SPS-1 96
74 Seismic line passes through well GD-11-1 97
75 Seismic line passes through well Dangeru-1 98
76 Palaeogeographic Map of India Showing Proto-Continents and 100
Permo-Carboniferous Seaway Along Mid-Continental Rift
77 Indian Craton with Radial Basins and Arches / Ridges, Intracratonic 101
and Pericratonic with Major Faults and Tectonic Lineaments
78 Tectonic Framework of Krishna – Godavari Basin 104
79 Stratigraphic Nomenclature – Krishna-Godavari Basin 108
 KG BASIN

Fig Description Page

No. No.

80 Basin Fill Depicting the Litho-stratigraphic Nomenclature 109

Krishna – Godavari Basin
81 Litho-Stratigraphic Section Along a NE – SW Profile, Krishna Godavari 110
Basin
82 Isopach Map of Kommugudem Formation 112
83 Isopach Map of Mandapeta Sandstone 113
84 Isopach Map of Krishna Formation 115
85 Isopach Map of Golapalli Formation 117
86 Isopach Map of Raghavapuram Shale and Chintalapalli Shale 119
87 Isopach Map of Tirupati Sandstone 120
88 Isopach Map for Paleocene 121
89 Isopach Map of Razole Formation 123
90 Isopach Map of Pasarlapudi Formation 124
91 Isopach Map of Nimmakuru Sandstone, Matsyapuri Sandstone and 127
Ravva Formation
92 Isopach Map of Eocene 128
93 Isopach Map of Miocene 130
94 Geological Cross Section Across Krishna – Godavari Basin 139
95 NW-SE Geological Cross Section Across Krishna – Godavari Basin 140
96 North-South Geological Cross Section, Krishna – Godavari Basin 141
97 NW-SE Geological Cross Section –KG Basin 142
98 Hydrocarbon Generation Centers in Cretaceous sequence – KG 146
Basin
99 Hydrocarbon Generation Centers in Paleocene sequence – KG 147
Basin
100 Hydrocarbon Generation Centers in Eocene sequence – KG Basin 148
101 Hydrocarbon Generation Centers in Miocene sequence – KG Basin 149
102 Deen Dayal field within Cretaceous sediments in shallow water 151
(GSPC)
103 Gas Discovery in Upper Cretaceous : KG-22 in KG-OSN-2001/3 152
(GSPC)
 KG BASIN

Fig Description Page

No. No.

104 KG-31 in KG-OSN-2001/3 (GSPC) : Gas Discovery in Upper 153

Cretaceous
105 Seismic Section showing Cretaceous Prospects in KG Deep Water 155
Area
106 Cretaceous oil & gas discovery in KG-D6-MA area (RIL) in deep 156
water within typical syn-rift structures

107 Seismic Section along Inline-1440 showing Well KGD4-MD1 (KG- 158
DWN-98/1, Operator: RIL)
108 Time Structure map showing syn rift prospects in G-4 area - NE-SW 159
trending grabens associated with highs
109 Discovery in Deeper Cretaceous rift fill play : YS-5-1A well (ONGC) 160

110 RC line through wells YS-5-1A, G-4-6, and DWN-KT-1 depicting Syn- 161
rift prospectivity in shallow offshore

111 RC line through wells KG-8,G-4-6, G-4-4 and KG-dwn-98/2-KT-1 162

depicting hydrocarbon plays

112 Seismic section showing spread of Pliocene Channel- Levee 165

complexes and Overbank deposits in KG-D6 field (RIL)
113 Spectral Decomposition showing Channel Geometry in the 166
Encircled Area within Pliocene Sequence in Deep Water KG Basin

114 Stratal Amplitude Slice at Late Pliocene Top Indicating Channel 167
Levee / Fan / Lobe Complex

115 Seismic Section Showing Bright Amplitudes Integrating Reservoir 168

Facies within Late Pliocene Section

116 Map showing Channel Geometry in KG Deep Water KG-DWN-98/3 169

(D6), Operator: RIL
117 Pliocene play in G-4 Area (Operator: ONGC) 170
118 Mio-Pliocene discovery in in KG Deep Water block KG-DWN-2003/1 171
(RIL Well KG-V-D3-B1 : Dhirubahai-41)

119 Location map & structure map (Oligocene top): Ultradeep 177
prospect in block KG-DWN-98/2 (O.N.G.C)
120 Zoomed view of seismic traverse through DWN-UD-AA 178
121 Average TOC map of HG-ER unit 181
122 Average TOC map of HG-ER unit 182
 KG BASIN

Fig Description Page

No. No.

123 A, NGHP expedition 01 site map depicting the location of the 21 185
research drill sites established during the expedition. B, inset map of
the drill sites in the Krishna-Godavari Basin.
124 NGHP expedition 01 site map depicting the location of the research 186
drill sites established in the Krishna-Godavari Basin.
125 Section of 2D seismic line AD-94-13 around site NGHP-01-02 187
126a Section of seismic line AD-94-13 around site NGHP-01-02 189
126b Section Of 2d Seismic Line Ad-94-17 In The Vicinity Of Site NGHP-01- 190
03
127 Lithostratigraphic summary of hole NGHP-01-03B 191
128 Section of 2d seismic line AD-94-25 around site NGHP-01-04 193
129 section of seismic line AD-94-33 around site NGHP-01-05 195
130 Lithostratigraphic summary of hole NGHP-01-05C 196

131 Section of 2D seismic line AD-94-39 around site NGHP-01-06 showing 197
a broad basin and an extensive bsr occurrence.
132 Section of seismic crossline 3900 near site NGHP-01-07 199
133 Lithostratigraphic summary of NGHP-01-07B 200
134 Seismic line GDSW-46 (orientation is NE-SW) crossing drill site NGHP- 203
01-10.
135 Lithostratigraphic summary of hole NGHP-01-10D. 204
136 Section of 2d seismic line AD-94-27 around site NGHP-01-11 showing 205
a broad basin and an extensive BSR occurrence.

137 Seismic line GDSW-16 (orientation is NW-SE) crossing drill sites NGHP- 207
01-10, NGHP-01-12, and NGHP-01-13.

138 Lithostratigraphic summary of hole NGHP-01-12A. 208

139 Seismic inline AD-94-39 (oriented NW-SE) intersecting with site NGHP- 211
01-14
140 Lithostratigraphic summary of hole NGHP-01-14A 212

141 Seismic Line AD-94-45 crossing drill sites NGHP-01-15 214

142 Lithostratigraphic summary of hole NGHP-01-15A 215

143 Seismic inline 1315 from 3D cube across site NGHP-01-16 217
 KG BASIN

Fig Description Page

No. No.

144 Lithostratigraphic summary of NGHP-01-16A. 218

145 Seismic line AD-94-11 (NW-SE oriented) crossing site NGHP-01-20. 220
146 Lithostratigraphic summary of holes NGHP-01-20A and NGHP-01-20B 221

147 Seismic line GDSW-16 (orientation is NW-SE) crossing drill site NGHP- 223
01-21
148 Lithostratigraphic summary of hole NGHP-01-21A 224
149 NGHP-02 established 25 research drill sites in the Mahanadi Basin 227
(area A) and the greater Krishna-Godavari Basin (area B, area C,
and area E).
150 3-D seismic data volumes from area-C in the KG basin 228
151 The primary gas hydrate target in area-B is a large regional 229
anticlinal structure that is cut by a well-developed BSR.

152 Areas being explored for gas hydrate by Reliance Industries 231
 KG BASIN

LIST OF TABLES

Table Description Page

No. No.

1A. Basin Statistics 14

1. Acquisition and Processing Parameters of Seismic Land Data 15

(1981 to 1993) – KG Basin

2. Acquisition and Processing Parameters of Offshore Seismic 16

Data - KG Basin

3. Acquisition and Processing Parameters, Transition Zone Seismic 17

Data (1983 to 1984) – KG Basin

4. Details of Wells Drilled in Krishna – Godavari Basin - Onland 47

5. Details of Wells Drilled in Krishna – Godavari Basin - Offshore 48

6. Source Rock Characteristics of Onshore Wells 144

7. Source Rock Characteristics of Offshore Wells 145

 KG BASIN

INTRODUCTION
Krishna-Godavari Basin, located on the east coast of India, is a proven
petroliferous basin with a huge still unexplored potential (Fig. 1). It occupies
deltaic and inter-deltaic area of Krishna and Godavari rivers and extends
into the deep offshore. The stretch of sedimentary tract consists of a vast
range of geological settings, such as coastal basin, delta, shelf slope apron,
deep sea channel and deep water fan complexes. The basin has emerged
as one of the frontier areas for future hydrocarbon exploration after the multi-
trillion cubic feet giant gas discoveries in recent years. It has a unique status
among the Indian sedimentary basins and it has geological extension into
the deep offshore. It occupies 28,000 Sq. Km. onland and 1,45000 Sq. km
offshore with 30,000 Sq. Km. falling in shallow offshore upto 400m
bathymetry(Fig. 2). Additionally, it covers a vast area in the deep waters also.
The onland and shallow offshore have a resource potential of 1130 million
metric tons of O+OEG (onland 575 MMT, shallow offshore 555 MMT) in
addition to the deep-water resource which is 7000 MMT for all deep water
areas, i.e., east as well as west coast of India.

The unique nature of the basin is demonstrated in many ways. Tectonically, it

witnessed intense activity continuously from oldest Early Permian Gondwana
tectonics to the youngest growth fault tectonics of Oligocene-Miocene and
sediment induced tectonics of Pliocene and Pleistocene. Stratigraphically, a
near total sedimentary section is present in the basin-Permian Draksharama
Argillite to Pliocene/Pleistocene Godavari Clay. The basin has been
endowed with four petroleum systems sourcing commercial hydrocarbon
accumulations to Permo-Triassic Mandapeta Sandstone, Jurassic Gollapalli
Sandstone, Lower Cretaceous reservoir sands within Raghavapuram Shale,
Upper Cretaceous Tirupati sandstone, deltaic sands of Palaeogene, sands
within Miocene growth fault tectonic setting and intra slope terrace/basins of
Pliocene and Pleistocene.

The basin has a number of small to medium sized oil/gas fields discovered
onland and offshore (Fig. 3) The recent significant discoveries in both older
and younger stratigraphic levels in shallow water and deep-water parts of
the basin by some exploration companies, viz., D1, D3, D-26 MA, D2, D4, D6,

1
 KG

KRISHNA GODAVARI BASIN

FIG.1 INDEX MAP OF KRISHNA-GODAVARI BASIN

2
 810 00I 820 00I 830 00I
m

Goda
50
m
20

vari R
m

iver
100
Gopalpuram m
170 200 170
00I Rajahmundary 00I
Kakinada

Tanuku Yanam
Ellore

Vijayawada

K
Narsapur

ri s
h na

3
Ri
ve
r
Masulipatnam

160 160
00I 00I
G AL
N
BE
Index Map
OF
B AY
INDIA
L n

-
G
GA si

K
EN B a

Bathymetry Contour
B

50m Madras
F

m
YO

20
BA

SCALE
10 0 10 20 30km SRI

100m
LANKA

200m
50m
810 00I 820 00I 830 00I
KG

FIG. 2 LOCATION MAP OF KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN

4
KG

FIG. 3 OIL AND GAS FIELDS OF KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN

 KG BASIN

D7, D8, D16, D19, D-22, D23 etc. by RIL in KG-DWN-98/3 block, KG-08, KG-17,
KG-15, KG-16, KG-22, KG-31, KG-21, KG-19, KG-20SS etc. by GSPC in KG-OSN-
2001/3, Padmavati, Kankdurga, Annapurna etc. by Cairn India Ltd and DWN-
U-1, DWN-A-1, DWN-W-1, DWN-UD-1, DWN-KT-1, DWN-D-1, DWN-E-1,M-3 by
ONGC in KG-DWN-98/2 block, Chandrika South-1, Alankari-1, Saveri-1,NANL-
1,NANL-2 by ONGC in KG-OSN-2004/1 block and G-1-NE, G-1-NE-AB, GS-29-
10, YS-9-1,GS-29 in ONGC nomination area and in onland part of basin recent
significant discoveries viz Seripelam-1,mandapeta south-1,GD-11-AA , South
Pasarlapudi-1 by ONGC and Dangeru-1 by OIL and Nagayalanka-1Z and
Nagayalanka-SE-1 by Cairn in KG-ONN-2003/1 block have contributed
significantly to the exploration in the basin and the unique tectonic and
stratigraphic set up of the basin not only offers exciting challenges to all
oil/gas professionals - geologists, geophysicists, drilling engineers, production
engineers and other related E&P professionals etc. but also rewarding
opportunities.

While the greener coastal districts- East and West Godavari and Krishna, in
which the onland part of the basin is located, offers very conducive working
environment, deep water prospects at a relatively short distance from the
shore due to narrow continental shelf provide additional economic
advantages during exploitation stage.

5
 KG BASIN

PHYSIOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND COMMUNICATION

PHYSIOGRAPHY

The major geomorphologic units of the Krishna-Godavari basin are (i) upland
plains, (ii) coastal plains and (iii) recent flood and delta plains. The western
upland plains present a topographic relief varying between 20 m and 200 m.
The general gradient is towards east and southeast. The eastern coastal plain
with a maximum width of 50 km includes landforms mainly of marine origin.
The marine sediments rest in general on scoured surfaces and form bars,
barrier islands and tidal flats further seaward. Presences of linear ridges of
sand bars parallel to the shoreline are noticeable in the physiographic map
of Indian Offshore (Fig. 4). The rivers are braided in the upper flood plain and
meandering in the lower flood plain.

Following a southeasterly course, the Godavari and Krishna rivers form the
major deltas in the area. Whereas, the Krishna delta is fluvial-dominated
elongate and constructive type, the Godavari delta is lobate and partially
effected by wave action. The Godavari river branches into three main
distributaries in the lower delta plain and the sands are distributed by wave
action into sand bars, parallel to the coast. The shifting of the river course
during the growth of the delta is indicated by the presence of abandoned
channels. The shelf is narrow near the river mouths and widens in the bay
areas.

CLIMATE

The climate is hot and humid with temperatures reaching up to 420C during
summer. The mean day temperature varies between 350C and 400C during
summer and 250C and 300C during winter. Widespread rains, with occasional
cyclonic storms occur during June to August due to southwest monsoon and
during October to December due to northeast monsoon. The average
annual rainfall is about 1,250 mm.

6
 KG

4
5
3
2

1 ALLEPPEY PLATEAU 2 LAXMI LACCADIVE RIDGE 3 INDUS FAN 4 WESTERN GHATS 5 BENGAL FAN

FIG. 4 PHYSIOGRAPHIC MAP OF INDIAN OFFSHORE

7
 KG BASIN

COMMUNICATIONS

Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada and Masulipatnam are the important

towns in this area and are well connected by road and rail. Vijayawada and
Rajahmundry have small airports. Chennai (Madras) and Hyderabad are the
nearest international airports. Visakhapatnam, situated in the northeastern
part of the area, is a major port city with ship repair and cargo handling
facilities.

8
 KG BASIN

STATUS OF EXPLORATION

GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS

The Krishna-Godavari basin is well covered by geological surveys. The basin

has been under active studies since 1959. ONGC has carried out detailed
geological mapping in the area covering 4220 sq. kms.

The Pre-Cambrian igneous and metamorphic complex forms the basement

and limits the basin in the west. The oldest sediments outcropping in the basin
include Lower and Upper Gondwanas, which occur near western and
northwestern fringes of the basin, mainly near Ellore and Ongole areas. The
Lower Gondwanas overlie the Archaean rocks unconformably. The Upper
Gondwanas are overlain by Deccan Traps associated with intra and infra
trappeans which are exposed near i) Bhimadolu, ii) between Lakshmipuram
and Pangadi, and iii) Rajahmundry to Rajanagaram. The Rajahmundry
sandstones of Mio-Pliocene age unconformably overlie the Deccan Traps,
and are exposed in small hillocks near Rajahmundry. A geological map is
given in the Fig. 5.

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS

Gravity-Magnetic surveys, in the land part have been carried out by ONGC
over an area of 19,200 sq. km. In offshore area, M/s. Prakla Seismos and GSI
acquired the gravity-magnetic data for ONGC. Composite Bouguer Gravity
and composite Magnetic Anomaly maps are shown in (Figs. 6 & 7).

Conventional single fold surveys were initiated in 1965 and upto 1973 about
2,690 line km of data was acquired. CDP surveys were commenced in 1973.
In the onland part, ONGC has acquired about 37,017 LKM of 2D and 7097.4
sq km of 3D seismic data and OIL has acquired about 890.96 LKM of 2D and
367.37 sq km of 3D seismic data. Pvt/JV companies have acquired 1237 LKM
of 2D and 1089 sq km of 3D seismic data in onland part of Krishna Godavari
basin.

In offshore area, the first surveys of regional nature were carried out during
1964-65. These surveys were followed by multifold 2D/3D seismic surveys, in

9
10
KG

FIG. 5 GEOLOGICAL MAP OF KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN

11
KG

FIG. 6 COMPOSITE BOUGUER GRAVITY MAP OF KRISHNA - GODAVARI BASIN

 800 00I 810 00I 820 00I 830 00I 840 00I

180 180
00I 00I

Vishakhapatnam

Rajahmundary
170 Kakinada 170
00I 00I
Ellore Yanam

Vijayawada

12
Amlapuram
Narsapur

Masulipatnam
160 160
00I 00I

Ongole
10 0 10 20 30km

Scale

150 Contour in gamma 150

00I 00I

800 00I 810 00I 820 00I 830 00I 840 00I
KG

FIG. 7 COMPOSITE MAGNETIC ANOMALY MAP OF KRISHNA - GODAVARI BASIN

 KG BASIN

shallow to deep waters and transition zone. A total of 93,961 LKM 2D and
38,404 Sq. Km. 3D seismic surveys have been carried out by ONGC. The
Pvt/JV companies have acquired 29,537 LKM 2D and 37155 sq km 3D in the
Krishna Godavari offshore areas.

As on 31.3.2015, onland part of the basin Is covered by 39209 LKM of 2D and

7355 Sq. Km of 3D seismic data and the offshore area is covered by 113,802
LKM of 2D seismic and 75664 Sq. Km of 3D seismic data ( including deep
water) for exploration of conventional hydrocarbon..

Additionally, during 1972-74, 2,028 km. Refraction data was acquired to study
the basement configuration and also shallow reflectors.

Statistical data of these surveys are shown in Table-1A. The general

information on acquisition and processing parameters employed for the
surveys are given in Table-1, Table-2 & Table-3.

EXPLORATORY DRILLING

Onland: As on 31.03.2015, in the onland part of Krishna Godavari basin,

approximately more than 458 wells have been drilled (Fig.8) for exploration of
conventional hydrocarbon. Notable oil discoveries are Kaikalur, Vadali, Mori,
Bantumilli, Lingala, Suryaraopeta, Gopavaram, Kesanapalli and Kesanapalli
West. The gas discoveries are Adavlpalem, Elamanchili, Enugupalli, Narsapur,
Razole, Tatipaka-Kadali, Pasarlapudi, Mandapeta, Chintalapalli. Nandigama,
Endamuru, Penumadam, Ponnamanda, Achanta, Mullikipalle, Magatapalli,
Gokarnapuram, Kesavadasapalem, Lakshamaneshwaram, Rangapuram,
Sirikattapalli, Penugonda and Kamapalem. Pvt / JV Company Cairn has also
discovered one hydrocarbon pool Nagayalanka recently. The
lithostratigraphy of few key onshore wells is given in Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17 & 18 and a lithostratigraphic correlation of a few onshore wells is
shown in Fig. 19.

Offshore: As on 31.03.2015, in offshore area approximately more than 310

exploratory wells have been drilled for exploration of conventional
hydrocarbon.. Approximately Fourteen oil and gas pools have been

13
 Table- 1A

BASIN STATISTICS

Basin Type : Pericratonic Rift Basin

States : Andhra Pradesh
Area : 28,000 Sq. Km. onland and 30,000 Sq. Km.
shallow offshore (upto 400m bathymetry).
Additionally, it covers a vast area in the deep
waters.

Exploratory Coverage
a) Geological : 4220 Sq.kms
b) Geophysical
GM : 21,000 Sq.Kms
Seismic : ONLAND
2D : 39209 LKM
3D : 7355 Sq.km
OFFSHORE
2D : 113,802 LKM
3D : 75664 Sq.km
c) Exploratory Wells Drilled
ONLAND : >458

OFFSHORE : >310

Total : >768

14
 KG

TABLE – 1
ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING PARAMETERS OF SEISMIC LAND DATA (1981 TO 1993) – KG BASIN

Survey
Processed by Acquisition Parameters Processing Sequence
conducted by

ONGC ONGC Instrument : GSC 17000/DFS-V/SN 348 Demult

Format : SEG A / SEG B Sample rate : 4 ms

Sampling interval : 2 ms TAR

Recording filters : 0-71 / 8-125 / 0-135 Hz DBS :

Record Length : 5 Sec. Operator length : 180/80/120/160/240 ms

15
Source : Dynamite Prediction Distance : 2nd Zero crossing /
1st Zero
Configuration : End-on/SPL/TSPRED
Statics
Channels : 24/48/96
NMO
Group Interval : 100/90/75/60/55/50/25 m
CDP Stack : 1200 %, 2400%, 4800%
Shot Interval : 100/90/75/60/55/25/20 m
TVF
Fold : 12 / 24 / 48
Trac Scaling : AGC / Scaling
 KG

TABLE – 2
ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING PARAMETERS OF OFFSHORE SEISMIC DATA - KG BASIN
Survey CDP Energy
Acquisition Parameters Processing Sequence & Data Quality
conducted by Foldage Source
Prakla-Seismos 12/24/48/60 Airgun Array/
Instrument : DFS-IV/DFS-V/ Demult / Resample : Sample rate : 4 ms
Aqua Pulse /
ONGC Geoflex / LRS-88/ T.S.R Amplitude Recovery
Tovex Sampling interval : 2 ms CDP Gather : 12/24/48/60 fold
GSI
Recording filters : 8-128/0-124/ DBS :
Western 0-128/1-125/ Pred. : 4/16/20 ms
Geophysical Co 3.5-128 Hz
Operator length : 340 / 350 ms
Chevron SP Interval : 25/50/33.33 m Window : 2.0/2.5/3.0/4.0 Sec

16
International Group Interval : 25/50/15 m Shot and Streamer Statics : +8 ms
Ltd.
Record Length : 6/8/10/7 Sec. Velocity analysis : every 2 km
Amoco India NMO
Petroleum Co. No. of groups : 48 / 96 / 240
CDP Stack : 1200 / 2400 /
4800 / 6000 %
DAS :
Prediction Time : 24/30/32/44 ms
Operator Length : 460/436/160 ms
Scaling : TVS / AGC
Plotting Scale : 20/40 Tracs / inch
5 inchs / Sec.
 KG

TABLE – 3
ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING PARAMETERS, TRANSITION ZONE SEISMIC DATA (1983 TO 1984) – KG BASIN
Survey Processed
Acquisition Parameters Processing Sequence
conducted by by
Western Geophysical Western
Instrument : DFS-V Demult & TAR : Sample rate : 4 ms
Geophysical
Alpha : 10 db/sec. window : 0-2.0 sec.
Format : SEG B
Vertical Sum : Two adjacent pops for Airgun
Sampling interval : 2 ms and no sum for Geoflex / Tovex
Recording filters : 8-128 Hz Static shift : 16 ms for Geoflex data
Splking Decon No. of Gastes : 1
Record Length : 6 Sec.
Operator Length : 240 ms
Source : Air gun / Geoflex /
Tovex Design gates : Near trace : 0.5-4.5 sec.

17
Far trace : 3.0 – 5.0 sec.
Pop Interval : Air gun 12.5 m /
Geoflex/Tovex 50 m Velocity Analysis every 2 km
NMO and MUTE
Configuration : End-on
CDP Stack : 2400 %
Hydrophones : 4 per buoy
(bunched) DAS
No. of gates : 1
Group Interval : 50 m
Operator Length : 240 ms
Shot Interval : 25 m
Prediction time : 12 ms
Fold : 24 Design gates : Near trace : 0.5-4.5 sec.
Navigation : Del Norte Trisponder F.K. Filter
TVF / TVS : AGC (Gate : 500 ms)
 810 00I 820 00I 830 00I
m
50

Goda
KB-4-1
m
20 +

vari R
iver
+ KB-1-1
170 RAJAHMUNDRY 170
00I + KMG-1 KAKINADA 00I
MVR-1+ + MHV-1+
NDV-1 RMC-1 +END-1 KG-8 +
+MDP-1+ + PNL-1 + GS-17-1
DKR-1+ YANAM
TNK-1+ +D1
VLP-1+ + +D2
PDR-1 +MMV-1 D3
KVT-1+ + PSD-1 BMP-1
PNM-1+ + VTP-1
+ + ++
VIJAYAWADA + GJP-1 SRP-1 RV-1++
MPD-1 + + + AMP-1
+ + G-4-1
LPD-1 + +SSY-4 GS-29-1
+ + LNG-1 SRP-2 ELM-1
+ ++ + +
+

K
VDL-1++
+ VND-1
GRZ-1+ +KLR-1 BNT-1
MTP-1+ ++ + + ++ + BML-1 +
SKG-1+

ri s
MSP-6+ +

h
ANG-1+ +VKT-1 ++ MOD-1+
CPK-1

na
+ + +GS-23-1 + + + + G-3-1
GS-22-1 + GS-13-3 + G-2-2

Ri
+ 1
-V- +
NDG-1+

18
+ + + GS-18-1A

ve
+ NMK-1 -OS
+ GS-20-1B

r
GS-5-1 + GS-37-1 KG+ GS-10-1 +
KZA-1+ + GS-8-1 G-1-5
MASULIPATNAM
+ GS-11-1
+ GS-12-1 +
MB-1-2+ G-5-1
+ G-13-1
L A
160 NG 160
MPL-1+ BE
00I BLK-1+ F 00I
O
B AY
+ GS-3-1
+ GS-14-1
+ GS-38-1
+GS-39-1
Ongole + GS-41-1
INDEX
KS-3-1
+ Recent
Pliocene to Miocene
50m Bathymetry Contour Lower Eocene to
+ KRI-1-1 Palaeocene
+ Drilled Well
Lower Cretaceous
Scale Upper Jurassic
Lr. Tr. To up. Permian

50m
100m
10 0 10 20 30 km

200m
Archean

20m
810 00I 820 00I 830 00I
KG

FIG. 8 MAP OF KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN SHOWING SOME OF THE DRILLED WELLS
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO- RE-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION MARKS

LATE OL

RECENT
-GOCEN
VERY FINE TO VERY COARSE
SANDS PEBBLY AND ILL SORTED

TO
E
I
WITH SILT AND CLAY

LATE EOCENE TO EAR 500

FINE TO VERY COARSE GRAINED

LYOLIGOCENE

CALCAREOUS SANDSTONE WITH

THIN CLAYSTONE BANDS
1000

1500
BIOCLASTIC LIMESTONE WITH
ALTERATIONS OF SANDSTONE
AND CLAYSTONE

2000
EOCENE
MIDDLE

SANDSTONE WITH THIN

INTERCALATIONS OF CLAYSTONE

2500
EOCENE

DARK GREY, SPLINTARY SHALE

E A R LY

WITH THIN BANDS OF SILTSTONE

3000 AND SANDSTONE

v v v
P A L E-
v v BASALT WITH THIN GAS
3500
OCENE v vv INTERTRAPPEANS
CRETACEOU

DARK GREY, MASSIVE CLAYSTONE

4000 / SHALE WITH THIN OCCASIONAL
SANDSTONE LAYERS
S

4500
DD 4501m
FIG. 9 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL RAZOLE - 1
19
 KG

DD 3811m

FIG. 10 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL GAJULAPADU - 1

20
 KG

DD 4302m

FIG. 11 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL MANDAPETA - 1

21
 KG

DD 2842m

FIG. 12 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL BHIMANAPALLI - 1

22
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO- RE-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION MARKS
SANDSTONE WITH MINOR CLAY /

OLIGOCENE
TO RECENT
CLAYSTONE BEDS
LATE

500

SANDSTONE WITH ALTERNATE

CLAY / CLAYSTONE BEDS
P A L E O C E N E TO E A R L Y O L I G O C E N E

1000

1500
LIMESTONE WITH SANDSTONE
AND CLAYSTONE ALTERATIONS

2000 SANDSTONE WITH CALCAREOUS

BANDS

CLAYSTONE AND SHALE WITH

SANDSTONE AND SILTSTONE
2500 GAS
LAMINAE

3000
CRETACEOUS

CLAYSTONE WITH MINOR

CALCITE AND PYRITE
3500
DD 3504m
FIG.13 LITHOSTRTIGRAPHY OF WELL PASARLAPUDI - 1
23
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO- RE-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION MARKS

TO RECEN
MIOCENE

DOMINANTLY SANDSTONE WITH

T CLAYSTONE
500

1000

SANDSTONE WITH ALTERATION OF

CLAY STONE AND MINOR
CALCAREOUS MATERIAL
P A L E O C E N E TO O L I G O C E N E

1500

LIMESTONE WITH MINOR

CLAYSTONE

2000

DOMINANTLY CLAYSTONE AND

SANDSTONE SECTION WITH MINOR
LIMESTONE

2500

DOMINANTLY CLAYSTONE
OIL
SECTION WITH THIN SANDSTONE
AND SILTSTONE DEVELOPMENT

3000

DD 3200m
FIG.14 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL MORI - 1
24
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION

OLIGOCENE TO PREDOMINANTLY SANDY WITH

RECENT MINOR CLAYSTONE

500
EOCENE

OLIGOC

CLAY / CLAYSTONE WITH MINOR

- ENE
TO

SAND

V V V V V
PALEOCENE BASALT WITH INTRAPPEANS
1000

SANDSTONE PEBBLY TO COARSE

GRAINED

1500
CRETACEOUS

SHALE WITH MINOR THIN

SANDSTONES

2000

DOMINANTLY SANDSTONE WITH

MINOR CLAYSTONE

2500

FINE TO COARSE SANDSTONE WITH

GREY, BROWN CLAYSTONE
BIOTITE GNEISS
ARCHEAN 3000 + +
DD 3071m

FIG.15 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL NIMMAKURU - 1

25
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO- RE-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION MARKS
LATE
OLIGOC- CLAY / CLAYSTONE WITH THIN
ENE TO SAND AND COAL BEDS
RECENT

500 MAINLY SANDSTONE UPPER PART

EOCENE TO EARLY

IS MARKED BY PRESENCE OF
CLAYSTONE
OLIGOCENE

1000

LIMESTONE, GREY TO DARK, GREY

PALAEOCENE
1500 vv vv MASSIVE, TRAP FLOWS

Indication of Oil

SANDSTONE, MAINLY WHITE TO

DIRTY WHITE, OCCASIONAL
C R E T A C E O U S

2000
CLAYSTONE LAYERS

2500

CLAYSTONE, LIGHT TO DARK

GREY COMPACT, OCCASIONAL
SANDSTONE LAYERS SHALE IN
THE BOTTOM PART
3000

3500
Archaean + + + GNEISSIC BASEMENT
DD 3650m

FIG.16 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL BANTUMILLI - 1

26
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO- RE-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION MARKS

-ENE TO
OLIGOC

RECEN
SANDSTONE WITH OCCASIONAL

T
CLAYSTONE

500

1000
O L I G O C E N E

SANDSTONE WITH OCCASIONAL

CLAYSTONE

1500
TO

2000 BIOCLASTIC LIMESTONE

E O C E N E

SANDSTONE, LIGHT TO WHITISH

GREY
2500

SHALE, DARK GREY TO GREY,

OCCASIONAL THIN LAYERS OF
SANDSTONE
3000

v v vv
PALAEOCENE TRAP FLOWS AND INTER TRAPPEANS
CRETACEOUS

3500
CLAYSTONE / SHALE, LIGHT GREY
TO DARK GREY, OCCASIONAL GAS
THIN SAND LAYERS

4000
DD 4035m

FIG.17 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL NARSAPUR - 1

27
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO- RE-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION MARKS

RECENT
MIOCEN
SANDSTONE WITH OCCASIONAL/

E TO
CLAY CLAYSTONE

CLAYSTONE, GREY IN COLOUR

500

SANDSTONE WITH
ALTERNATIONS OF CLAYSTONE,
OCCASIONAL LIMESTONE
O L I G O C E N E

1000 LAYERS

1500

MAINLY LIMESTONE WITH

2000 SUBORDINATE SANDSTONE /
CLAYSTONE
TO

MAINLY SANDSTONE WITH

OCCASIONAL SILTSTONE SHALE
E O C E N E

AND CLAYSTONE
2500

3000
DOMINANTLY CLAYSTONE /
SHALE OCCASIONAL LIMESTONE
AND SILTSTONE

3500
vv v v
PALAEO- vv v TRAP FLOWS WITH INTER
CENE
v vv v TRAPPEANS
CRETACEOU

GAS
4000
CLAYSTONE WITH MINOR
S

SILTSTONE

4500
DD 4504m

FIG. 18 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL CHINTALAPALLI - 1

28
29
KG

FIG. 19 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC CORRELATION OF SOME ONSHORE WELLS IN

KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN
 KG BASIN

discovered by ONGC in the offshore part of the basin in the Mio-Pliocene

sequence. These prospects are G-1, G-2, GS-8, Ravva (GS-16), GS-38, GS-29,
GS-15, GS-23, GS-49, GS-KW, KD-1, GS-69, G-4 and GD (Fig. 3). Details of the
litho-units encountered in some of these wells are given in Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 & 29. lithostratigraphic correlation of a few offshore wells
is shown in Fig. 30.

