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PROCEEDINGS INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Twenty first Annual Convention, October 1992

THE MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF THE TIMOR GAP

AND ITS BEARING ON THE HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL
OF EASTERN INDONESIA

Steve Brown *

ABSTRACT Morgan and Partridge (1987). This work allowed

The Mesozoic stratigraphy of the Timor Gap area
presents an interesting record of major tectonic events
affecting the northern margin of the Australian
continent. The high resolution obtained from biostrati-
graphic analysis allows detailed correlation with
sections in Eastern Indonesia, particularly Misool, Sula
and Timor, as well as Papua New Guinea. The strati-
graphic setting of source rocks and reservoirs in
the Timor Gap allows informed speculation on the
exploration potential of basins along the margin of the
Australian craton, in particular the basins in Indonesian
territory associated with the Banda Arc.
The magnitude of tectonic events in the Mesozoic,
related to the rifting and breakup of the Gondwanaland
continent, is reflected in the great lateral extent of
certain distinctive stratigraphic units. A comparison
of various areas along the northern margin of the
Australian craton and around the Banda Arc, shows
that in areas where the source and reservoir units seen
in the Timor Gap are missing, hydrocarbons are scarce.
However, areas with time and facies equivalents are
proving to be hydrocarbon provinces of high potential.
In addition, some source rocks not represented in the
Timor Gap are seen to generate oil (e.g. in Seram).
INTRODUCTION
Recent renewed interest in the Timor Gap and the
entire Northwest Shelf of Australia (Fig. 1)has resulted
in the restudy of a number of wells in the area to bring
stratigraphic interpretations up to current standards.
A major step forward in the understanding of the
Mesozoic Stratigraphy of the area was the publication
of a comprehensive palynological zonation by Helby ,
* P.T. Corelab Indonesia
a level of correlation and resolution previously
unavailable.
The Timor Gap Treaty between Australia and Indonesia
rekindled interest in this disputed area. The lessons to
be learned from the stratigraphy in this part of the
Bonaparte Basin can be applied to many of the basins
of Eastern Indonesia. Figure 1 shows the geographic
and structural divisions of the area. The work of
Smith and Ross (1986) defined the major structural
relationships between Northern Australia and Eastern
Indonesia.
The major objective of the paper is to examine the
Mesozoic stratigraphic sequence seen in the Timor
Gap and to relate that sequence to the stratigraphic
sequences reported from Eastern Indonesian basins. A
cursory investigation of lithostratigraphic units and
their ages reveals that a number of distinctive units are
recognisable in many of these basins. Data on source
and reservoir units from the Timor Gap can be extra-
polated using time and lithostratigraphic constraints to
evaluate as yet largely untested basins in the region.
This paper will show the stratigraphic similarities and
differences between basins and the hydrocarbons
that have been discovered to date. In context this
information should allow future exploration to
concentrate on the most prospective parts of the
region.
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF THE TIMOR GAP
(Figure 2).
Kinmore Group
The uppermost formation in the Kinmore Group
is the Mount Goodwin Formation, consisting of
marine siltstone and shales which reach a maximum
thickness on the Londonderry High (670m). The unit is
554
characterised by abundant acritarch floras of Early
Triassic (Scythian) age and displays remarkable
similarity to shales of the same age seen in Irian Jaya,
Timor and many other E. Indonesian basins.
Troughton Group
The basal unit of the Troughton Group is the Cape
Londonderry Formation. This predominantly silici-
clastic unit was deposited under generally non-marine
conditions, however, moving from the Petrel sub-basin
northwards some marine intercalations are noted,
which indicate that the formations attributed to the
”Sahul Group” are simply more distal equivalents
of the Cape Londonderry Formation. The general
