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PR.OCEEDINGS INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Twenty First Annual Convention, October 1992

EFFECTS OF SEA LEVEL DROPS DURING LATE EARLY MIOCENE

TO THE RESERVOIRS IN SOUTH PALEMBANG SUB BASIN,
SOUTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA

N. Sitompul *
Rudiyanto *
A. Wirawan *
Y. Zaim **

ABSTRACT (figure-2). The NE - SW trending faults have been

Sea level drops in the South Palembang Sub Basin
during Late Early Miocene were obviously identified.
The seismics, well logs, and paleontological data
indicate the occurence of sea level drops in late N-6 that
formed the N-6 sequence boundary. In late N-7 another
drop caused the N-7 sequence boundary. The effects of
the sea level drop occured during the Late N-6 were
identified in Lower Talang Akar Formation. The sea
level drop of N-6 formed thick sand bodies which could
be as reservoirs, and the late N-7 sea level drop
produced the secondary porosity for hydrocarbon
carbonate reservoirs in this area.
INTRODUCTION
South Palembang Sub Basin is the most hydrocarbon
productive area, situated in the southern part of South
Sumatra Basin (Figure-1). Seismic, well log, and
paleontological data have been analysed. Stratigraphic
synthesis in this study is based on the stratigraphic
(chronostratigraphic) sequences. The purpose of this
study is to determine the effects of sea level changes to
the development of sedimentation and hydrocarbon
reservoirs in South Palembang Sub Basin.
GENERAL GEOLOGY
The subduction of Indian-Australian Plate during
Middle Mesozoic has produced the NW - SE fault
pattern (e.g. Sumatra and Malaka faults). The Late
Cretaceous - Early Tertiary tectonics have formed N - S
ward of normal fault (Lembak and Talang Babat faults)
* Pertamina
** Institute Technology Bandung
formed during Intra (Middle) Basin were reactivated
by Plio-Pleistocene tectonics (Lematang and Merbau
faults). General lithostratigraphic units of South
Palembang Sub Basin are as follows (figure-3):
The Basement (BSM)
BSM consists of metamorphic rocks (slate and phylllite)
and granitic intrussions as the basement Tertiary basin.
These basement rocks of Early Cretaceous (121 + 30
m.y.j as a source for the Tertiary sedimentation.
Secondary porosity (fracturesj of the basement rocks
has good potentials for hydrocarbon reservoirs in some
fields in South Palembang Sub-basin, e.g. Air Serdang
and Beringin fields (Sardjito et.al. 1991).
Lahat Formation (LAF)
Lahat Formation (LAF) lies unconformably above the
basement rocks, consists of coarse and conglomeratic
tuffaceous sandstone and tuffs at the lower part
and shale (”Benakat Shale”) at the upper part. This
formation is Eocene - Oligocene in age and was
deposited in the alluvial fan system. Geochemical
studies indicate that the shale of upper LAF (”Benakat
Shale”) could be as source rocks.
Talang Akar Formation (TAF)
Lower part of these formation, namely ”Gritsand
Member” (GRM) lies unconformably above Lahat
Formation (LAF). This member is dominated by thick
beds of medium to coarse sand and interbedded by
thin layers of coal (TLJ-204 & KRG-9 wells). The
upper part of TAF is ”Transition Member” (TRM)
which consists of shales, clays, sands, and interbedded
by thin layers of coals, rich with pyrites, glauconites
310
and foraminiferas. Talang Akar Formation (TAF) was
deposited during Late Oligocene - Early Miocene.
Baturaja Formation (BRF)
This formation lies conformably above the TAF,
consist of reef limestone and the beds of clastic
limestone which were deposited during Early - Middle
Miocene. The reefs of BRF are good hydrocarbon
reservoirs in some oil fields (e.g. Merbau, Pagardewa,
Lembak fields).
Gumai Formation (GUF)
The Gumai Formation consists of shale, clay within
beds of claystone and sandstone, rich with fora-
miniferas. This formation was deposited during Middle
Miocene of maximum transgression.
Air Benakat Formation (ABF)