More than approximately 61 discoveries already have been made in NELP

blocks as on 31.03.2015. Recently, RIL has made KG-D6-MJ1 discovery in D1-
D3 ML area in KG-DWN-98/3 block. At deeper levels, 2 gas pools within
Lower Cretaceous sequence by GSPC and one gas pool YS-5-1A within
Upper Cretaceous by ONGC have been discovered in shallow offshore
blocks. Besides one oil pool each by RIL (KG-D6-MA) and ONGC (G-4-6)
within Cretaceous sediments have been discovered in recent years. Details
of the litho-units encountered in some of the drilled wells are given in Figs. 31,
32, 33 & 34.

ONGC has made a number of discoveries in recent years. Gopavarum and

Pasarlapudi – 40 in onland part and GS-KW-AE and KT-1 in offshore part of the
basin are 4 new oil & gas pools found in 2007-08. In addition to these, in 2007-
08, new prospects namely Uppidi-1 & ERA-1 in onland & GS-48-1 in offshore
part have been discovered. In 2008-09, ONGC discovered Kesanapalli west,
Gedanapalli, Vygeswaram in Onland and GS-15, GS-48-2, G-4-6 and YS-5-1A
in shallow offshore. In 2009-10, discoveries East Rangapuram-3,
Kammapalem-1, Penugonda-1A, in onland and GD-7, GD-69-1, GS-KW-6 in
shallow offshore have been made by ONGC. In 2010-11, oil and gas
discoveries were made in Lakshminarasimhapuram-1, Vygreswaram SW,
MSAA, WKV-AA by ONGC and Nagayalanka-1 Z by Cairn in onland and GS-
KV-1 in shallow offshore by ONGC. In 2011-12, discoveries Nagayalanka-SE-1
by Cairn in onland and Chandrika South-1, Alankari-1in shallow offshore by
ONGC and KG-D9-A2 in deepwater by RIL. In 2012-13, KRV-AA, MUK-AA, VNS-
AA, BTS-AA in onland by ONGC and Saveri-1 in shallow offshore by ONGC
and discoveries KG-DWN-98/2-A-2, KGD051NAA-1 in deepwater by ONGC
have been made. In 2013-14 onland discoveries Geddanapalli-1,mandapeta
south -1,Seripelam-1,shallow offshore discoveries KGOSN041NANL-
1,KGOSN041NANL-2 and deepwater discovery KG-DWN-98/2-M3 have been

30
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

CLAY, GREY TO DARK GREY, SOFT,

PLASTIC
R E C EN

1000 SILTY CLAY, SLIGHTLY CALCAREOUS

SAND WITH SILTY CLAY

TO
T
M I O C E N E

CLAY AND SILTSTONE WITH MINOR

SANDSTONE STREAKS

2000

SANDSTONE AND CLAYSTONE

ALTERATIONS
MIOCENE
EOCENE

MIDDLE

3000 MAINLY SHALE WITH MINOR

TO

CLAYSTONE

DD 3213m

FIG. 20 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL G-1-1

31
 KG

AGE DEPTH LITHO-

(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

NO SAMPLES
YOUNGER

1000
CLAY / CLAYSTONE, DARK GREY STICKY
AND

Indication of Oil & Gas

PLIOCENE

2000
SANDSTONE, FINE TO MEDIUM GRAINED,
OCCASSIONALLY PEBBLY

CLAYSTONE, COMPACT, SILTY

SANDSTONE FINE TO MEDIUM GRAINED,

MIOCENE

POORLY SORTED

3000

DD 3208m

FIG. 21 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL G-1-6

32
 KG

AGE DEPTH LITHO-

(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

NO SAMPLES
YOUNGER

1000 CLAY / CLAYSTONE, DARK PEBBLY

CALCAREOUS
AND
PLIOCENE

ARGILLACEOUS SANDSTONE
2000
SANDSTONE – VARY FINE TO
MEDIUM GRAINED
SHALE DARK GREY, MODERATELY
HARD, PYRITIC
M I O C E N E

SANDSTONE, LIGHT GREY, FINE

GRAINED, WELL SORTED
3000
SHALE DARK GREY, MODERATELY
HARD, CALCAREOUS

DD 3200m

FIG. 22 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL G-2-4

33
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION

PA LE OCENE
SEA BED

SAMPLE COULD NOT BE

RECENT
COLLECTED

TO
500 LIME STONE
SANDSTONE WITH OCCASIONAL
CALCITE

CLAYSTONE & SANDSTONE

1000
CRE TACEOUS

1500

CLAY / CLAYSTONE OF LIGHT

GREY, WITH OCCASIONALLY
CARBONACEOUS MATTER

2000

FELSPATHIC SANDSTONE OF
LIGHT GREY, MOD. HARD, SUB
ANGULAR, STREAKS OF
2500 CLAYSTONE

SANDSTONES WITH THIN BANDS

OF COAL WITH CLAY STONE /
SHALE
3000
PERMIAN

SHALE WITH MINOR SANDSTONE

3500

SANDSTONE, HARD SILICIFIED

DD 3679m

FIG. 23 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KB-1-1

34
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

SAMPLE NOT COLLECTED

P L I O C E N E

Y O U N G E R
300

T O
CLAY / CLAYSTONE WITH SAND /
600
SANDSTONE AND LIMESTONE

UPPER SAND / SANDSTONE WITH

900
CRETACE- CLAYSTONE AND MINOR COAL
OUS
LOWER CRETACEOU

1200

1500 CLAYSTONE / SHALE AND

S

SANDSTONE WITH MINOR

SILTSTONE

1800

2100
TO LOWER
JURASSIC

SANDSTONE AND SHALE WITH

CRETA-
CEOUS
UPPER

MINOR COAL

2400
TRIASSI

2700
DOMINANTLY SAND / SANDSTONE
AND SHALE / CLAYSTONE WITH
MINOR SILTSTONE AND COAL
C

3000
PERMO -

3300

DD 3400m

FIG. 24 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KB-4-1B

35
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

P L I O C E N E

Y O U N G E R
CLAY, BLACK SOFT, STICKY,
PLASTIC

T O

500 SAND, WHITE, COLOURLESS

SAND-MILKY WHITE, REDISH

MEDIUM TO COARSE GRAIN

1000
CLAYSTONE, DARK GREY, PYRITIC
M I O C E N E

1500
CLAYSTONE, DARK GREY, MOD.
HARD, SILTY, PYRITIC

2000

SANDSTONE, COLOURLESS TO
DIRTY WHITE, FINE TO MEDIUM
GRAINED
2500 CLAYSTONE, GREY, MOD. HARD,
MICACEOUS, SILTY, SANDY

OLIGOCENE
3000
EOCENE

DD 3050m

FIG. 25 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL GS-21-1

36
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

SAND, SHELL FRAGMENTS, MINOR

CLAYS
TERTIARY
SAND STONE, OCCASSIONALLY
MINOR LIMESTONE - BROWN

500
CRETACEOUS

L.ST. : LT. GY, MOD. HD, CPT., OCC

DOLOMITIC
S.ST. : LT. GY, FELDSPATHIC,
MICACEOUS ; OOOLITIC

1000
TRIASSIC

CL.ST : GY – GREEN GY., FBLY. CALC, SILTY,

MICACEOUS
1500
S.ST FELSPATHIC & CL.ST ALTERNATION
TO
JURASSIC

2000
CL.ST : GY, DKGY, WHT, MOD.HD., SFT, SILTY

SHALE : DK GY-BLK, FISSILE, CARBONACEOUS,

PYRITIC
PALEOZOIC

CL.ST. : BRICK RED, BROWN, HD, CPT.

LATE

SHALE : DK GY., FISSILE

CLAY/CLST. : WHT, SFT, MOD. HD., PYRITIC
2500

SHALE : DK GY, FISSILE, OOLITIC, SILTY, MINOR

RED, CL.ST. WITH IGNEOUS ROCK FRAGMENTS

DD 2715m

FIG. 26 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-1-B-1

37
 KG

AGE DEPTH LITHO-

(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

PLIOCENE TO
SAND, COLOURLESS, MODERATELY SOFT
RECENT CLAY BLACK, SOFT, PYRITIC

SAND WITH CLAY IN INTERVALS

500
M I O C E N E

CLAY / CLAYSTONE – DARK GREY SOFT

1000
SANDSTONE – WHITE SOFT, MOD. SORTED
SUB ANGULAR, SUB ROUNDED

OLIGOCENE CLAYSTONE WITH MINOR SANDSTONE

1500 SAND, SUBANGULAR

CLAYSTONE DARK GREY, HARD,

COMPACT PYRITIC
LIMESTONE, WHITE SOFT
EOC ENE

2000
SANDSTONE, WHITE, VERY COARSE
GRAINED, TRACES OF PYRITE
LIMESTONE, WHITE, SOFT, ARGILLOUS

2500
CLAYSTONE, DARK GREY SOFT
PALAEOCENE

Indication of Gas
SANDSTONE, WHITE, FINE GRAINED,
FEEBLY, CALCAREOUS
Indication of Gas
3000
DD 3002m

FIG. 27 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL GS-8-1

38
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

SOFT CLAY INTERBEDDED WITH

UNCONSILADATED SAND BEDS

500

MONOTONOUS CLAY & CLAYSTONE

RECENT

WITH THIN BEDS OF LIMESTONE

1000 SAND, WHITE, LOOSE

TO
PLIOCENE

DOMINANTLY CLAY / CLAYSTONE WITH THIN

BEDS OF SANDSTONE AND SILTSTONE
1500

2000
CLAY / CLAYSTONE INTERBEDDED WITH
CLAYEY SANDSTONE AND SILTSTONE

Indication of Oil & Gas

DOMINANTLY SANDSTONE INTERBEDED
MIOCENE

WITH CLAYSTONE
2500
CLAYSTONE WITH THIN SANDSTONE &
SILTSTONE BEDS
CLAYSTONE & SAT. ALTERNATION WITH
OCC. SILTSTONE
DD 2742m

FIG. 28 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL GS-15-1

39
 KG
AGE DEPTH LITHO-
(mts) LOGY DESCRIPTION
SEA BED

SOFT CLAY INTER BEDDED WITH

UNCONSILDATED SAND BEDS
RECENT

500
TO

MONOTONOUS CLAY & CLAYSTONE WITH

THIN BEDS OF SANDSTONE & SILTSTONE
PLIOCENE

1000

1500
DOMINANTLY CLAY / CLAYSTONE WITH THIN
BEDS OF SANDSTONE AND SILTSTONE
M I O C E N E

2000 CLAYSTONE / SHALE WITH SANDSTONE

AND SILTSTONE AND MINOR MARL
Indication of Oil & Gas

ALTERATION OF SHALE / CLAYSTONE

AND SANDSTONE WITH SOME AMOUNT
2500 OF WHITE CLAY AND SILTSTONE

DOMINANTLY CLAYSTONE INTERBEDDED

WITH THIN SANDSTONE AND SILTSTONE
DD 2810m

FIG. 29 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL GS-23-1

40
 KBS-1-1A KG-11 KG-1 GS-17-1 KG-8

41
KG

FIG. 30 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC CORRELATION OF FEW OFFSHORE WELLS

 KG
KB : 14 m (above sea level)
Water Depth : 1189 m Latitude : 16o 41’ 50.32” N
Drilled Depth : 3768.7 mts (TVDSS) Longitude : 82o 41’ 45.00” E
Depth AGE / DESCRIPTION HC SHOWS
LITHOLOGY
(m) FORMATION
1189

Recent
To ~~ ~~ ~~
Late Pliocene Predominantly Claystone with minor
~~ ~~ ~~ Siltstone

~~ ~~ ~~
1796 Late Pliocene To ~~ ~~ ~~ Predominantly Claystone with minor Siltstone.
1881 Early Pliocene
E.Pliocene to M.Miocene
Qtz grain & fossidebris seen microscopically
Claystone graded to silty claystone in parts traces of pyrits, gluconite & mica.
1896 M.Miocene to E.Oligocene ~~ ~~ Claystone graded to silty clayst; carbonaceous detritees
Massive Claystone
1936
1956
Early Oligocene To Dominantly Claystone, traces of pyrite & gluconite, fossil
Late Middle Eocene fragments

2166

Gradation between calcareous claystone & calcareous

Late Cretaceous to ~~ ~~ siltstone
Early Cretaceous ~~ ~~
~~
~~
~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
~~
~~ ~~ ~~~~~~
2946 ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
Early Cretaceous Claystone with thin interbed of siltstone
To ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
Late Jurrasic Tested Oil & Gas :
3197 – 3288 m)
3236
Tested Oil :
3266 – 3290 m)

Predominently composed of sandstones with

Late Jurrasic argillaceous matrix & pyrite cement

3721 DD : 3768.7 m (TVDSS)

FIG. 31 LITHOLOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D6-MA1

42
 KG

KB : 24 m (above sea level)

Water Depth : 2816 m Latitude : 15o 07’ 0.38” N

Drilled Depth : 5676 mts Longitude : 82o 08’ 36.12” E

Depth AGE / LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION

(m) HC SHOWS
FORMATION

3000 Recent
Dominantly Clay
Early
Pliocene

Late
Miocene
Dominantly Clay, Sand
4000 Mid intercalations at deeper
Miocene lavel

Early
Miocene

5000 Late Alternate Sand and Clay

Oligocene bodies

Tested gas at
Mid 5292 – 5296 m &
Oligocene 5302.5 – 5305.5 m

Dominantly clay with sand

intercalations

6000
Upper
Eocene
Dominantly clay, crystalline
Mid Eocene
Upper Cretaceous
basement with some
Basement limestone
DD : 5676 m

FIG. 32 LITHOLOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-DWN-UD1

43
 KG
KB : 14 m
WD : 603 m Latitude : 16o 30’ 15.72” N
Drilled Depth : 2416 mts Longitude : 82o 29’ 35.33” E
DEPTH FORMATION HC
AGE LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS
WATER
603 COLUMN
SEA BED

Soft Clay / Claystone

PLEISTO-
CENE
TO
RECENT

1206

LATE GODAVARI
Dominantly Claystone with
PLIOCENE CLAY thick interbeds of
Sandstone at the bottom

1656

Claystone

EARLY
PLIOCENE
Sandstone with
interbedded Claystones 2039-2211
complete
package is
~~ ~~ ~~ gas
Claystone and thin changed
interbeds of Sandstone
2416
DD : 2416 M

FIG. 33 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-DWN-98/2-D-1

44
 KG
KB : 25.6 m
WD : 562 m Latitude : 15o 15’ 58.941” N
Drilled Depth : 3595 mts Longitude : 80o 34’ 29.864” E
DEPTH FORMATION HC
AGE LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS
WATER
500
COLUMN
600

All Returns were

back to Seabed
OLIGOCENE
RECENT

800
LATE
TO

1000
From 1155 to 1212 mainly
Claystone
1200 1212
OLIGOCENE

1400 Dominantly Claystone with

interbeds of Sandstone &
Limestone
1600

1735
1800
Dominantly Claystone with
thin interbeds of Sandstone
2000 EOCENE and Dolomite in the upper part

2200
2235
PALEOCEN

2400 Dominantly massive Claystone

E

2600
2657

2800 Dominantly Claystone with

CRETA- thin interbeds of Limestone in
CEOUS the lower part
3000 3007
3008-3009 m
Oil samples
are collected
3200 Oil flowed at
Dominantly Sandstone with
596 Bopd
JURASSIC interbeds of Limestone & from the
Claystone interval
3400
3007 - 3028 m

3600
DD : 3595 M

FIG. 34 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D4-MD1

45
 KG BASIN

made by ONGC . RIL made deepwater discovery at well KG-D6-MJ1/D-55. In

the year 2014-15 Onland discoveries viz GD-11-AA ,South Pasarlapudi-1 &
offshore discoveries viz YS-9-1,G-1-NE-AB,GS-29-10,G-1-NE by ONGC, Onland
discovery Dangeru-1 by OIL have been made.

Details of selected onland wells drilled in Krishna-Godavari basin are given in

Table-4 and the details of offshore wells drilled are given in Table-5.

Details of some of the drilled discovery wells in the Krishna-Godavari basin are
as follows:

Well KG-D6-K1 was drilled down to 2537m by RIL in the year 2003-04, with the
objective to explore Pleistocene and Late Pliocene Channel Sandstone
reservoir. The MDT results confirm that the well encountered gas bearing
sand in Upper Pliocene over grass interval of 2126.4 to 2204m. Summary of
MDT Samples taken is as follows:
Sample Depth (m) Fluid type Sample vessel/volume
1 2169.3 Gas PVT 450cc
2 2200.3 Empty PVT 450cc
3 2219.0 Water PVT 450cc
410cc Water.
700cc gas
Rw=0.220 ohmm ˚C @25
pH=7.8
Salinity= 17500 ppm
4 1943.3 Gas PVT 450cc
5 1943.2 Gas PVT 450cc

One object, on conventional DST testing produced gas. The detail of testing
is as follows:

Object Zone Interval

Age/Formation Result
Object-I 1933-1939m Tight Formation. Water influx
Pleistocene
MDRT @13.8 bbl/day.
Object-II Gas @ 1.7 MMScfd through
1939-1944 m
Pleistocene 16/64”choke. FTHP: 1682 psi,
MDRT
BHP: 2947 psi.

46
 KG

TABLE – 4
DETAILS OF WELLS DRILLED IN KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN - ONLAND
Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /
Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
1. NARASAPUR – 1 NSP-1 04.04.78 / 02.02.81 5000 / 4035 Late Cretaceous
2. RAZOLE – 1 RZL-1 24.11.80 / 13.05.83 4500 / 4501 Late Cretaceous
3. NARASPUR – 2 NSP-2 01.03.81 / 01.08.83 5000 / 3505 Late Cretaceous
4. AMALAPURAM – 1 AMP-1 04.07.83 / 19.12.84 4000 / 4003 Cretaceous
5. BHIMANAPALLI – 1 BMP-1 08.10.83 / 16.05.84 3000 / 3007 Paleocene
6. KAIKALUR – 1 KLR-1 10.06.84 / 08.03.85 Basement

47a
3000 / 1972
7. MODI – 1 MDI-1 27.06.84 / 12.10.85 3500 / 3638 Cretaceous
8. NARASAPUR – 5 NSP-5 01.10.84 / 28.06.85 4200 / 4205 Late Cretaceous
9. NARASAPUR – 3 NSP-3 30.11.84 / 28.06.85 4200 / 4204 Late Cretaceous
10. RAZOLE – 2 RZL-2 31.01.85 / 19.08.85 3750 / 3754 Late Cretaceous
11. MATSYAPURI – 1 MPP-1 13.07.85 / 06.02.86 4500 / 4505 Cretaceous
12. BHIMANAPALLI – 2 BMP-2 24.07.85 / 17.01.86 2900 / 2842 Cretaceous
13. TATIPAKA – 1 TPK-1 06.09.85 / 07.05.86 4500 / 3902 Late Cretaceous
14. KAZA – 1 KZA-1 10.09.85 / 01.12.85 2500 / 2118 Basement
 KG

Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /

Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
15. KAIKALUR – 2 KLR-2 15.01.86 / 31.03.86 2000 / 2005 Basement
16. DRAKSHARAMA – 1 DKR-1 25.01.86 / 24.06.86 3300 / 3145 Basement
17. PALAKOLLU-1 PLK-1 17.02.86 / 10.12.86 4500 / 4501 Late Cretaceous
18. VADAPARRU-1 VDP-1 24.02.86 / 24.01.87 3500 / 3500 Cretaceous
19. KAIKALUR-3 KLR-3 26.04.86 / 31.08.86 2200 / 2130 Basement
20. PASARLAPUDI-1 PSD-1 17.05.86 / 16.01.87 3500 / 3504 Late Cretaceous
21. RAZOLE-3 RZL-3 14.07.86 / 06.03.87 3600 / 3538 Cretaceous
22. VANADURRU-1 VND-1 20.09.86 / 23.01.87 2950 / 3138 Jurassic
23. KOMMUGUDEM-1* KMG-1 20.12.86 / 18.06.87 Early Permian

47b
4500 / 4508
24. TATIPAKA-2 TPK-2 28.01.87 / 01.05.87 3700 / 3700 Late Cretaceous
25. KANUKOLLU-1 KNK-1 12.07.87 / 06.07.87 3100 / 3103 Jurassic
26. SURASANIYANAM-1 SSY-1 24.02.87 / 22.04.87 2100 / 2104 Eocene
27. RAZOLE-5 RZL-5 18.03.87 / 18.09.87 3600 / 3600 Late Cretaceous
28. VETLAPALEM-1 VTP-1 17.05.87 / 23.09.87 3300 / 3300 Cretaceous
29. CHINTALAPALLI-1 CTP-1 29.06.87 / 13.04.88 4500 / 4504 Cretaceous
30. RAZOLE-4 RZL-4 29.06.87 / 03.03.88 4500 / 4054 Cretaceous
31. VADALI-1 VDL-1 29.07.87 / 17.12.87 3000 / 2822 Mesozoic
 KG

Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /

Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
32. NARASAPUR-4 NSP-4 29.09.87 / 15.04.88 4200 / 4200 Cretaceous
33. BANTUMILLI-1 BNT-1 31.10.87 / 27.04.88 3600 / 3650 Basement
34. KAIKALUR-4 KLR-4 28.02.88 / 09.06.88 2200 / 2290 Basement
35. MANDAPETA-1 MDP-1 14.03.88 / 29.08.88 4300 / 4302 Basement
36. MAGATAPALLI-1 MGP-1 28.04.88 / 30.08.88 3200 / 3200 Early Paleocene
37. RAZOLE-6 RZL-6 30.04.88 / 01.03.89 4500 / 4530 Paleocene
38. BANTUMILLI-2 BNT-2 23.05.88 / 11.02.89 3500 / 3293 Basement

47c
39. KAZA-3 KZ-3 09.07.88 / 01.09.88 2100 / 2166 Basement
40. PASARLAPUDI-3 PSD-3 15.07.88 / 18.11.88 3100 / 3100 Paleocene
41. PASARLAPUDI-4 PSD-4 11.09.88 / 05.12.88 2900 / 2900 Paleocene
42. RAZOLE-1A RZL-1A 28.09.88 / 14.02.89 3550 / 3525 Paleocene
43. KAZA-2 KZ-2 01.10.88 / 17.11.88 2100 / 2166 Basement
44. PASARLAPUDI-2 PSD-2 07.12.88 / 21.05.89 3600 / 3418 Cretaceous
45. KAIKALUR-5 KLR-5 10.12.88 / 02.03.89 2700 / 2648 Basement
46. TATIPAKA-4 TPK-4 19.12.88 / 22.02.89 3100 / 3100 Paleocene
47. KAIKALUR-7 KLR-7 17.12.89 / 09.03.89 2200 / 2150 Basement
48. TATIPAKA-3 TPK-3 02.03.89 / 29.08.89 3600 / 3600 Paleocene
 KG

Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /

Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
49. MANDAPETA-2 MDP-2 04.03.89 / 03.08.89 3300 / 3750 Permian
50. KADALI-1 KDL-1 06.03.89 / 15.06.89 3750 / 3300 Paleocene
51. NARASAPUR-6 NSP-6 19.03.89 / 12.10.89 4250 / 3357 Cretaceous
52. NEMMIKURRU-1 NMK-1 23.03.89 / 02.06.89 3150 / 3071 Basement
53. PASARLAPUDI-5 PSD-5 28.04.89 / 28.08.89 3500 / 3447 Cretaceous
54. MANDAPETA-3 MDP-3 04.05.89 / 03.11.89 3800 / 3567 Permian
55. PASARLAPUDI-6 PSD-6 10.06.89 / 30.09.89 3100 / 3043 Paleocene
56. KAIKALUR-6 KLR-6 21.06.89 / 27.08.89

47d
2250 / 2537 Basement
57. CHINTALAPALLI-6 CTP-6 26.06.89 / 24.03.90 4500 / 4517 Cretaceous
58. MANDAPETA-4 MDP-4 30.08.89 / 29.01.90 4000 / 3902 Basement
59. AMALAPURAM-3 AMP-3 06.09.89 / 13.02.90 3500 / 3500 Paleocene
60. TATIPAKA-5 TPK-5 15.09.89 / 18.11.89 3050 / 3100 Paleocene
61. LINGALA-1 LNG-1 18.09.89 / 02.12.89 2500 / 2500 Cretaceous
62. PASARLAPUDI-7 PSD-7 19.10.89 / 07.01.90 2850 / 2865 Paleocene
63. ELAMANCHILLI-1 ELM-1 26.10.89 / 16.06.90 4000 / 4000 Late Cretaceous
64. MANDAPETA-5 MDP-5 13.11.89 / 28.09.90 3000 / 3343 (TVD) Permo-Triassic
65. MORI-1 MRI-1 05.12.89 / 31.05.90 3400 / 3200 Eocene
 KG

Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /

Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
66. MANEPALLI-1 MNP-1 22.01.90 / 28.10.90 4000 / 3804 Cretaceous
67. MANDAPETA-6 MDP-6 20.02.90 / 04.07.90 3000 / 3250 Permo-Triassic
68. TATIPAKA-6 TPK-6 23.02.90 / 31.05.90 3000 / 2935 Paleocene
69. BANTUMILLI-4 BNT-4 26.03.90 / 27.08.90 3400 / 3224 Basement
70. PASARLAPUDI-8 PSD-8 19.04.90 / 19.08.90 3100 / 3059 Paleocene
71. JONNALANKA-1 JNL-1 14.06.90 / 07.01.90 3800 / 3504 Cretaceous
72. PALAKOLLU-2 PLK-2 26.05.90 / 12.02.91 4300 / 4299 Cretaceous

47e
73. SAREPALLE-2 SRP-2 28.06.90 / 26.11.90 3700 / 3764 Cretaceous
74. MANDAPETA-7 MDP-7 11.07.90 / 01.02.91 3500 / 3764 Permo-Triassic
75. VAINATEYAM-1 VNT-1 09.09.90 / 29.11.90 3000 / 3093 Paleocene
76. LINGALA-2 LNG-2 10.09.90 / 15.12.90 2250 / 2400 (TVD) Early Cretaceous
77. LINGALA-3 LNG-3 29.09.90 / 30.12.90 2400 / 2400 Early Cretaceous
78. MANDAPETA-8 MDP-8 10.10.90 / 03.03.91 3050 / 3050 Permo-Triassic
79. VADALI-2 VDL-2 21.11.90 / 10.02.91 2500 / 2493 Basement
80. ENDAMURU-1 END-1 07.12.90 / 17.03.91 2400 / 2188 Basement
BANDAMUR-
81. BML-N-1 14.12.90 / 22.07.91 4200 / 3531 Paleocene
LANKA-N-1
82. GAJULAPADU GJP-1 31.12.90 / 10.07.91 3800 / 3811 Late Jurassic
 KG

Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /

Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
83. LINGALA-4 LNG-4 10.01.91 / 08.03.91 2400 / 2400 Early Cretaceous
SANKARAGUPTAM-
84. SKG-1 18.01.91 / 24.08.91 3700 / 3389 Paleocene
1
85. MANDAPETA-9 MDP-9 08.02.91 / 15.08.91 3000 /3370 Early Permian
86. LINGALA-5 LNG-5 20.02.91 / 13.04.91 2400 / 2400 Early Cretaceous
87. PENUMADAM-1 PNM-1 26.02.91 / 04.06.91 3000 / 3000 Late Cretaceous
88. PASARLAPUDI-9 PSD-9 17.03.91 / 19.09.91 2900 / 2936 Paleocene
89. GURAZA-1 GRZ-1 20.03.91 / 09.07.91 2800 / 2955 Basement

47f
90. TANUKU-1 TNK-1 29.03.91 / 09.10.91 3100 / 3132 Basement
91. MEDAPADU-1 MPD-1 03.04.91 / 11.02.92 4400 / 4430 Cretaceous
92. KAIKALUR-8 KLR-8 24.04.91 / 01.07.91 2150 / 2099 Basement
93. NEMMIKURRU-2 NMK-2 19.07.91 / 15.10.91 3050 / 2849 Basement
94. VINNOKOTA-1 VKT-1 22.07.91 / 02.11.91 3300 / 3087 Basement
95. MANTRIPALEM-1 MPL-1 10.09.91 / 16.11.91 3100 / 2850 Basement
96. ANGALURU-1 ANG-1 26.07.91 / 01.10.91 2500 / 2500 Early Cretaceous
97. BOBBARLANKA-1 BLK-1 03.02.91 / 28.08.91 4400 / 4262 Basement
98. MORI-2 MRI-2 10.08.91 / 26.12.91 3100 / 3100 Paleocene
99. MANDAPETA-10 MDP-10 21.08.91 / 29.04.92 3850 / 3912 Early Permian
 KG

Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /

Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
100. PODURU-1 PDR-1 23.08.91 / 11.11.91 2500 / 2502 Cretaceous
101. MORI-3 MRI-3 27.08.91 / 27.02.92 3200 / 3200 Paleocene
102. KESANAPALLE-1 KSP-1 29.09.91 / 14.03.92 3050 / 3050 Eocene
103. BANTUMILLI-3 BNT-3 18.10.91 / 20.04.92 3400 / 3038 Basement
104. VELPURU-1 VLP-1 21.10.91 / 30.06.92 4000 / 4010 Mesozoics
105. NANDIGAMA-1 NDG-1 16.11.91 / 29.06.92 4200 / 4240 Cretaceous
106. LELLAPUDI-1 LPD-1 27.11.91 / 09.03.92 3600 / 3600 Early Cretaceous
107. MORI-4 MRI-4 06.01.92 / 27.04.92 3100 / 3100 Paleocene

47g
108. MUMMIDIVARAM-1 MMV-1 24.03.92 / 03.07.92 2400 / 2400 Cretaceous
109. KAVITAM-1 KVT-1 26.11.91 / 26.12.92 4500 / 4520 Permo-Carboniferous
110. ELAMANCHILLI-2 ELM-2 22.02.92 / 30.07.93 3600 / 3750 Paleocene
111. NARASAPUR-7 NSP-7 03.04.92 / 15.02.93 3800 / 3806 Cretaceous
112. MAHENDRAVADA-1 MVD-1 03.05.92 / 13.08.92 3000 / 2867 Basement
RAMACHANDRAPU
113. RMC-1 04.05.92 / 13.02.93 4000 / 4000 Permo-Carboniferous
RAM-1
CHINNAPANDRIKA-
114. CPD-1 05.05.92 / 09.12.92 3800 / 3806 Basement
1
115. NINADAVOLE-1 NDV-1 02.07.92 / 16.09.92 2500 / 2525 Basement
116. PENUMALLA-1 PNL-1 25.08.92 / 11.11.92 3100 / 2462 Basement
 KG

Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /

Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
117. MADHAVARAM-1 MVM-1 04.10.92 / 20.03.93 3900 / 3905 Permo-Triassic
BANDAMURLANKA-
118. BML-1 22.10.92 / 10.12.92 2300 / 2300 Paleocene
1
BHAVADEVARA-
119. BDP-1 12.07.92 / 06.07.93 4900 / 5001 Basement
PALLI-1
120. KOMARADA-1 KRD-1 19.09.92 / 29.06.93 2900 / 2905 Eocene
121. MANDAPETA-11 MDP-11 27.11.92 / …..06.93 3200 / 3200 Permian
122. KAIKALUR-9 KLR-9 23.12.92 / 24.04.93 2500 / 2250 Basement
123. PASARLAPUDI-14 PSD-14 25.12.92 / 20.06.93 2500 / 2501 Paleocene
124. MANDAPETA-12 MDP-12 22.02.93 / 07.08.93 3500 / 3500 Permo-Triassic

47h
125. PEDDAPALEM-1 PDP-1 11.03.93 / 04.12.93 4100 / 4100 Cretaceous
126. GOPALPURAM-1 GPP-1 11.05.93 / 08.09.93 3000 / 3001 Early Permian
127. KUMARAPRIYAM-1 KMP-1 19.06.93 / 09.11.93 3250 / 3250 Permian
128. UPPALAGUPTAM-1 UGP-1 01.07.93 / 18.08.93 2000 / 2000 Eocene
129. ACHANTA-1 ACT-1 02.07.93 / 24.12.93 3000 / 3000 Cretaceous
130. PONNAMANDA-1 PND-1 18.07.9. / 03.01.94 2600 / 2618 Lower Eocene
131. PENKILLAPADU-1 PNK-1 21.07.93 / 14.12.92 3000 / 3100 Cretaceous
132. KAKINADA-1 KKD-1 17.08.93 / 23.11.93 2600 / 2600 Basement
133. KOTTALANKA-1 KTL-1 27.08.93 / 24.02.94 3000 / 3000 Paleocene
 KG

Sl. Name of the Well Abbreviatio Date of Spudding Target Depth /

Well bottomed in
No. n Completion Drilled Depth (m)
134. GANGUDIPALEM-1 GDP-1 26.09.93 / 06.02.94 3100 / 3100 Paleocene
135. KESANAPALLI-3 KSP-3 22.11.93 / 12.01.94 2400 / 2400 Middle Eocene
136. MANDAPETA-13 MDP-13 02.12.93 / 3700 / 3700 Lr. Gondwana
137. NANDIGAMA-1 NDG-1 22.12.93 / 4200 / Cretaceous
138. MORI-5 MRI-5 24.12.93 / 01.05.94 2800 / 2800 Eocene
139. GANNAVARAM-1 GNV-1 28.12.93 / 07.03.94 2550 / 2681 Cretaceous
*Parametric well

47i
 TABLE – 5

DETAILS OF WELLS DRILLED IN KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN - OFFSHORE

Date of Spudding Target Depth / Drilled

Sl. No. Name of the Well Water Depth (m) Well bottomed in
Completion Depth (m)
1. G-1-1 30.11.79 / 02.07.80 249.40 5000 / 3213 Early Miocene
2. G-1-2 23.07.80 / 01.10.80 136.54 5000 / 2420 Miocene
3. G-1-3 06.10.80 / 13.10.80 205.00 3000 / 839 Pliocene
4. KRI-1-1 18.11.80 / 21.12.80 49.30 2200 / 1132 Basement
5. G-2-1 29.11.80 / 13.12.80 369.00 5000 / 1700 Pliocene
6. GS-3-1 31.01.82 / 05.07.82 113.42 4000 / 4092 Early Eocene
7. G-13-1 10.07.82 / 05.11.82 280.00 4000 / 4101 Oligocene
8. G-2-2 11.11.82 / 02.03.83 451.10 4000 / 3657 Eocene

48a
9. GS-1-1 14.11.82 / 22.02.83 26.21 3500 / 2599 Miocene
10. GS-5-1 01.03.83 / 15.07.83 19.20 4500 / 3919 Cretaceous
11. G-4-1 21.03.83 / 19.05.83 291.57 3400 / 3400 Eocene
12. G-3-1 28.05.83 / 18.07.83 482.11 3300 / 3612 Eocene
13. G-1-6 08.08.83 / 08.12.83 247.50 3600 / 3208 Miocene
14. ` RAVVA-1 23.08.83 / 23.10.83 11.27 3500 / 2228 Miocene
15. GS-12-1 22.10.83 / 24.01.84 39.00 3500 / 3150 Early Eocene
16. GS-14-1 05.11.83 / 30.01.84 30.17 3500 / 3517 Paleocene
17. G-2-4 16.12.83 / 11.04.84 251.57 3200 / 3200 Miocene
18. GS-11-1 06.02.84 / 07.11.84 21.34 4500 / 4625 Cretaceous
19. G-1-7 20.04.84 / 04.08.84 163.33 3000 / 3002 Miocene
20. GS-3-2 30.05.84 / 11.08.84 40.00 2500 / 2511 Miocene
 Date of Spudding Target Depth / Drilled
Sl. No. Name of the Well Water Depth (m) Well bottomed in
Completion Depth (m)
21. GS-18-1A 18.07.84 / 05.11.84 104.50 3000 / 3000 Miocene
22. G-1-5 11.08.84 / 26.10.84 292.07 3200 / 3154 Miocene
23. GS-2-1A 28.09.84 / 29.01.85 80.00 3200 / 3210 Miocene
24. G-5-1 31.10.84 / 09.01.85 323.57 3000 / 3007 Miocene
25. GS-17-1 25.11.84 / 21.03.85 98.75 4000 / 4020 Cretaceous
26. KS-3-1 12.12.85 / 18.02.86 15.54 3000 / 2622 Basement
27. GS-20-1B 24.12.85 / 01.02.86 21.69 2500 / 2500 Pliocene
28. GS-19-1 01.03.86 / 25.04.86 12.50 2500 / 2442 Early Miocene
29. GS-21-1 06.05.86 / 25.08.86 7.31 3050 / 3050 Early Miocene
30. GS-22-1 28.08.86 / 09.10.86 8.23 2500 / 2512 Early Miocene
31. GS-8-1 18.10.86 / 14.01.87 14.32 3000 / 3002 Paleocene
32. RAVVA-2 01.05.87 / 27.07.87 11.58 2700 / 2570 Early Miocene

48b
33. RAVVA-4 05.08.87 / 04.12.87 9.15 2900 / 2900 Early Miocene
34. RAVVA-8 23.10.87 / 22.02.88 12.50 2800 / 2553 Early Miocene
35. RAVVA-5 14.12.87 / 31.03.88 11.58 2900 / 3120 Early Miocene
36. RAVVA-13 10.03.88 / 31.07.88 9.14 3000 / 2838 Early Miocene
37. RAVVA-7 13.04.88 / 07.08.88 11.58 2000 / 2000 (TVD) Early Miocene
38. RAVVA-6 16.04.88 / 27.05.88 11.58 2160 / 2255 (TVD) Early Miocene
39. RAVVA-6A 15.06.88 / 15.07.88 11.58 2250 / 2255 (TVD) Early Miocene
40. RAVVA-14 08.08.88 / 01.10.88 14.79 2400 / 2445 Early Miocene
41. RAVVA-9 14.08.88 / 17.11.88 12.50 2800 / 2800 Early Miocene
42. RAVVA-16 11.10.88 / 28.02.89 8.00 3100 / 3104 Miocene
43. RAVVA-3 10.12.88 / 12.03.89 12.80 3300 / 3172 Miocene
44. RAVVA-17 07.03.89 / 15.06.89 12.80 2600 / 2297 Miocene
 Date of Spudding Target Depth / Drilled
Sl. No. Name of the Well Water Depth (m) Well bottomed in
Completion Depth (m)
45. RAVVA-10 18.03.89 / 17.06.89 9.75 2800 / 2800 Miocene
46. RAVVA-27 10.07.89 / 25.09.89 1090 2500 / 2502 Miocene
47. RAVVA-26 11.07.89 / 01.12.89 11.50 2750 / 2386 (TVD) Miocene
48. RAVVA-12 08.12.89 / 07.01.90 9.40 3300 / 2615 Miocene
49. GS-37-1 08.12.89 / 11.03.90 11.27 3500 / 3515 Paleocene
50. GS-38-1 15.01.90 / 26.04.90 11.88 3500 / 3500 Paleocene
51. RAVVA-15 19.03.90 / 01.07.90 11.88 2600 / 2641 Miocene
52. RAVVA-32 29.05.90 / 25.06.90 17.70 1950 / 1950 Miocene
53. RAVVA-31 11.07.90 / 20.10.90 17.98 2900 / 2900 Miocene
54. RAVVA-24 13.07.90 / 26.09.90 9.75 2800 / 2815 Miocene
55. RAVVA-22 04.10.90 / 20.12.90 10.00 2800 / 2835 Miocene
56. RAVVA-23 29.10.90 / 07.02.91 10.05 2600 / 2598 Miocene
57. MB-1-2 11.11.90 / 22.02.91 71.00 2850 / 2850 Miocene

48c
58. KG-OS-V-1 10.12.90 / 03.03.91 14.00 3000 / 2777 Early Miocene / Eocene
59. KG-OS-V-2 26.01.91 / 17.04.91 82.50 2200 / 1690 Early Pliocene
60. GS-12-2 28.01.91 / 18.03.91 28.95 2550 / 2550 Miocene
61. GS-39-1 18.02.91 / 13.04.91 10.70 2700 / 2700 Eocene
62. GS-22A-1 31.03.91 / 26.06.91 11.89 3400 / 3401 Paleocene
63. GS-22B-1 19.04.91 / 10.07.91 10.05 3000 / 3015 Paleocene
64. GS-41-1 07.10.91 / 07.02.92 45.50 3200 / 3200 Eocene
65. KB-1-1 21.01.92 / 21.05.92 60.60 3600 / 3679 Mesozoics
66. RAVVA-33 05.04.92 / 12.05.92 18.00 2000 / 2000 Miocene
67. GS-46-1 04.06.92 / 25.07.92 14.63 2200 / 2200 Miocene
68. GS-29-1 19.07.92 / 09.12.92 122.00 3000 / 3000 Miocene
 Date of Spudding Target Depth / Drilled
Sl. No. Name of the Well Water Depth (m) Well bottomed in
Completion Depth (m)
69. RAVVA-34 25.08.92 / 22.10.92 12.80 1800 / 1800 (TVD) Miocene
70. GS-21B-1 20.10.92 / 01.12.92 14.00 2100 / 2100 Miocene
71. RAVVA-35 01.11.92 / 22.01.93 9.75 1800 / 1790 (TVD) Miocene
72. RAVVA-36 27.01.93 / 04.04.93 12.70 1750 / 2000 Miocene
73. RAVVA-37 29.03.93 / 04.05.93 12.49 2100 / 2100 Miocene
74. GS-43-1 11.04.94 / 19.06.93 12.00 2300 / 2300 Miocene
75. MB-1-1 23.04.93 / 04.06.93 161.00 2400 / 2401 Miocene
76. GS-15-1 31.05.93 / 19.10.93 12.00 3000 / 2742 Miocene
77. GS-25-1 02.07.93 / 22.09.93 7.30 3100 / 3100 Cretaceous
78. GS-10-1 01.10.93 / 03.01.94 11.50 3200 / 3202 Cretaceous
79. RV-25 25.10.93 / 07.03.94 9.50 2500 / 2810 Miocene

48d
80. KB-4-1 22.11.93 / 3400
2730 MDRT /2730
81. KGV-D3-B1 12.02.2008/21.03.2008 711 Miocene
MDRT
KGOSN041NACS#1 2365 TVDSS/ 2368
82. 04.04.2011/ 11.06.2011 173 Miocene
(Chandrika South-1) TVDSS
4881 MDRT/ 4875
83. KG-D9-A2 10.05.2011/12.06.2011 2692.7 TVDSS Early Miocene
MDRT
KGOSN04 NAAL-1
84. 09.10.2011/25.12.2011 21.0 1903 TVDSS/ 1930 MD Miocene
(Alankari-1)
85. KG-D6-MJ1 02.03.2013/08.04.2013 1024.4 TVDSS 4509 MDRT/4509 MDRT Basement
 KG BASIN

Seismic section passing through the well KG-D6-K1 and the lithocolumn are
shown in the Fig.35 & 36 respectively.

Well KG-D6-K2 was drilled down to 2200m at a water depth of 978m by RIL in
year 2004, with the objective to explore Pleistocene and Late Pliocene
Channel Sandstone reservoir. The MDT results confirm that the well
encountered gas bearing sand in Upper Pliocene over grass interval of 1893.1
to 1917m MDRT and 1933.8-1941.8m MDRT. Summary of MDT Samples taken is
as follows:
Sample Depth (m) Fluid type Sample vessel/volume
1 1946.1-1946.7 Gas 100% Methane
2 1946.1-1946.7 Gas 100% Methane
3 1950.7-1951.3 Water Water Sample
4 1950.7-1951.3 Water Water Sample

DST was carried out in the interval 1892-1911m MDRT and it flowed
hydrocarbon gas. Seismic section passing through the well KG-D6-K2 and the
lithocolumn are shown in the Fig.37 & 38 respectively.

Well KG-D6-AK3 was drilled down to 4785m MDRT by RIL in year 2010, with the
objective to explore hydrocarbon prospectivity within Cretaceous Post Rift
Sand packages. MDT dual Packer tool was conducted in the well, one good
point was observed. Sample viewer indicated gas and condensate at
interval 4554-4555m MDRT. Seismic section passing through the well KG-D6-
AK3 and the lithocolumn are shown in the Fig.39 & 40 respectively.

Well KG-D6-SH2 was drilled down to 2710m by RIL in year 2002-03, with the
objective to explore Pleistocene and Late Pliocene Channel Sandstone
reservoir. MDT results confirm that the well encountered gas bearing sand in
Upper Pliocene over the gross interval of 2390.5-2423m MDRT. Summary of
MDT Samples taken is as follows:
Sample Depth (m) Fluid type Sample vessel/volume
1 2422.50 Gas PVT 450cc
2 2422.50 Gas PVT 450cc

49
50
KG

FIG. 35 : SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL KG-D6-K1

 KG
RT : 14 m above MSL
Drilled Depth : 2404.95 m TVDRT Latitude : 16o 37’ 15.11”N
Water Depth : 1030.94 m Longitude : 82o 38’ 01.30”E
DEPTH HC
(M)
AGE LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION SHOWS

SEA BED WATER

1000
1030.94

RECENT
1200
TO
PLEISTOCENE
1298

1375
1400

1600 Predominantly Claystone with

occasional Sandstone beds
PLEISTOCENE

1800

2000 (1939 - 1944 m

MDRT)
2075 Gas @ 1.7 mmscfd
through 16”/64”
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ choke
1856
Predominantly Claystone
2200 with occasional thin
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
UPPER Sandstone, Overlying a
PLIOCENE sequence of Sandstone
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ interbedded with Claystone
2400 and Siltstone
DD : 2404.95 m

FIG. 36 : LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D6-K1

51
52
KG

FIG. 37 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL KG-D6-K2

 KG
RT : 14 m above MSL
Drilled Depth : 2200 m MDRT Latitude : 16o 38’ 51.394”N
Water Depth : 978 m Longitude : 82o 38’ 49.989”E
DEPTH HC
AGE LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

200

400

SEA BED WATER

600

800

978
1000

RECENT
1200 TO
PLEISTOCENE

1377
1400

1600
PLEISTOCENE
1727

Predominantly Claystone with

1800
occasional Sandstone beds
1856

(1892 - 1911 m
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ Predominantly Claystone MDRT)
2000 LATE with occasional thin Gas @ 37.10
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ Sandstone, Overlying a mmscfd through
PLIOCENE sequence of Sandstone 128”/64” choke
interbedded with Claystone
2200 and Siltstone
DD : 2200 m

FIG. 38 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D6-K2

53
54
KG

FIG. 39 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL KG-D6-AK3

 KG

RT : 24.8 m above MSL

Drilled Depth : 2785 m MDRT Latitude : 16o 01’ 14.7394”N
Water Depth : 636.8 m MDRT Longitude : 82o 47’ 6.06111”E
DEPTH HC
AGE LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

SEA BED WATER

500

636.8

1000
RECENT
TO
MAASTRICHIAN
TOP
1500

1980
2000
MAASTRICHIAN
TO Claystone
CAMPANIAN
2450 TOP
2500

CAMPANIAN ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ Claystone with traces of

TO Limestone and Siltstone
3000 TURONIAN TOP ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

3340

TURONIAN TO Claystone with traces of

3500
ALBIAN TOP Limestone
3620

Claystone with traces of

Limestone
4000
ALBIAN TOP
TO ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
BASEMENT ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ Claystone, Sandstone,
Siltstone and Limestone Gas & Condensate
4500
~~ ~~ Indication
(4554 – 4555 MDRT)
4777
4785
4800
DD : 4785 m

FIG. 40 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D6-AK3

55
 KG BASIN

3 2423.10 Gas/Water PVT 450cc

4 2423.50 Water PVT 450cc
5 2544.40 Water PVT 450cc

Seismic section passing through the well KG-D6-SH2 and the lithocolumn are
shown in the Fig.41 & 42 respectively.

Well KG-D6-BA1-A was drilled down to 5494m at a water depth of 2529M by

RIL in the year 2010, with the objective to explore Early and Late Miocene
Sand Packages. Well encountered two Gas bearing reservoir Sands within
Late Miocene sediments, which was confirmed by wireline logs and RCI run.
In the interval 3589-43601.8 development of resistivity with reference to
background resistivity and density-neutron crossover is also seen, which
indicate the presence of gas bearing zone. Summary of RCI Sample is as
follows:
Sample Depth (m) Fluid type Sample vessel/volume
1 3596.10 Gas 450 cc
2 3662.20 Gas + water 450 cc
3 3665.80 Water 840 cc
Seismic section passing through the well KG-D6-BA1-A and the lithocolumn
are shown in the Fig.43 & 44 respectively.

Well KG-D6-BA2 was drilled down to 6300m at a water depth of 2461.3 m By

RIL in the year 2009, with the objective to explore the Early Pliocene,
Paleocene and Cretaceous sand packages. The targeted Early Pliocene
Sand from 3262-3290m was found to be a gas bearing reservoir,
petrophysical interpretation suggested that this interval was sand
interbedded with shale sequence. Summary of RCI sample taken is as follows:
Suite/ Sample Measured Fluid type Sample
Run Depth (m) vessel/volume
1 3550.5 Gas 450 cc
1/2
2 3579.5 Water 840 cc
1 3269.7 Gas 450 cc
2 3269.7 Gas 840 cc
1/3
3 3306.0 Gas 450 cc
4 3315.0 Water 840 cc

56
57
KG

FIG. 41 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL KG-D6-SH2

 KG

RT : 13.7 m above MSL

Water Depth : 1407 m Latitude : 16o 36’ 43.874”N
Drilled Depth : 2710 m MDRT Longitude : 82o 43’ 48.212”E
DEPTH HC
AGE LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

SEA BED Water

1400 1407

1500
TO PLEISTO

1600

1700
CENE

1800 1800

1900
RECENT

Claystone
1990
2000

Claystone with
2100
Sandstone

2189.6
2200
PLIOCENE

2300
Claystone with
Sandstone Gas
(2390.5 – 2423 m)
MDRT
2400
2423.3
(2379 – 2410 m)
Claystone with TVDRT
2500
Sandstone
UPPER

2529
2560 Sand
2600 Claystone with
2614.5
Sandstone
Sand
2660

2700 Claystone with

2710
Sandstone
DD : 2710 m

FIG. 42 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D6-SH2

58
59
KG

FIG. 43 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL KG-D6-BA1-A

 KG
RT : 14 m above MSL
Drilled Depth : 5494 m MDRT Latitude : 15o 45’ 51.1971”N
Water Depth : 2529 m MDRT Longitude : 82o 34’ 53.7296”E
DEPTH HC
AGE LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

2000

SEA BED WATER

2500
2529

RECENT /
PLIESTOCENE
TO
PLIOCENE
3000
3044

3217
PLIOCENE TO
LATE MIOCENE
Thick Claystone
3500
3555

Claystone with thin Sandstone Gas

(3553.8 – 3570.7 m)
intercalations (3589 – 3601.8 m)
3875 Claystone with thin intercalations of
3950
~~ ~~ ~~ Siltstone
4000

LATE TO ~
~~
~ ~
~~
~ ~
~~
~ ~
~~
~
MIDDLE Intercalated Sandstone,
MIOCENE Siltstone and Claystone beds
4500 with streaks of Limestone

~~
~~ ~
~~
~ ~
~~
~ ~
~~
~
4865 Intercalated Sandstone, Siltstone
MIDDLE TO and Claystone beds with streaks of
5000 EARLY MIOCENE ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ Limestone
5025
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ Intercalated Sandstone, Siltstone
EARLY MIOCENE and Claystone beds with streaks of
TO OLIGOCENE Limestone
5375 ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ Intercalated Claystone, Siltstone
OLIGOCENE ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ and Sandstone beds with streaks
5500 5494
of Limestone
DD : 5494 m

FIG. 44 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D6-BA1-A

60
 KG BASIN

Seismic section passing through the well KG-D6-BA2 and the lithocolumn are
shown in the Fig.45 & 46 respectively.

Well KGOSN04 NAAL-1 (Alankari-1) was drilled in KG-OSN-2004/1 block by

ONGC in 2011, at a water depth of 21m and drilled down to 1930m MD
penetrating 1664m of Godavari Clay and 215+m of Ravva Formation with
the objective to explore hydrocarbon potential of Miocene channel sands.
Testing result of well is as follows:
Zone Interval Formation Result

(1832- Miocene channel Well flowed gas @ 1,44,780 m3/d

1829.5m) (Ravva Formation) through 8mm choke.

The seismic section passing through the well KGOSN04 NAAL-1(Alankari-1)

and the litho-column are shown in Fig. 47 & 48 respectively.

Well KGOSN041NACS#1 (Chandrika South-1) was drilled down to 2368m

TVDSS by ONGC in 2011 in the NELP block KG-OSN-2004/1, with the objective
to explore hydrocarbon potential of Early Pliocene Chandrika South main
Channel sands and Early Pliocene Shallow Channel Sands. Testing result of
well is as follows:
Zone Interval
Object Formation Result
(m)
Godavari
Well flowed gas @ 63421 m3/d
Object- 1972 – 1974, Formation
through 12/64” choke at FTHP :
I 1975.5 – 1978.5 (Pliocene Sand)
2670 psi
Well flowed gas @ 65596 m3/d
Object- Ravva Formation
1952 – 1946.5 through 16/64” choke at FTHP :
II (Miocene)
2680 psi

The Inline and X-line of seismic sections passing through the well Chandrika
South-1 are shown in Fig. 49 & 50 respectively and litho-column of the well is
shown in the Fig. 51.

61
62
KG

FIG. 45 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL KG-D6-BA2

 KG
RT : 14 m above MSL
Drilled Depth : 6300 m MDRT Latitude : 16o 01’ 14.778”N
Water Depth : 2475.3 m MDRT Longitude : 82o 47’ 04.978”E
DEPTH HC
AGE LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

2000
SEA BED WATER

2475.3
2500

RECENT
TO
Claystone
EARLY
3000
PLIOCENE
3205
EARLY PLIOCENE
3262 TO LATE MIOCENE Thick Claystone & Gas
3290
Sandstone (3262 – 3290 m)

3500

LATE ~~ Massive Claystone with

MIOCENE TO ~~ ~~ ~~ minor Sandstone, Siltstone,
MID. MIOCENE ~~ Marl & Sandy Limestone
4000 ~~ ~~

4320
MIDDLE TO Claystone with thin
4440 EARLY MIOCENE ~~ ~~ ~~ intercalations of Siltstone and
4500 Sandstone
EARLY
Thick Claystone with Marl
MIOCENE TO intercalation
4809 EOCENE

5000
Claystone with intercalating
EOCENE TO ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ thin interbeds of Limestone
PALAEOCENE ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ and Siltstone

5500
5648
Intercalation of Sandstone,
5800
PALAEOCENE TO
CRETACEOUS
~~ ~~ ~~ Siltstone and Claystone

6000
Claystone with thin stringers
CRETACEOUS ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ of Siltstone, Sandstone and
Limestone
6300
~~ ~~ ~~
DD : 6300 m

FIG. 46 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D6-BA2

63
 ALANKARI
-1

64
KG

FIG. 47 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL KGOSN04 NAAL-1

(ALANKARI-1)
 KG

KB : 18.04 m Latitude : 16o 11’ 51.93”N

Drilled Depth : 1930 m Longitude : 81o 44’ 50.17”E
Water Depth : 21 m
DEPTH HC
AGE FORMATION LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS
21
SEA BED Water

200
P L E I S T O C E N E

390
400

520
C L A Y

600

Clay/Claystone with thick

800
G O D A V A R I

Sand in interval of 390-520 m

1000
P L I O C E N E

1200

1400

1600

1715
Object-I
(1832 – 1829.5
m)
1800 Sand / Sandstone Gas @ 144780
MIOCENE RAVVA m3/d through
1840 8mm check
Claystone
1930
2000 DD : 1930 m

FIG. 48 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KGOSN04NAAL-1

(ALANKARI-1)

65
 CHANDRIKA SOUTH-1 CHANDRIKA SOUTH-1

66
KG

FIG. 49 SEISMIC SECTION (INLINE) PASSING THROUGH KGOSN041NACS#1

(CHANDRIKA SOUTH-1)
 CHANDRIKA SOUTH-1

67
KG

FIG. 50 SEISMIC SECTION (X-LINE) PASSING THROUGH KGOSN041NACS#1

(CHANDRIKA SOUTH-1)
 KG
KB : 15 m Latitude : 16o 08’ 42.093”N
Drilled Depth: 2383 m
Water Depth : 173 m Longitude : 81o 46’ 14.362”E
DEPTH HC
AGE FORMATION LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

SEA BED
173
200
P L E I S T O C E N E

400

600
C L A Y

800

Dominantly Clay / Claystone

1000 with intermittent thick beds
G O D A V A R I

of Sand / Sandstone
T O

1200
P L I O C E N E

1400

1600

1800

Gas bearing Sand (1940 m–

1956 m) Gas in interval
2000 (1940 m – 1956
Gas bearing Sand (1972 m– m)
2926 1982 m) &
(1972 m – 1982
2200 ~~ ~~ ~~ Dominantly Claystone with
m)

MIOCENE RAVVA intermittent thick beds of

~~ ~~ ~~ Sand/ Sandstone, thin beds
2400 2383 of Siltstone
DD : 2383 m

FIG. 51 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KGOSN041NACS#1

(CHANDRIKA SOUTH-1)

68
 KG BASIN

Well KG-V-D3-B1 was drilled down to 2730m MDRT (2704 TVDSS) in 711m
water depth by RIL in the year 2008, with the objective to explore
hydrocarbon prospectivity within Pleistocene Deep Water Fan Complex, and
Late to Mid Miocene unconformity traps. MDT results at different intervals are
as follows:

Object Zone Interval Age/Formation Result

1814.6-2101.0m Pleistocene Two gas sample were
Object- I
MDRT Sand collected at 1873.3m MDRT
Four gas sample were
2119.6-2463.0m
Object-II Miocene Sand collected at 2229.9, 2284.1,
MDRT
2296.5, 2418.2 m MDRT

Seismic section passing through the well KG-V-D3-B1 and the lithocolumn are
shown in Fig.52 & 53 respectively.

Well Nagayalanka-SE-1 is drilled down to 4684.60m in the NELP block KG-

ONN-2003/1by Cairn Energy in 2011-12, to test the hydrocarbon potential of
Early Cretaceous Golapalli sandstone in the West Godavari sub basin. The
Golapalli discovery is a stratigraphic trap pinching out over a basement high
in NE and NW directions. Nagayalanka-SE-1 encountered a gross 57m
(4369.2mMD to 4426mMD) hydrocarbon column in the Early Cretaceous
Golapalli sandstone. The well was hydraulically fractured and tested and
was found to be oil bearing. Testing result of well is as follows:

Zone Interval Age/Formation Result

4385-87 m & Golapalli Sands Oil @ 70 bbls/d and Gas @
4416-20m MD (Early Cretaceous) 0.6 MMSCFD.

Seismic section passing through the well Nagayalanka-SE-1 and the

lithocolumn are shown in Fig 54, 55 respectively.
Well KG-D9-A2 was drilled by RIL in the NELP block KG-DWN-2001/1 block in
the year 2011,with the objective to explore hydrocarbon potential of Early
and Late Miocene Channel Sand packages. Three laminated Gas bearing
Sand - Shale sequences were encountered in the intervals 2465 - 3475 m,
3375 – 3381.9 m and 3616.2 – 3621 m. Results of MDT in different intervals are
as follows:

69
70
KGV-D3-B1
KG

FIG. 52 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL KGV-D3-B1

 KG
KB : 25 m above MSL
Drilled Depth : 2704.30 m TVDSS Latitude :15o 53’ 07.8497”N
Water Depth : 711 m Longitude :81o 33’ 23.0534”E
DEPTH HC
AGE FORMATION LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

SEA BED Water

700 711
RECENT TO PLEIST

800

~~ ~~ ~~
1000 ~~ ~~ ~~
OCENE

Massive Claystone with

Siltstone laminae
1200 ~~ ~~ ~~
~~ ~~ ~~

1400
~~ ~~ ~~
1557

1600
PLEISTOCENE

Massive Claystone

1800 ~~ ~~ ~~
Massive Claystone with
smaller Sandstone &
~~ ~~ ~~ Siltstone Gas
2000

~~ ~~ ~~
2200 2197

Alternating beds of
MIOCENE

Sandstone and Claystone Gas

2400

~~ ~~ ~~ Massive Claystone with

2600 small beds of Sandstone
~~ ~~ ~~ and Siltstone
2700 2704
DD : 2704.30 m

FIG. 53 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KGV-D3-B1

71
 NAGAYALANKA- NAGAYALANKA-
1Z SE-1

Zone-1:Raghavapuram Sands

Zone-2: Golapalli Sands

72
Basement
KG

FIG. 54 SEISMIC SECTION THROUGH WELL NAGAYALANKA-SE-1

 KG

RT - MSL : 12.7 m Latitude : 15o 57’ 06.55”N

Drilled Depth : 4680.60 m TVDSS Longitude : 80o 56’ 50.54”E
DEPTH HC
AGE FORMATION LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS
100
Sandstone interbedded with
lesser Claystone

500
610

Claystone with Sandstone

interbeds
900
932 Interbedded Coal, Sand /
1025 Sandstone and Claystone
Sand / Sandstone with
1300 minor Claystone / Siltstone
~~ ~~ ~~ intercalations and rare
1601
carbonate streaks
Limestone, dolomitic in places,
1700
1716 ~~ ~~ argillaceous towards base with
Claystone / Siltstone beds towards
base
UPPER Dominantly Sandstone with
2100 CRETACEO
~~ ~~ ~~ interbedded Siltstone /
Claystone and minor Marl
US
2364

2500

2900
~~ ~~ ~~
LOWER
~~ ~~ ~~
Dominantly argillaceous /
3300 TO carbonaceous Claystone
with interbedded Siltstone
UPPER
and minor Sandstone, some
CRETACEO laminare of carbonated
3700
US
Object I
(4385 – 4387 m)
~~ ~~ ~~ &
(4416 – 4420 m)
4100
Oil @ 70 bbl/day
4221
Dominantly Silty Claystone Gas @ 0.6
~~ ~~ with interbedded Siltstone mmscfd
4355

4500 LOWER ~~ ~~ Dominantly Sandstone with

CRETACEO ~~ ~~ interbedded Siltstone /
4684
4700 Claystone
US DD : 4680.60
m

FIG. 55 : LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL NAGAYALANKA-SE-1

73
 KG BASIN

Object Zone Interval Age/Formation Result

2465.0 – 3475.0 m Late Miocene One gas sample was
Object- I
MDRT Sand collected at 3473.4 m.
3375.0 – 3381.9 m Late Miocene Two gas samples were
Object- II
MDRT Sand collected at 3381m MDRT
3616.2 – 3621.0 m Late Miocene One gas sample was
Object- III
MDRT Sand collected at 3620.