northwest-southeast paleogeographic trends seen in the
Middle to Late Triassic continue at least until the
Middle Jurassic.
The Cape Londonderry Formation is overlain by the
Malita Formation. The boundary between the two is
generally conformable, however, in a number of
areas locally unconformable boundaries are evident,
probably due to widespread salt movement. The Malita
Formation is Late Triassic to Early Jurassic (evidence
from wells in the Timor Gap area suggests the oldest
sediments of the formation to be Late Norian, rather
than Carnian as suggested by Mory; 1988). The Malita
Formation reaches c.400m in thickness in the central
Petrel sub-basin. Deposition of this formation was
generally in the form of ”red beds” though some
marine intervals are seen. The deposition of ”red beds”
in the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic was widespread,
stretching from the eastern edge of the Ashmore
Platform to Irian Jaya, indicating a major fall in sea
level.
Overlying the Malita Formation is a fluvio-deltaic
siliciclastic sequence (Plover Formation) of Early to
?Late Jurassic age. The top of the Plover Formation,
where present, has been subject to varying degrees of
erosion. Timing of the erosional event or events relies
on biostratigraphic data. Over most of the area the
youngest Plover sediments are of Late Callovian
age, with the oldest-overlying sediments being of
Kimmeridgian age. This strongly suggests that maxi-
mum erosion took place during the Oxfordian. This
unconformity has traditionally been referred to as the
”Breakup Unconformity”, however it seems more
likely to be associated with rifting prior to final
separatioii of the Australian plate in the Early
Cretaceous. This is evident from the age of sediments
deposited in rift settings, which are exclusively Late
Jurassic or younger. No evidence of rift control on
sedimentation is evident in the Middle Jurassic.
The Plover Formation is essentially fluvio-deltaic in
character, however, a distinct increase in marine
influence is seen in Bajocian and younger units of the
formation. Paleogeographic trends are also seen within
the formation. Generally they follow the pre-existing
trends with an increase in marine infldence to the
northwest.
Flamingo Group
The oldest unit of the Flamingo Group is the Frigate
Formation. This marine shale is Kimmeridgian to
Tithonian and reaches a maximum thickness of c.
370m in the Malita Graben (Heron-1). Palynological
correlations within the Frigate Formation indicate a
complex paleogeography at this time which led to
differences in lateral thickness and intervals of con-
densed sedimentation.
Overlying the Frigate Formation are the laterally
persistent marine sandstones of the Sandpiper For-
mation. Similar sandstones of Late Tithonian to
Berriasian (possibly basal Valanginian) age are
widespread in Eastern Indonesia and Papua New
Guinea (Toro Formation). The lateral relationships of
the Sandpiper Formation are complex in the Malita
Graben and Petrel sub-basin. Some lateral equivalence
is seen with the Frigate Shale whereas on the London-
derry High the Sandpiper Formation is laterally
equivalent to a condensed shale sequence in the Avocet
and Barita wells. In the Heron-1 well the time
equivalent of the Sandpiper sandstone is a thick shale
sequence.
The uppermost unit in the Flamingo Group is the
”Flamingo shale” which is formally assigned formation
status here and renamed the Flamingo Formation
(Appendix-1). Mory’s (1988) interpretation of the
stratigraphy of the Flamingo Group did not take into
account the Flamingo Formation which had been
recognised only in the Flamingo-1 well. Biostratigraphy
and log correlations indicate the presence of this unit in
the Heron-1 well and minor occurrences in the Tamar-1
and Jacaranda-1 wells. The Flamingo shale is best
developed in the grabens, with minor development of
the lower parts of the unit on the margins of the
grabens. The age of the unit is Berriasian to Barremian.
Deposition took place in relatively deep marine
conditions.
Bathurst Island Group
The Flamingo Group is overlain by the Bathurst Island
Group. The two groups are separated by a hiatus or
erosional unconformity depending on structural
setting. The lowermost unit in the Bathurst Island
Group is the Glauconitic Member of the Darwin

