BASIN EVOLUTION OF THE LURESTAN REGION IN THE ZAGROS FOLD-AND-THRUST BELT, IRAN

The evolution of the central part of the Lurestan region in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt has been studied using newly generated isopach maps for different time intervals between the Late Cretaceous and the Miocene. The study was based on existing geological maps, gravity data, measured stratigraphic surface sections, original field work and well data. Understanding the processes which have influenced facies and thickness variations in the study area will have a significant impact on future hydrocarbon exploration.
Cenomanian carbonates assigned to the Sarvak Formation, the main reservoir unit in the study area, are composed of both pelagic and neritic facies. These facies occur along the roughly north-south trending "Anaran lineament", interpreted to represent a palaeohigh, which influenced patterns of sedimentation in the Cretaceous-Tertiary. The palaeohigh formed as a result of the reactivation of a basement lineament in the Late Cretaceous. The continuing influence of this lineament on patterns of sedimentation during Oligocene — early Miocene time is indicated by a range of evidence including the presence of clinoform geometries.
Analysis of sedimentary thicknesses in the Zagros foreland basin between the Late Cretaceous and the early Miocene indicates progressive SWward migration of the depocentre. Late Cretaceous ophiolite obduction and plate margin convergence exerted a major influence on stratigraphic architecture, and controlled depocentre migration and foreland basin evolution.     

CHEMOSTRATIGRAPHY OF CENOMANIAN–TURONIAN CARBONATES OF THE SARVAK FORMATION,SOUTHERN IRAN

Stable‐isotope and trace‐element analyses from five surface and subsurface sections of the mid‐Cretaceous Sarvak Formation in southern and offshore Iran confirm the presence of the regional‐scale Turonian unconformity and of a more local Cenomanian–Turonian unconformity. The geochemical results indicate the presence of previously unrecognized and/or undifferentiated subaerial exposure surfaces. Sarvak Formation carbonates at or near palaeo‐exposure surfaces show varying degrees of diagenetic modification, and more extensive alteration is associated with longer periods of exposure. The subaerial exposure and associated diagenetic processes greatly influenced reservoir quality and amplified karstification and evolution of porosity in the Upper Sarvak Formation. The palaeo‐exposure surfaces are identified by their negative δ¹³C values (as low as – 6.4%) and negative δ¹⁸O values (as low as –9.4%), together with low Sr concentrations and relatively high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. These geochemical characteristics are interpreted to be the result of the interaction of the Sarvak Formation carbonates with meteoric waters charged with atmospheric CO₂. The meteoric waters also caused karstification and soil formation which in some places extends a few metres below the exposure surfaces. Depleted carbon values were not recorded in areas where palaeosols are not well developed or where the uppermost layers of the Sarvak Formation have been removed by erosion.     

华北板块南缘原型沉积盆地类型与构造演化

华北板块南缘原型沉积盆地类型受构造演化控制,古生代—中三叠世华北与扬子两大板块由“开”到“合”,华北板块南缘也从被动大陆边缘(Z—O₂)到抬升剥蚀(O₃—C₁)再到前陆复理石沉积盆地(C₂—P₂);晚三叠—早侏罗世,两大板块碰撞造山形成著名的中央造山带,与造山藕合形成磨拉石沉积盆地;中侏罗—早白垩世,造山期后造山带内部拆沉的同时,造山带边缘拆离,形成后缘伸展与前缘冲断的复杂构造类型;后期受古太平洋板块(库拉、伊则奈奇板块)和太平洋板块活动控制,形成伸展断陷和坳陷盆地。不同时期原型盆地类型不同,对于油气勘探原则具有重要意义。      

下扬子北缘前陆盆地构造演化及沉积特征

下扬子北缘主要受扬子板块、华北板块和秦岭微板块相互作用控制,自晚二叠世开始,扬子板块向北俯冲于秦岭微板块之下,构造环境由拉伸向挤压转换,于中三叠世形成下扬子北缘前陆盆地。下扬子北缘前陆盆地自萌芽至消亡可划分为3个演化阶段:1)萌芽阶段(P₃—T₁),形成被动大陆边缘盆地,发育深水—半深水复理石建造;2)兴盛阶段(T₂—T₃),由海相前陆盆地向陆相前陆盆地转化,发育海相和陆相磨拉石沉积;3)持续发育—消亡阶段(J_1-2),形成陆内前陆盆地,发育陆相含煤碎屑岩沉积。各演化阶段沉积特征不同,主要体现了由海相沉积向陆相沉积的连续渐进演化,且各阶段的沉积沉降中心基本一致,具有海相—陆相沉积叠合特征。     