Seismic section passing through the well KG-D9-A2 and the litho-column are
shown in Fig. 56 & 57 respectively.

Well KG-DWN-2005/1-A was drilled down to 5010m by ONGC in NELP block

KG-DWN-2005/1 in the year 2013, with the objective to explore Miocene,
Oligocene and Eocene Targets. MDT results confirmed the presence of gas
in Ravva Formation of Miocene age in 4634-4646.8m interval. The lithology of
formation is sandstone with intercalation of claystone. Result of mini DST
testing of well is as follows:
Zone Interval Age/Formation Result
Miocene/Ravva
4645.5-4646.5 m Formation Produced gas @ 0.9 MMm3/d.

Inline and X-line of seismic sections passing through the well KG-DWN-2005/1-
A are shown in Fig.58 & 59.

Well KG-D6-MJ1 was drilled by RIL in the D1-D3 ML area of the block KG-
DWN-98/3 in the year 2013, to test the hydrocarbon potential of the Syn-rift
Upper Jurassic Fluvio-lacustrine Sandstone Reservoirs. The well was drilled
down to 4147m MDRT at water depth of 1049.4m MDRT. Due to
complications a new sidetrack well KG-D6-MJ1-ST1 was drilled from 4052m to
4509m and was terminated within the basement. A hydrocarbon bearing
Sandstone reservoir was intersected in the gross interval 4136m to 4296m.
Result of cased hole DST is as follows:
Zone Interval Age/Formation Result
4135- 4306m Produced gas @ 30 MMSCFD
Mesozoic Syn-rift
MDRT through 36/64” choke.

74
 KG-D9-A2

75
KG

FIG .56 SEISMIC SECTION THROUGH WELL KG-D9-A2

 KG
KB : 24.8 m above MSL
Drilled Depth : 4881 m MDRT Latitude : 16o 04’ 05.87”N
Water Depth : 2692.7 m TVDSS Longitude : 83o 00’ 50.14”E
DEPTH HC
AGE FORMATION LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

SEA BED Water

2600

2692.7

PLIOCENE
2800
TO
RECENT
30002998
TO
LATE
3200 MIOCENE
3298
PLIOCENE
3400
Thick Claystone

Claystone with Sandstone

3600
intercalation
LATE
~~ ~~ ~~
3800 MIOCENE Claystone with Sandstone
~~ ~~ ~~
TO and Siltstone intercalations

4000
EARLY Gas
~~ ~~ ~~
MIOCENE Claystone with Siltstone
~~ ~~ ~~ intercalations
4200

Limestone
~~ ~~ Claystone with Siltstone &
4400
Limestone Gas
4490 ~~ ~~
4600 Claystone with thin
EARLY ~~ ~~ ~~ Siltstone and very thin
MIOCENE
~~ ~~ ~~ streaks of Limestone
4800
4881
4900
DD : 4881 m

FIG. 57 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D9-A2

76
77
KG

FIG. 58 SEISMIC SECTION THROUGH WELL KG-DWN-2005/1-A (INLINE)

78
KG

FIG. 59 SEISMIC SECTION THROUGH WELL KG-DWN-2005/1-A (X-LINE)

 KG BASIN

Seismic section passing through the well KG-D6-MJ1 and the lithocolumn are
shown in the Fig. 60 & 61 respectively.

The well Seripelam-1 was drilled by ONGC in the year 2013-14 at Godavari
Onland ML. Discovery of Gas in RGP Lower Cretaceous has established
Raghabhapuram Prospectivity in area between Kavitam and Bantumalli
south field and to the south west of earlier discoveries in Raghabhapuram
play in penugonda , Vygreswaram, Vygreswaram South west area (Fig-62).
Testing result mentioned below:

Zone Interval Age/Formation Result

Flowed Gas @82523 m3/day
RGP Lower
3360- 3357m ,water @ 98.4 m3/day with FTHP
Cretaceous
5477 psi through 6mm choke.

The well Mandapeta south -1 was drilled by ONGC with in Godavari onland
ML area in the year 203-14. Gas discovery in this well has established the
prospectivity of Golapalli Play to the south of Mandapeta field(Fig-63).

Testing result mentioned below

Zone Interval Age/Formation Result
Flowed gas @ 32472 m3/day
Golapalli play through 6mm choke after
2385-2373m
hydro fracturing

The well Geddanapalli -3was drilled by ONGC with in Godavari Onland ML

area In the year 203-14. Oil discovery in this well has established
prospectivity of Matsyapuri play in a separate fault block east of
Gopavaram Field (Fig-64) .Testing result mentioned below:

Zone Interval Age/Formation Result

Cummulative oil flow about
2650-2648 m Matsyapuri play
39.4 m3, well put on SRP

79
 KG-D9-MJ1

80
KG

FIG. 60 SEISMIC SECTION THROUGH WELL KG-D6-MJ1

 KG
RT - MSL : 24.8 m above Sea level
Water Depth : 1024.4 m TVDSS Latitude : 16o 31’ 27.5895”N
Drilled Depth : 4509 m MDRT Longitude : 82o 35’ 51.7198”E
DEPTH HC
AGE FORMATION LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION
(M) SHOWS

(MDRT)
SEA BED
1000
1049.4

1200
RECENT

H
1400
TO Dominantly Claystone with
few thin intercalations of

H
1600 LATE Marl and Sandstone
PLIOCENE H

H
1800
1920
2000
~~ ~~ ~~
2200 LATE Claystone with some
~~ ~~
PLIOCENE ~~ ~~ ~~ Siltstone
2400

2540
2600 EARLY Massive Claystone with thin
PLIOCENE beds of Sandstone
28002795
LATE Thik Claystone with rare
H

H
H

thin beds of Marl and

30003010 MIOCENE Sandstone
3200 Dominantly Claystone with
EARLY
few Limestone beds
3400 MIOCENE
36003633
Thick Limestone
3800
EOCENE Massive Claystone with thin
Limestone intercalations
40004016
Dominantly Claystone with
4200
4137 thin intercalation of
CRETACEO Limestone Hydrocarbo
Sandstone with occasional
n Bearing
4400 US Claystone
Reservoir
4506
4509 BASEMENT Basement
4600
DD : 4509 m

FIG. 61 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF WELL KG-D6-MJ1

81
 SRM‐1

82
KG

FIG. 62 SEISMIC LINE PASSES THROUGH WELL SERIPELAM-1

 MDS‐1

Razole Top

Golapalli Top

83
KG

FIG. 63 SEISMIC LINE PASSES THROUGH WELL MANDAPETA SOUTH -1

84
KG

FIG. 64 SEISMIC LINE PASSES THROUGH WELL GEDANAPALLI-3

 KG BASIN

The wells KGOSN041NANL-1, KGOSN041NANL-2 were drilled in NELP-VI

shallow water block KG-OSN-2004/1 by ONGC in year 2013-14. Both the well
produced gas from Godavari clay of Pliocene (Fig-65 & 66). Testing result
mentioned below:

well Zone Interval Age/Formation Result

KGOSN041NANL-1 Flowed Gas @261269
1460.5-1459.5,
m3/day ,water @ 4
1455-1451,
m3/day with FTHP 1750
1442.5-1440.5 Godavari clay
psi through ½” choke
formation
KGOSN041NANL-2 Flowed Gas @150034
1249-1231 m3/day with FTHP 1610
psi through 3/8” choke

The well KGD982NAMAC-M-3 was drilled by ONGC at NELP-1 deep water

block KG-DWN-98/2 in year 2013-14 at M-3 structure in M dome(Fig-67). The
testing details mentioned below:

Zone Interval Structure Result

Flowed Oil @6173 BOPD, Flowed
2506-2496.5,
Gas @102059 m3/day through
2483.5-2477
40/60” choke
M3 in M dome
2432- Flowed Oil @5646 BOPD,
2427.5,2424- Flowed Gas @105573 m3/day
2402.5 through 40/60” choke

To explore syn-rift fluvial system the well KG-D6-MJ1/D-55 was drilled at NELP-
1 deep water block KG-DWN-98/3 by RIL. This well encountered reservoir
sands with in synrift fluvial siliciclastic reservoirs in the half graben set up
sealed by Upper cretaceous /Paleocene post rift marine shales (Fig-68). The
testing details of this gas and condensate discovery mentioned below:

Zone Interval Structure Result

Flow rate of gas 30MMSCF/day
Synrift fluvial
4235-4178m Flowrate of condensate
system
~2000 bbl/day

85
 NANL‐2
SA‐1

MPU

86
Shallow pay

Lower pay
KG

FIG. 65 SEISMIC LINE PASSES THROUGH WELL NANL-2

 NANL‐1

87
KG

FIG. 66 SEISMIC LINE PASSES THROUGH WELL NANL-1

 M‐3

Gas (Obj-IV)

Oil (Obj-III)

88
Oil (Obj-II)

Gas (Obj-I)
KG

FIG. 67 SEISMIC LINE PASSES THROUGH WELL KG-DWN-98/2-M3

89
KG

FIG. 68 SEISMIC LINE PASSES THROUGH WELL KG-D6-MJ-1

 KG BASIN

The wells G-1-NE-2, G-1-NE-1 were drilled down to 2790m in Vasishta

offshore ML block by ONGC. This new pool discovery of G-1-NE-1 has
enhanced the prospectivity of the area for further exploration within
Godavari clay formation of Pliocene age(Fig-69). This discovery of G-1-NE-2
has opened up scope of further exploration in Pliocene section in the
surrounding areas(Fig-70). The discovery being close to G-1 Field will also help
in augmenting gas production from G-1 Field within Godavari clay formation
of Pliocene age. Testing details mentioned below:

Well Zone Interval formation Result

Vasishta (G- Flowed oil @ 2842
1-NE) / G-1- bbl/day and gas @
NE-1 2349-2331
74,198 m3/d through ½”
Godavari clay choke.
Vasishta (G- Flowed gas @ 2,32,280 m3/d
1-NE-AB) & : 2362-2344 m: and condensate @ 304 BPD
G-1-NE-2 through 24/64” bean^.

The well GS-29-10 (AJ) was drilled down to 2712m within GS-29 Extn Offshore
ML block by ONGC. The Oil and gas discovery is in a different fault block, to
the north of the recent major oil discovery (Fig-71), M-3 Field in KG-DWN-98/2.
The testing details mentioned below:

Zone Interval Age Result

Flowed oil @ 2479 bpd and gas
2402-2397 m Pliocene section @ 61,267 m3/d through ½”
choke

The well YS-AB-Shift (YS-9-1) was drilled down to 2800m within Yanam ML
offshore block at the year 2014 by ONGC. This is the first well which
established the prospectivity of Ravva Formation in this block(Fig-72). Testing
details mentioned below:

Zone Interval Formation/Age Result

Ravva formation
Produced gas @ 3,00,694 m3/d
1707-1701m of Mio-Pliocene
through ½” choke
age.

90
 G‐1‐NE‐1

SW G‐1‐NE‐1
G-1-NE-1 NE

PlioceneeTop

91
G2P1 OIL EQ
KG

FIG. 69 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL G-1-NE-1

 G-1-NE-2

Plio. Top

92
G‐1 NE‐2 Pay Top

Plio. Bottom
KG

FIG. 70 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL G-1-NE-2 (AB)

 GS‐29‐10

93
KG

FIG. 71 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL GS-29-10

 YS‐9‐1

94
KG

FIG. 72 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL YS-9-1

 KG BASIN

The well South Pasarlapudi-1was drilled down to 3320 m within Tatipaka-

Pasarlapudi ML onland block at the year 2014 by ONGC. New pool
discovery within Vadaparu formation of Eocene age gives a renewed focus
to exploration of Vadaparu play in this area. This discovery and has opened
up area for exploration of deeper Tertiary plays in the Southern part of
Pasarlapudi Field (Fig-73). Testing details mentioned below:

Zone Interval Formation/Age Result

Flowed oil @ 3.5 m3/d and gas @
2697-2694 32,894 m3/day through 5 mm
Vadaparu
bean
formation of
Flowed gas @ 1,56,885 m3/day
Eocene
2621-2618 m and condensate @ 13.06 m3/d
through 7 mm bean

The Well GD-11-1 (AA) was drilled down to 2810m within KG-OS-DW-III PEL
Onland block by ONGC. The Pliocene gas discovery in this well will facilitate
upgradation of DW PEL block KG-OS-DW-III(Fig-74). Testing details mentioned
below:
Zone Interval Formation/Age Result
CS-1 pay sand of Flowed gas @ 6,48,152 m3/d
2575-2557
Pliocene age. through ½” choke

The well Dangeru-1 was drilled within NELP-VI onland block KG-ONN-2004/1
by OIL. Kommugudem formation of Permo-Triassic age was found Gas
bearing. The pool is stratigraphic in nature(Fig-75).
Testing details mentioned below:
Zone Interval Formation/Age Result
Kommugudem Flowed gas @ 25,788 m3/d
3287-3281m formation of through ¼” bean.
Permo-Triassic age

95
 SPS‐1
Pasarlapudi‐1

96
KG

FIG. 73 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL SPS-1

 GD‐11‐1

97
KG

FIG. 74 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL GD-11-1

 Dangeru‐1

98
KG

FIG. 75 SEISMIC SECTION PASSING THROUGH WELL DANGERU-1

 KG BASIN

TECTONIC FRAMEWORK

Tectonic Evolution of Eastern Continental Margin

The Gondwanian paleogeographic reconstruction shows juxtaposition of
Antarctica to the east coast of Peninsular India with Australia lying further to
the east (Fig. 76). The eastern continental margin of India is a rifted passive
margin evolved in response to continental rifting. Indian craton is
circumscribed by rifted grabens and marginal sag basins (Fig. 77). The east-
west trending Narmada-Son tectonic lineament- an important line of
discontinuity across the Indian shield is a mid-continental rift system, which
divides the shield into two halves; a northern ‘Foreland block’ that now forms
the Himalayan Foreland Region and a southern’ Peninsular Block’. The
process was initiated along the Satpura weak zone during Late
Carboniferous / Triassic time due to crustal stretching that also caused co-
genetic rifting of Mahanadi and Godavari grabens along NW-SE tectonic
trend. The Proterozoic Pranhita-Godavari rift had a structural continuation
into Enderby Land of Antarctica. During the Early Rift Stage (Permo-Triassic),
down warping of the eastern margin formed a series of northeast southwest
trending faults following an older set of Achaean fault lineaments ‘The
Eastern Ghats Trend’. Initial break-up of the Indian Craton was caused by rift
initiation possibly by the formation of a series of triple junctions forming two
sets of cross trending grabens.

Northwesterly paleo-current directions during Permo-Carboniferous and

Triassic times, marine intercalations and deltaic facies of Godavari and
Mahanadi grabens suggest the presence of a sea to the north of these
grabens. This and the formation of depocenters at the meeting point of these
grabens with the Narmada-Son rift (Satpura and Son) prompts one to
reasonably infer the presence of a seaway along this major rift. This rift
episode seems to have ended by Late Triassic when the seaway was
probably filled up and uplifted as the Indian Plate had started drifting away.
The failed arms of these rifts forming aulacogens have been exploited by the
Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari and Cauvery river systems.

99
 AFRICA
BPC
Paleo sea
33.5

AD
DSPC

M
AUSTRALIA

ANTARTICA

100
60.5
KG

BPC - Bundelkhand proto continent

DSPC - Dharwar singhbhum Proto continent
MAD - Madagascar

FIG. 76 PALAEOGEOGRAPHIC MAP OF INDIA SHOWING PROTO-CONTINENTS AND

PERMO-CARBONIFEROUS SEAWAY ALONG MID-CONTINENTAL RIFT
 1. PURNEA BASIN
2. MONGHYR-SAHARSA RIDGE
3. GANDAK BASIN
4. FAIZABAD RIDGE
5. SARDA BASIN
6. CHANDAUSI RIDGE
10 9 7. SAHASPUR BASIN
8. DELHI-KALKA RIDGE
8 9. PUNJAB BASIN
7 10. DELHI LAHORE RIDGE
11
11. N. RAJASTHAN BASIN
5
6 12. JAISALMER MARI ARCH
12 13. S. RAJASTHAN BASIN
3
13 4 14. NAGAR PARKAR ARCH
14 2 1
15. KUTCH BASIN
I N D I A 16. SAURASHTRA ARCH
15 29
30 17. SURAT DEPRESSION
33 28
16 31 18. BOMBAY ARCH
35
19. RATNAGIRI OFFSHORE BASIN

101
32 20. VENGURLA ARCH
27
17 18 21. KONKAN BASIN
34
22. TELLICHERY ARCH
19 23. KERALA BASIN
24. MANNAR BASIN
20 25. CAUVERY BASIN
26 26. KRISHNA-GODAVARI BASIN
27. MAHANADI BASIN
28. BENGAL BASIN
21 29. DAMODAR BASIN
22
36 25 30. SON BASIN NARMADA SON
31. SATPURA BASIN DAMODAR RIFT

23 32. NARMADA BASIN

33. CAMBAY BASIN
34. PRANHITA-GODAVARI GRABEN
24 35. MAHANADI GRABEN
KG

36. PALGHAT GRABEN

FIG. 77 INDIAN CRATON WITH RADIAL BASINS AND ARCHES / RIDGES, INTRACRATONIC
AND PERICRATONIC WITH MAJOR FAULTS AND TECTONIC LINEAMENTS
 KG BASIN

During Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous period, India – Australia rotated from
Antarctica with continental extension between Australia and Antarctica and
a right lateral transfom movement along the southern part of the
Coromandal coast (east coast) margin of India (to the south of Krishna
Godavari basin), resulting into separation of India from Antarctica. Thus, the
initial breakup of the Indian Plate from Australia-Antarctica possibly occurred
prior to Early Neocomian, creating the proto Bay of Bengal with the onset of
sea-floor spreading. Since Cretaceous, the Indian Plate rotated
northwestward. Development of a new spreading center (?) initiated
spreading in a north-south direction. During Late Cretaceous, the paleoslope
reversed in these graben basins with the southeasterly tilt of the peninsular
block. This event coincided with the first basin wide marine transgression
during Cenomanian and continued up to Maastrichtian. The post-rift thermal
subsidence continued throughout remainder of the Cretaceous and Tertiary.
An extensive uplift of the major rift was followed by erosion at the end of
Cretaceous prior to the volcanic episode of Deccan trap. The northward drift
continued till it had initial (soft) collision with Eurasia in Paleocene/ Eocene.
Sea level fall in Upper Oligocene followed this. The southeasterly/ easterly tilt
of the Peninsula had resulted in the increase of fluvial energies of various
fluvial systems leading to pouring of substantial sediment loads into the
adjoining sea. Krishna-Godavari basin experienced delta-building activity
during Eocene/Oligocene. In Early Miocene, crustal shortening continued as
the Indian Plate continued its northward drift with the resultant further
increase of fluvial activity. Himalayan uplift and deposition of sediments by
the Ganges and Brahmaputra commenced in Miocene. Thus, Miocene and
younger times witnessed very significant increase in the sediment outbuilding
into the offshore extending the basins into the deeper waters.

The evolution of east coast of India as a passive margin set up resulted in the
formation of a number of peri-cratonic basins- Bengal, Mahanadi, Krishna-
Godavari, Pennar and Palar, while Cauvery basin developed as an intra-
cratonic basin.

102
 KG BASIN

Tectonics of Krishna-Godavari Basin

Krishna Godavari basin is a continental passive margin. Based on the paired
horst graben relationship, several tectonic blocks can be recognized in the
basin. From north to south, as shown in Fig. 78, the troughs are designated as
East Godavari, West Godavari, Bhimadolu, Gudivada, Bantumilli, Krishna,
Nizampatnam, Pennar and Palar. The intervening highs are Poduru-Yanam,
Tanuku, Kaza-Kaikalur, Bapatla, Kavali-Nellore and Naidupeta.

The early rift Permo-Triassic sediments form the floor for the divergent margin
basins. The presence of early rift sediments in the adjoining area to the south
of Chintalapudi cross trend is not known. The synrift sequence identified and
described as Golapalli Sandstone is present throughout the basin. Though no
discernible unconformity is noticed between Golapalli Sandstone and the
overlying Raghavapuram Shale in the outcrop area, based on evidences
from the subsurface geological and geophysical data, many earlier
investigators believe that the rift-drift transition can be marked at the base of
Raghavapuram Shale. From most of the subsurface data available, it is
believed that the early drift phase is represented by deltaic facies of the
Krishna and Godavari Rivers. The prodelta part occurs at great depths to the
east of ‘Matsyapuri-Palakollu Fault’ due to growth fault tectonics. In these
areas, the younger Tertiary sediments represent the late drift phase
characterized by tracks of younger growth fault regimes.

The Avanigadda cross trend could have been a fossil transform for the
spreading center to get shifted beyond the Srilankan massif in the southern
part while the northern part appears to be very close to the spreading
center. Prominent unconformities are observed at the base of syn-rift
sequence, at the interface of rift-drift phases and at the top of early drift
phase. The last unconformity marks the K/T boundary with a volcanic
sequence overlying it. In the late drift sequence, a regional unconformity is
identified in the Lower Miocene section. An argillaceous section which
overlies this surface is again marked by an unconformity.

103
 Pi
th a
CH
RAJAHMUNDRY

pu
IN ELAMANCHILI

ra
TA
KAKINADA

m
LP DEPRESSION
LU ST

c
R

r
UD
I A DO ON N

os
IM SI 0m
s
20
HO -BASI
BH RES B

C
P

r
DE SU tre
nd

os
YANAM

s
TANUKU

T
K

r
I

ON
R

en

SI
VA

S
N

ds
m

VIJAYAWADA

A
IN
D

RE
S

O
800m
400

T
LT

AS
G

EP
U

D
FA

ST
ST

B-
E R N

ST

R
A
G PU TH

EA
IO

SU

R
D A OW S

AD

HO
RS

RI
E

IV
GR ES

HO
NA

D
V
R
EP

DA

A
LF

GU
ZA
NE I D

E
GE

GO

TL

104
O

Av
T

EN
KA

A
AR

a
LE V

B
P
ES
PA A

A
ng
W

BA
OD

ud

GR
E G

da
N S
Cr E U LT
NIZAMAPATNAM C

A
os
s O FA

HN
Tre E
nd TH

S
W

I
O ics
GR n

KR
E o
ct
EN Te

N
OG

O AM
A
I
NE

SS TN
e

E
h al

PR AP
0m 0 30km

Z
0m S
80

E
20

NI
D AM
PENNAR SCALE
DEPRESSION
KG

FIG. 78 TECTONIC FRAMEWORK OF KRISHNA - GODAVARI BASIN

 KG BASIN

The five major tectonic elements of the basin, (Fig. 78) which deserve specific
reference are:
• Krishna Graben
• Bapatla Horst
• West Godavari Sub-Basin (including the median Kaza-Kaikalur Horst)
• Tanuku Horst
• East Godavari Sub-Basin (extends into offshore and includes Narsapur-
Yanam High)

Krishna Graben
This western most graben is bounded by Pre Cambrian shield in the
southwest. Bapatla horst which defines the southeastern limits of Krishna
Graben, extends into the offshore in Nizamapattanam Bay. It covers an area
of 3500 sq.kms. The maximum thickness of sediments within the graben is
about 2500 m, major part of which is expected to be of Mesozoic age.
However, at places, Mio-Pliocene Rajahmundry Formation overlies the
Jurassic/Early Cretaceous sequence.

Bapatla Horst
This NE-SW trending horst is about 200 km long. It demarcates the south
eastern boundary of Krishna Graben and western limit of Nizamapattanam
Depression and the Pennar Depression which in turn are separated from
each other by the Ongole cross trend. The thickness of the sediments over
the horst is expected to be about 500 m and belongs to Mio-Pliocene age.

West Godavari Sub-Basin

This sub-basin occurs between Bapatla Horst in the west and Tanuku Horst in
the east. This NE-SW trending graben extends from the shallow waters of
Nizamapattanam bay in southwest to the onland areas in northeast. West
Godavari Depression has been differentiated into Gudivada Depression and
Bhimadolu Depression in the south and north respectively by Chintalpudi
cross trend. The Kaza-Kaikalur basement ridge present in this depression,
further divides this graben into two units i.e. the Gudivada Graben in the west
and Bantumilli Graben in the east.

105
 KG BASIN

In the northeastern part of the graben, Cretaceous to Mio-Pliocene outcrops

is observed.

Tanuku Horst
This horst separates West Godavari Sub-basin from the East-Godavari Sub-
basin. It occurs onland with NE-SW trend and extends from west of Narsapur
to north of Kakinada across Godavari River. About 1200 m thick sediments
may be expected over the horst.

East Godavari Sub-Basin

The basin lies towards east of the Tanuku Horst and extends into the offshore.
It is subdivided into Kakinada Terrace and Offshore Godavari Depression.
Kakinada Terrace is formed by an ill defined, gently undulating basement
surface. The basin is differentiated into elongated ridges namely Narsapur
High, Amalapuram High and Yanam High. Poduru-Yanam High separates
Godavari Depression into Mandapeta depression on northwest and
Godavari Depression in southeast. The intervening lows, occur off Narsapur
coast and others to the east of Amalapuram.

The Offshore Godavari Depression is an elongated sub-basin characterized

by a series of NE-SW trending growth faults, associated with Neogene roll
over anticlines abutting eastwards against shale diapirs. Accumulation of
very large thickness of Late Tertiary deltaic sediments is the significant
development in this sub-basin. Elamanchili Depression is another depression
which is separated from Godavari Depression by Pithapuram cross trend.
Further north, it is bound, towards offshore, by the NE-SW trending
Vishakhapattanam Ridge.

STRATIGRAPHY
In the northwestern and western margins of the basin, out crops of Archaean
crystallines and sediments ranging in age from Late Permian to Pliocene are
present. However, major part of the basin is covered by alluvium/sea. The
geological map of the basin shows the details of outcrop belt (Fig. 5).

106
 KG BASIN

Sedimentary section of Mesozoic and older sequence is confirmed in several

wells drilled both onland and offshore.

The outcrop and sub-crop lithologic informations have been gathered from a
large numbers of wells drilled in the shelfal area and onland. The stratigraphy
has been worked out and classified as shown in (Fig. 79). A schematic
geological section across the basin is shown in Fig. 80. Lithostratigraphic
section along a NE-SW profile passing through a number of drilled wells is
shown in Fig. 81.

A brief description of the rock units, based on Task Force Report on

Lithostratigraphy of Indian Petroliferous Basins Document – VIII – Krishna
Godavari Basin,1993, is as follows:

ARCHAEAN
Archaean is exposed beyond the western margin of the basin and consists of
gneisses, khondalites, charnokites, quartzites and pegmatites.

LOWER GONDWANA GROUP:

Three formations are recognized within this group.

Draksharama Argillite
The Draksharama Argillite unconformably overlies the crystalline basement
and underlies Kommugudem Formation unconformably. It is dominantly an
argillaceous sequence, black to greyish black, hard, compact, micaceous,
and fissile argillites. Towards bottom, it is represented by arenaceous quartose
sandstone facies. The palynoflora identified are Rugasaccites obsecurus –
Didecitinitetes bellus and Plicatipollenites indicus-virkkipollenites mentae.
The depositional environment is reported to represent fresh water conditions.
Presence of marine incursion is also inferred. Early Permian age has been
assigned to this formation.
 Kommugudem Formation
The formation is probably overlying the Drakasharama Formation and
unconformably overlain by the Mandapeta sandstone. It consists of
alternations of sand and shale with coal beds. The sands are dirty

107
 King, 1874 Subrahmanyan Robertson Parido G Rao. G.N. (1990) Venkatrengon&Ray, D,1991 Taskforce (1993)
1960 Group Inc. (1988) Landward Seaward Landward Seaward
PLEISTOCENE Auluvium Auluvium Andhra AuluviumGodavari Clay Godavari
Rajahmundry Rajahmundry Clay
PLIOCENE
Fm. Rajahmundry Rava Rajahmundry Godavari Fm. S.St.
UPPER MIOCENE S.St. Ravva Fm.
S.St. Productive Narasapur Clay
MIDDLE Unit Ravva Fm. i
Rajahmundry Fm. Narasapur ur
LOWER MIOCENE Fm. yap
ts t.
UPPER Ma S.S
Amalapuram Fm.
MIDDLE OLIGO- Amalapuram Godavari Amalapuram Clay Stone Vada-
Fm. Fm. Nimma- ll
LOWER CENE Matsyapuri Fm. parru pa
ale

Kurru
a

a na .St.
L
d

Matsyapuri S.St.
Sh parru

UPPER Yanam Fm. Formation S.St. B him i

Va

Rajahmundry S.St. BhimanapalliBhimanapalli L.St. Vadaparru Bhimanapalli Fm.

MIDDLE EOCENE
Traps with inter Razole Fm. Clay Stone
LOWER Pasarlapudi Pasarlapudi S.St. Vadoli Pasarlapudi
Trappean S.St.
UPPER Modi Fm. Fm. Palakollu S.St.Pasarlapudi Fm. Fm. Shale
Palakollu
Godavari Clay

Vadali S.St. Shale

MIDDLE PALEO- Rajahmundry Razole Razole Formation
CENE Razole Tatipaka Cl.St.
LOWER Inter Trappeans Deccan Fm. Trop Volcanics
Volcanics Razole Volcanics
Pangadi & Kotteru
le

Bantumilli S.St. Palakoli Tirupati S.St.

tal

UPPER Traps with inter Palakollu Kakinada Cl.St. Shale

n

Pennor Fm. Bantumilli Narsapur Cl.St.

i
Sha apalli

CRETACEOUS Trappean S.St. Fm. Tirupati S.St.

S.St. Raghavapuram
Ch

Raghavapuram Shale
Dudukar Infra

108
Shale Krishna Fm. Golapalli
Trappean beds. Vanadurru Fm. Kankukollu Kaikalur KNK S.St
LOWER S.St.
Tirupati S.St. S.St Cl. St. GJP Sh.
CRETACEOUS
Krishna Fm. Golapalle S.St. F m .
Krishna
Tirupati S.St Pennar Fm. Pennar
Raghavapuram Sh.
Raghavapuram sh. Shale a
JURASSIC Golapalli S.St. Bapatl
Golapalli S.St. Bapatla Fm. Vanadurru Nellore CL.St.
S.St.

Mandapeta S.St.
TRIASSIC
Mandapeta S.St.
Chintalapudi S.St.
Chintalapudi S.St. Chintalapudi S.St.Draksharama Mandapeta S.St. Kommugudem Fm. Kommugudem Fm.
PERMIAN Fm. Barakar Fm.

CARBONIFEROUSE Kommugudem coal shale

PROTEROZOIC Draksharama shale (Cuddopah’s) Draksharama Shale

Draksharama Fm.