Formation. This unit ranges from Late Barremian to
Aptian. It consists of marine galuconitic shale of
variable thickness, is present in most parts of the basin
but is absent or of greatly reduced thickness over the
Sahul Platform.
The upper, Radiolarian Member of the Darwin For-
mation is Late Aptian to Early Albian and consists of
marine radiolarian rich shale and silt. This unit is
laterally persistent, seen in all the studied wells. Similar
radiolarites are seen from the Exmouth Plateau in the
West t o Irian Jaya in the East. The age of these units is
also Aptian t o Early Albian, indicating that conditions
were very similar over a vast area at this time.
The Darwin Formation is conformably overlain by the
Wangarlu Formation which consists of silt, shale, clays,
marls and sands with thin limestone stringers in the
lower part of the formation. Deposition took place in
marine environments of variable bathymetry related to
structural units. The age of the Wangarlu Formation is
Early Albian to Maastrichtian. A prominent feature of
value in correlation is a high gamma, black claystone
which represents a condensed sequence of the Turonian
to Coniacian age. This unit is of major significance
since it obviously relates to Turonian ”Oceanic Anoxic
Event” which is seen as far away as Northwest Europe.
Following this event, marls and calcareous claystones
become widespread. Numerous sandbodies are present
in the Cenomanian to Maastrichtian interval. However,
only one of them, the Moonkinu Sandstone Member,
has been accorded formal status. This member is of
Cenomanian age. Younger sand units although laterally
persistent have not yet been given formal lithostrati-
graphic names and are generally referred to by age.
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF TIMOR (Figure 3)
As a result of the structural complexity of Timor Island,
the actual thicknesses of given stratigraphic units are
extremely difficult to estimate with any degree of
accuracy. The following description of the Mesozoic
stratigraphy of Timor draws heavily on the work of
Audley-Charles (1965), Charlton (1989), Cook (1989)
and Bird (1989)
Triassic Formations
The oldest Mesozoic rocks on Timor are the Scythian to
Ladinian shales and fine clastics of the Niof Formation.
Strong similarities exist between the dark shales of
the Nuamfomolo Member and the Mount Goodwin
Formation in the Timor Gap. The Niof Formation is
at least in part a lateral equivalent of the pelagic
limestones of the Aitutu Formation, which in turn are
partly equivalent to the turbiditic sandstones and
555
interbedded shales of the Babulu Formation. No ”red
beds”, equivalent to the Malita Formation, are seen in
the Late Triassic on Timor, this may be due to a more
distal depositional setting or missing section. To some
extent the available evidence points to a more distal,
generally marine setting for deposition in the Middle to
Late Triassic of Timor, as compared to the equivalent
formations to the south in the Timor Gap. The Triassic
on Timor may be up to lOOOm thick.
Jurassic Formations
The pyritic, grey shales with ammonites, calcilutites,
mark and sandstones of the Wai Luli Formation form
the earliest Jurassic sediments on Timor. The youngest
unit of the Wai Luli Formation is a sequence of
Callovian sandstones with minor interbedded shales
reported by Charlton (1989). These apparently lie at
the top of the Wai Luli and have been included in the
Oe Baat Formation (Cross, 1991). On the basis of
Charlton’s work the Callovian sandstones are inter-
preted here as being the youngest member of the Wai
Luli Formation, whereas the Oe Baat Formation
consists of a sequence of Tithonian glauconitic sand-
stones bounded by unconformities and comprises a
separate lithostratigraphic unit.
The Wai Luli Formation was largely deposited in an
open marine environment in contrast to the time
equivalents in the Bonaparte Basin which are non-
marine to deltaic. Of particular interest is the similarity
of the Callovian sandstone member of the Wai Luli
Formation with the sandstones of the Plover Formation
in the Bonaparte Basin.
The Oe Baat Formation is a partial lateral equivalent of
the Tithonian to Berriasian Sandpiper Formation in the
Bonaparte Basin. This is particularly significant insofar
as the Sandpiper Formation forms part of the Flamingo
Group which is bounded by the Late Callovain ”break-
up” unconformity at its base and the intra-Early
Cretaceous unconformity at its top. If these bounding
unconformities can be correlated with those of the Oe
Baat Formation, it offers the possibility that the
rich source rocks of the Flamingo Group may have
equivalents on Timor .
Cretaceous Formations
The deep-water shales and radiolarites of the Nakfunu
Formation unconformably overlie the Oe Baat For-
mation. Although the age of the Formation is generally
accepted to be Early to Late Cretaceous, well dated
sections are rare (although this will be addressed