松辽盆地南部下白垩统层序构型及沉积特征

综合分析地质、地震和钻井资料，将松辽盆地南部中生界下白垩统地层从沙河子组到泉头组（K₁sh-K₁q₁）划分为5个二级层序、14个三级层序，建立了松辽盆地南部地区的层序地层格架。根据其构造演化特征，将5个二级层序划分为断陷型、断坳转换型和坳陷型三类。研究表明，构造运动控制了松辽盆地南部的沉积相类型，沉积相展布特征为火山岩-冲积扇-辫状河-辫状河扇三角洲-湖泊-水下重力流、冲积扇-扇三角洲-湖泊-水下重力流组合，以及曲流河-辫状河组合。该区的碎屑岩储集体（层）主要包括沙河子组的扇三角洲沉积体系储集体、营城组的冲积扇体系储集体、登娄库组的辫状河沉积体系储集体以及泉一段的曲流河沉积体系储集体。储集层岩性主要以含砾中、粗砂岩和中、细砂岩为主，粉砂岩次之，油气显示多存在于细砂岩中。     

TECTONO‐STRATIGRAPHIC EVOLUTION OF THE NW SEGMENT OF THE ZAGROS FOLD‐THRUST BELT,KURDISTAN, NE IRAQ

The Kurdistan (NW) segment of the Zagros fold‐thrust belt, located in the Kurdistan Region of NE Iraq, forms the external part of the Zagros orogen and is bounded by the Zagros suture to the NE. To the SW is the Arabian Plate into which the deformation front has migrated progressively, beginning in the Late Cretaceous and culminating in the Tertiary. Regional compression resulted in obduction of the Mawat ophiolites and emplacement of the Avroman and Qulqula nappes onto the continental margin, and the formation of the Kurdistan foreland basin. In this paper, structural, stratigraphic and palaeontological data together with new field observations are used to investigate the tectono‐stratigraphic evolution of this basin, and to study the propagation of the deformation front from the Zagros Imbricate Zone in the NE towards the Mesopotamian foredeep in the SW. Six unconformities within the Kurdistan foreland basin succession are recognized: Turonian (base‐AP9; 92 Ma); Danian (base‐AP10; 65 Ma); Paleocene–Eocene (intra‐AP10; 55 Ma); late Eocene (top‐AP10; 34 Ma); middle‐upper Miocene (a local unconformity; intra‐AP11; 12 Ma); and Pleistocene. These unconformities can be divided into two groups; obduction‐related (Turonian, Danian, and Paleocene‐Eocene); and collision‐related (late Eocene, middle‐upper Miocene, and Pleistocene). The geographical position of the unconformities is used to determine the rate of propagation of the deformation front, which is estimated at ca. 3 mm/yr. This is in agreement with previous studies which suggested a NW‐ward decrease in the propagation rate. The rate was most rapid (2.95 mm/yr) in the Low Zagros Fold‐Thrust Zone and slower (2.06 mm/yr) in the High Zagros Fold‐Thrust Zone. The more rapid propagation rate in the former area may be attributed to the presence there of the Miocene Lower Fars Formation which acted as a shallow décollement surface. Within the Zagros fold‐thrust belt, the intensity of deformation decreases towards the foreland (SW). Deformation in the High Zagros Fold‐Thrust Zone is characterized by thrust imbricates and high amplitude fault‐propagation folds at the surface separated by narrow synclines. However, the Low Zagros Fold‐Thrust Zone (Simply Folded Belt) is characterised by detachments and low amplitude fault propagation folds separated by broad synclines. In the foredeep area, folds are confined to the subsurface. Deeply buried Jurassic units, together with Upper Cretaceous – Paleocene siliciclastics, and the evaporite‐dominated Lower Fars Formation may have acted as décollement surfaces in the NW segment of the Zagros fold‐thrust belt, and controlled the structural geometry and evolution of the area.     