ARCHEAN Bezwada Gneiss Archean Gneiss Granite, Gneiss etc. Archean Basement
KG

FIG. 79 STRATIGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE – KRISHNA - GODAVARI BASIN

 Outcrop4 Kommugudem, Mandapeta 7 Offshore
1 West and South of Krishna River 2 West Godavari Sub Basin 3 Kavitam Area 5 Narasapur – Amalapuram Area 6 Offshore Deep water
0
Deccan Trap
Narsapur Sandstone Rajahmundry Sandstone Narsapur
TirupatiTiru Claystone
Sandstone pat i
1.0 Nimmakurru Sandstone S an
Raghavapuram Sha
le
dsto Matsyapuri Sandstone Godavari Clay
Golapalli ne
Sandstone G
Tirupati Sandstone kollu tone Ravva
one
2.0 Kanust S a ol a imes
Sand u nd pal Bhimnapalli L
Krishna ju lap ad + + + Chintal- Fm.
r Fm. Ga
sto li
Penna Shale
+ + apudi ne Pasarlapudi Fm.
Bapatla Fm. +

Kilometers
Nellore Fm. Fm. Raghavapuram Shale m. + + Fm.
3.0 ++++ + Mandapeta
+ + naF + Palakollu Shale Vadaparru
+ + s h + + Raghavapuram
Kri + Sandstone Shale
a + + Barakar Shale F m.
++ p
Razole
4.0 + + +
atlone+
Ba s t +
+ Fm. Kommugudem Tanuku
+ + +

109
+ ++ + Sand+ + Fm. Fm. Chintalapalli Shale
+++ + + + + + +
+ + + + ++ ++ + ++
+ + +

Index Map
Kakinada
3 4
5
2
6 7
Masulipatnam

Ongole 1

0 40kms
KG

FIG. 80 BASIN FILL DEPICTING THE LITHO-STRATIGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE

KRISHNA - GODAVARI BASIN
 SW NE
BBL-1 NDG-1 BNT-1 KVT-1 MDP-1 MVD-1

0 0
Narsapur Claystone
tone
1000 Nimmakuru Sandstone puri Seands
Matsyallu Shal
1000
Palako
Razole Formation

2000 dston e 2000

Tirupati San

110
3000 + + + 3000
Raghavapuram Shale
+
em
Depth in meters

+ +
+ +
m m ugud
4000 Ko ation 4000
Krishna Fm + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + Tanuku Formation Form + +
+ +
+ + +
+ + +
5000 + + +
5000
+ + + +
Basement SCALE
25 0 25 50 75 km
KG

FIG. 81 LITHO-STRATIGRAPHIC SECTION ALONG A NE – SW PROFILE, KRISHNA GODAVARI BASIN

 KG BASIN

white, medium grained, feldspathic. The shales are dark grey to black,
hard, silty. Coal is observed to be embedded in shales. Early Permain
palynofossils are found in this formation. They are Scheur-ignipollenites
Barakarensis, Igiskporites Displosaccus, etc. The environment of
deposition of this formation is suggested to be lagoonal. Permo-
Carboniferous age is assigned to this formation. Isopach of this
formation is shown in Fig. 82.

 Mandapeta Sandstone
The Mandapeta Formation has unconformable relation with both the
underlying Kommugudem Formation and overlying Golapalli
sandstone. It consists of predominantly sandstone with minor
shale/clay stone. The sandstone is dirty white to greenish grey, friable,
well sorted, feldspathic and micaceous. The clay stone is light grey, soft
to moderately hard, highly silty. The environment of deposition of this
formation is fluvial. A Permo-Triassic age had been assigned to this
formation. Isopach of this formation is shown in Fig. 83.

NIZAMAPATINAM GROUP
This group is equivalent to the exposed Upper Gondwana Group. A total of
seven formations have been classified under this group. They are described
briefly.
 Nellore Claystone
The formation is likely to be restricted to Pennar trough. The formation is
dominantly argillaceous with minor sandstone. The clay stone is reddish
brown to chocolate brown, hard, micaceous and ferruginous. The
sandstone is quartzitic, poorly sorted, and angular.
A fluvial to marginal marine environment of deposition has been
inferred. A Neocomian-Aptian age has been assigned to this formation
on the basis of palaeontological studies.

 Bapatla Sandstone
The formation is essentially arenaceous. It consists of sandstone with
shale intercalations at places. The sandstone is light grey to dirty
white, medium to fine grained, sub angular to sub-rounded,

111
 800 0I 810 0I 820 0I
Pi
Poduru th
ap
Yanam

Go
ur

d
am

a
High

v
3 Cr

a ri
5000 os
s

Ri
170 70 0 170

ve
Ch Tr

r
in 90 0 h en
0I ta 9 0 i g Kakinada d 0I
lap 0
70 0 H 30
ud 0 0
iC 500
ro u 1 0 0
ss
uk Yanam
Tr n
en
d T a 900
3
Krishna 70 00
Ri 0
ve
r
Kaikalur
Vijayawada Tanuku Fm

112
Masulipatnam

BAY OF BENGAL
0
16 160
0I 0I

Ongole 10 0 20 40
kms kms

800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

KG

FIG. 82 ISOPACH MAP OF KOMMUGUDEM FORMATION

 800 0I 810 0I 820 0I
Poduru
Yanam

Go
20 High

da v
0

a
6

r i Ri
170 10 00 170
00 Kakinada

ve
r
0I h 0I
ig 00
H 22
120
0 00
60 400
800 ku 0 Yanam
u
n 2
Ta 00
Krishna
Ri
ve
r
Kaikalur
Vijayawada

113
Masulipatnam

BAY OF BENGAL
0
16 160
0I 0I

Ongole 10 0 20 40
kms kms

800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

KG

FIG. 83 ISOPACH MAP OF MANDAPETA SANDSTONE

 KG BASIN

moderately sorted. The shales are grey to dark grey, moderately hard,
compact.
The environment of deposition of this formation is inferred to be fluvial.
A Neocomian-Aptian age (Lower Cretaceous) has been assigned to
this formation.

 Pennar Shale
The formation conformably overlies the Bapatla Sandstone and
overlain by Krishna Formation. The formation consists of predominantly
shale. The shale is grey to dark grey, hard, highly micaceous, silty, rarely
carbonaceous with occasional dark brown organic matter. The minor
sandstone present is dirty white to grey, very fine to medium grained,
well cemented and calcareous.
A Neocomian-Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) age has been assigned to
this formation.

 Krishna Formation
The formation occurs across the basin from Nellore to Chintalapudi
cross trend Fig. 84.
The formation is underlain by Raghavapuram Shale. The formation is
dominantly arenaceous in character. It also contains intermittent shale
beds. The sandstones are dirty white to grey, fine to medium grained.
The shales are brown, moderately hard, silty, micaceous and feebly
calcareous. A pre-Albian age has been assigned to this formation.

 Golapalli Formation
Outcrops of this formation are mapped in the Krishna District. However,
it is present in subcrops also. The formation is unconformably overlying
the Mandapeta sandstone in Mandapeta area and Krishna Formation
in Gajulapadu area. The formation consists of highly micaceous
purplish coarse grits and ferruginous sandstone. They are highly
lateritised and covered by cherry red lateritic grit. Ferruginous clay
stone termed as 'red bed' demarcates the base of the formation.

114
115
KG

FIG. 84 ISOPACH MAP OF KRISHNA FORMATION

 KG BASIN

The formation has been deposited in fresh water fluvial environment.

Its isopach map is shown in Fig. 85. The age of the formation ranges
from Late Jurassic (?) to Early Cretaceous. However, in some other
parts, specific Aptian age could be assigned on the basis of
palynological data.

 Gajulapadu Shale
This formation occurs in Gudivada trough of West Godavari sub-basin
and is encountered in Gajulapadu Well -1 only. The formation is mainly
dark grey shale with minor sandstone. The shale is moderately hard,
compact with carbonaceous matter.
The sandstone greenish grey includes fine to medium grained,
moderately sorted, micaceous and glauconitic. The formation was
deposited in middle shelf environment. The probable age assigned to
this formation was Aptian (Lower Cretaceous).

 Kanukollu Sandstone
The formation is reported in few wells of Gudivada trough. It consists of
predominantly fine to medium grained, grey sandstone. The sand is
subangular to subrounded and calcareous. They are micaceous and
pyritic. The claystones are reddish brown, compact and hard.
The environment of deposition inferred as marginal marine, and the
age assigned is Aptian (Lower Cretaceous).

GUDIVADA GROUP:
Three formations have been recognized in this group, which are present
extensively throughout the basin.
 Raghavapuram Shale
The formation outcrops near Raghavapuram village. The formation
developed extensively throughout the basin. It overlies Golapalli
Sandstone conformably and underlies the Tirupati sandstone.
The formation consists of hard, compact, silty, calcareous shale with
occasional load structures, fractures and slickensides.
The sediments have been deposited in marginal marine to shallow
inner shelf conditions/environment. The formation is inferred to be

116
 800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

Go
da v
a ri
Ri
170 170

ve
r
0I Kakinada 0I
0
60 00
4 00 Yanam
2 0
Krishna
Ri
ve
r

0
Kaikalur

100
Vijayawada 0

600
20 00
0 4 00
6

117
00
8
Masulipatnam

BAY OF BENGAL
0
16 160
0I 0I

Ongole 10 0 20 40
kms kms

800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

KG

FIG. 85 ISOPACH MAP OF GOLAPALLI FORMATION

 KG BASIN

Lower Cretaceous in age. The isopach map of this formation is shown

in Fig. 86.

 Tirupati Sandstone
The formation is exposed at Chinna Tirupati. The formation is reported
from the wells drilled in Gudivada and Mandapeta trough.
Basalts of Razole Formation mark the top of the formation while in
outcrops it overlies unconformably the Raghavapuram Shale. The
isopach map of this formation is shown in Fig. 87.
It is represented by sandstone and minor shale. The sandstone is milky
white to greenish grey, moderately hard, with fine to medium grained,
feebly calcareous sands. The shales are grey, occasionally reddish
brown feebly calcareous, moderately hard and compact.
On the basis of paleontological evidence, Upper Cretaceous age is
assigned to this formation.

 Chintalapalli Shale
The formation underlies the Razole Formation. It consists of shale. The
shale is grey, hard, compact, massive, feebly calcareous, micaceous
with calcite veins and pyrite – few sandstone layers are also
occasionally observed.
The environment of deposition is inferred as upper bathyal regime. The
age assigned to this formation is Campanion to Maastrichtian. (Upper
Cretaceous)

VASISTHA GROUP
The trap and post trappaen sequences belonging to Paleocene- Eocene
period are included in this group. The isopach map for the Paleocene
sequence is shown in Fig. 88. The group includes seven formations. A brief
description of the formations is given below:
 Razole Volcanics
The basaltic lava flows together with inter trappean beds make up this
formation. Outcrops of this formation are exposed in the basin margin.
In subsurface, it is present in Mandapeta, Bhimadolu, Gudivada,
Bantumilli and Godavari trough area.

118
 800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

G
od
ava
ri
170 170

River
Kakinada
0I 0I
200
600 Yanam
Raghavapuram
Shale
Krishna
R ive
r
Kaikalur
Vijayawada 00
10 00
0 2000

00
14

18
80 00
2
1 00

119
6
2000
Masulipatnam
Chintalapalli
Shale
160 BAY OF BENGAL 160
0
0I 0 20 400 00 0I
6

Ongole 10 0 20 40
kms kms

800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

KG

FIG. 86 ISOPACH MAP OF RAGHAVAPURAM SHALE AND CHINTALAPALLI SHALE

 800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

Go
da v
a ri
170 170

River
0I Kakinada 0I
0
0 0
10 30Yanam
200
900
800
Krishna
R
700
ive 600

0 0
r 00

40 30
Kaikalur 54000
Vijayawada 30
100
0

120
60
500
Masulipatnam
400
0 BAY OF BENGAL
500 30
0
0 20 0
16 1 0 160
0I 0I

400
0
300
Ongole 10 0 20 40
kms kms

800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

KG

FIG. 87 ISOPACH MAP OF TIRUPATI SANDSTONE

121
KG

FIG. 88 ISOPACH MAP FOR PALEOCENE

 KG BASIN

The formation overlies the Tirupati sandstone and Chintalapalli Shale in

Gudivada and Godavari trough respectively. The isopach map of this
formation is shown in Fig. 89.
The formation mainly consists of basalt which is melanocratic, dark
grey, greenish grey, fractured at times and indicate fractures filled with
calcite, zeolite and chlorite.
The inter-trappeans are mainly clays and clay stones of light grey
colour.
The inter trappeans have yielded S.cf.trinidadensis, Bathysiphon in the
samples from Razole Well No.1.
The formation is deposited as subaqueous lava flows. The age assigned
is Late Cretaceous to Early Paleocene.

 Palakollu Shale
The formation is developed in Godavari trough. It occurs
unconformably over Razole formation and underlies the Pasarlapudi
formation. It consists of dark grey shales with occasional silt. The
siltstones are grey to dark grey, hard, compact, micaceous. The fossils
found in the formation are G.Velascoensis, G,acuta, G.psudobulloides
etc.
The formation is deposited in middle shelf environment. Paleocene
age is assigned to this formation.

 Pasarlapudi Formation
The formation is present in Godavari trough stretching upto
Nizamapatanam bay. Middle Eocene Carbonates limit the formation
on top and argillaceous Palakollu Shale at the bottom. It consists of
alternations of sandstones and shales with thin limestone bands. The
sandstone is light grey to greenish grey, moderately hard, well sorted,
and argillaceous and occasionally fossiliferous. The shales are dark
grey, moderately hard, pyritiferous and micaceous. The limestones are
dirty white, moderately hard and fossiliferous. The isopach map of
this formation is shown in Fig. 90.
The formation has been deposited in a shallow marine condition of
Late Paleocene to Early Eocene.

122
 800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

Go
d a va ri
Ri
170 170

ve
r
0I Kakinada 0I

Yanam

0 0
10 20
Krishna
0

Ri
ve
r
Kaikalur
40

Vijayawada

123
Masulipatnam

BAY OF BENGAL
0
16 160
0I 0I

Ongole 10 0 20 40
kms kms

800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

KG

FIG. 89 ISOPACH MAP OF RAZOLE FORMATION

 800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

Go
da v
a ri
170 170

Ri
ve
r
0I 0I
Kakinada

Yanam

Krishna 0
Ri
ve
r
Kaikalur
Vijayawada
200
400
0

124
0

00
80 10
80

Masulipatnam

BAY OF BENGAL
0
16 160
0I 0I

Ongole 10 0 20 40
kms kms

800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

KG

FIG. 90 ISOPACH MAP OF PASARLAPUDI FORMATION

 KG BASIN

 Vadaparru Shale

The formation is developed in Godavari trough. The formation occurs

below the arenaceous Matsyapuri Sandstone Formation. At places, it
occurs below Bhimanapalli Limestone also. Generally, Razole
Formation top marks the bottom of this formation.
The formation consists of shale and minor sand. The shale is light grey to
dark grey, moderately hard, micaceous and silty. It is rich in organic
matter. It is feebly calcareous with occasional pyrite. The sandstone is
colourless to milky white, grains are fine to coarse, calcareous and well
cemented.
The formation contains Pellatispira sp. Gerrozulensis and other fossils.
The formation is inferred to have been deposited in an outer shelf
environment. Late Eocene age is assigned to this formation.

 Bhimanapalli Limestone
The formation is observed to be well developed in Godavari trough.
The formation occurs with Pasarlapudi Formation at the bottom and
Matsyapuri Sandstone at the top. The formation consists of mainly
highly fossiliferous limestone with occasional thin sand-shale
alternations. The limestone is dominantly algal dolostone with
subhedral and anhedral dolomite crystals. It contains abundant red
algal grains, anhedral calcite and forminiferal tests. The sandstone
consists of well sorted quartz grains with minor feldspars and at places it
is glauconitic.
The fossils reported are Nummulites adjodjokartae N.beaumonti,
Assilina spinosa, and several other Nummulites species. The formation is
deposited in a shallow inner shelf regime of Middle Eocene age.

 Matsyapuri Sandstone
The formation is present in most part of Godavari trough and parts of
Masulipattanam Bay. The formation overlies the Bhimanapalli
Limestone and towards southeast it overlies Vadaparru Shale. The
Narsapur Formation occurs on the top of Matsyapuri Sandstone.

125
 KG BASIN

The formation consists of mainly sandstone with thin beds of claystone

and limestone. The sandstone is dark grey to greenish grey. The sands
are coarse to very coarse grained, moderately sorted. Occasionally
fossiliferous limestone with feebly calcarious claystone is also present.
The isopach map of this formation is shown in Fig. 91.
The formation is deposited in middle shelf environment and the age
assigned is Late Eocene to Oligocene.

 Nimmakuru Sandstone
The formation is developed in the West and East Godavri and
Gudivada troughs. In Godavari trough the formation overlies
Matsyapuri sandstone, underlies Narsapur claystone. However, in
Gudivada area it overlies Razole formation and underlies the Narsapur
claystone.
The formation consists of sandstone and minor clay stone. The
sandstone is dirty white-to-white, coarse grained and pebbly. The clay
stone is light yellow to brown, soft sticky and non calcareous. The
isopach map shown in Fig. 92 includes this formation. The formation
ranges in age from Early Eocene to Early Miocene.

GOWTHAMI GROUP
The group is named after the river Gowthami. It includes, Neogene to Recent
sediments developed towards the basinal side. It comprises four formation
units, which are described briefly.
 Narsapur Claystone
The formation is present throughout the basin. However, the formation
is observed to attain large thickness in offshore part. In offshore, it is
termed as Godavari clay. The formation overlies Matsyapuri sandstone
and underlies Rajahmundry Sandstone in the west of river Godavari.
But, in Godivada and Bantumulli troughs, the formation overlies
Nimmakuru sandstone. It is represented by dominantly claystone facies
with minor sandstone at few places. The claystone is dark grey to black
in colour. It is feebly calcareous, carbonaceous and occasionally silty.

126
 800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

G
od
ava
ri
170 170

River
0I Kakinada
0I
Matsyapuri
Yanam
0 0
20
Krishna
Ri
ve 400
r
Kaikalur 800 0
0 20
Vijayawada 60

127
20

00
1000

10
0 600 600

0
Nimmakuru Masulipatnam 0

10
120

20
30 0
4 0
50 00
6000
Rava

00
8
160 160

10 00
0I 0I

BAY OF BENGAL

Ongole 10 0 20 40
kms kms

800 0I 810 0I 820 0I

KG

FIG. 91 ISOPACH MAP OF NIMMAKURU SANDSTONE, MATSYAPURI SANDSTONE

AND RAVVA FORMATION
128
KG

FIG. 92 ISOPACH MAP OF EOCENE

 KG BASIN

The environment of deposition is inferred to be shallow inner shelf to

middle shelf environment. An Oligocene to Pliocene age has been
assigned to this formation.

 Ravva Formation
The formation named after pay sand of offshore Ravva field and is
developed in offshore area and observed to pinch out laterally. The
Ravva Formation has a sandstone layer within the monotonous
Godavari clay section of Mio-Pliocene age and overlies Vadaparru
Shale.
The formation consists of sandstone with claystone bands. The
sandstone is milky white, colourless to brownish pale yellow. However,
even grey to dark grey coloured sandstone is also present.
The sandstone contains fine to medium grained quartz with moderate
sorting. Heavy minerals like garnet, magnetite etc. are also observed.
The clay stone is dark grey, moderately hard, compact and at places
pyritic and silty. The isopach map shown in Fig. 41 includes this
formation. The environment of deposition is inferred to be an inner shelf
to middle shelf environment. A Miocene-Pliocene age has been
assigned to this formation.
An isopach map for the Miocene sequence is shown in Fig. 93.

 Rajahmundry Sandstone
The formation outcrops near Rajahmundry town. It occurs throughout
the land part of the basin. It generally overlies the Narsapur claystone.
At places, it is observed to occur over basalts of Razole Formation. It
consists of white to pale pinkish white sandstones. It exhibits current
bedding. It is coarse to medium grained to clayey. The formation is
inferred to have been deposited in marginal marine environment. Mio-
Pliocene age has been assigned to this formation.

 Godavari Clay
This formation is well developed in offshore part of the basin. It includes
the entire section from the seabed to nearly top of Ravva Formation
where Ravva Formation is not differentiated; the entire clay section is

129
130
KG

FIG. 93 ISOPACH MAP OF MIOCENE

 KG BASIN

termed as Godavari Clay. It consists of dominantly clay and claystone

with minor sand and siltstone bands. The clay/clay stone is grey to dark
grey, soft with shell fragments and forams. The sandstone is medium to
fine grained, ill sorted, occasionally pebbly with clayey matrix. The
formation is inferred to have been deposited in a shallow inner shelf to
middle shelf environment. A Miocene to Recent age has been
assigned to this formation.

131
 KG BASIN

GEOLOGICAL HISTORY
Krishna-Godavari Basin, a peri cratonic basin, located on the central part of
the eastern continental margin of India constitutes a passive margin basin
and has a poly cyclic evolution history exhibiting typical tectono-sedimentary
packages. Stratigraphic nomenclature of the basin is shown in Fig. 79.

Archaean basement comprising mainly of granite, khondalite, charnokite,

quartzite, syenite etc. forms the basin floor.

Rift Stage:
The basin got initiated through rift / syn-rift tectonics between Permo-Triassic
to Early Cretaceous and is essentially characterized by lagoonal to fluvial to
occasionally brackish water sediments.

The northeastern part of the present onland KG basin was part of an intra
cratonic rift set up till Jurassic that constituted the southeastern extension of
the NW-SE trending continental rift valley sloping northward. The basin has
been initiated through rifting during Permo-Triassic period. The rifting
differentiated the basin into two major NE-SW trending horst blocks- Bapatla
and Tanuku separating three basins from west to east viz. Krishna, West
Godavari and East Godavari. A narrow Kaza-Kaikalur Horst further subdivides
the West Godavari sub basin into Gudivada and Bantumilli Grabens. Two
prominent Depressions namely Bhimadolu (Kommugudem) and Mandapeta
lie on either side of Tanuku Horst (Fig. 78) These structural units initially brought
out by Bouguer gravity and Magnetic Anomaly maps (Figs. 6 & 7) were
subsequently confirmed by extensive seismic and drilling. These grabens are
at a cross trend to the NW-SE trending Pranhita-Godavari Graben. They are
sub parallel to the coastline and parallel to the Pre-Cambrian Eastern Ghat
Trend. Another pronounced alignment in the basin is Poduru-Yanam High
that runs parallel to the Tanuku Horst. It extends ENE into the offshore south of
Kakinada and swings southeastwards into Machilipatnam Bay. Kakinada
Depresion lying between this and the Tanuku Horst opens out northeastwards
into the Kakinada Bay and gets terminated by Vizag High further
northeastward. The basin is further characterized by NW-SE cross trends-

132
 KG BASIN

Ongole, Avanigadda, Chintalapudi and Pithapuram from southwest to

northeast.

The intracratonic Lower Gondwana sediments include Draksharama Argillite,

Kommugudem Formation and Mandapeta Sandstone.

The oldest of the early rift sediments is Draksharama Argillite of Early Permian
(Asselian-Sakmarian) age resting unconformably over Pre-cambrian
Basement. It indicates a shallow marine environment, which shows that the
earliest marine incursion into the basin could have taken place during Early
Permian. Overlying this is Kommugudem Formation comprising feldspathic
sands, carbonaceous shales with coal seams. The carbonaceous shales are
found to be source rich rocks. Laboratory studies suggest upper delta plain
conditions and it has been assigned Artenskian (Early Permian) age.
Bhimadolu (Kommugudem) Depression to the north of Tanuku Horst has been
a major depo-center for this sequence (Fig. 82) Unconformably overlying this
sequence is Mandapeta Sandstone deposited essentially as a fluvial product
of Permo-Triassic age (Fig. 83). This is dominantly arenaceous unit with a few
intervals retaining reservoir characteristics. These sands contain commercial
accumulations of hydrocarbons. Major depositional axis for this unit trends
northwest indicating the dominant northwesterly drainage direction of proto-
Godavari along the Pranhita-Godavari Graben.

A major hiatus of Triassic to late Jurassic that followed the deposition of Lower
Gondwanas is well manifested in the form of red claystone (Red Bed). This
episode clearly demarcates the Lower Gondwanas from the Upper
Gondwanas.

Syn Rift Stage:

The early synrift sediments were deposited during early subsidence by
tectonic fault systems. Basin subsidence continued along basement bound
fault system accommodating synrift sediments of Late Jurassic to Early
Cretaceous.

133
 KG BASIN

Gollapalli Formation representing the early rift fill sediments comprises

sandstone with intervening claystone. While the early synrift sediments are
termed as Gollapalli Formation in the eastern part of the basin (Fig. 85),
Kanokollu Sandstone is its time equivalent in the western part. Based on the
laboratory studies, this formation has been assigned Latest Jurassic- Early
Cretaceous age. Based on the similarities in the assemblages, Nellore
Claystone/Bapatla Sandstone/Pennar Shale and Krishna Formation (Fig. 84)
have been considered together homotaxial to the Gollapalli Formation.

Early Drift Stage:

Rift to drift transition is marked by a southerly/southeasterly tilt of the basin
(reversing the earlier northwesterly slope) leading to widespread marine
transgression during Cretaceous and deposition of marine shale sequence
followed by onset of overall regressive phase represented by a deltaic
sequence.

The initiation of drift phase during Late Aptian-Albian is marked by a southerly

/ southeasterly tilt of the continental margin leading to a wide spread marine
transgression covering hitherto positive areas and deposition of
Raghavapuram Shale. This formation is deposited over a wide area in the
basin in an ENE-WSW trend with southwesterly increase of thickness (Fig. 86). It
is essentially a shale section with intervening sands possibly representing
intervening minor regressive phases. The shale in this formation is known to
contain significant TOC with a good source potential. Inner to middle shelf
depositional environment has been indicated for Raghavapuram Shale.
Dominant areneceous facies encountered in one of the shallow offshore
wells in a time equivalent sequence (?) gave a new impetus to this sequence
not only as a source sequence but also as a reservoir unit specially in
offshore. Later part of Late Cretaceous witnessed a major regressive phase
leading to the deposition of Tirupati Sandstone, a deltaic sequence with
dominant arenaceous facies. Major depositional thicks are observed to the
west of Godavari River and SE of Tanuku Horst (Fig. 87). These sands are
known to contain commercial gas accumulations.

134
 KG BASIN

Gajulapadu Shale encountered in Gajulapadu well-1 conformably overlies

Raghavapuram Shale and can be considered as time equivalent to the
lower part of Tirupati Sandstone. Later part of Early Cretaceous to Upper
Cretaceous age is assigned to this Formation. Chintalapalli Shale of Upper
Cretaceous age is the basin ward equivalent of Tirupati Sandstone and is
deposited in inner shelf environment.

Subsequently during Latest Maastrichtian-Danian, the basin experienced

volcanic activity ( Razole Volcanism ) that had a span of 5.5. Million years
covering about 1600 Sq.Km. area of the basin (Fig. 89). Number of volcanic
flows varies from two to eight in different wells with inter-trappeans consisting
of sands, shale and limestone. Foraminiferal studies suggest that volcanic
activity took place at varying sea levels- from more than 80 m to less than 10
m to terrestrial over the basin.

Late Drift Stage:

Initial soft collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates and initiation of
Matsypuri-Palakollu Fault appear to have greatly influenced the Paleogene
and younger tectonic regimen and the consequent sedimentation pattern.

Northeast- Southwest to Eastnortheast-Westsouthwest trending Matsyapuri-

Palakollu Fault (MTP Fault) occurring to the south of Mandapeta Trough is
possibly a rejuvenated transverse fault system of the Pranhita-Godavari
Graben triggered by Razole Volcanism. It can be seen that the MTP Fault dies
out beyond the cross trends, Pithapuram on the northeast and Chintalapudi
on the southwest which are thought to be part of the rift shoulders of the
Pranhita-Godavari rift basin. This fault had initiated rapid syn-sedimentation
subsidence further southeast in the shelf causing intensive growth fault
tectonics that resulted in the progressive basin ward thickening of younger
Tertiary sediments.

The post Trappean tectonic activity that caused basinward step faulting had
created higher gradients during Paleocene resulting in increased
sedimentation in NE-SW aligned depocenter (Fig. 88). This time unit to the
south of MTP Fault is represented by a thick argillaceous section named as

135
 KG BASIN

Palakollu Shale. Due to rapid sedimentation, this shale is under compacted

and mobile/plastic in nature. Overlying arenaceous unit caused differential
loading resulting in shale flowage in Palakollu Shale, which in turn caused a
series of NE-SW trending growth faults with minor antithetic faults in
Paleocene/ Eocene sediments.

Nimmakurru Sandstone represents time equivalent (?) of the above

sequence to the northwest of MTP Fault, which is mainly arenaceous.

Marine regression during Early Eocene and southeastward capture of

drainage by Krishna and Godavari river systems with consequent increase in
sediment influx had initiated deltaic processes in the area. Pasarlapudi
Formation comprising coarser clastics got deposited that overlie Palakollu
Shale (Fig. 90). Seaward progradation of these sediments is restricted by long
shore currents and these sands got realigned parallel to the shore line (NE-
SW). The Pasarlapudi Formation is a major contributor for the gas production
from the onland part of the basin. The coarser clastics grade into finer clastics
toward the basin and are termed as Vadaparru Shale. Sands within
Vadaparru Shale are also found to be potential reservoirs onland.
Bhimanapalli Limestone of Middle Eocene conformably overlies Pasarlapudi
Formation and rapidly thins out towards the shore. This formation also grades
basin ward into Vadaparru Shale.

Matsypuri Sandstone overlies Bhimanapalli Limestone in the coastal area. It is

possibly initiated in Upper Eocene and appears to be time transgressive
through Oligocene-Miocene. Upper Eocene part of this sequence grades
basinward into Vadaparru Shale. Equivalent of upper younger part
(Oligocene-Early Miocene) with shale intercalations towards southeast in the
shallow offshore named Ravva Formation (Fig. 91) has been proved to be
prolific hydrocarbon producer. Ravva Formation has been greatly affected
by growth fault tectonics. While Narasapur Claystone overlies Matsyapuri
Sandstone land ward, Godavari Clay of Plio-Pleistocene overlies it towards
the basinal part.

136
 KG BASIN

Mid Oligocene low stand is an important event in the Tertiary history of the
basin heralding a significant increase in sediment supply from Krishna and
Godavari river systems to the slope and the basin floor. The estimated
sedimentation rate during Middle Oligocene is in the order of 120 m / Ma,
compared to 80 m / Ma during Paleocene-Eocene. This continued into the
younger Tertiary time also. As a consequence, it is observed that intra slope
basins were formed as a consequence of slope failure at places that
became prospective locales for the deposition of stacked channel / sheet
sands.

Sediment induced Neogene tectonics:

Increased gradients for the river systems and increased sediment load
coupled with significant sea level falls during Neogene had triggered
sediment induced tectonics in the shelf and slope parts of the basin creating
highly prospective exploration locales. Some of the recent very significant
discoveries in these settings had opened new hydrocarbon opportunities in
the Krishna-Godavari basin and necessitated re-estimation of its hydrocarbon
resource potential.

Shelf / slope (?) aggradation without much of progradation characterizes

the Early-Middle Miocene period. Well-defined channel-levee complexes are
noticed on the upper continental slope, Gravity slides into the deeper water
areas also can be visualized.

Another significant sea level fall was at the beginning of Late Miocene.
Though middle and lower slope clays and silts dominate over much of the
offshore, evidences from a few wells suggest the possibility of encountering
coarser clastics also.

Pliocene-Pleistocene had witnessed further increase in the sedimentation

rate to about 600 m / Ma as compared to 120 m / Ma during Mid Oligocene.
A massive catastrophic slope and shelf failure during Early Pliocene resulted
into a dramatic reorganization of the entire shelf slope environment leading
to extensive block sediment sliding and a mega debrite terrain. Inter slope
terraces/basins created by this Early Pliocene shelf-slope failure have

137
 KG BASIN

become locales for the earliest infill of sand rich Late Pliocene channel/sheet
sand as aggrading distributory lobe complexes on low gradient slopes.
Another major slope failure was in Middle Pleistocene. Continued deposition
and sediment loading often causes older fault reactivation and
detachments causing development of growth fault and toe thrust pairs.
Detachment surfaces of mega slides often cut across the earlier toe thrusts of
Paleogene intervals.

The multiple level of decollement associated with the major slope failures
makeup for a complex structural framework of detached and partially
detached fault blocks, debris flows and mass transport complexes as well as
normal slope deposits opening up vast hydrocarbon opportunities in the
Krishna-Godavari deep water basin for the challenge loving geoscientists.