This formation was deposited during regressive period
in Middle to Upper Miocene, mainly consists of clay
with foraminiferas. The claystone and sandstone layers
are found increase to the upper part of this formation.
Muara Enim Formation (MEF)
The MEF sedimentation of fluvial to shallow marine
took place during Upper Miocene. This formation
consists of shale, claystone and sandstone with some
layers of coals.
Kasai Formation (KAF)
The Kasai Formation (KAF) was deposited in fluvial to
terrestrial and environtments and lies conformably
above the Muara Enim Formation. It consists of inter-
bedded claystones and tuffaceous sandstone of Pliocene
age.
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Since the development of seismic stratigraphy by
Mitchum et. al. (1977) and Vail et. al. (1977) based on
the eustatic sea level changes, this method then was
widely accepted in petroleum exploration. Posamentier
(1983) and Van Wagoner (1983) developed the
accomodation model and its relation with sedimentation
(lateral and vertical of stratal pattern in space and time)
as the result of interaction between eustacy and sub-
sidence. This model could be interpreted from well logs,
cores and outcrops as well as seismic and paleontologi-
cal data (Vail, 1990). Chronostratigraphic analysis was
raised as consequence of the new concept in strati-
graphy. The basic unit in sequence stratigraphy is
sequence which bounded by unconformity and their
correlative conformities, consists of parasequences and
parasequence sets (Posamen tier, 1983; Van Wagoner,
1983 and Vail et.al, 1990). To stratigraphic sequences
of Late-Early Miocene have been recognized in South
Palembang Sub Basin in this study. They are the
sequence boundaries of late N-6 (SB-N6, 15.5 m.y.)
and the late N-7 (SB-N7, 16.5 m.y.), which affected
mainly the Talang Akar (TAF) and Baturaja (BRF)
formations (figures 4, 5 and 6).
The first sequence (sequence N-6) began when
lowstand (LST) sedimentation took place overlaying
Lahat Formation (LAF). Well logs and seismics facies
indicate the sedimentation of deltaic environment.
Estuarine and beach sedimentation had occured during
sea level raised of transgressive periode (TST) upon
lowstand deposits. The transgressive deposits then
overlaid by sedimentation of prograded deltaic sedi-
ments during high-stand period (HST). This sequences
of sedimentation in some places formed the GRM of
Talang Akar Formation and the source of sediments
were derived mainly from northeast, southeast and also
probably from southwest (Figures 7 - 9).
The sedimentation of N-6 ended with the occurence of
sea level drop at the late of N-6 which formed sequence
boundary N-6. The presence of sequence boundary N-6
have also been recognized by Van Gorse1 (1988) from
well L-1 in South Sumatra Basin. The lowstand (LST)
sedimentation occured above sequence boundary N-6
indicates the beginning of second sequence sedi-
mentation (sequence N-7) and formed the deposition of
TRM of Talang Akar Formation in some places. The
sedimentation continued during transgressive period
(TST) yielding the alternation of shale and sand of
estuarine and beach environments. Pendopo shale was
the product of marine flooding at the end of trans-
gression. The last sedimentation occured at the high-
stand (HST) period produced reefal limestones on
basement high and clastics as well as clastic limestones
in low areas (figures 10 - 12).
EFFECTS OF SEA LEVEL DROPS TO THE
RESERVOIRS DEVELOPMENTS
Sequence stratigraphic analysis indicate the presence of
two type of reservoirs. They are clastic and carbonate
reservoirs. The clastic reservoirs are sandstones
occured in sequences N-6 and N-7 which deposited in
delta plain and delta front during lowstand and high-
stand, and sandstones of beach or estuarine of trans-
gressive sedimentation. The carbonate reservoirs are
reef limestones which deposited in shelf environment
during highstand periode of N-7.