STRUCTURAL STYLE AND KINEMATIC EVOLUTION OF THE HIGH ZAGROS,IRAN

The High Zagros in Iran, the most internal zone of the Zagros fold‐and‐thrust belt, is discontinuous and is only present in two mountainous areas located in the central and eastern parts of the belt respectively. Compared to other zones of the Zagros fold‐and‐thrust belt, the High Zagros has been relatively poorly studied. We present here new maps of these regions together with six new cross‐sections and two associated kinematic models. In addition to the well‐known basal décollement level located in the Upper Proterozoic Hormuz Formation, there is evidence for the existence of a deep intermediate décollement located within the Ordovician‐Silurian shale succession. From a geometric point of view, activation of this detachment and of the basal detachment has caused the development of duplexes which are confined within the cores of anticlines. From a kinematic point of view, a two‐phase history is suggested. During the first thin‐skinned phase, large detachment folds developed over the Hormuz salt and different intermediate décollements were activated together with fore‐ and back‐thrusts. This was followed by a thick‐skinned phase marked by the activation of major out‐of‐sequence basement thrusts, partly inherited from old basement faults. This final and still active phase of deformation is responsible for the exhumation of the Lower Palaeozoic succession. Finally, this kinematic model is integrated into a general tectonic scenario for the Zagros fold‐and‐thrust belt.     

A REVIEW OF PERMO‐TRIASSIC RESERVOIR ROCKS IN THE ZAGROS AREA,SW IRAN: INFLUENCE OF THE QATAR‐FARS ARCH

Four “supergiant” and numerous giant gasfields have been discovered in the Zagros area of SW Iran. The gasfields are concentrated in the eastern part of the foldbelt, in Fars Province and the adjacent offshore, and produce from Permo‐Triassic carbonates equivalent to the Khuff Formation. The carbonates belong to the upper member of the Dalan Formation and the overlying Kangan Formation. Reservoir rock quality is strongly influenced by tectonic setting and depositional environment, and also by diagenesis. The highest quality reservoirs occur in oolitic shoal facies; fracturing (especially in onshore fields) and dolomitisation (in offshore fields) have also influenced reservoir quality. Anhydrite plugging is common in reservoirs in offshore fields, while calcite cementation is dominant in onshore reservoirs. Facies variations in the Dalan‐Kangan Formations appear to correspond to syndepositional palaeohighs and depocentres. In the Eastern Zagros (Fars area), thickening of the Dalan Formation corresponds to a Mid‐Late Permian depocentre referred to here as the Permian Fars Basin. As a result of sea level fall, this depocentre evolved into a hypersaline lagoon with evaporite deposition (Nar Member). In the Triassic, the depocentre evolved into a palaeohigh as indicated by thinning and facies changes in the Kangan Formation. The results of this study draw attention to variations in the reservoir quality of the Dalan‐Kangan Formations. Much of this variation was due to the influence of the Qatar‐Fars Arch.     

INTEGRATED GRAVITY AND SEISMIC INVESTIGATION OVER THE JABAL HAFIT STRUCTURE: IMPLICATIONS FOR BASEMENT CONFIGURATION OF THE FRONTAL FOLD-AND-THRUST BELT OF THE NORTHERN OMAN MOUNTAINS

A gravity survey was conducted over and around Jabal Hafit, located on the border between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman on the western edge of the northern Oman Mountains, as part of a study to investigate the subsurface structures and sedimentary sequences of the area. This new data, together with outcrop geology, well data and measurements of physical properties of rock samples, was integrated with a new interpretation of reprocessed commercial seismic reflection profiles recorded across the Jabal Hafit anticline. We recognize five major tectonostratigraphic sequences in the seismic profiles: Mesozoic shelf carbonates; Upper Cretaceous foreland (primarily Fiqa Formation); the Hawasina allochthon; and Upper Cretaceous to Lower Tertiary, and Upper Tertiary sequences. The seismic sections suggest that Jabal Hafit represents a backfolded anticline associated with a steep east‐vergent thrust that probably lies above a blind thrust fault along the base of the foreland basin sequence at depth. The lack of onlapping and thinning in the Lower Tertiary sequence suggests that the initiation of folding may have started after the Oligocene‐Miocene and corresponds to the beginning of the collision of Arabia and central Iran along the Zagros suture in Iran. In addition, the seismic sections suggest a pop‐up structure beneath the Jabal Hafit structure at the base of the foreland basin sequence. The structure is bounded by high‐angle listric reverse faults that cut downward through the Mesozoic shelf carbonates and are interpreted to be related to the inversion of deep structures. NNW to SSE trending positive residual gravity anomalies of up to +8 mGal occur on the Jabal Hafit and Al‐Ain anticlines. These positive gravity highs are attributed to uplifted basement structures which probably resulted from the reactivation of deep‐seated fault blocks. The residual Bouguer anomaly values decline gradually to the east and west of Jabal Hafit probably due to the deepening of the basement. A large negative gravity anomaly of 相似文献   

PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF THE NOGAL BASIN AND SURROUNDING AREA,NORTHERN SOMALIA: PART 1, STRATIGRAPHY AND TECTONIC EVOLUTION

In this study, 92 closely‐spaced reflection seismic profiles (～4000 line‐km) were tied to biostratigraphic and lithological data from six deep exploration wells in the poorly‐known Nogal rift basin, northern Somalia, and were integrated with outcrop and aeromagnetic data to investigate the basin stratigraphy and tectonic evolution. Aeromagnetic data show NW‐SE trending magnetic anomalies which are interpreted as plutonic bodies intruded during the Early Cretaceous, probably contemporaneously with a pre‐Cenomanian uplift phase. The aeromagnetic data also suggest a change of basement type from Inda Ad Series metasediments in the SE of the study area to igneous and high‐grade metamorphic basement in the NW. Biostratigraphic data and seismic reflection profiles define the Nogal Basin as a WNW–ESE striking half‐graben, approximately 250 km long and 40 km wide, which formed as a result of mainly Cenomanian–Maastrichtian and Oligocene–Miocene intracontinental rifting. The depocentre contains at least 7000 m of Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments and is located in the centre of the basin (east of well Nogal‐1), to the south of the Shileh Madu Range. To the north, the basin is bounded by a major border fault along which significant variations in the thickness of sedimentary units are observed, suggesting that the fault controlled basin architecture and patterns of sedimentation. Oligocene–Miocene normal faults which resulted in north‐tilted fault blocks are widespread within the main basin; smaller‐scale sub‐basins oriented NW‐SE to WNW‐ESE are observed to the NW of the basin and probably developed contemporaneously. The Late Jurassic rift phase which has been documented elsewhere in northern Somalia is either missing in the Nogal Basin or is preserved only in localised grabens in the western and central parts of the basin. This is probably due to the pre‐Cenomanian uplift and erosion which removed almost the entire Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous successions over a wide area referred to as the Nogal‐Erigavo Arch. A more pronounced rifting episode followed this erosional event in the Cenomanian–Maastrichtian and resulted in the deposition of well‐sorted fluvio‐deltaic sandstones (Gumburo and Jesomma Formations), more than 2000 m thick. In wells in the Nogal Basin, these formations are between two and three times thicker than in wells drilled in footwall locations, and include excellent reservoir rocks sealed by transgressive mudstones and carbonates. A final rifting event in the Oligocene–Miocene was related to the opening of the Gulf of Aden. A rift sag phase which accommodated the Early Oligocene continental sediments of the Nogal Group initially developed at the centre of the basin. This was followed by a period of strong rotational faulting and tilting, which reactivated the Cenomanian–Maastrichtian structures.     

FLOW UNIT DISTRIBUTION AND RESERVOIR MODELLING IN CRETACEOUS CARBONATES OF THE SARVAK FORMATION,ABTEYMOUR OILFIELD,DEZFUL EMBAYMENT,SW IRAN

Carbonate sediments within the Mid‐Cretaceous Sarvak Formation form an important reservoir at the Abteymour oilfield in the western Dezful Embayment, SW Iran. The poroperm characteristics of this reservoir were controlled by factors including deposition under tropical climatic conditions and early diagenesis, repeated phases of subaerial exposure due to local, regional and global‐scale tectonism, and diagenetic modification during burial. From microfacies analysis, the Sarvak Formation carbonates in the Abteymour field were interpreted in a previous study as having been deposited on a homoclinal ramp‐type platform. Three third‐order sequences were recognized in the middle Cenomanian to middle Turonian part of the formation. The reservoir quality of the carbonates was enhanced both by dissolution (comprising separate phases of eogenetic and telogenetic meteoric dissolution) and dolomitization (especially stylolite‐related dolomitization). In this paper, a rock/pore type approach was used in order to integrate petrophysical data with facies and diagenetic models within a sequence stratigraphic framework. Two different rock‐typing methods for the determination of flow units were considered. Hydraulic flow units (HFUs) were identified firstly using flow zone indicators and secondly using a stratigraphic modified Lorenz plot. The flow units resulting from these two methods are compared, and their close correspondence within the sequence stratigraphic framework is discussed. In addition, the previously‐used large‐scale reservoir zonation scheme for the Abteymour field is correlated with the defined flow units, and four new Integrated Reservoir Zones are introduced. By integrating geological information with petrophysical parameters (including porosity, permeability and saturation) within a sequence stratigraphic framework, field‐scale variations and controls on reservoir quality are described.     