elsewhere; Sawyer and Brown, in prep.). Correlation
of this formation is somewhat problematical due to
556
poor dating, however, it is hypothesised that a
correlation exists between radiolarites in the Nakhnu
Formation and those of the Darwin Formation in the
Timor Gap. Radiolarites of similar Early Cretaceous
age are known from the Exmouth Plateau, Seram and
Buru.
The Late Cretaceous limestones of the Ofu Formation
are partially laterally equivalent of the Nakfunu and
extend into the Tertiary. Few equivalents are seen in
the Late Cretaceous of Eastern Indonesia with the
exception of the l’anamu Formation in the Sula Islands
and the Upper Kuma Formation on Buru Island.
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF THE KAI/
TANIMBAR ISLANDS
Very little is known of the Mesozoic stratigraphy of the
Kai and Tanimbar islands since mapped outcrop there
is predominantly Cenozoic. Van Marle and de Smet
(1990) indicate the presence of pre-Mesozoic through
Tertiary ejecta from mud volcanoes in the Kai islands,
which leads to the assumption of a substantial sub-
surface section. Further data on this section may take
some time to be published, however, a detailed study of
the ages of mud volcano ejecta certainly seems to be
warranted as a first step in the elucidation of this
sequence.
Suparmari et ul. (1987) indicate Jurassic shales to be
present rn the Babar Quadrangle. On the basis of the
minor amount of published data available, little
comment can be offered on the KadTanimbar Islands,
however, given their position and the available hints of
their Mesozoic stratigraphy they certainly deserve
closer attention if the TimodBonaparte setting can be
used as an analogue.
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF SERAM (Figure, 4)
The geology of Seram rivals Timor in its complexity,
which it is not proposed to attempt to unravel here. The
geology of Seram is discussed by O’Sullivan et al.
(1985) and Price et al. (1987). The stratigraphy
described here is taken from Price et al. (op. cit.).
The Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic Kanikeh,
Manusela and Saman-Saman Formations are all partial
lateral equivalents. The Kanikeh Formation consists of
clastic sediments probably deposited in nearshore
to deep shelf conditions. The Manusela Formation
consists of shallow to deep shelfal carbonates, whereas
the Saman-Saman Formation is interpreted to have
been deposited in very deep water beyond the shelf
(Audley-Charles et al. ; 1979). Audley Charles et al.
(op. cit.) draw comparisons between the Saman-Saman
Formation of Seram and the Aitutu Formation of
Timor.
The Nief Beds consist of Late Jurassic to Late Creta-
ceous cherts, radiolarites, calcilutites and mudstones
many of which are faunally and lithologically identical
to those of the Kolbano Group on Timor (Audley -
Charles et al. ; 1979). Deposition of the Nief Beds took
place in bathyal environments.
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF BURU (Figure 5)
Similarities between the Mesozoic of Buru and Seram
have been pointed out by Rutten (1927) and Van
Bemmelen (1949). The modifications made by Fortuin
et ul. (1988) to the stratigraphic scheme of Tjokro-
sapoetro et al. (1981) are accepted here.
The Triassic of Buru is represented by two time
equivalent formations. The Ghegan Formation consists
of shelf carbonates with interbedded bituminous shales
towards the top. The laterally equivalent Dalan
Formation consists predominantly of clastics and was
also deposited in a shelfal setting (although paleobathy-
metry is problematical). Obvious similarities exist with
both Timor and Seram. The Triassic sequence is at least
2000m thick.
A considerable angular unconformity separates the
Triassic Formations from the overlying Kuma For-
mation which extends from the Late Jurassic through
Eocene. The Late Jurassic part of the Kuma Formation
consists of highly fossiliferous shelf carbonates inter-
fingering with basalts and tuffs of the Mefa Formation.
A rapid deepening to bathyal conditions is seen in
the Early Cretaceous, sediments consist of marls,
limestones and cherts and span the entire Cretaceous.
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF MISOOL
(Figure 6)
Almost a century has elapsed since the first geological
investigations of the Misool Archipelago, publications
since that time are summarised by Skwarko (1981).
Most publications deal with rich Mesozoic marine
faunas collected from the 4000m of sediments. Pigram
et al. (1982) give an extensive description of the
lithostratigraphy of the Misool archipelago. Helby and
Hasibuan (1988) used dinoflagellate cysts in the
Jurassic section to establish the presence of previously
unsuspected unconformities and indirectly prove the
utility of the zonation scheme based on this group for
Mesozoic correlation between Australia and Eastern
Indonesia (detailed correlations with Timor can also be
demonstrated; Sawyer and Brown, in prep.)