Geological cross sections depicting the basin configuration in different

directions are shown in Figs. 94, 95, 96 & 97.

138
 North South
KMG-1 TNK-1 KVT-1 PLK-1 CTP-1 GS-2-1 G-5-1

0 0
TIR RAJAHMUNDRI SANDSTONE I
U PA T
I SA
ND S M AT
SYA F
TON
1000 GO
A E PUR
IS 1000
F

M
LA AND I
H

A
STON
E

N
PA

D
L

A
LI RAG E GODAVARI

PE
SAN HAV CLAY

TA
2000 D STO APU
RA 2000
N E D RAVVA

SA
MS

N
H AL

D
E FORMATION
Triassic

ST
O
C D

N
H

E
3000 3000

139
+ + CH
+ IN
+

Depth in meters
+ TA
C
Depth in meters

Early Permian LA
P
+ + LEGEND
4000 SH AL 4000
AL LI I – Pliocene Top
KOMMUGUDEM + + E H – Miocene Top
FORMATION + TANUKU B G – Mid-Miocene Top
F – Eocene Top
+ FM
5000 + RAZOLE E – Early Eocene Top 5000
+ + + FORMATION
+ Basement + + D – Palaeocene Top
SCALE C – Cretaceous Top
25 0 25 50 75 km B – Turonian Top
+ A – Albian Top
6000 6000
Krishna Godavari
West Godavari Sub Basin Tanuku Horst East Godavari Sub Basin Offshore
KG

FIG. 94 GEOLOGICAL CROSS SECTION ACROSS KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN

 NW SE
MPL-1 BBL-1 GS-3-1

0 0
NARASAP
UR CLAY
STONE
I
NIMM
1000 AKUR
U H 1000
TIR C SAND
STON
UP
AT E
I G
SA
2000 ST ND 2000
ON
E
KR
ISH

140
NA RA
GH RAVA
+ + A FORMATION
3000 3000
Depth in Metres

Depth in Metres
SH VAP
+ AL UR
E AM
BASEMENT +

4000 + 4000
F
+
SCALE +
25 0 25 50 kms +
5000 5000
LEGEND
I – Pliocene Top F – Eocene Top C – Cretaceous Top
H – Miocene Top E – Early Eocene Top B – Turonian Top
G – Mid-Miocene Top D – Palaeocene Top A – Albian Top
KG

FIG. 95 NW-SE GEOLOGICAL CROSS SECTION ACROSS KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN

 S N

GS-11-1

NLR-1
R-17
R-4

KS-4-1
KRI-1-1
GS-19-1
GS-20-1B
GS-17-1

GS-3-1
0 0
RAJAHMUNDRY
SANDSTONE
I GODAVARY
PA T CLAY
1000 TIRU TONE 1000

VA
DS

B
SA N M SHALE

A
LE

U RA
P

AS
PA
HA

VA

E
S

R
HA M.

M
G

141
2000 RA NAF 2000

RU
RU

EN
ISHPENNAR SHALE RAVVA

T
KR
S

AR

SH
P

A
BAPATLA FORMATION
OU

NELLORE
DA

LE
CLAYSTONESANDSTONE
CE

3000 3000
VA

GS-17-1
TA

GS-20-18 + +
R-4
E

+ + +R-17
GS-11-1
CR

+GS-3-1
+ KRI-1-1
4000 + KS-4-1 4000
+ NLR-1
VADARARRU
SHALE
KG

FIG. 96 NORTH-SOUTH GEOLOGICAL CROSS SECTION, KRISHNA – GODAVARI BASIN

142
KG

FIG. 97 NW-SE GEOLOGICAL CROSS SECTION - KG BASIN

 KG BASIN

PETROLEUM SYSTEMS
Krishna-Godavari basin is a proven petroliferous basin with commercial
hydrocarbon accumulations in the oldest Permo-Triassic Mandapeta
Sandstone onland to the youngest Pleistocene channel levee complexes in
deep water offshore. The basin has been endowed with four petroleum
systems, which can be classified broadly into two categories viz. Pre-
Trappean and Post-Trappean in view of their distinct tectonic and
sedimentary characteristics. Seismic imaging of Pre-Trappean section poses
problems in terms of data quality. Source rock characteristics of onshore wells
are given in Table-6 and that of offshore wells are given in Table-7. Source
rich areas at different stratigraphic levels are shown in Figs. 98, 99, 100 & 101.

PRE-TRAPPEAN PETROLEUM SYSTEMS:

• Permo-Triassic Kommugudem-Mandapeta-Red Bed petroleum system:
This is the oldest known petroleum system in the basin.

Source Rock: Kommugudem Formation is the main source rock for this
system. It belongs to Artinskian (Upper Early Permian) age. This coal-shale unit
is more than 900 m thick in the type well Kommugudem-1.It has a good
source rock potential with rich organic matter with TOC ranging between 0.5
to 3% and vitrinite reflectance in the deeper part of the basin is in the range
of1.0 to 1.3. Generation threshold occurred during Cretaceous.

Reservoir Rock: Mandapeta Sandstone of Permo-Triassic age is the principal

reservoir rock for this system. It may be noted that these sandstones are in
general tight and need frac jobs for exploitation. However, porus and
permeable patches are also present and chasing them seismically is a major
exploration challenge.

Cap Rock: Tight layers within Mandapeta Sandstone and the overlying
argillaceous Red Bed act as effective seals.

Entrapment: Entrapment is essentially structural in nature. As mentioned

earlier, seismic mapping of pre-trappean section has serious problems due to

143
 KG

TABLE - 6
SOURCE ROCK CHARACTERISTICS OF ONSHORE WELLS
Interval TOC Tmax S2
Well Age HI Maturity Zone
(m) (%) (oC) (mg He/gTOC)
Kommugudem-1 Early Cretaceous 1500 - 1980 1.41 - 5.30 430 – 440 1.37 - 9.66 81 – 231 Oil Zone
Early Permian 1980 - 2200 1.38 - 10.84* 432 – 450 4.05 - 23.96 90 - 226 Oil Zone
To Early Triassic 3720 - 4500 1.20 – 25.82* 495 – 538 0.29 - 7.14 7 – 48 Gas Zone
Early Cretaceous 2410 – 2460 1.72 - 3.04 438 – 440 2.02 - 3.64 102 – 133 Oil Zone
Mandapeta-1
Early Permian 3370 - 3920 2.19 – 24.20* 475 – 516 0.79 - 25.60 28 - 123 Gas Zone
Draksharama-1 Early Permian 2300 - 2450 1.20 – 38.98* 435 – 446 0.95 – 26.54 61 - 208 Oil Zone
Middle Jurassic
7.94 15.06 121 Oil Zone
To 2560 - 2610 445 – 453
Kanukollu-1 (Average) (Average) (Average) (Average)
Early Cretaceous
3060 - 3090 1.87 446 – 450 1.54 87 Oil Zone
Cretaceous 1820 – 2020 0.81 – 1.30 435 – 439 1.06 - 1.36 100 – 130 Oil Zone
Vanadurru-1 2240 - 2340 1.03 - 1.34 435 – 440 1.14 - 1.77 92 – 132 Oil Zone
2720 - 2880 1.98 - 2.63 447 – 460 0.99 - 2.12 50 - 80 Oil Zone
4.0 435 – 440 7.0
Bantumilli-1 Cretaceous 2000 – 2080 -150 Oil Zone

144a
(Average) (Average) (Average)
4.0 435-440 7.0
Bantumilli-1 Cretaceous 2000-2080 150 Oil Zone
(Average) (Average) (Average)
Oil Zone
Kaikalur-1 Cretaceous 1800-1850 0.87-0.93 430-437 0.95-1.18 109-134
( Early)
Kaikalur-3 Cretaceous 2000-2050 0.66-0.79 436-438 0.81-1.13 102-171 Oil Zone
1520-1620 0.81-1.94 435-440 1.21-1.45 116-151 Oil Zone
Kaikalur-4 Cretaceous
1990-2020 0.71-1.27 442-447 1.04-447 92-104 Oil Zone
Paleocene to 1000-2100 0.76-23.37 108-437 1.25-50.24
Matsyapuri-1 70-718 Immature
Oilgocene 2100-3050 0.32-2.16 - 0.0-0.2
Oil Zone
Cretaceous 3060-4500 0.71-2.89 - 0.02-1.34 4-101 Immature Top
Narasapur-4 Eocene 1220-2500 0.33 – 34.23* - 0.66-85.76 31-897 of Oil Zone –
2100 m)
Paleocene 2500-3257 0.28-1.63 436-453 0.16-0.67 18-142 Oil Zone
Cretaceous 3280-4190 0.15-4.07 429-464 0.07.1098 5-80 Oil Zone
Immature (Top
Eocene 1000-2035 0.69 – 8.93 408-435 0.17-22.3 23-249 of Oil Zone –
Palakollu-1 2120m)
Oil Zone
Paleocene 2035-2700 0.46 – 2.57 385-439 0.16-1.15 21-73
(Early)
 KG

Interval TOC Tmax S2

Well Age HI Maturity Zone
(m) (%) (oC) (mg He/gTOC)
Cretaceous 2720-4495 0.41-4.48 - 0.01-2.12 10-163 Oil Zone
Razole-5
Oil Zone
(Early)
Eocene 1500-2430 0.86-2.88 427-438 0.23-2.12 16-99
Top of Oil
Zone – 2-90 m

Paleocene 2440-3400 0.84-2.46 430-446 0.21-3.33 21-165 Oil Zone

Cretaceous 3410-3600 0.60-1.44 433-453 0.07.105 12-60 Oil Zone

Paleocene to 1200-2440 0.69-2.51 430-438 0.21-2.90 22-115 Immature

Chintalapalli-1 Eocene 2460-3900 0.2-2.19 432-465 0.12-2.05 25-115 Oil Zone

Cretaceous 3910-4490 0.35-1.05 442-464 0.05-0.49 25-75 Oil Zone

Immature (Top
Paleocene to
1250-2110 1.92-3.92 422-435 0.47-3.67 21-94 of Oil Zone –
Eocene
Tatipaka-1 2060 m)

144b
2120-3700 0.16-4.10 385-462 0.03-2.70 13-101 Oil Zone
Cretaceous
3725-3900 0.44-1.02 - 0.02-0.37 3-67 Oil Zone

Oil Zone
Eocene 1240-3000 0.40-4.06 420-436 0.12-2.92 15-170 (Top of Oil
Zone –1960 m)
Pasarlapudi-1
Paleocene 3000-3455 0.60-2.43 392-453 0.21-2.07 18-107 Oil Zone

Cretaceous 3475-3495 1.27-1.32 433-451 0.47-0.65 37-49 Oil Zone

Oil Zone
Eocene 1625-2930 1.0-8.23* 415-445 1.55-12.78 41-298 (Top of Oil
Zone – 2170m)
Amalapuram-1
Paleocene 3130-3500 1.18-2.269 430-445 0.13-3.76 8.28-255 Oil Zone

Cretaceous 3500-3800 0.70-1.45 441-467 0.13-0.43 9-37 Oil Zone

 KG

Interval TOC Tmax S2

Well Age HI Maturity Zone
(m) (%) (oC) (mg He/gTOC)

Oil Zone
Eocene 1500-2840 1.35-9.89* - 1.45-21.18 49-214 (Top Oil
Zone –2060 m)
Vadaparru-1
Cretaceous 2860-3120 1.85-3.39 435-447 0.92-2.96 35-106 Oil Zone

Paleocene 3120-3480 0.95-2.02 441-452 0.39-1.59 24-90 Oil Zone

Vetlapalem-1
Oil Zone
Paleocene to 1540-2650 1.07-8.10* 421-470 0.33-22.60 14-279 (Top of Oil
Zone –2160 m)

Eocene 2660-3100 1.50-3.22 436-458 0.95-3.24 55-131 Oil Zone

Cretaceous 3110-3280 0.99-2.62 437-440 0.77-2.03 58-90 Oil Zone

Eocene 1000-1760 0.6-3.99 408-430 0.02-1.2 5-116 Immature

144c
Bhimanapalli-2
Paleocene 1700-2790 0.41-3.02 425-454 0.02-0.69 2.5-116 Oil Zone

Immature (Top
1900-2400 2.35-6.6 426-435 1.66-21.0 30-240 of Oil Zone –
Magatapalli-1 Eocene 2270m)

2240-3200 0.5-3.88 434-452 0.3-7.6 19-138 Oil Zone

• High percentage of TOC due to presence of Coal Seams/carbonaceous shale

 KG
TABLE - 7
SOURCE ROCK CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFSHORE WELLS
Source Sequence,
Stratigraphy Interval/ Thickness Organic Generation Type
Maturity Productivity
Richness Potentials

PLIOCENE -NIL- Immature Good to Poor No Hydrogen IV

very Good

MIOCENE Immature Source Immature Good to Fair Dominantly gas prone III + Type II
very good organic matter. inclusions
GS-14-1 (2300 – 2400)

(100 m)

Mature Source Mature Good to Fair Dominantly gas prone - do -

very good organic matter.
GS-23-1 (2470 – 2780)
(260 m)

GS-15-4 (2540 – 2595)

145a
(10 m)

OLIGOCENE Immature Source Immature Good to Fair Dominantly gas prone III
very good organic matter.
GS-21B-1 (2345 – 2395)

( 50m)

GS-15-4 (3035 – 3440) Mature Early Good to Fair Dominantly gas with III+ Type II
phase very good subordinate oil inclusion
( 5m)
 KG
Source Sequence,
Stratigraphy Interval/ Thickness Organic Generation Type
Maturity Productivity
Richness Potentials

EOCENE Immature Source Immature Very good Fair Dominantly gas prone III + Type II
while the sediments at inclusions
GS-8-1 (1480 – 1540) GS-14-1 can generate
(1640 – 1760) oil

(1860 – 1880)

(200 m)

GS-14-1 (2620 – 2820)

(200 m)

GS-22-1 (1720 – 1780)

(60 m)

GS-37-1 (1500 – 1840)

(2830 – 2840)

145b
(70 m)

GS-38-1 (2405 – 2475)

(70 m)

PALEOCENE Immature Source Immature Good to Fair Dominantly gas prone III + Type II
very good organic matter inclusion
GS-37-1 (3010 – 3020)

(3330 – 3370)

(3390 – 3420)

(80 m)
 800 00I 810 00I 820 00I
Peddopuram

Go
d
Uppodo
Rajahmundry

ava
170 KAKINADA BAY 170
Erronnogudam

riRi
000 Kakinada 00I
Vissannapeta
+KMP-1

ver
MGP-1
Bhimadolu + Ramchandrapuram
Tonuku
+ DRK-1
Yonam
Eluru + GS-17-1
2
Krishna Amlapuram ++ BMP-1
River + 2
Bhimavaram PKL-1 TPK-1 AMP-1 + + G-4-1
LNG-1 + ++ 54 + 4
Vijayawada + Narsapur PSP 3
1 2 + + 3 + G-17-1
KKL-1 +
Gudlvada
+ MTP-1+
NSP-1/2/3 ++ GS-1-1
BNT-1+ Bantumilli + GS-2-1/1A + +G-3-1
+ GS-20-1B
+
GS-18-1+ + G-2-2
MASULIPATNAM BAY + ++ G-2-4
Guntur KZA-1
+ GS-2-1 + GS-19-1 ++
G-1-7
+ + GS-11-1
GS-5-1 G-1-5
+ + GS-12-2G-5-1 G-1-5
Masulipatnam + +

146
GS-12-1 +
G-13-1
160 Avanigodda 160
000 Nizampatnam 00I
Bapotla
NIZAMPATNAM +2
BAY GS-14-1+ GS-3-1
+ INDEX
+ G-15-1 + Drilled Well
Oil & Gas
(TOC > 1%, HI > 100, 3 < TTI < 160)
+ KS-3-1
Gas – Catagenic
(TOC > 1%, HI < 100, 3 < TTI < 160)
+ KRI-1-1 Gas – Metagenic
(TOC > 1%, TTI > 160)

800 00I 810 00I 820 00I

KG

FIG. 98 HYDROCARBON GENERATION CENTERS IN CRETACEOUS SEQUENCE – KG BASIN

 800 00I 810 00I 820 00I
Peddopuram

G
o d
Uppodo
Rajahmundry

ava
170 KAKINADA BAY 170
Erronnogudam
000 Vissannapeta Kakinada 00I
KMP-1

riRive
+

r
MGP-1
Bhimadolu + Ramchandrapuram
Tonuku
+ DRK-1
Yonam
Eluru + GS-17-1
2
++BMP-1
Krishna
River Amlapuramm +2
LNG-1 Bhimavaram PKL-1 TPK-1AMP-1++4 4 + G-4-1
Vijayawada + + + + PSP+3 5 2+
Narsapur + + + 3 + G-17-1
KKL-1 + Razole 1
Gudlvada
+ MTP-1+
+
NSP-1/2/3 ++ RZI-1 GS-1-1
BNT-1+ Bantumilli GS-2-1/1A + +G-3-1
+ +
GS-20-1B GS-18-1+ + G-2-2
MASULIPATNAM BAY + ++ G-2-4
Guntur + +6
KZA-1 GS-5-1
+ GS-2-1 + GS-19-1
G-1-7
+ + G-1-5
+GS-11-1
+ G-5-1 G-1-5
Masulipatnam + GS-12-2 +

147
GS-12-1 +
G-13-1
160 Avanigodda 160
Nizampatnam
000 00I
Bapotla
NIZAMPATNAM +2
BAY GS-14-1+ GS-3-1 INDEX
+
+ Drilled Well
G-15-1 +
Oil & Gas
KS-3-1
(TOC>1%, HI>100, 3<TTI<160)
+
Gas – Catagenic
(TOC>1%, HI<100, 3<TTI<160)
+ KRI-1-1
Gas – Metagenic
(TOC>1%, TTI>160)

800 00I 810 00I 820 00I

KG

FIG. 99 HYDROCARBON GENERATION CENTERS IN PALEOCENE SEQUENCE – KG BASIN

 800 00I 810 00I 820 00I
Peddopuram

G
o d
Uppodo
Rajahmundry

ava
170 KAKINADA BAY 170
Erronnogudam
000 Kakinada 00I
Vissannapeta KMP-1

riRive
+

r
MGP-1
Bhimadolu + Ramchandrapuram
Tonuku
+ DRK-1
Yonam
Eluru + GS-17-1
2
Krishna
River Amlapuram ++BMP-1
+ 2
LNG-1 Bhimavaram PKL-1 TPK-1 AMP-1 + G-4-1
Vijayawada + + PSP+++54 + 4
3
Narsapur 2 + + 3 + G-17-1
KKL-1 MTP-1 + 1
Gudlvada
+ +
NSP-1/2/3 +++ GS-1-1
BNT-1+ Bantumilli GS-2-1/1A + +G-3-1
+ +
GS-20-1BGS-18-1+ + G-2-2
MASULIPATNAM BAY + ++ G-2-4
Guntur KZA-1 + GS-2-1 + GS-19-1 + +
G-1-7
+ GS-5-1+ GS-11-1 G-1-5
+ + GS-12-2G-5-1 G-1-5
Masulipatnam + +

148
GS-12-1 +
G-13-1
160 Avanigodda 160
Nizampatnam
000 00I
Bapotla
NIZAMPATNAM +
BAY GS-14-1 + GS-3-1
+
+ G-15-1
INDEX
+ Drilled Well
+ KS-3-1
Oil & Gas
(TOC>1%, HI>100, 3<TTI<160)
+ KRI-1-1
Gas – Catagenic
(TOC>1%, HI<100, 3<TTI<160)

800 00I 810 00I 820 00I

KG

FIG. 100 HYDROCARBON GENERATION CENTERS IN EOCENE SEQUENCE – KG BASIN

 800 00I 810 00I 820 00I
Peddopuram

Go
d
Uppodo
Rajahmundry

ava
170 KAKINADA BAY 170
Erronnogudam
000 Kakinada 00I
Vissannapeta KMP-1
+

riRiver
MGP-1
Bhimadolu + Ramchandrapuram
Tonuku
+ DRK-1
Yonam
Eluru + GS-17-1
2
Krishna Amlapuram ++BMP-1 0.5
River + 2 G-4-1
LNG-1 Bhimavaram PKL-1 TPK-1 AMP-1++ 4 + 4 +
Vijayawada + Narsapur + PSP+ 5
+++ 1 3 2 + + 3 + G-17-1 1.0
+ KKL-1 MTP-1+ + Razole
Gudlvada NSP-1/2/3 ++ GS-1-1
BNT-1+ Bantumilli + RZI-1 GS-2-1/1A+ + G-3-1 1.5
+ GS-20-1B GS-18-1 + + + G-2-2
MASULIPATNAM BAY + ++ G-2-4
Guntur KZA-1 + GS-2-1 + GS-19-1 + +
G-1-7

5
+ GS-5-1+ G-1-5 6

0.
+ GS-11-1
+ G-5-1 G-1-6
GS-12-2 +
Masulipatnam +

149
GS-12-1 +
G-13-1 2.0

0
1.
160 Avanigodda 160
Nizampatnam

5
00I

1.
000

0
Bapotla
NIZAMPATNAM +2 2.
BAY GS-14-1 + GS-3-1
+
+ G-15-1

INDEX
+ KS-3-1
+ Drilled Well

+ KRI-1-1 Total Organic Rock

10
(% Rock)

800 00I 810 00I 820 00I

KG

FIG. 101 HYDROCARBON GENERATION CENTERS IN MIOCENE SEQUENCE – KG BASIN

 KG BASIN

the presence of a good seismic energy reflector in the form of Basalt above
this system affecting the seismic data quality.

• Late Jurassic-Cretaceous Raghavapuram-Gollapalli-Tirupati-Razole

Petroleum System:

There are two petroleum sub-systems within the Raghavapuram-Gollapalli-

Tirupati-Razole formation systems – the lone system characterized by Triassic
source rocks in Deen Dayal areas (KG-OSN-2001/3) and the other sub-system
with Raghavpuram Shale (Early Cretaceous) source rocks in most of the
basinal area.

Triassic – source rock sub-system: It exists in Deen Dayal west area in shallow
water areas.

Source Rock: The presumed source rock in this sub-system is Triassic ( Norian )
shale and coaly facies. This source is believed to have charged the Upper
Cretaceous reservoirs as well as the Tertiary petroleum System within offshore
KG Basin.

Reservoir Rock: The accumulation of oil and gas in Deen Dayal discovery in
KG-OSN-2001/3 block is in Jurassic-Cretaceous reservoirs deposited by
anastomising and braided fluvial processes (Fig. 102, 103 & 104). Such
reservoirs exhibit Basin Centered Characters, and are very tight , having High
Temperature ( > 450 F) and High Presssure ( > 12000 psi ) deposional regimes
and ultrapermeable petrographic signature. Such High temperature
reservoirs are very few within the world known to the E&P industry.
After onset of marine condition and reversal of provenance due to tilting of
Indian Plate towards South East, Deeper reservoirs are also preserved in the
area , as small to large Turbidite –Fans, below shelf- break during Up.
Cretaceous period.

Cap Rock: The cap rock is provided by intervening thick shale layers.

150
 A N-S Orienting Seismic Section depicting the
Geological Elements of the Block

KG-17
KG-08

151
KG-08 DISCOVERY :
Tested gas in Lr. Cretaceous
KG

FIG. 102 DEEN DAYAL FIELD WITHIN CRETACEOUS SEDIMENTS IN SHALLOW WATER (GSPC)
 Structure / Well
Basin Gross pay Leads/ Expl. Efficacy
No. & Location
Krishna- Deen Dayal North Upper Cretaceous sand: DST-III:
Godavari KG-OSN-2001/3 4652-4672 ( 20 m) Flow-Rate : Gas @27 MMscfd
Basin ( 32/64 “ choke )
Well : KG-22 Flowing WH Pressure: 4330 psi
Opened New Exploration Lead in to Fan Deltaic Complex
of Upper Cretaceous.

152
DST-3 (4652-
4672)m
Tested Gas @ 27.3
MMscfd

Depth Seismic Transect along KG# 22 Seismic section depicting DST-3

KG

FIG. 103 GAS DISCOVERY IN UPPER CRETACEOUS: KG-22 IN KG-OSN-2001/3 (GSPC)

 Structure / Well
Basin Gross pay Leads/ Expl. Efficacy
No. & Location
Krishna- Deen Dayal Down Upper Cretaceous  Established the extension of Upper Cretaceous Fan
Godavari Thrown sand: Complexes, fist struck in the discovery well KG-17.
Basin KG-OSN-2001/3 3828-3937.5 ( net 27.5m)  Opened new regimes of Lr. Cretaceous / Jurassic at
deeper levels i.e. below 5400 m in the DDW ( DT )
Well : KG-31
structure.

153
KG-
31

Location Map on ERFB Depth Structure, Lower Cretaceous. Mapped Seismic Amplitude Anomalies , based on lead from
KG-31 in Upper Cretaceous.
KG

FIG. 104 KG-31 IN KG-OSN-2001/3 (GSPC) : GAS DISCOVERY IN UPPER CRETACEOUS

 KG BASIN

Entrapment: Discoveries are from five types of play fairways, viz, Early rift
(Deen Dayal West structural complex), stratigraphic sand pinch outs within
early rift (KG-21, KG-31& KG-22) late rift (KG-19 & KG-20 ) Cretaceous and
base of Tertiary (KG-15) sediments. The Key tectonic event affecting
basement structure and subsequent deposition in block KG-OSN-2001/3 is
Mesozoic rifting and separation of Indian sub continent from Antarctica and
Australia. Bio-stratigraphic data collected in several wells supports a late
Jurassic – Early cretaceous age for rift as in established Bonapart & Brown
Petroliferous basins of NW Australia. Triassic section just above basement has
been documented in offshore well KG-15 which is interpreted to be pre rift
recusant section below on unconformity developed during regional uplift
associated with rift initiation.

The Lower Cretaceous source rock sub-system :

This petroleum sub-system exists in onland as well as offshore areas of KG
Basin.

Source: Raghavapuram Shale is considered as the principal source rock not

only for this system but also for the onland part of the basin. Maximum
thickness up to 1100 m is recorded in the subsurface. The sequence
comprises essentially carbonaceous shale with intervening sands possibly
representing brief regressive phases in an otherwise major transgressive
phase. The organic matter is dominantly of Type III and III B. The maturity level
varies between catagenetic to inadequate maturation in different parts of
the basin. The average of TOC ranges from 0.83 to 2.19%. It has the proclivity
for generation of both oil and gas.

Reservoir Rock: Lenticular sands within Raghavapuram Shale, possibly

representing intervening regressive phases are one of the potential
exploration targets; though mapping them seismically poses some
challenges as mentioned above. A recent major find in its time equivalent (?)
in shallow offshore part of the basin opened up some very exciting
exploration opportunities in this sequence. Recent exploratory efforts in deep
offshore also indicated prospectivity in Cretaceous sequence. KG-D6-MA in
block KG-DWN-98/3 (Fig. 105 & 106), KG-D4-MD1 in the block KG-DWN-98/1

154
 Late Pliocene
Top

155
Early Miocene Top

Early Cretaceous (Mid Aptian)

Basement
KG

FIG. 105 SEISMIC SECTION SHOWING CRETACEOUS PROSPECTS IN KG DEEP WATER AREA
 MA1
A

A’
Cenozoic
Mesozoic

156
Basement
G
ar oda
Ri i v
ve
r

G Typical syn-rift structures

Vas outa
ii
sth hm
a
KrishRive River D6
r
na
River
Scal
e
KG

FIG. 106 CRETACEOUS OIL & GAS DISCOVERY IN KG-D6-MA AREA (RIL) IN DEEP
WATER WITHIN TYPICAL SYN-RIFT STRUCTURES
 KG BASIN

(Fig. 107) and G-4-6 in ONGC Nomination block IG (Fig. 108) flowed oil
whereas YS-5-1A in ONGC Nomination block IE (Fig. 109) and Deen Dayal
discoveries in GSPC block KG-OSN-2001/3 (Fig 102, 103 & 104) have flowed
gas. The syn-rift prospectivity is shown in seismic sections at (Fig. 110 & 111).
Recently, KG-D6-MJ1 in block KG-DWN-98/3 has flowed gas from Syn-rift
Upper Jurassic Fluvio-lacustrine Sandstone Reservoirs (Fig. 60 & 61).
Sands within Gollapalli Formation of Early Cretaceous also indicated
prospectivity. In onland part of basin, well Nagayalanka SE-1 in KG-ONN-
2003/1 block produced hydrocarbon from Sands within Gollapalli
Formation(Fig. 54 & 55).
A northeast southwest trending corridor of Upper Cretaceous Tirupati
Sandstone, product of a regressive phase, between southeastern side of
Tanuku Horst and MTP fault is emerging as another important target.

Cap Rock: Raghavapuram Shale acts as effective seal for both Gollapalli
reservoirs and the sands within Raghavapuram Shale. Shale intercalations
within Tirupati Formation appear to act as seal for the accumulations within
the Formation.
Razole Formation (Deccan Basalt) acts as a regional cap for the pre-
trappean hydrocarbon accumulations. It is of interest to note that occasional
occurrence of hydrocarbons is noticed within Razole Formation itself,
indicating its reservoir potential also.

Entrapment: While the entrapment style is essentially structural,

accumulations in Raghavapuram Shale have strati-structural element in their
entrapment.
The syn-rift sequences within Cretaceous have proved to be hydrocarbon
bearing in some of the wells drilled in recent past, e.g., KG-D6-MA, KG-D4-
MD1 (RIL deep water blocks) (Fig. 105, 106 & 107); shallow water areas wells
G-4-6 and YS-5-1A (Fig. 108 & 109) (ONGC Shallow water nomination blocks)
and Deen Dayal discoveries (Fig. 102,103 ,104 & 111) (GSPC KG-OSN-2001/3
block in shallow water). The disposition of Cretaceous and older sequences
are controlled by tectonically induced basement topography characterized
by a series of fault bounded highs and lows with broad ENE and WSW
alignment. The lows depict rifted half graben geometry.

157
 Reservoir Top (2980m TVDSS)

Eocene
Decollement Zoomed Section showing Reservoir Top
with GR And Resistivity logs

Paleocene
Synrift
‐Mesozoic

158
Post –Rift Mesozoic

Basement
Seismic Section showing Well KGD4-
MD1

Location MD1 proved to be an oil discovery

(Dhirubhai-36) within the Mesozoic Thermogenic
Petroleum System.
KG

FIG. 107 SEISMIC SECTION ALONG INLINE-1440 SHOWING WELL KGD4-MD1 (KG-DWN-98/1): RIL
 TIME MAP ON TOP OF
BASEMENT

G‐4‐1

159
KG

FIG. 108 TIME STRUCTURE MAP SHOWING SYN RIFT PROSPECTS IN G-4 AREA,
NE-SW TRENDING GRABENS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHS
 Structure
/
Basin Well No. Testing Result Leads/ Expl. Efficacy
&
Location
This is a significant discovery as the deeper Cretaceous rift fill play has
YS-5 / been established in this well (water depth:16.5 m in IE PEL block) after
Obj-II: 3968-3947 m
KG discovery of G-4-6 in southern IG block.
YS-5-1A / flowed gas @ 54,203 m³/d
Offshore This has opened up a vast area for future exploration of deeper
(YSAF) through 16/64” choke.
Cretaceous rift fill play. One location, YS-6-AA has been released to
pursue this lead.

YS‐5‐1A

160
IE Block

YS‐6‐1

YS‐5‐1A

CROSSLINE 2364
KG

FIG. 109 DISCOVERY IN DEEPER CRETACEOUS RIFT FILL PLAY : YS-5-1A WELL
(ONGC)
 IE IG KG‐DWN‐98/2

IE
YS‐5‐1A G‐4‐6 DWN‐KT‐1
DWN‐KT‐1
IG

KG‐DWN‐98/2

161
Cret.Top

Bmt.Top
KG

FIG. 110 RC LINE THROUGH WELLS YS-5-1A, G-4-6 AND DWN-KT-1 DEPICTING SYN-RIFT
PROSPECTIVITY IN SHALLOW OFFSHORE.
 KG-8 G-4-6 G-4-4 DWN-KT-1

KG‐8
YS‐5_1A
G‐4‐6

DWN‐KT‐1

PLIOCENE

162
MIOCENE

CRE
TAC
EO
US
KG

FIG. 111 RC LINE THROUGH WELLS KG-8,G-4-6, G-4-4 AND KG-DWN-98/2-KT-1

DEPICTING HYDROCARBON PLAYS
 KG BASIN

Structure map close to top of basement in G-4-6 (Fig. 108) shows number of
structural features similar to discoveries in the nomination PEL acreages.
Based on the seismic, several leads are identified within Cretaceous.

