Sedimentary characteristics of the Jurassic shelf-edge delta and oil and gas exploration in the Papuan Basin

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2020.5.16

Abstract

Abstract:

In order to ascertain the sedimentary characteristics of the Jurassic and their relationships with oil and gas exploration in the Papuan basin, on the basis of previous studies of the sedimentary background and paleosource in the basin, we performed joint analyses of seismic, logging and core facies in comparisons with the surrounding Browse basin, from which we identified microfacies and described the vertical and horizontal spreads of the basin’s sedimentary systems. Then by comparing the hydrocarbon indices and reservoir physical properties of different sedimentary deposition zones, we defined the favorable source rock and reservoir developmental areas to guide oil and gas exploration. The results show that (1) the Papuan basin featured broad and gentle paleogeomorphology during the Jurassic of the Mesozoic era sloping downward from SW to NE. The main provenance was from the Australia paleocontinents and the peripheral bulge provided local material sources. The Jurassic Formation deposited thick passive continental margin delta sediment, and the microfacies were distributary channels, underwater channels, mouth bars and inter-distributary channels. Its sedimentary characteristics were similar to that of the Plover group of the Jurassic Browse basin also in the northern edge of Australia. (2) The dominant components of the delta came from the southwest, with four delta phases developing vertically in succession through two major regressive and transgressive cycles dominated by an ascending half cycle. The Magobu formation of the middle-lower Jurassic was dominated by a progradational stacking sequence and had sufficient provenance and strong hydrodynamic force, while the Imburu formation of the upper Jurassic mainly consisted of retrogradational sequence with stable mudstone deposition on the top. On the plane, the sedimentary sequence was delta plain-delta front-semi deep water-deep water, with the delta distributing widely. The Papuan fold belt was mainly in the delta front, and the front-end sandbodies were transformed into finger- or point-like ones by the tidal action. (3) The source rocks from the Jurassic Magobu and Koi Iange prodeltas were relatively good, while the winnowed and strongly transformed mouth bars in the delta front had the best physical properties to be the optimal zones for reservoir, and the thrust traps in this belt can be potential exploration targets.

Key words: oil and gas exploration, sedimentary facies characteristics, sedimentary evolution, Jurassic, Papuan basin

CLC Number:

ZHANG Yina, CAI Wenjie, YANG Songling, ZHANG Ke, CHEN Jingyang. Sedimentary characteristics of the Jurassic shelf-edge delta and oil and gas exploration in the Papuan Basin[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2021, 28(1): 167-176.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1 Tectonic units and stratigraphic column of the Papuan Basin

Fig.2 Regional structural profile of the Papuan Basin (profile location see Fig.1). Modified from [7].

Fig.3 Crossplot of heavy mineral ratios and cumulative probability curve of zircon ages for Cretaceous sandstone. Modified from [2].

Fig.4 Lower Jurassic palaeogeography of the northern margin of the Australian plate. Modified from [11,17].

Fig.5 Major sedimentary types and corresponding litho-electrical characteristics of the Jurassic in the Papuan Basin

Fig.6 Photographs of core facies associations identified in the Jurassic delta in the Plover Formation, Browse Basin. Modified from [18].

Fig.7 Typical progradation profile of the Papuan Basin

Fig.8 Comparison of the multi-well sedimentary facies in the Jurassic delta

Fig.9 Sedimentary facies of the Jurassic formations of the Papuan Basin

Fig.10 A sedimentary model showing the relationship between the Jurassic delta and oil and gas exploration in the Papuan Basin

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