Triassic Formations
The thick sequence of turbidities named the Keskain
Formation are the oldest Mesozoic rocks in the Misool
archipelago. Their age is not well defined, however,
Pigram et al. (1982) indicate a Middle to Late Triassic
age based on bivalve faunas. In the Late Carnian deep-
water sedimentation ceased. The reefal and platform
limestones of the Bogal Limestone Formation un-
corlformably overlie the Keskain Formation. The Bogal
limestone is Norian. Its lateral extent offshore is largely
unknown, but may be present at the base of the TBJ-1
well.
Jurassic Formations
The Jurassic Fageo group has been the source of some
confusion in the past,(only recent work by Pigram et al.
(1982) and Helby and Hasibuan (1988) has resolved the
stratigraphic problems associated with this group.
The Yefbie Shale Formation consists of fossiliferous
grey calcareous shales and siltstone of Toarcian to
earliest Bathonian age. Deposition took place in a
somewhat restricted marine environment. Unconfor-
mably overlying the Yefbie Formation is the Demu
Formation of Callovian to Oxfordian age, consisting of
well-bedded grey, silty, algal mat limestone, shale and
marl. The contention of Pigram et al. (1982) that
the limestones were deposited in bathyal, open marine
conditions is not accepted here since mat forming
algae are restricted to the photic zone. The common
bioturbation noted by Pigram et al. (op. cit.) in itself
suggests shelf conditions which is the interpretation
adopted here. The Lelinta Shale Formation confor-
mably overlies the Demu Formation, of Late Oxfordian
to Tithonian age. The formation consists pre-
dominantly of grey, calcareous and non-calcareous
shale and marl, with rare sandy limestone, tuffaceous
shale and concretions. The abundant marine fauna
suggests an open marine environment. Helby and
Hasibuan (1988) indicate an intraformational un-
conformity within the Kimmeridgian section based on
the dinoflagellate cyst zonation.
The boundary between the Fageo Group and the
overlying Facet Limestone Group is gradational (see
Pigram et al.; op. cit.).
Cretaceous Formations
The Cretaceous of Misool is generally divided into two
formations forming the Facet Limestone Group. The
Early to Late Cretaceous Gamta Formation consists of
white calcilutites, well bedded and separated by thin
shales and cherts. The available dating suggests there
557
may be a considerable intraformational hiatus (or
hiatuses) within the Gamta. The youngest sediments
are of ?Coniacian age, deposited in bathyal, open
marine conditions.
Conformably overlying the Gamta Formation are the
thinly bedded tuffaceous calcilutites, shales and mark
of the Waaf Formation which is Santonlan to Early
Maastrichtian. Deposition took place in a bathyal
environment. The uppermost Cretaceous is represented
by the Fafanlap Formation, consiting of shallow water
siltstones, greywackes and shales.
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF THE SULA
ISLANDS (Figure 7)
The oldest sedimentary rocks exposed in the Sula
Islands are the "red beds" and coarse clastics of
the Kabauw and Bobong Formations. The Kabauw
Formation has not been dated, whereas the Bobong
Formation remains poorly dated with only rare
Toarcian molluscs being reported near the top of the
formation (Sato et al.; 1978). On this basis the for-
mations are assumed to represent the Early Jurassic,
however, the continuity of the sequence is open
to doubt. Depositional environments are largely
continental, however, marine influence is seen to
increase towards the top of the formation.
Conformably overlying the Bobong Formation are the
black, occasionally calcareous shales of the Buya
Formation which range in age from ?Toarcian to
Barremian. The work of Challinor and Skwarko (1982)
on Jurassic belemnites from the Sula islands suggests
possible stratigraphic breaks in the Aalenian and
Bathonian to Early Callovian. Westermann et al.
(1978) indicate a possible break in the section at the
Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary, however this has not
been substantiated faunally. The rich marine faunas
suggest deposition in a shelfal environment, probable
partly restricted circulation of bottom waters may be
indicated by the predominance of dark shales.
The Tanamu Formation (Santonian to Maastrichtian)
unconformably overlies the Buya Formation. The
carbonate sediments of the Tanamu Formation were
deposited in bathyal water depths.
MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF IRIAN JAYA
(Figure 8)
The stratigraphy of Irian Jaya has been described in
detail by Pieters et. al. (1983). The general succession
in each area will not be described here.
558
The Triassic and Early Jurassic are dominated by ”red
beds” of the Tipuma Formation. Middle to Late Jurassic