POST-TRAPPEAN PETROLEUM SYSTEMS:

• Palakollu-Pasarlapudi Petroleum System:
It is the most prolific system in the onland part of the basin contributing
major part of the onland hydrocarbon production. It has an
abnormally pressured source sequence and a reservoir sequence with
more than normal pressures.

Source Rock: The Paleocene Palakollu Shale is the source sequence. It is

deposited in considerable thickness in the area to the south of MTP fault with
a ENE-WSW alignment paralleling the fault. It shows fair to god source rock
potential with proclivity to generate mainly gaseous hydrocarbons. The
average TOC ranges from 0.78 to 3.25% and is dominantly humic type, rich in
inertinite and about 10-20% contribution is from Type II organic matter.
Subsidence history of Palakollu Shale suggests generation threshold to be
around Middle Eocene.

Reservoir Rock: Sand layers within source rich Palakollu Shale are found to
be potential reservoir rocks, though most often with very limited
accumulations. Associated high pressures also do not make them attractive
targets.
Pasarlapudi Formation of Lower to Middle Eocene is the principal producing
sequence onland with many potential reservoir levels.

Cap Rock: Laterally persistent shales within Pasarlapudi Formation have been
found to act as effective seals for the accumulations within Pasarlapudi
Formation. Palakollu Shale encompassing the occasional sands within the
Formation also acts as seal for them.

Entrapment: Though structural entrapment is the dominant element for

Pasarlapudi Formation, strati-structural element also appears to be
occasionally present.

163
 KG BASIN

• Vadaparru Shale - Matsyapuri / Ravva Formation- Godavari Clay

Petroleum System:
Discovery of medium sized fields with liquid hydrocarbon in the coastal
tract, significant discovery of Ravva Field in the shallow offshore and
some very exciting mega discoveries in deep offshore parts of the
basin have made this youngest petroleum system of great significance,
a very important one. It is the youngest petroleum system in the basin
which belongs to Post-Rift tectonic stage of evolution with
hydrocarbons occurring in large structurally and/or stratigraphically
controlled traps in Miocene to Pleistocene reservoirs deposited under
marine conditions and sourced by Eocene to Oligocene marine shales.

Source Rock: Vadaparru Shale is the principal source sequence. Average

TOC for this sequence ranges from 0.78 to 3.5%. Organic matter is in the early
stage of maturation in the coastal part and increases basin ward. Organic
matter is of Type III and has potential to generate both oil and gas.
Generation threshold for this sequence is around Lower Miocene.
An interesting recent observation regarding the source sequence is that
some major gas accumulations in both shallow and deep offshore are found
to be of biogenic origin also. This observation throws some interesting
challenges in terms of exploration strategies to be adopted especially for the
offshore part of the basin.

Reservoir Rock: Sands within Matsyapuri and Ravva Formation and also the
sands within Vadaparru Shale are important potential levels and are known
to house significant hydrocarbon accumulations in the basin. Recent
discoveries in the channel- levee complexes in intra slope terrace/basin
setting within Godavari Clay of Pliocene-Pleistocene has opened up hitherto
unexplored frontiers of the basin for exploration (Fig. 112, 113, 114, 115,
116,117 & 118). The intra-slope basin ponding is believed to have depended,
primarily on the prevalence of the following factors:-

164
 D6-A2-A
Overbank Deposits
Reservoir Top Channel
Horizon
Channel
Levee
Levee

165
P2

Dhirubhai 1 & 3 Field (KG‐DWN‐98/3 : RIL)

KG

FIG. 112 SEISMIC SECTION SHOWING SPREAD OF PLIOCENE CHANNEL- LEVEE

COMPLEXES AND OVERBANK DEPOSITS IN KG-D6 FIELD (RIL)
166
KG

FIG. 113 SPECTRAL DECOMPOSITION SHOWING CHANNEL GEOMETRY IN THE ENCIRCLED AREA
WITHIN PLIOCENE SEQUENCE IN DEEP WATER KG BASIN
(SEISMIC SECTION DEPICTS SLOPE FAILURE IN THE YOUNGER TERTIARY SEQUENCE)
167
KG

FIG. 114 STRATAL AMPLITUDE SLICE AT LATE PLIOCENE TOP INDICATING

CHANNEL LEVEE / FAN / LOBE COMPLEX
168
KG

FIG. 115 SEISMIC SECTION SHOWING BRIGHT AMPLITUDES INTEGRATING

RESERVOIR FACIES WITHIN LATE PLIOCENE SECTION
 Channel A

169
Channel B

Thickness
in ms
KG

FIG. 116 MAP SHOWING CHANNEL GEOMETRY IN KG DEEP WATER KG-DWN-98/3 (D6)
OPERATOR: RIL
170
PLIOCENE PLAY CHARACTERIZED BY PRESENCE OF CHANNEL AND ASSOCIATE FACIES SUCH AS EROSIONAL CHANNELS,
MEANDERING CHANNELS, SCROLL BARS, AGRADING CHANNELS, PROXIMAL AND DISTAL LEVEES AND SPLAYS.
KG

FIG. 117 PLIOCENE PLAY IN G-4 AREA (OPERATOR: ONGC)

 Structure / Well No. &
Basin Gross pay Leads/ Expl. Efficacy
Location
Krishna– KG-DWN-2003/1 Pleistocene Sand-I The play type is unconformity trap and well
Godavari (KG-V-D3) 1583- 1598m ~ 15m has encountered 3 hydrocarbon bearing
Well – KG-V-D3-B1 Pleistocene Sand - II sands(2 at Pleistocene level and 1 at
1865- 1878 ~ 13m Miocene level).
Miocene Sand
2223- 2306 ~ 83m

KG‐V‐D3‐B1

171
RMS amplitude map of Pleistocene RMS amplitude map of Miocene sand
sand top with overlain structure map 1 top with overlain structure map
Seismic section passing through the well
KG

FIG. 118 MIO-PLIOCENE DISCOVERY IN KG DEEP WATER BLOCK KG-DWN-2003/1

(RIL WELL KG-V-D3-B1 : DHIRUBAHAI-41)
 KG BASIN

• Toe-thrusting
• Mud diaparism
• Palaeo-topography of the sea floor
•Sediment supply
• Prevailing eustatic condition
The main depositional elements in this geological setting are incised slope
channels, constructional leveed channels, distributary channel complexes
and distributary lobes. Hydrocarbons are accumulated in different
independent channels. Identifications of such channels are based on high
amplitude anomalies on seismic data which are distributed in shallow and
deep water areas. The channels consist of reservoir sands. Channels are
prograding south – eastward consisting of stocked sands of different
structural and stratigraphic levels (Fig. 112). Different sands are producing
from different wells.

Cap Rock: Shales within Matsyapuri and Ravva Formations, Vadaparru Shale
and Godavari Clay act as effective seals.

Entrapment: Though structural element plays dominant role for hydrocarbon

accumulations in this system, role of strati-structural element is noticed. The
entrapment for the channel fill sediments in KG offshore area appears to be
stratigraphic-structural although purely stratigraphic entrapment cannot be
ruled out. Most reservoirs occur where structural conditions bring suitable
reservoir facies to the top of the structure, allowing trapping of migrating
hydrocarbons.
Structuring in the basin is primarily related to the sediment loading and
subsequent collapse of the shelf edge, forming genetically linked growth
fault and toe thrust pairs. Two main phases of this occurred viz., Late Eocene
to Early Miocene; and Late Miocene through to Pliocene, and continue to
the present day. These Pliocene listric faults generally have a NNE-SSW trend
and typically sole out in the shales below. Stratigraphic trapping is also likely
to be important, with traps formed by up dip pinch-out of the linear slope fan
channel complexes. It provides a large bulk reservoir volume in a structurally
favorable setting and is characterized by the presence of Channels and
associated facies including Erosional Channels, Meandering channels,

172
 KG BASIN

Aggrading channels, Scroll bars, Proximal Levees, Distal Levees, and Splays
(Fig. 112, 114, 115 & 116). These channels are dissected by a number of small
to medium scale faults which are playing important role in trapping
hydrocarbon.
Clear understanding of sediment induced tectonics and precise mapping
techniques for reservoir facies can yield very rich dividends especially in the
younger sequences.

Krishna-Godavari Basin endowed with such effective petroleum systems

ranging from Permo-Triassic to Pleistocene offer very exciting exploration
challenges with matching rewards especially in deep water areas.

173
 KG BASIN

HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL
The Krishna Godavari Basin is an established hydrocarbon province. The
onland and shallow offshore have a resource potential of 1130 million metric
tons of O+OEG (onland 575 MMT, shallow offshore 555 MMT) in addition to
the deep-water resource which is 7000 MMT for all deep water areas, i.e.,
east as well as west coast of India.

Several oil and gas fields are located both in onland and offshore parts of the
basin. The entrapments are to be expected from Permo-Triassic to Pliocene
sediments. The Tertiary hydrocarbon entrapments are so far observed only in
offshore part of the basin while Paleogene to Permo-Triassic entrapments are
discovered in East and West Godavari sub-basins in the onland part as
well as in shallow and deep water areas.

The reservoir facies of Permo-Trassic occur within the well identified source
facies at the bottom and overlying Cretaceous argillaceous facies, which
act as source as well as cap. In view of the fact that hydrocarbon indications
were observed in well KB-4B-1, drilled in the north western part of offshore
basin, and also, in well KG-1-B-1, indication of gas with higher hydrocarbons
and oil stains in ditch samples collected from Late Paleozoic sediments,
imparted the older sequence a fair degree of importance. These older
sediments can also be expected to be present upto Krishna island area
around the coastal part. The occurrence of gas fields like Mandapeta and
Endamuru pointed to the fair potential of this sequence.

In the offshore areas, a Triassic – source – Jura – Cretaceous reservoir

petroleum, i.e., the Raghavpuram – Golapalli – Tirupati - Razole Formation
system, exists in Deen Dayal West area. Deen Dayal field was discovered by
drilling KG-08 exploratory well in 2005 within Lower Cretaceous and deeper
Jurassic reservoirs of KG basin offshore in the block KG-OSN-2001/3 (operator:
GSPC). In blocks operated by RIL (KG-DWN-98/3 and KG-DWN-98/1) and
ONGC (Nomination blocks), oil and gas have been discovered within syn-rift
Mesozoic sediments.

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 KG BASIN

The Cretaceous and Early Tertiary accumulations of hydrocarbons are

present in several fields e.g., Kaikalur, Bantumilli, Lingala, Narsapur, Razole
Chintalapalli etc. both in East as well as West Godavari Sub-Basins. The
Cretaceous sequence in offshore wells, like well KB-1B, has also indicated
presence of hydrocarbons during drilling. From the Mesozoic sediments, in
the NELP blocks, 12 new discoveries have been made, out of which 3 are
deep water (KG-D6-MA1, KG-D6-MJ1 & KG-D4-MD-1) and 9 are shallow
water (KG-08, KG-17 , KG-15, KG-16, KG-21, KG-19, KG-20, KG-22 and KG-31).
ONGC has discovered oil in well G-4-6 and gas in YS-5-1-A from Mesozoic
sediments which are located in its nomination PEL blocks. Suitable source
and reservoir facies are also reported in these wells. The hydrocarbon
generation centers are shown in Fig. 98. In view of this, the Mesozoic holds
extremely potential for accumulation of hydrocarbons like Bonapart and
Brown Basins of NW Australia.

A number of gas fields are producing from Paleocene reservoirs, particularly

in East Godavari Sub-Basin. The Tatipaka, Pasarlapudi, Kadali and Manepalli
are the fields located in onland, while, GS-8 is occurring in the offshore part of
the basin. The hydrocarbon generation centers shown in Fig. 99 indicate fair
to rich organic content on the basinal side. The indications of gas and its
presence in this sequence justify good hydrocarbon potential in Paleocenes
sequences in the basin.

The Eocene accumulation of gas is observed in Elamachili, Tatipaka,

Pasarlapudi etc., Mori prospect is oil producer. These oil fields including GS-38
& G-48-1 in offshore area along with Uppidi-1 & ERA-1 in onland area which
are having good hydrocarbon potential in Eocene sequence. Hydrocarbon
generation centers are shown in Fig. 100. Reefal limestone and associated
shelf sediments of Eocene age form another category of hydrocarbon plays,
in the lower deltaic areas of Godavari River and shallow waters of
Masulipatnam Bay. Drape folds on titled narrow fault blocks may have the
potential for both oil and gas entrapment.

The Mio-Pliocene and Plio-Pleistocene sequences in the offshore part are

promising. The commercial hydrocarbon accumulation in Ravva field is well

175
 KG BASIN

known. Along with Ravva field as many as 25 discoveries in NELP blocks have
been made from Mio-Plio-Pleistocene sequences. The GS-38, G-1 and G-2
prospects are also hydrocarbon bearing in Mio-Pliocene strata. The D1 & D3
prospect in RIL block KG-DWN-98/3 (Fig. 112, 113, 114 & 115) is a semi giant
gas field. ONGC discovered another semi giant field in the block KG-DWN-
98/2 where nine Pliocene Oil and Gas discoveries in northern part (Viz., N1,
Annapurna (R1), Padmavati (M1), Kanakadurga (G2-P1), D1/KT-1, E1, U1, A1
and W1) and one gas discovery UD-1 in ultra deep water in its southern part
(Fig. 119 & 120). ONGC discovered gas in Alankari-1 from Mio-Pliocene sand
pack(Fig. 47) and Chandrika South-1 produced gas from Lower Pliocene
sand in KG-OSN-2004/1 block(Fig. 49 & 50).

176
177
ULTRA DEEP PROSPECT-MAP AT TOP OF OLIGOCENE
KG

FIG. 119 LOCATION MAP & STRUCTURE MAP (OLIGOCENE TOP): ULTRADEEP
PROSPECT IN BLOCK KG-DWN-98/2 (ONGC)
178
KG

FIG. 120 ZOOMED VIEW OF SEISMIC TRAVERSE (TWT) THROUGH DWN-UD-AA

 KG BASIN

UNCONVENTIONAL HYDROCARBON RESOURCE

Apart from Conventional Oil and Gas resource the basin also possess
Unconventional hydrocarbon resources making this basin more interesting
from investment point of view. Details of the different Hydrocarbon resources
are as follows
1. Shale oil/ gas:-
The organic rich source rock (mainly shale) on deep burial with geological
time, results in conversion of organic matter into oil and natural gas. The
quantities, that are retained in-situ within source rock, constitute the
unconventional shale gas/oil. The important features of shale Oil/Gas
mentioned below
• In case of shale oil/gas, shale acts as source, reservoir as well as cap
rock.
• Based on the type of organic matter and maturation level (either oil or
gas window), the unconventional hydrocarbons could be shale oil or
shale gas or a combination of both.
• The gas in shale are held as free gas within natural fractures, pore
spaces and some are stored as adsorbed gas on the organic matter.
• The shale is characterized by low matrix permeability and it requires
hydraulic fracturing for shale gas / oil production.
• Shale gas and oil reservoir is characterized by moderate to high TOC,
low clay, high Gamma, high resistivity, low bulk density, low sonic
velocity, low water saturation, high Young’s Modulus and low Poisson’s
Ratio generally termed as ‘Sweet Spots’.

The Government of India has carried out studies through various national and
international agencies for identification of shale gas and oil resources in the
country. Based on the geoscientific data available from conventional oil and
gas exploration in the country for so many decades, the country holds
promising reserves of shale gas and oil in KG basin along with four other basin
(cambay Basin, Cauvery Basin, Assam & Assam Arakan Basin, Ganga Valley)
The estimation by various agencies the regarding shale gas resource
potential in these sedimentary basins is tabulated below:

179
 KG BASIN

Volume
Name of the Year of
Name of Basins
Agency Report Shale gas
Shale oil
(TCF)
Energy 2011 KG (onland) , Cauvery (onland), 290 (2011)
Information 2013 Cambay(onland) , Damodar 87 Billion bbls
Administration, 584 (2013)
USA
ONGC KG (onland) , Cauvery (onland), 187.5
Cambay(onland) , Assam &
Assam Arakan Basin, Ganga
Valley)
USGS (under MOU 2011 KG , Cambay, Cauvery 6.1
between DoS,
MoPNG)

At present total 10 blocks under exploration phase with ONGC at Onland

areas of KG basin. Five Cores cut in HG-HR (early Cretaceous),
Raghavapuram Shale formation in two wells falling in Malleswaram area by
ONGC. Geological observation at these two wells mentioned below
Three cores were cut in HG-HR Part of Raghavapuram Shale in one well. TOC
ranges from 0.1-0.68% was observed with Gas content 32scf/t & 16scf/t .
Observed frequent gas shows within HG-HR, Gas composition shows
presence of higher hydrocarbons
maximum Desorbed Gas of 77.5 scf/ton (within HG-HR) was observed
Two cores were cut in Raghavapuram Shale Fm at another well. Source
facies are observed as fair- moderate with TOC ranges from 0.48 to 1.28%,
Average VRo: 1.23-1.25 (From Cored Int.) having Gas content 50 - 51scf/t.
Predominantly Type III organic matter. The average TOC within HG-HR (early
Cretaceous) ranges from 0.5% to 1.5% (Fig 121).
The thermal maturity at HG-HR bottom varies (Fig 122) from early oil
generation maturity (0.65% VRo to late oil generation maturity (1.26% Vro )
Kommugudem Shale of Permian age shows Vro more than 1.4 (Mandapeta
area).

2. Gas Hydrate
Gas hydrate is a naturally occurring “ice-like” combination of natural gas
and water that has the potential to serve as an immense resource of natural
180
181
KG

FIG. 121 AVERAGE TOC MAP OF HG-ER UNIT

([After Technical presentation by Padhy P.K. ,ONGC at ISGOW 2016, New Delhi]
182
KG

FIG. 122 VRo MAP AT THE BOTTOM OF HG-ER UNIT ON HG-ER ISOPACH
[After Technical presentation by P.K. Padhy,ONGC at ISGOW 2016, New Delhi]
 KG BASIN

gas from the world’s oceans and Polar Regions. However, gas-hydrate
recovery is both a scientific and a technical challenge and much remains to
be learned about the geologic, engineering, and economic factors
controlling the ultimate energy resource potential of gas hydrate. The
amount of natural gas contained in the world’s gas-hydrate accumulations is
enormous, but these estimates are speculative and range over three orders
of magnitude from about 2,800 to 8,000,000 trillion cubic meters of gas. By
comparison, conventional natural gas accumulations (reserves and
undiscovered, technically recoverable resources) for the world are estimated
at approximately 440 trillion cubic meters. Gas recovery from gas hydrate is
hindered because the gas is in a solid form and because gas hydrate
commonly occurs in remote Arctic and deep marine environments.
Proposed methods of gas recovery from gas hydrate generally deal with
disassociating or “melting” in situ gas hydrate by heating the reservoir
beyond the temperature of gas-hydrate formation, or decreasing the
reservoir pressure below hydrate equilibrium.
KG basin is considered among one of the four sedimentary basins interesting
from Gas Hydrate point of view along with Kerala Konkan basin , Mahanadi
Basin, Andaman deep sea areas.

NGHP 01 Expedition
NGHP-Exp-01 carried out in 2006 in Kerala Konkan, Mahanadi, Krishna
Godavari and Andaman deep sea areas. Total 39 wells at 21 sites (one in
Kerala-Konkan, 15 sites in Krishna Godavari, four sites in Mahanadi and one
site in Andaman area) were drilled. In Kerala Konkan 1 well, Krishna Godavari
31 wells , Mahanadi area 5 wells and Andaman area 2 wells were drilled.
NGHP Expedition carried out located on both the eastern and western
margins of the Indian Peninsula and in the Andaman Sea. These three areas
have experienced very different tectonic and depositional histories. The
peninsular margins are passive continental margins resulting from different
rifting episodes during the breakup and dispersion of Gondwanaland to form
the present Indian Ocean. The structural and geologic setting of Krishna
Godavari basins having Gas Hydrates is discussed below:

183
 KG BASIN

The eastern continental margin of India formed as the result of rifting

between India and the rest of East Gondwanaland (Australia/Antarctica) in
the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Both rivers have a high sediment
transport and both rivers have built substantial deltas so that sedimentation.
The occurrence of gas hydrate in a “distal prograding stack fan section” and
the fracture/displacement type gas hydrate occurrences observed in the KG
basin. Available data indicate the presence of laterally variable “distal
prograding stack fan sections.Krishna-Godavari Basin has identified
downhole log infered thick sand sequences in the zone of expected gas
hydrate stability and important highly-concentrated pore-filling gas hydrate
accumulations. The prominent channel feature drilled in KG basin appears to
be linked to the down slope deep-sea channel levee system and the more
distal middle to outer fan sequences found.

Thus, it was predicted that the sediments to be drilled at the prospectus drill
sites would likely be clays with well-defined sand horizons. Brief informations
of various sites drilled during NGHP-01 mentioned below

Site NGHP-01-02
Site NGHP-01-02 (Prospectus Site KGGH03-A) is located at the far
southwestern end of the KG Basin study area (figs. 123 and 124). The water
depth at this site is ~1,058 m. This site was not cored; only LWD/MWD data
was obtained from two holes. The seismic-imaged stratigraphy at this site is
characterized by a ridge with steeply dipping stratigraphy. The depth of the
BSR is estimated at ~171 mbsf. The LWD/MWD-acquired resistivity log in Hole
NGHP- 01-02B shows a general negative correlation with porosity, suggesting
that little or no gas hydrate is present. The only exception may be a series of
thin, elevated resistivity zones with the interval 70–170 mbsf.

Section of 2D seismic line AD-94-13 around Site NGHP-01-02 showing overall

structure of the setting and regional BSR occurrence at Fig 125

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KG

FIG 123- A, NGHP EXPEDITION 01 SITE MAP DEPICTING THE LOCATION OF

THE 21 RESEARCH DRILL SITES ESTABLISHED DURING THE EXPEDITION. B,
INSET MAP OF THE DRILL SITES IN THE KRISHNA-GODAVARI BASIN.
186
KG

FIG. 124 NGHP EXPEDITION 01 SITE MAP DEPICTING THE

LOCATION OF THE RESEARCH DRILL SITES ESTABLISHED IN THE
KRISHNA-GODAVARI BASIN.
187
KG

FIG. 125 SECTION OF 2D SEISMIC LINE AD‐94‐13 AROUND SITE NGHP‐01‐02

SHOWING OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE SETTING AND REGIONAL BSR OCCURRENCE
 KG BASIN

Site NGHP-01-03
Site NGHP-01-03 (Prospectus Site GDGH05-A) is located at the southwestern
end of the KG Basin study area (Figs. 123 and 124). The water depth at this
site is ~1,076 m. The seismic imaged stratigraphy at this site is characterized
by seafloor-parallel to slightly inclined beds to a depth of ~125 mbsf. Below
this depth, the sediment dips to the northwest. A BSR can be identified at a
depth of ~209 mbsf. A total of three holes were drilled at Site NGHP-01-03.
Hole NGHP-01-03A was drilled for LWD/MWD data collection. Hole NGHP-01-
03B was cored to 300 mbsf. Hole NGHP-01-03C was spot cored to 198 mbsf,
then drilled and wire-line logged to a total depth of 300 mbsf. The
lithostratigraphy recovered at Site NGHP-01-03 is similar to the
lithostratigraphy drilled at Sites NGHP-01-05, NGHP-01-10, and NGHP-01-12 on
the KG slope. One notable difference is that Sites NGHP-01-10 and NGHP-01-
12 contain significantly less silt/sand laminae and beds than Sites NGHP- 01-03
and NGHP-01-05. In addition, because Site NGHP-01- 03 was cored to a
greater depth (300 mbsf), a new section of stratigraphy that was apparently
not reached at Sites NGHP- 01-05, NGHP-01-10, or NGHP-01-12 was
recovered. The presence of gas hydrate at Site NGHP-01-03 was inferred from
small increases in resistivity on the LWD data in Hole NGHP-01-03A; however,
no gas hydrate was recovered on the catwalk or in the pressure cores and
no significant infrared (IR) anomalies were detected. Much of the interstitial
Cl– concentration profile between 60 mbsf and the BSR is dominated by
concentrations near the modern seawater value or slightly depleted relative
to modern seawater. The depleted Cl– concentrations may reflect low
concentrations of gas hydrate disseminated in the sediments within the gas-
hydrate stability zone at this site. Gas-hydrate-bearing sediment was not
observed at this site; however, gas hydrate may have been disseminated at
low concentrations within the sediment pore spaces and/or fracture fills.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-03 shown in Fig-126a & Fig-126b
Lithostratigraphic section of hole NGHP-01-03 shown in Fig-127.

Site NGHP-01-04
Site NGHP-01-04 (Prospectus Site KGGH01) is located in the central part of
the Krishna-Godavari Basin study area (figs. 123 and 124). The water depth at

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KG

FIG. 126-A SECTION OF SEISMIC LINE AD-94-13 AROUND SITE NGHP-01-02

SHOWING PREDICTED FORMATION TOPS AND BSR DEPTH (170 MBSF)
190
KG

FIG. 126B SECTION OF 2D SEISMIC LINE AD-94-17 IN THE VICINITY OF SITE NGHP-01-
03 (PROSPECTUS SITE GDGH05-A) SHOWING PREDICTED FORMATION TOPS AND BSR
DEPTH (209 MBSF) BASED ON A UNIFORM SEISMIC VELOCITY OF 1,580 M/S.
 KG

FIG. 127 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF HOLE

NGHP-01-03B
191
 KG BASIN

this site is ~1,081 m. This site was not selected as a primary coring site and only
LWD/ MWD data were recorded. Site NGHP-01-04 is located within a well-
developed slope-basin, with a clear BSR at a depth of ~182 mbsf. The
resistivity and formation density well log curves in Hole NGHP-01-04A
generally mirror each other, so that the Archie-computed water-saturated
resistivity is very close to the measured formation resistivity, and the water
saturation is close to 100 percent throughout most of the logged interval (that
is, no gas hydrate). The only exceptions are in the intervals 53–61 mbsf and
80–100 mbsf. The shallower interval corresponds to a low measured density
and thus may be due to an underestimation of density in the shallow
enlarged part of the hole. On the other hand, the interval 80–100 mbsf is
more likely to contain gas hydrate because it corresponds to a resistivity high
and because the LWD borehole resistivity images show evidence of high-
resistivity macroscopic occurrences of gas hydrate.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-04 shown in Fig-128

Site NGHP-01-05
NGHP-01-05 (Prospectus Site KGGH02-A) is located in the central part of the
KG Basin study area (figs. 123 and 124). The water depth at this site is ~945 m.
The seismic data from this site images a distinct BSR, which cuts inclined,
parallel stratigraphic horizons. The BSR is estimated at a depth of 125 mbsf. At
Site NGHP-01-05, a total of five holes (NGHP-01- 05A through NGHP-01-05E)
were drilled and two of these were cored (NGHP-01-05C and NGHP-01-05D);
Hole NGHP- 01-05C was cored to 200.0 mbsf and Hole NGHP-01-05D was
cored to 201.0 mbsf. Holes NGHP-01-05A and NGHP-01- 05B were drilled for
LWD data acquisition and Hole NGHP- 01-05E was drilled for wireline and
vertical seismic profile (VSP) logging. The sedimentary sequence cored at Site
NGHP-01-05 was assigned to a single lithostratigraphic unit, composed of
nannofossil-bearing-to-rich clay with limited silt/sand laminae. Gas hydrate
was inferred from the LWD/MWD data at Site NGHP-01-05 and recovered in
some cores on the catwalk (where hydrate was identified through IR
images). In general, hydrate occurrences at this site were interpreted to be
disseminated accumulations throughout the cores. Two interstitial water (IW)
samples associated with IR cold spots showed that the gas hydrate existed

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KG

FIG. 128:- SECTION OF 2D SEISMIC LINE AD-94-25 AROUND SITE NGHP-01-

04) SHOWING A BROAD BASIN AND AN EXTENSIVE BSR OCCURRENCE. NOTE
THE SE-DIPPING FAULT, ABRUPTLY ENDING THE BSR EXTENT ALONG THE
LINE NEAR SP 550.
 KG BASIN

within silt beds. X-rays and logs from pressure cores also documented that
gas hydrate was present as vein fills and in some horizontal bands. The
strongest evidence for gas hydrate from the acquired LWD/ MWD data is in
the intervals 55–94 mbsf (Hole NGHP- 01-05A) and 53–90 mbsf (Hole NGHP-01-
05B), where the computed downhole-log-derived gas-hydrate saturations
reach a maximum of about 60 percent.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-05 shown in Fig-129 .
Lithostratigraphic section of hole NGHP-01-05 shown in Fig-130

Site NGHP-01-06
Site NGHP-01-06 (Prospectus Site KGGH04) is located in the central part of the
KG Basin (figs. 123 and 124). The water depth is ~1,160 m. This site was not
selected as a primary coring site and only LWD/MWD data were obtained
from Hole NGHP-01-06A. Seismic data show that Site NGHP-01-06 is located in
a typical sequence of KG Basin ridges and basins. A BSR is visible throughout
most of the area and is best imaged where it cross-cuts steeply-dipping
reflectors at a depth of 210 mbsf. Below the BSR, high-amplitude reflectors
may be the result of free gas, whereas higher amplitude reflectors above the
BSR may be attributed to the presence of gas hydrate in the sediments.
Resistivities logged in Hole NGHP-01-06A show a general negative correlation
with porosity, suggesting that little or no gas hydrate is present. However,
further detailed Archie analysis of the resistivity and porosity log data
suggests that some amount of gas hydrate could be present in several
intervals between ~100 and ~200 mbsf. The most prominent occurrence is at
137–148 mbsf, where the computed gas-hydrate saturation reaches a
maximum of about 25 percent.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-06 shown in Fig-131.

Site NGHP-01-07
Site NGHP-01-07 (Prospectus Site KGGH06-A) is located in the northern part of
the KG Basin study area (figs. 123 and 124). The water depth at this site is
~1,285 m. Site NGHP- 01-07 is located within the Reliance Industry Ltd. D6
exploration block. At Site NGHP-01-07, a distinct BSR is imaged crosscutting

194
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KG

FIG. 129 SECTION OF SEISMIC LINE AD-94-33 AROUND SITE NGHP-01-05

(PROSPECTUS SITE KGGH02-A) SHOWING ESTIMATED DEPTH OF FORMATION
DEPTH AND BSR USING A UNIFORM VELOCITY OF 1,580 M/S FOR THE ENTIRE
SEDIMENT COLUMN.
 KG

FIG.130 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF HOLE NGHP-01-05C

196
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KG

FIG. 131 SECTION OF 2D SEISMIC LINE AD-94-39 AROUND SITE

NGHP-01-06 SHOWING A BROAD BASIN AND AN EXTENSIVE BSR
OCCURRENCE.
 KG BASIN

inclined beds at a depth of 188 mbsf. In general, the seafloor deepens to the
SE but is interrupted by a ridge to the north, which is elevated 45–50 m above
the surrounding topography. Two distinct seismic reflections can be identified
within the sediment package overlying the BSR at Site NGHP- 01-07: a strong
reflector at ~70 mbsf and a high-reflectivity band between 130 mbsf and 150
mbsf are seen. Both reflectors are most likely associated with the occurrence
of gas hydrate as identified on pre-coring LWD/MWD data.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-07 shown in Fig-132 .
Lithostratigraphic summery of hole NGHP-01-07 shown in Fig-133.