BURIAL,TEMPERATURE AND MATURATION HISTORY OF CRETACEOUS SOURCE ROCKS IN THE NW PERSIAN GULF,OFFSHORE SW IRAN: 3D BASIN MODELLING

This study presents a 3D numerical model of a study area in the NW part of the Persian Gulf, offshore SW Iran. The purpose is to investigate the burial and thermal history of the region from the Cretaceous to the present day, and to investigate the location of hydrocarbon generating kitchens and the relative timing of hydrocarbon generation/migration versus trap formation. The study area covers about 20,000 km² and incorporates part of the intra‐shelf Garau‐Gotnia Basin and the adjacent Surmeh‐Hith carbonate platform. A conceptual model was developed based on the interpretation of 2700 km of 2D seismic lines, and depth and thickness maps were created tied to data from 20 wells. The thermal model was calibrated using bottom‐hole temperature and vitrinite reflectance data from ten wells, taking into account the main phases of erosion/non‐deposition and the variable temporal and spatial heat flow histories. Estimates of eroded thicknesses and the determination of heat‐flow values were performed by burial and thermal history reconstruction at various well and pseudo‐well locations. Burial, temperature and maturation histories are presented for four of these locations. Detailed modelling results for Neocomian and Albian source rock successions are provided for six locations in the intra‐shelf basin and the adjacent carbonate platform. Changes in sediment supply and depocentre migration through time were analyzed based on isopach maps representing four stratigraphic intervals between the Tithonian and the Recent. Backstripping at various locations indicates variable tectonic subsidence and emergence at different time periods. The modelling results suggest that the convergence between the Eurasian and Arabian Plates which resulted in the Zagros orogeny has significantly influenced the burial and thermal evolution of the region. Burial depths are greatest in the study area in the Binak Trough and Northern Depression. These depocentres host the main kitchen areas for hydrocarbon generation, and the organic‐rich Neocomian and Albian source rock successions have been buried sufficiently deeply to be thermally mature. Early oil window maturities for these successions were reached between the Late Cretaceous (90 Ma) and the early Miocene (18 Ma) at different locations, and hydrocarbon generation may continue at the present‐day.     

TECTONOSTRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE UPPER CAMBRIAN – DEVONIAN SEDIMENTARY SUCCESSION IN THE CENTRAL DARLING BASIN,SE AUSTRALIA: AN INTEGRATED INTERPRETATION OF SEISMIC,GRAVITY AND WELL DATA

This paper presents a tectonostratigraphic interpretation based on seismic, gravity and well data of the Upper Cambrian through Devonian sedimentary succession in the central part of the Darling Basin, New South Wales (SE Australia). A composite roughly north‐south trending 2D seismic section through this area, tied to two exploration wells, defines four unconformity‐bound second‐order seismic megasequences. The megasequences are: A, Upper Cambrian – Middle Ordovician (Llanvirnian?); B, uppermost Silurian – Lower Devonian (Emsian); C, upper Lower Devonian – lower Middle Devonian (Givetian); and D, upper Middle Devonian – Upper Devonian (Famennian). The megasequences are bounded by prominent seismic marker horizons which represent phases of regional‐scale orogenic activity. The composite 2D section studied is about 150 km long and traverses from north to south the Pondie Range sub‐basin, the inverted Wilcannia High and the Blantyre sub‐basin. Along the section, the Upper Cambrian to Devonian succession is deformed into a series of large‐scale, fault‐associated anticlines and synclines including the Avon High, an asymmetric anticlinal fold associated with several high‐angle reverse faults. Major faults extend into, and flatten within, the basement. The top‐basement surface is characterized by broad highs and lows which are represented on a gravity map of the study area. The map shows that the Wilcannia High defines the northern margin of the Blantyre sub‐basin and the southern margin of the Pondie Range sub‐basin. These sub‐basins are in general defined by gravity lows. The development of the Blantyre and Pondie Range sub‐basins can be divided into five tectonostratigraphic phases during which there were distinct patterns of fault activity and regional subsidence. These phases are investigated using a restoration model which involves the successive removal of each seismic megasequence in turn, assuming simple vertical shear. The model provides new constraints on the distribution of structural and stratigraphic features which are relevant for future hydrocarbon exploration.