formations are variably represented by the ? deltaic
Upper Tipuma Formation in the Bintuni Basin, and
elsewhere the Kopai Fm.. The Late Jurassic to Early
Cretaceous Woniwogi Sandstone Fm.is a partial time
equivalent of the Upper Tipuma and Kopai Formations.
In the Bintuni Basin a Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous
unconformity is evident with overlying shelfal Jass For-
mation claystones bringing Mesozoic sedimentation to
a close. Dolan and Hermany (1988) report dark brown
marine claystones of Late Jurassic age from the
K.B.S.A. area.
Strong similarities between the succession in Irian Jaya,
Papua Nugini and the Northwest shelf of Australia are
evident, though much work remains to be done in the
area of detailed correlation.
MESOZOIC SOURCE ROCKS (Figure 10)
In the Timor Gap carbonaceous shales of the Plover
Formation (Jurassic) have been shown to have some
source potential. However, the hydrocarbons dis-
covered to date in the area show a better correlation
with Early Cretaceous organic rich sediments, in
particular with the Flamingo Formation. The oil seeps
at Paulaca and Suai on Timor show a relatively good
correlation with the Early Cretaceous source rocks in
the Timor Gap. This would suggest that in the sub-
surface of Timor source rocks of E. Cretaceous age
exist that are not seen at outcrop. Cross (1990)
indicates the Wai Luli to be a potential source.
No data has been published on potential source rocks
from the Kai and Tanimbar islands. Analysis of mud
volcano ejecta may be the only method of evaluating
source potential prior to drilling. Using Timor as a
model it might be supposed that Jurassic and/or Early
Cretaceous source rocks are present in the subsurface,
however, exploratory drilling will be the only means of
proving this.
In Seram the source of the produced oils from the Bula
and Nief fields has not been positively identified,
however, Price et. al. (1987) presented evidence that
the Seram oils are sourced from a Triassic carbonate
source rock. No evidence of any younger source was
found.
Urban and Allen (1977) in their discussion of thermal
maturity in the ASM-IX well (Arafura Sea, Figure 9)
suggest that any potential source rocks in that area
would be marine equivalents of the Early Triassic, since
no source potential existed in that well. The fact that
most of the Triassic and the entire Jurassic are missing
in the ASM-IX, does not preclude the possibility of
source rocks of that age existing in the area (McLennan
et. al. 1990).
In their analysis of the Banggai-Sula Microcontinent
Garrard et. al (1988) suggest that the Jurassic to Early
Cretaceous section appears to have very limited source
potential. It was suggested that the Bobong Formation
sources wet gas seeps in N.W. Mangole Island, how-
ever, it was their conclusion that the Buya Formation,
despite its average to good organic richness, was likely
to be largely gas-prone due to the dominance of Type
I11 Kerogen. Despite large numbers of analyses their
study may be biased, in sofar as it relies on outcrop
material, which when weathered (even slightly) is
severely down graded in terms of the apparent oil
proneness of the samples.
Dolan and Hermany (1988) attribute the Wiriagar oil in
the Bintuni Basin to the Early to Middle Jurassic
Kembelangan Formation (Upper Tipuma of Chevallier
and Bordenave; 1986). The mudstones in this deltaic
sequence have T.O.C.’s of around 6% and hydrogen
indices of >250, oil prone kerogen is said to be up to
35%, and consist primarily of waxy terrestrial material.
These source rocks were identified in the Kalitami-
IX, 25 km SW of Wiriagar. Age and environmental
correlations with the Plover Formation in the Timor
Gap are very strong.
In summary three potential Mesozoic source facies
exist in Eastern Indonesia : Triassic carbonates, Early
to Middle Jurassic deltaics and Late Jurassic to Early
Cretaceous restricted shelf sediments. Of these
facies only the latter two are seen in the Timor Gap.
Paleogeographic trends are obviously important
considerations when attempting to define the distri-
bution of each of these facies.
Triassic carbonates probably formed a facies belt
offshore of the coast of Gondwanaland. The correlation
from the Bonaparte Basin to Timor island of the Cape
Londondery clastics with the Aitutu carbonates may
offer a possible model of use in the reconstruction of
distribution for the Triassic carbonate source facies.
Similarly the Early to Middle Jurassic deltaic source
rocks are likely to be found in a belt along the Jurassic
margin of Gondwanaland. The fact that this facies is
found in the Bintuni Basin as well as in the Timor Gap
suggests that future drilling should reveal its presence
along the western margin of the Arafura shelf and
possibly in the subsurface of the Kai and Tanimbar
Islands.