Figures 7 - 9 and 10 - 12 show the development of
depositional facies of each system tract during N-6 and
N-7. They also show the distribution of delta plain,
delta front, beach or estuarine environments as well
as paleogeography during the sedimentation. These
depositional environments which formed the reservoir
rocks followed the paleo margin of the basin. There-
fore, these areas have reservoirs potensial although
detail study of the reservoir layers (e.g. physical
properties) are still needed.
The depositional sequence of N-6 yielded the thick
layers of GRM. Core sample studies of GRM sand-
stone in well BRG-3A from depth 2232.5 - 2235 m show
the porosity 23.9 to 26.2%. Petrographic examination
indicate very poor to moderately sorted and angular to
subrounded. Sutured grain-grain contacts are common
and show that up to 65% of total porosity as secondary
origin. Matrix consists of smectite (2.85 - 19.53%), illite
(3.41 - 28.14%) and kaolinite (52.33 - 96.49%). These
data display a wide variation in estimated of porosity,
ranging from poor to very good. However, from wells
KRG-9, TLJ-204 have reported the presence of oil
streak in the sandstone layers of the GRM. The lack
of hydrocarbon in the GRM probably due to lack of
effective impermeable seal layers above the reservoir
layers.
The sedimentation of sequence N-7 resulted the clastic
reservoir of sandstone layers of TRM and carbonate
reservoirs of BRF reef limestones. Core sample analysis
of sandstone layers of TRM in well Beringin-3A (depth
2151.3 - 2154.3 m) presence the porosity development
varies fair to very good (15.0 - 25.6%). Helium porosity
values range between 15.0 and 24.3%. Petrographic
evidence indicates that up to 60% of the porosity is
secondary origin resulted from grain and detrital
clay dissolution. These sample show good sorted and
roundness. The matrix consists rare of smectite (1.45 -
3.02%), illite (1.41 - 3.89) and abundant of kaolinite
(90.81 - 98.59%). In well Lembak-A2 at depth 1500 m,
TRM has porosity 22.5%0, while in Lembak-A3 at
depth 1520 - 1525 m the porosity is 26%, show good
reservoir as provided by the occurence of oils in these
sandstone layers.
Generally, the carbonate reservoir of reef limestones
give economic values which provided by the existence
of oil and mostly gas production. This phenomena
indicates that the reef limestones are good reservoirs for
hydrocarbon in South Palembang Sub Basin. Wahana
Karsa Mulia (1988) reported that in Merbau-Talang
Babat Area, the limestone have fair to good porosities.
In well Merbau-1 average porosities 14%, Tasim 12%
porosities, Prabumenang has 16% and Pagardewa has
15%. Geoservices (1990) reported that the presence of
311
stylolites and open or partially cemented fractures
made the facilities of these carbonate rocks to trap light
hydrocarbon, especially gas. The investigation of some
limestones from well BRG-6 by Sumber Daya Bumi
(1991) resulted the similar character.
According to Sumber Daya Bumi (1991) the carbonate
rocks have porosities range between 5 to 20% which
indicate the capabilities to produce gas. The other data
from well Lembak-A1 indicate that reef limestones at
depth 1334 - 1350 m has average porosity of 35.9% is
good reservoirs which produce gas.
The recent sequence stratigraphic studies show that the
carbonate reservoirs of reef limestones were affected
by sea level drop of late N-7. This sea level drop
was also formed sequence boundary of late N-7 and
resulting subarea1 expose of reefal limestones.
Seismic reflection indicates that during late of N-7 part
of South Palembang Sub Basin was exposed above sea
level as indicated by onlap pattern of Gumai shale.
Therefore, this area should be influenced by vadose
environment and produced high porosity zones in the
limestones. Rapid transgression of the Gumai shale
must be the cause for preserving this porous zones from
further digenetic processes.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors deeply grateful to the management of
Pertamina for permission to publish this paper.
REFERENCES
Geoservices, PT. 1990. Petrographic, scanning electron
microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis of the
Tasim-1 and Tasim-2 wells South Sumatra, Indonesia.
Pertamina UEP Sumbagsel.
Mitchum R.M., Vail P.R. and Sangre J.B.,1977.
Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level -
part 6, in Payton, C.E. (Ed.), Seismic stratigraphy
Application to hydrocarbon Exploration. A A P G ,
Mem. 26, p. 117-133.
Posamentier, H.W., 1983. Eustatic controls on clastic
depositional stratal patterns in subsiding basin margins.
Exxon Prod. res. Co. rept., 109 EX 83.
Sardjito, Fadianto E . , Djumlati and Hansen S . , 1991.
Hydrocarbon prospect of Pre Tertiary basement in
Kuang Area, South Sumatra. Proc. ZPA 20th Annual
Convention, 255-277.
312
Sumber Daya Bumi, 1991. Penelitian dan Evaluasi
Geokimia & Petrografi Sumur Eksplorasi BRG-6
Prabumulih Sumatra Selatan. Arsip Pertamina U E P
Sumbagsel
Suseno, P.H., Zakaria., Mujahidin, N., Subroto,
E . A . , 1992. Contribution of Lahat Formation as
hydrocarbon source rock in South Palembang Area,
South Sumatra, Indonesia. Pertamina U E P Sumbagsel.
Vail, P.R., Mitchum, R.M. ,Jr., and Thompson, S . , 111,
1977. Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea
level, in Payton, C.E (Ed), Seismic Stratigraphy-
Application to Hydrocarbon Exploration. AAPG,
Mem. 26, p. 83-97.
Vail, P.R., Audemard, F., Bowman, S.A., Eisner,
P.N. and Perez-Cruz, G., 1990. The Statigraphic
signatures of tectonics, Eustacy and Sedimentation.
Dept. of Geol. and Geoph., Rice Univ., Houston,
Texas.
Van Wagoner, J.C., 1983. Parasequences, para-
sequence sets and sequences in well logs, cores, and
outcrops. Exxon Prod. Res. 44 Ex. 87,31 pp.
Wahana Karsa Mulya, 1990. Geological and geophysical
study Talang Babat, Merbau Area, South Sumatra
Basin. Pertamina UE P Sumbagsel.
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