Site NGHP-01-10
Site NGHP-01-10 (Prospectus Site KGGH03-A; GD-3-1) is located at the far
southwestern end of the KG Basin study area (figs. 123 and 124). The water
depth at this site is ~1,038 m. Site NGHP-01-10 is located 50 m away from
industry well GD-3-1, which had previously shown strong evidence for the
occurrence of highly concentrated gas hydrate. Two high-resolution 2D
seismic lines were made available to this project to characterize the local
geologic setting around Site NGHP-01-10. An additional low-frequency 2D
seismic line (that is, lower resolution line) was also made available from this
site. The overall area is dominated by strong seismic reflectivity, which is likely
the result of free gas below the BSR at an estimated depth of 160 mbsf. The
high resolution 2D seismic lines also show a highly faulted sedimentary
sequence between the seafloor and the deeper inferred gas occurrences.
Individual reflectors can be traced for only a few hundred meters at most
within this section. Along the SW margin of NGHP-01-10 drill site, a possible
shallow debris flow was identified. This unit pinches out near the location of
Hole NGHP-01-10A. Four holes were drilled at Site NGHP-01-10: Hole NGHP-
01-10A for LWD/MWD, Hole NGHP-01-10B for APC/XCB and pressure coring,
Hole NGHP-01-10C for one APC core, and Hole NGHP-01-10D for APC/XCB
and pressure coring to a total depth of 203.8 mbsf. Hole NGHP-01-10A was
wireline logged, including a VSP survey. The sedimentary sequence cored
and logged at Sites NGHP-01-10, NGHP-01-12, NGHP- 01-13, and NGHP-01-21
was assigned to a single lithostratigraphic unit composed mostly of
nannofossil-bearing clay. Possible fossil chemosynthetic communities

198
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KG

FIG. 132 SECTION OF SEISMIC CROSSLINE 3900 NEAR SITE NGHP-01-07

 KG

FIG. 133 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF NGHP-01-07B

200
 KG BASIN

composed of a variety of mollusk shells with some encrusted by carbonatic

worm tubes were recovered at both Sites NGHP-01-10 and NGHP-01- 12
below about 10–20 mbsf. Gas hydrate was inferred from the LWD/MWD data
at Site NGHP-01-10 and recovered in numerous cores on the catwalk
(identified through IR images and photographed in the cores) within the
depth interval from ~25 to ~160 mbsf. The observed gas hydrate existed as
solid nodules, high-angle and sub-horizontal veins as fracture fill, and
disseminated throughout the cores. The pressure-core degassing and X-ray
results, as well as the semi-continuous cold spots in the IR data, confirm that
disseminated and fracture-filling gas hydrate is common throughout the gas-
hydrate occurrence zone at this site. Upon examination of the APC/XCB and
pressure cores, no obvious lithologic control on gas-hydrate occurrence (in
terms of grain size) was observed. The split cores from Sites NGHP-01-10 and
NGHP-01-12 often exhibited moussey and soupy textures which commonly
result from the dissociation of gas hydrate and is consistent with the
widespread observation of gas hydrate in the cores and well logs at these
sites. At Site NGHP-01-10, IW Cl– concentrations vary widely between ~26 and
~160 mbsf—this can be attributed to the decomposition of gas hydrate after
core recovery. The high LWD/ MWD-derived resistivities measured in Hole
NGHP-01-10A have been attributed to high gas-hydrate saturations. The
gashydrate saturations computed from Archie’s equation are about 85
percent in the interval 27–90 mbsf and decrease slightly to 50–75 percent in
the interval 90–157 mbsf. The appearance of near-surface, fracture-filling gas
hydrate at Site NGHP-01-10 is very similar to the physical occurrence of gas
hydrate cored at several cold-vent sites along the Cascadia margin. One of
the best examples is the Bullseye vent area cored at Site U1328 on IODP
Expedition 311 (Riedel and others, 2006), where beds containing massive
forms of gas hydrate occurred within the uppermost ~40 mbsf, with gas-
hydrate concentrations exceeding 80 percent of pore space. At Site NGHP-
01-10, however, the zone of high gashydrate concentrations does not extend
to the surface. It is also interesting that the depth to the SMI is at about 17.2
mbsf at Site NGHP-01-10, which is much deeper than the SMI around most
cold-vent sites. The top of the apparent gas-hydrate interval (at ~25 mbsf)
appears to coincide with the occurrence of a fossil chemosynthetic
community at Site NGHP-01-10, which may have been buried by the

201
 KG BASIN

seismically imaged debris flow along the SW margin of the drill site. A debris
flow covering the apparent cold vent at Site NGHP-01-10 would account for
the lack of gas hydrate in the near-surface sediments and the relatively deep
SMI.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-10 shown in Fig.134 .
Lithostratigraphic summery of hole NGHP-01-10 shown in Fig-135.

Site NGHP-01-11
Site NGHP-01-11 (Prospectus Site GDGH12-A) is located in central part the KG
Basin near Site NGHP-01-04 (figs. 123 and 124). The water depth at this site is
~1,007m. This site was not selected as a primary coring site and only LWD/
MWD data were obtained from Hole NGHP-01-11A. Expedition Summary 15
The BSR at Site NGHP-01-11 is widespread and especially well defined where
it cross-cuts sedimentary strata. The depth of the BSR at Site NGHP-01-11 is
estimated at ~150 mbsf. The BSR depth becomes shallower towards the NW
as water depth decreases. A series of bright seismic reflectors between
seafloor and the BSR may indicate gas hydrate, while the bright reflectors
immediately below the BSR probably indicate the presence of gas.
Resistivities logged in Hole NGHP-01-11A show a general negative correlation
with porosity, except in the intervals 95–113 mbsf and 144–146 mbsf, where
high resistivities suggest that gas hydrate is present. The strongest evidence
for gas hydrate is in the interval 95–113 mbsf, where the Archiecomputed
gas-hydrate saturation reaches a maximum of about 35 percent. The thin
high-resistivity interval at 144–146 mbsf does not coincide with a density high
and shows a maximum Archie-computed gas-hydrate saturation of 35
percent. Outside of these intervals, there is no strong evidence for gas
hydrate. The downhole-log-inferred gas hydrate occurrence at 95–113 mbsf
appears to correlate to a prominent seismic reflector above the BSR.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-11 shown in Fig-136.

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KG

FIG. 134 SEISMIC LINE GDSW-46 (ORIENTATION IS NE-SW) CROSSING DRILL SITE NGHP-01-10.
 KG

FIG. 135 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF HOLE

NGHP-01-10D.
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KG

FIG. 136 SECTION OF 2D SEISMIC LINE AD-94-27 AROUND SITE NGHP-01-11

SHOWING A BROAD BASIN AND AN EXTENSIVE BSR OCCURRENCE.
 KG BASIN

Site NGHP-01-12
Site NGHP-01-12 (Prospectus Site KGGH03-A; 1st New Site) was established to
further delineate the gas-hydrate occurrence indentified at Site NGHP-01-10.
Site NGHP-01-12 was placed 500 m towards the SE of the industry well GD-3-1.
This site is located within the seismically disturbed section as described
around Site NGHP-01-10. The water depth at this site is ~1,038 m. Hole NGHP-
01-12A included limited APC coring through the SMI, followed by a series of
two XCB- and pressure-coring packages targeting gas hydrate to a total
depth of 150.9 mbsf. As discussed above in the summary for Site NGHP-01-10,
gas hydrate was inferred from the LWD/ MWD data at Site NGHP-01-10 and
recovered in cores from both Sites NGHP-01-10 and NGHP-01-12 within the
depth interval from ~25 to about the TD of Hole NGHP-01-12A (150.9 mbsf). At
Site NGHP-01-10, IW Cl– concentrations varied widely between ~26 and ~160
mbsf, whereas at Hole NGHP-01-12A, Cl– concentrations were generally
higher and relatively more uniform with depth, indicating that in situ gas
hydrate concentrations were probably lower.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-12 shown in Fig-137 .
Lithostratigraphic summery of hole NGHP-01-12 shown in Fig-138.

Site NGHP-01-13
Site NGHP-01-13 (Prospectus Site KGGH03-A; 2nd New Site) was established
to further delineate the gas-hydrate occurrence identified at Site NGHP-01-
10. Site NGHP-01-13, the third site in this area, was located 150 m towards the
NW away from Site NGHP-01-12 (closer to Site GD-3-1). This site was located
within the seismically disturbed section as described around Sites NGHP-01-10
and Site NGHP-01-12. The water depth at this site is ~1,038 m. Hole NGHP-01-
13A was drilled for wireline logging to a TD of 200 mbsf. Analysis of the
downhole log data collected from Hole NGHP-01-13A indicated gas-hydrate
saturations uniformly higher than ~40 percent over the entire interval logged,
with the highest values predicted near 80 percent. These estimates are
slightly lower but similar to the saturations derived from the LWD logs in Hole
NGHP-01-10A.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-13 shown in Fig- 137.

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KG

FIG. 137 SEISMIC line GDSW-16 (ORIENTATION IS NW-SE) CROSSING DRILL SITES
NGHP-01-10, NGHP-01-12, AND NGHP-01-13. NOTE THE OCCURRENCE OF DEEP-
SEATED FREE GAS BRIGHTENING SEISMIC REFLECTIVITY AS WELL AS A POTENTIAL
SHALLOW DEBRIS FLOW AT SITE NGHP-01-10.
 KG

FIG.138 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF HOLE

NGHP-01-12A.
208
 KG BASIN

Site NGHP-01-14
Site NGHP-01-14 (Prospectus Site GDGH14-A) is located in the northern part of
the KG Basin (figs. 123 and 124). This site was selected as an alternate
location in the program and was not part of the pre-coring LWD/MWD
program. The water depth at this site is ~895 m. Seismic data from this site
show the typical sediment sequence of basin and ridge observed throughout
the KG Basin, with each ridge associated with a deep-rooted fault and with
the basin sequence developed on the down-thrown side of the fault towards
the SE. The basins are characterized by seafloor-parallel to sub-parallel
sedimentary beds, whereas the ridge flanks are dominated by beds with
larger NW-dips and somewhat brighter reflection amplitudes, especially
below the BSR. The depth of the BSR is estimated at 109 mbsf at Site NGHP-01-
14. At Site NGHP-01-14, one hole (NGHP-01-14A) was drilled, cored, and
wireline logged to a total depth of 180 mbsf. The lithostratigraphy recovered
at Site NGHP-01- 14 is similar to the lithostratigraphy previously drilled at the
other sites throughout the KG Basin. Site NGHP-01-14 is located between Sites
NGHP-01-05 and NGHP-01-15, and all three sites are located at similar water
depths (~900–950 m). The lithostratigraphy at all three sites was generally
described as nannofossil-bearing clay; however, there are thicker sands at
Sites NGHP-01-14 and Site NGHP-01-15 than at Site NGHP-01-05. The
occurrence of gas hydrate at Site NGHP-01-14 was inferred from slightly
elevated uniform baseline trends in downhole-measured wireline resistivities in
the sedimentary section from 65 to 105 mbsf. Two intervals in particular (67–72
mbsf and 82–87 mbsf) show higher resistivity values that might contain higher
concentrations of gas hydrate. Archie analysis of the available wireline-
recorded resistivity data indicates that gas-hydrate saturations could be as
high as ~20 percent in these two anomalous intervals. Analysis of IW below
~20 mbsf reveals slightly depleted chloride concentrations having a rather
constant value. This suggests that the majority of the gas hydrate at Site
NGHP-01-14 is most likely disseminated within the sediments at low
concentrations. Overprinted on this “diffuse” distribution of gas hydrate are
two zones where Cl– concentrations are depleted by as much as 12 percent
relative to modern seawater values, which appears to correlate to the
downhole-log-inferred gas-hydrate occurrences in the interval from about 65
to 105 mbsf. Gas hydrate was observed in some of the IW samples prior to

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 KG BASIN

squeezing. In addition, IR anomalies were also observed throughout this same

interval when imaged on the catwalk and six gas hydrate samples were
collected in the interval from 103.3 to 106.2 mbsf. One pressure core yielded
evidence for small amounts of gas hydrate near the estimated depth of the
BSR within the downhole log inferred gas hydrate interval.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-14 shown in Fig-139.
Lithostratigraphic summery of hole NGHP-01-14 shown in Fig-140.

Site NGHP-01-15
Site NGHP-01-15 (Prospectus Site GDGH11) is located in the KG Basin (Figs.123
and 124). Site NGHP-01-15 is one of the northern sites drilled in the KG Basin
during this expedition. This site was selected as an alternate location in the
program and was not part of the pre-coring LWD/MWD program. The water
depth at this site is ~926 m. Similar to Site NGHP-01-14, the seismic data from
Site NGHP-01-15 show a typical KG-Basin sequence of ridges and basins with
a well-developed BSR at depth of 126 mbsf. This site does not show the
steeply dipping, high-reflectivity layers below the BSR that characterize other
KG Basin sites drilled during this expedition; rather, the sediments are more flat
lying. At Site NGHP-01-15, one hole (NGHP-01-15A) was drilled, cored, and
wireline logged to a total depth of 200 mbsf. As noted above, the
lithostratigraphy recovered at Site NGHP-01-15 is similar to the
lithostratigraphy previously drilled at other sites throughout the KG Basin, with
the lithostratigraphy at Site NGHP-01-15 generally described as nannofossil-
bearing clay with relatively thick sand laminae and beds of various
thicknesses. The IW analysis of cores from Hole NGHP-01-15A indicates the
presence of localized beds containing concentrated gas hydrate within the
depth interval from ~60 to 90 mbsf. Gas hydrate was observed and sampled
from one core at depths of 78.63–79.13 mbsf in Hole NGHP-01-15A, which also
exhibited a relatively continuous IR anomaly (~9 m in length) when imaged
on the catwalk. Moussey sediment textures (formed during gas-hydrate
dissociation) were also observed within the cores recovered from Hole NGHP-
01-15A. Physical observations of the core on the catwalk confirmed that the
IR-imaged and sampled gas hydrate in the interval of 78.63–79.13 mbsf
occurred in a prominent sand bed. Gas hydrate, associated with clean sand

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FIG. 139 SEISMIC INLINE AD-94-39 (ORIENTED NW-SE) INTERSECTING WITH SITE
NGHP-01-14
 KG

FIG. 140 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF HOLE

NGHP-01-14A 212
 KG BASIN

and woody debris, was also recovered in a pressure core from a depth of
86.7 mbsf in Hole NGHP-01-15A. Relatively high resistivity values measured
during the wireline logging program in Hole NGHP-01-15A above ~110 mbsf
suggest that some gas hydrate is present above this depth. The highest
resistivity values between ~75 and 81 mbsf correspond to the section in which
the strong temperature anomalies were measured on the catwalk and gas-
hydrate samples were recovered. Archie analysis of the wireline-recorded
resistivity data indicates that gas hydrate could occupy as much as ~25
percent of the pore space in some intervals between ~90 and ~110 mbsf and
could locally occupy almost 50 percent around 80 mbsf.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-15 shown in Fig-141.
Lithostratigraphic summery of hole NGHP-01-15 shown in Fig-142.

Site NGHP-01-16
Site NGHP-01-16 (Prospectus “Stepout Site”) is located in the northern part of
the KG Basin study area (figs.123 and 124). The water depth at this site is
~1,253 m. Site NGHP-01-16 is located within the Reliance Industry Ltd. D6
exploration block and is ~8 km N of Site NGHP-01-07. This site was selected as
an alternate location in the program and was not part of the pre-coring
LWD/MWD program. The seismic stratigraphy at this site is characterized by
two distinct sedimentary packages. The upper package extends to a depth
of ~80 mbsf and consists of a series of almost seafloor-parallel layers with
relatively high seismic reflectivity and is marked by an unconformity at its
base. The lower stratigraphic section is characterized by reduced reflectivity
and inclined bedding. Within this low-reflectivity package, the BSR is clearly
visible at a depth of ~170 mbsf. At Site NGHP-01-16, one hole (NGHP-01-16A)
was continuously cored to a depth of 217.0 mbsf and then wireline logged.
The recovered cores consist primarily of clays with limited silt, nannofossils,
and foraminifera. Sand/silt laminae and beds occur as frequently at Site
NGHP-01-16 as they do at Site NGHP-01-07, but thick sand beds are rarer at
Site NGHP- 01-16. Coring at Site NGHP-01-07 probably penetrated sediments
deposited closer to a channel on the continental slope, whereas the thinner
sands at Site NGHP-01-16 suggest a more distal position relative to slope
channels. Chemistry data from IW analysis did not indicate any significant

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KG

FIG. 141 SEISMIC LINE AD-94-45 CROSSING DRILL SITES NGHP-01-15

 KG

FIG. 142. LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF HOLE

NGHP-01-15A
215
 KG BASIN

gas-hydrate occurrences at Site NGHP-01-16 in the depth interval above ~85

mbsf; however, from this depth to the projected depth of the BSR (~170
mbsf), the Cl– concentrations become progressively depleted with respect to
modern seawater. The lower Cl– values within this depth interval probably
reflect minor dilution of the IW Cl– by gas-hydrate dissociation induced
during the core-recovery process. The minimum Cl– concentrations at 162.5
mbsf indicate somewhat higher amounts of gas hydrate in the vicinity of the
seismically-inferred BSR. In addition, IR thermal anomalies were also observed
in several cores above the BSR (from ~110 to ~170 mbsf). A small amount of
gas hydrate was also inferred in a pressure core from a depth of 163.1 mbsf.
Gas hydrate was also inferred from the downhole wireline logging data; the
high resistivities measured in the interval between 90 and 155 mbsf are clearly
associated with gas-hydrate occurrences. Archie analysis of the wireline
resistivity log data from Site NGHP-01-16 indicates that gas hydrate could
occupy as much as ~50 percent of the pore space in some intervals
between ~120 and 155 mbsf. Despite the low core recovery in most of this
interval, some of the highest resistivity values coincide with low-temperature
anomalies measured on the recovered core, in particular between 126 and
133 mbsf and between 135 and 140 mbsf
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-16 shown in Fig-143.
Lithostratigraphic summery of hole NGHP-01-16 shown in Fig-144.

Site NGHP-01-20
Site NGHP-01-20 (Prospectus Site KGGH05) is located at the far southwestern
end of the KG Basin study area (figs. 123 and 124). The water depth is ~1,146
m. This site was targeted as an add-on site to test for the occurrence of gas
hydrate in one of the more structurally complex sites occupied during the
expedition. Site NGHP-01-20 is located on a small structural high ~75 m above
the adjacent seafloor. Seismic lines crossing the site show a strong BSR event
at the drill site at an estimated depth of ~220 mbsf. However, this BSR is not
laterally extensive and is restricted to a few hundred meters around the drill
site. It is difficult to determine if this reflection band is a BSR. However, the
increase in reflection amplitude may be the effect of free gas trapped below
the gas-hydrate stability zone. Two holes (NGHP-01-20A and NGHP-01-20B)

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KG

FIG. 143 SEISMIC INLINE 1315 FROM 3D CUBE ACROSS SITE

NGHP-01-16. NOTE THE BSR OCCURRENCE AT 1.89 S TWT.
 KG

FIG. 144. LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF NGHP-01-16A.

218
 KG BASIN

were drilled and cored at this site; Hole NGHP-01-20A was cored to 148.8
mbsf and Hole NGHP-01-20B was drilled to 148.8 mbsf, then cored to 187.3
mbsf. Pressure coring and wireline logging were not attempted due to poor
hole conditions experienced in both Holes NGHP-01-20A and NGHP-01-20B.
Site NGHP-01- 20 was not part of the pre-coring LWD/MWD program. Core
recovery at Site NGHP-01-20 was extremely low; we also experienced poor
hole conditions, and “packing-off” of the drill string during connections. As
inferred from the porewater chemistry and sedimentological data collected
at Hole NGHP-01-20A, core recovery was likely limited due to Expedition
Summary 19 the presence of coarse lithologies and/or abundant gas
hydrate. However, most of the sediments cored at this site were composed
of a variety of nannofossil-bearing clay, volcanic glassbearing clay, pyrite-
bearing clay, and authigenic carbonatebearing clay. Several thin IR thermal
anomalies and IW Cl– anomalies were observed in the cores from Site NGHP-
01-20, which probably indicate the presence of gas hydrate. The shallowest
IR anomaly was recorded at ~43 mbsf and occurred within a nannofossil-rich
clayey silt containing several coarser-grained silt and sand beds and
laminae. A second IR anomaly, detected between 115 mbsf to 125 mbsf,
occurred within a fine-grained clay section. The IR anomaly at this interval
appears to be broader and more diffuse than the more discrete anomaly
observed at ~43 mbsf and may reflect a more disseminated accumulation of
gas hydrate in this finer-grained material. In general, the Cl– depth profile
shows a steady decrease to the bottom of Hole NGHP-01-20A, probably
caused by dissociation of small amounts of finely dispersed gas hydrate. The
absence of IR anomalies in the deeper portion of the holes drilled at this site
may be a product of the sparse core recovery. Better constraints on the
relationship between the lithologic, porewater chemistry, and IR thermal
data are not easily resolved as no pressure cores or wireline logging data
were collected at Site NGHP-01-20.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-20 shown in Fig-145.
Lithostratigraphic summery of hole NGHP-01-20 shown in Fig-146.

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KG

FIG. 145 SEISMIC LINE AD-94-11 (NW-SE ORIENTED) CROSSING SITE NGHP-01-20.
THE SITE IS LOCATED AT AROUND TRACE 122. DEPTH OF FORMATION TOPS WERE
ESTIMATED USING A CONSTANT VELOCITY OF 1,580 M/S
 KG

FIG. 146 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF HOLES

NGHP-01-20A AND NGHP-01-20B
221
 KG BASIN

Site NGHP-01-21
Site NGHP-01-21 (Prospectus Site KGGH03-A; New FR1) was established to
further delineate the gas hydrate occurrence indentified at Site NGHP-01-10
to obtain additional gas-hydrate-bearing pressure-core samples for post-
NGHP Expedition 01 study. This site was located 20 m SE of Hole NGHP-01-10A
on a bearing of 136°. This site was also located within the seismically
distributed section as described around Site NGHP-01-10. The water depth at
this site is ~1,049 m. A total of three holes were drilled at Site NGHP-01-21. Hole
NGHP-01-21A was partially drilled, XCB cored and pressure cored to a depth
of 91.5 mbsf. Hole NGHP-01-21B included only two pressure-core
deployments and was drilled to a total depth of 200 mbsf for wireline logging
(no useful well-log data was collected). Hole NGHP-01-21C was dedicated to
pressure-core gas-hydrate sampling to a total depth of 78 mbsf. Evidence of
gas hydrate was observed in four pressure cores from Hole NGHP-01-21A, one
pressure core from Hole NGHP-01-21B, and four pressure cores from Hole
NGHP-01-21C. Much like the pressure core observations from Site NGHP-01-
10, X-ray images of pressure cores from Site NGHP-01-21 showed gas hydrate
in thin, sediment-displacing structures (layers and veins); in massive lumps;
and possibly in finely distributed, grain-displacing forms. After the expedition,
during the pressure-core studies in Singapore, it was determined through X-
ray scanning that what was originally thought to be disseminated or finely-
distributed gas hydrate was actually a network of fine veins, the bulk of which
were invisible on the two-dimensional X-rays acquired on the ship.
Seismic section adjacent to site NGHP-01-21 shown in Fig-147.
Lithostratigraphic summery of hole NGHP-01-21 shown in Fig-148.

The key scientific highlights of NGHP Expedition 01 included the following:

Conducted comprehensive analyses of gas hydrate-bearing marine
sediments in both passive continental margin and marine accretionary
wedge settings.

The calculated depth to the base of the methane hydrate stability zone, as
derived from downhole temperature measurements, closely matches the
depth of the seismic identified bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) at most of
the sites established during this expedition.

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KG

FIG. 147 SEISMIC LINE GDSW-16 (ORIENTATION IS NW-SE) CROSSING DRILL SITE NGHP-
01-21. NOTE THE OCCURRENCE OF DEEP-SEATED, HIGH-AMPLITUDE REFLECTORS
INDICATING THE OCCURRENCE OF BOTH FREE GAS AND A POTENTIAL SHALLOW
DEBRIS FLOW.
 KG

FIG. 148 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF HOLE NGHP-01-21A

224
 KG BASIN

Discovered gas hydrate in numerous complex geologic settings and

collected an unprecedented number of gas hydrate cores.
Most of the recovered gas hydrate was characterized as either pore-filling
grains or particles disseminated in coarser grain sediments or as a fracture-
filling material in clay dominated sediments.

The occurrence of concentrated gas hydrate is mostly controlled by the

presence of fractures and/or coarser grained (mostly sand-rich) sediments.
Gas hydrate were found occurring in “combination reservoirs” consisting of
horizontal or subhorizontal coarse grained permeable sediments (sands for
the most part) and apparent vertical to subvertical fractures that provide the
conduits for gas migration.

Delineated and sampled one of the richest marine gas hydrate

accumulations yet discovered (Site NGHP-01-10 in the Krishna-Godovari
Basin).

Discovered one of the thickest and deepest gas hydrate occurrences yet
known (offshore of the Andaman Islands, Site NGHP-01-17) which revealed
gas-hydrate-bearing volcanic ash layers as deep as 600 meters below the
seafloor.

Established the existence of a fully developed gas hydrate system in the

Mahanadi basin of the Bay of Bengal.

Most of the gas hydrate occurrences discovered during this expedition

appear to contain mostly methane which was generated by microbial
processes. However, there is also evidence of a thermal origin for a portion of
the gas within the hydrates of the Mahanadi Basin and the Andaman
offshore area.

Gas hydrate in the Krishna-Godavari Basin appears to be closely associated

with large scale structural features, in which the flux of gas through local
fracture systems, generated by the regional stress regime, controls the
occurrence of gas hydrate.

225
 KG BASIN

NGHP-02 Expedition
NGHP-Exp-02 was completed in 2015 and 42 wells in 25 sites (3 in Mahanadi,
22 in Krishna Godavari area) in four areas (A,B,C and E) were drilled. Out of
42 wells, 3 wells were drilled in Mahanadi (Area ‘A”)and 39 wells (21 wells in
area ‘B’ , 13 wells in area ’C’ and 5 wells in area ‘E’) in Krishna Godavari
area drilled.

NGHP-02 Expedition Findings

NGHP-02 downhole logging, coring and formation pressure testing have
confirmed the presence of large, highly saturated gas hydrate
accumulations in coarse-grained sand-rich depositional systems throughout
the Krishna-Godavari Basin; specifically, within the regions defined during
NGHP-02 as Area-B Area-C and Area-E.(Fig-149)

The most significant scientific accomplishments of NGHP-02 included the

following:
 The nature of the discovered gas hydrate occurrences closely
matched pre-drill predictions, confirming the project-developed
depositional models for the sand-rich depositional facies in the Krishna-
Godavari and Mahanadi Basins.
 The availability of gas to charge several of the discovered reservoir
systems appears to be a limiting factor for the formation of highly
concentrated gas hydrate accumulations in some settings along the
eastern margin of India, particularly in the Mahanadi Basin.
 The existence of a fully developed gas hydrate petroleum system was
established in Area-C of the Krishna-Godavari Basin with the discovery
of a large slope-basin interconnected depositional system, including a
sand-rich, gas hydrate-bearing channel-levee prospect at Sites NGHP-
02-08 and -09 (Figure 150).
 The acquisition of closely spaced LWD and core holes in the Area-B L1
Block gas hydrate accumulation have provided one of the most
complete three-dimensional petrophysical-based views of any known
gas hydrate reservoir system in the world (Figure 151).
 Wireline formation pressure testing, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
log data, and shipboard pressure core analysis have shown that the

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KG

FIG. 149 NGHP-02 ESTABLISHED 25 RESEARCH DRILL SITES IN THE MAHANADI BASIN
(AREA A) AND THE GREATER KRISHNA-GODAVARI BASIN (AREA B, AREA C, AND AREA E).
228
KG

FIG. 150 3-D SEISMIC DATA VOLUMES FROM AREA-C IN THE KGBASIN IMAGED A WIDE
RANGE OF DEEPWATER DEPOSITIONAL SYSTEMS WITH APPARENT SAND-RICH FACIES
INCLUDING THE CHANNEL-LEVEE SYSTEM TARGETED AT SITES NGHP-02-08 AND -09.
229
KG

Fig-151 The primary gas hydrate target in Area-B is a large regional anticlinal structure that
is cut by a well-developed BSR. Two potential reservoir systems were identified in Area-B,
with the deeper reservoir (R2) imaged as a peak-leading (high velocity) seismic event just
above the BSR.
 KG BASIN

effective permeabilities of hydrate-bearing sand reservoirs are possibly

significantly higher than those interpreted from previous field and
laboratory studies.
 Area-B and Area-C contain important world-class gas hydrate
accumulations and represent ideal sites for the consideration of future
gas hydrate production testing.

Exploration by Private Companies

The Reliance Industry Limited (RIL) another major E&P company, is also
exploring the probable gas hydrate in areas under its operation. Figure-152
shows working areas in KG offshore, Cauvery basin and Mahanadi basin on
the eastern coast where RIL is making efforts to bring out depositional
fairways within GHSZ through identification of channel lobes using attribute
analysis of 3D seismic data. So far their initial study suggests presence of gas
hydrate in discrete reservoirs. Based on mainly patchy BSR and other
geophysical evidences along with visible presence of gas hydrate in shallow
core extracted. The summary of integrated G&G studies in Reliance area
suggests high chances of hydrate enrichment in KG-D6, KGV-D3, Moderate
to High in KGD9. However, an integrated attribute analysis by merging the
available 3D seismic data and suitable processing is the requisite to establish
the presence of thick sand reservoir within Pleistocene for further assessment
of gas hydrate.

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KG

FIG. 152 AREAS BEING EXPLORED FOR GAS HYDRATE BY RELIANCE INDUSTRIES
LIMITED IN DEEP AND ULTRA DEEP WATER.
 KG BASIN

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Govindan A. Stratigraphy of Sedimentation of East Godavari

Sub-Basin. Petroelum Asia Journal, april, 1984.

Hydrocarbon Source Potential in various

Kapoor P.N., et al structures of Krishna Godavari Basin: based on
facies model developed in space and time,
Petrotech, 1995.

Play perspectives and emerging scenarios :

Karuppuswamy G Basin, Proceedings of 3rd seminar of Petrolife
basins of India: Implementation Strategy for PP-2
ONGC Bulletin, Vol. 48,(2) Page-18-56, 2013.

Pallakollu-Pasarlapudi Petroleum Systems, KG

Basin, Petrotech, 1995.

Kumar, S.K., et al Geology and Hydrocarbon Prospects of Krishna

Godavari and Cauvery basins. Proceedings of
the Conference of Petroliferous Basins of India,
Kumar S.P.
Petroleum Asia Journal. Nov.1983.

Exploration Results and Leads in Krishna-

Godavari Basin. ONGC Bulletin, vol.-28, June
1991; Number-1.

Rao. G.N. Oil & Gas Fields of India, Indian Petroleu

Publishers, Dehradun, 2000

Singh, Laxman Proceedings: Conference on Integrat

Exploration Research, Achievements a
perspective; K.D.M. Institute of Petroleu
Exploration, Dehradun, 1991.
Thomans N.J., Uniyal A.K., Pande
Geology and Petroleum Systems, K.G. Basin,
Anil, and Samant A.K.
Proc. of 2nd Seminar on Petroliferous basins of

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India, Indian Petroleum Publishers, Dehradun,

1993
Venkatrangan, R. and Ray, D

Venkatarangan K., Rao G.N., Lithostratigraphy of Indian Petroliferous Basins

Prabhakar K.N., Singh, D.N., Document – VIII – Krishna Godavari Basin.
Awasthi A.K., Reddy P.K., Mishra K.D.M. Institute of Petroleum Exploration ONGC,
P.K., Roy S.K. Dehradun, 1993.

T. Collett, M. Riedel, J. Cochran, Indian National Gas Hydrate Program

R. Boswell, J. Presley, P. Kumar, A. Expedition 01 Report
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