Restricted Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous source
rocks have so far only been reported from the Bona-
parte Basin, however, McLennan et. al. (1990) assume
that they may be present in the Goulburn Graben
system. The much thickened sequence in the Sula
Islands is probably a local response to structural
conditions at the time. The possibility that this
sequence is condensed nearby would offer a most
attractive potential source rock of the same calibre
as those in the Timor Gap. Based on stratigraphic
comparisons some potential for their development in
Irian Jaya is indicated from the stratigraphic section
developed in Papua Nugini.
RESERVOIRS (Figure 10)
Mesozoic reservoirs in the Bonaparte Basin are not
restricted to a particular time interval. The Cape
Londonderry Formation reservoirs oil at Challis in the
Late Triassic. Early to Middle Jurassic Plover Fm sands
are the reservoir for oil at Jabiru and gas at Sunrise and
Troubador. Oil shows are also encountered in that unit
in the Flamingo, Eider, Avocet and Drake locations.
The Sandpiper Formation sands straddling the Jurassic/
Cretaceous boundary contain significant shows at
Avocet, Eider, Barita, Drake, Fulica and Garganey,
whereas the Aptian radiolarites of the Darwin For-
mation have shows at Avocet, Barita, Drake and
Garganey. The Cenomanian Moonkinu Sandstone
Member of the Wangarlu Formation has not yet been
shown to have reservoired hydrocarbons. A Campanian
sand within the Wangarlu Fm forms the reservoir for
the Skua oil.
Comparisons with areas outside the Bonaparte Basin
indicate that some of these units have lateraI equivalents
which are also reservoirs, notably the Tithonian to
Valanginian Tor0 sandstone (Figure 11) in the Central
Papuan Basin. Although as yet untested, the Bobong
Formation of the Sula Islands should have similar
reservoir potential to the Plover Formation as indeed
should the Upper Tipuma sequence in the Bintuni
Basin.
Where very deep water conditions predominate in the
Cretaceous, it seems unlikely that any of the reservoir/
potential reservoir units seen in the Bonaparte
Basin would be developed. However, much younger
reservoirs certainly exist and evidence from Seram
shows Triassic oil reservoired in the Pleistocene. On
that basis the structurally complex areas (Timor, Kai,
Tanimbar, Seram and Buru) have great potential for
Mesozoic hydrocarbons to be reservoired in younger
rocks. On the other hand the Bonaparte Basin, Money
Shoals Basin, Western Arafura Shelf, Bintuni Basin,
Misool and Sula Islands have a greater potential for
559
Mesozoic oil to be reservoired in Mesozoic rocks, if the
Bonaparte Basin can be used as a valid model.
CONCLUSIONS
The validity of the Timor Gap area as a model for other
areas of Indonesia is proven by the degree of strati-
graphic similarity in the Mesozoic demonstrated above.
The relationship with Timor Island is a model for other
Australian Craton to Banda Arc transects. Structural
relationships were indicated by Smith and Ross (1986)
(Figure 12).
Mesozoic source rocks of Early to Middle Jurassic and
Early Cretaceous age show great potential along the
former margin of Gondwanaland. On the basis of
discoveries to date, the Triassic carbonate source of
the Seram oils seems to have less potential for future
exploration plays.
To date hydrocarbon production in Eastern Indonesia
has been exclusively from the Cenozoic, although
interest in the Mesozoic has increased since 1987 with
Conoco, Occidental and Kufpec all drilling Mesozoic
plays.
The future direction of exploration in Eastern Indonesia
is almost certain to focus on the Pre-Tertiary. In
generating these prospects an understanding of the
distribution of source facies seems paramount. The
Timor Gap and Bonaparte Basin can be used as a
predictive model in the search for oil in Eastern
Indonesia. The anticipated publication of data from
Timor Island (Sawyer and Brown; in prep.) will
complete the model and allow detailed analysis of the
onshore-offhsore sequences of the Mesozoic margin of
Gondwanaland.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Management of P.T. Corelab Indonesia is thanked
for permission to publish this paper. The ideas pre-
sented here are those of the author, however, the ideas
have developed and matured as a result of conversations
with many different people over period of years.
Particular thanks are due to Rob Sawyer of Amoseas
Indonesia, Kevin Robinson of Oryx and many collea-
gues past and present at P.T. Corelab, for useful and
informative discussions.
Yuli Yuliyawati is gratefully thanked for typing the
manuscript, Sumarno and Gunawan drafted the figures
and their help is duly acknowledged.
560
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APPENDIX 1
THE FLAMINGO FORMATION
(FORMAL DEFINITION OF A NEW UNIT)
Derivation of Name : From the Flamingo-1 well drilled
at a location 11" 01" 34"S, 126" 28' 55"E in 96m of water
offshore Western Australia.
Kind and Rank of Unit : Formal lithostratigraphic unit
(formation) included in the Flamingo Group.
561
Historical background : This unit has previously been
referred to as the "Flamingo Shale" A R C 0 (1972,
Completion Report). No other references to the unit
have been made.
Stratigraphic position : This formation is the uppermost
known unit of the Flamingo Group, its upper boundary
is unconformable and overlain by the Darwin For-
mation, Glauconitic Member. The underlying unit is
the Sandpiper Formation upon which the Flamingo
Formation appears to be conformable (even though a
sharp boundary is seen on logs) (See Figure 13).
Lithologic summary : The formation consists entirely of
shale (125 - 140 API gamma response; 40 - 55 US/F
sonic response), light to dark grey, soft to hard, fissile,
slightly silty, partly calcareous, locally glauconitic,
minor pyrite. Locally interbedded with grey-brown,
moderately soft, slightly calcareous, argillaceous
blocky siltstone in upper section.
Stratotype : Flamingo-1 well (11" 01" 345, 126" 28'
55"E); interval 3040m to 3267m (thickness 218.29m).
Age of Stratotype section : Late Berriasian to Early
Barremian.
562
 I I LIT H 0S T R AT IGRAPHY
STAGE GENERAL'SED HYDROCARBON OCCURRENCE
GROUP FORMATION I MEMBER LITHOLOGY
I
I I Maast r ichtian 0
- Companion z
4
Son tonian J
Coniacian ,
53
Turonran I-0
Cenomanian &
Cretaceous A,bian z%
AVOCET BARITA
Aptian . 5ms
DRAKE GARGANEY
Barremian
Hauterivian I I
Valanginion P ------------
-----------
Rer r iasian FLAMINGO SANDPIPER FM.
..................
........................ .. .. .. .. .. .. . AVOCET EIDER BARITA
'
Tithonian GROUP DRAKE FULICA GARGANEY
Kimmer idqian
1 Oxfordion 0 JABIRU
I Collovian I
Bat honian 0 FLAMINGO EIDER AVOCET
Jurassic Balocian DRAKE
PLOVER FM.
Aalenian $-SUNRISE / TROUBADOR
Toarcian 0 JABlRU
Pliensbochian
Sinemurian
Het tangian MALITA FM.
Rhaet ion i
Norian F
0 CHALLIS
Carnian 1 APE LONDONDERRY
Ladinian
Triasslc
Anisian
I
I Scyttiian MT. GOODWIN FM.
I U

FIGURE 2 - Mesozoic Stratigraphy of the Timor Gap

 I LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY
GENERALISED
4YDROCARBON OCCURRENCE
STAGE -I FORMATION MEMBER LJTHOLOGY

OFU

NAKFUNU

Albian

OIL SEEPS REPORTED

FROM MOST FORMATIONS
L ......
3 ON TIMOR

7 WAI L u l l

S inemur ian
Hettangian
R hoetian
BABULU
7 AITUTU
KEKNENO
+j. NlOF
Scythion IUAMFOM~
H -
FIGURE 3 - Mesozoic Stratigraphy of Timor Island
 565

~0

w--

~J

0 ©
bd h~
0
~q

0 .m
~m

~J
 ~ ~~ - -~

r- LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY
GENERALISEO
i YDROCARBON OCCURRENCI
STAGE -1 FORMATION LITHOLOGY
I I

KUMA

NO KNOWN HYDROCARBOI
SEEPS

3 ?
I Scythian
FI

FIGURE 5 - Mesozoic Stratigraphy of Buru Island

 567

3
0
0
r/l

c
.3

ru
0

m W
r
#

0
W
(3

v)
a
0
al
u
0
t
L
0
I I I LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY
GENERALISED
STAGE IYDROCARBON OCCURRENCE
GROUP FORMATION MEMBER LITHOLOGY
I I Maast richtian TANAMU
b GAS SEEP
\

Cretaceous

BUYA
6 WET GAS SEEPS

KABAUW

?6?OIL + GAS SEEP

Triassic I V V V v \
v v v v v
MANGGOLE I V V V V k
VOLCANlCS v v v v v
I Scythian I V V V V \
U v v v v v

FIGURE 7 - Mesozoic Stratigraphy of the Banggai - Sula Microcontinent

 I I LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY GENERALISED
PERIOD STAGE 1YDROCARBON OCCURRENCE
FORMATION MEMBER I LITHOLOGY
I
Maastr ichtian z
Carnpanian f JASS
Santontan 4
Coriiac tan
Turonran
I
w
Y
C eno m a nian ----__
Creta us
Albian

I Hauterivian I

Jurassic UPPER TIPUMA

................... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Noriari
-?-
Trios sic

Scythicln
I I I
I
FIGURE 8 - Mesozoic Stratigraphy of Bintuni Basin
570

INDONESIA 0

0
0
0

FIGURE 9 - Locations of Some Wells Mentioned in the Text

57 1

'u
0
c
0
vl
.3
572

-
Y
2
W
a
K
3
u
u
0

2
w
(3
m
4
3
Y

W
0
a
nr

.-uIn
 573

AUSTRALIA

- MESOZOIC RIFTS ## - ZONE

... ... ... .... - MESOZOIC AND &-
O F TRANSCURRENT
FAULTING I AN
... .. .. .. PRE MESOZOIC BASINS
CENOZOIC BASIN 0 200 Km
&
- ?PLIOCENE +YOUNGER/
SUBDUCTION
- THRUST ZONE
I
FIGURE 12 - Structural features and approximate limits of basins (after Smith and Ross, 1986)
514

w
>
0
m
a
E
n
* E
i c
no,

o n n n 9 X h
u a a a Y
.3
J - I J J r=
E E E E 3
3
W K
w
lit
J r

rc)
..
r
..
w
J
a
0
r I v)
I I
E E
0 t-
Q (D
0 N
rr) m
I