IPA, 2006 - 22nd Annual Convention Proceedings, 1993

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IPA93-1.1-115
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PROCEEDINGS INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Twenty Second Annual Convention, October 1993

N FORE-ARC ZONE OF SUMATRA: CAINOZOIC BASIN-FORMING TECTONISM

AND HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL

D.M. Hall*
B.A. D u V
M.C. Courbe**
B.W. Seubert**
M. Siahaan**
A.D . Wirabudi**

ABSTRACT
In the Bengkulu PSC of onshore and offshore
Southwest Sumatra, localized basins containing four
distinct seismic megasequences are recognized.
The basal, Paleogene, megasequence was deposited as
a syn-rift unit within a series of northeast-trending half
graben, probably segmented by northwest-trending
transfer faults. A major unconformity separates
this unit from a late Paleogene to early Miocene
megasequence and appears to mark a change in basinforming mechanism from orthogonal extension to
possible oblique slip. According to this model, the
transfer faults of the rift system were rejuvenated by
right-lateral oblique slip in the late Paleogene to early
Miocene, thereby superposing local pull-apart basins
on the underlying graben.
These units are succeeded with strong unconformity by
a middle to late Miocene megasequence marking the
onset of open marine deposition within a unified
forearc basin. Finally, this unit was overlain by a
dominantly regressive Pliocene to Recent syn-orogenic
megasequence resulting from the main period of uplift
and erosion of the Barisan Mountains. The associated
basin inversion of the older megasequences increases in
intensity from offshore toward this mountain belt.

Recent exploration of the Bengkulu PSC, targetting

the lower two megasequences of Paleogene to early
Miocene age, implies that such localized basins within
the fore-arc can be prospective for hydrocarbons. Well
results indicate the presence of mature source rocks
and migrated hydrocarbons, and therefore appear to
contradict the widespread assumption that heat flow
values in fore-arc areas are insufficient to allow
expulsion and migration of hydrocarbons.

INTRODUCTION
Fore-arc basins are commonly assumed to be
unrewarding areas for hydrocarbon exploration, a view
that appeared to be confirmed by the results of the first
phase of exploration activity in the Sumatran fore-arc
in the late 1970s to early 1980s. During this period,
hydrocarbon indications were limited to uncommercial
methane gas discoveries made by Unocal in the
northern part of the fore-arc, and a minor oil show in a
well drilled by Aminoil in the Bengkulu area of the
southern fore-arc. This exploration concentrated
almost entirely on shelfal Neogene plays located on the
basin margins.

These results imply that far from accommodating a

simple, homogeneous fore-arc basin, the fore-arc is
tectonically heterogeneous with considerable potential
for localised Paleogene and early Neogene basins.

Neogene basin development within the northern

Sumatran fore-arc (Figure 1) has also been the subject
of a number of non-commercial regional studies (eg.
Karig et al., 1980; Beaudry and Moore, 1985; Matson
and Moore, 1992). Until recently, however, the
southern fore-arc (Figure 2) has not received the same
attention, and more significantly for exploration, even
less has been known about Paleogene basin history.

*
**

An exception to this were the seismic and aeromagnetic

data acquired in the Bengkulu area, which indicated
the presence of a localised depocentre of presumed

Fina Exploration Norway Inc.

Previously Exploration Members of Fina Bengkulu S.A

320
Paleogene age (Howles, 1986). One possibility was that
this basin could represent the southward continuation
of back arc graben trends known north of the Barisan
Mountains. This in turn had obvious implications for
hydrocarbon potential.
It was primarily to evaluate this concept that
exploration was carried out in the Bengkulu PSC from
July 1989 to July 1992 by a group comprising Fina
(Operator), Enterprise and British Gas. The exploration
work programme included the acquisition of 3480
kilometers of onshore and offshore seismic, gravity and
magnetic data (Figure 3). Following this, the Arwana-1
exploration well was drilled to a total depth of 4175m at
an offshore location in the southeast of the PSC.
It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the impact that
interpretation of this dataset has had on the
understanding of basin history, and hydrocarbon
potental of the southern Sumatran fore-arc. In this
respect, the results of Arwana-1 are particularly
significant, as the well represents the first substantive
calibration of a basinal Paleogene section anywhere in
the Sumatran fore-arc. Furthermore, the presence in
this well of mature source rocks and significant oil
shows, including indications of migrated oil, challenges
some of the conventional views of fore-arc prospectivity.
REGIONAL SETTING

The Bengkulu PSC comprised an offshore-onshore

coastal region covering a pre-relinquishment area of
16,800 square kilometers in the southeastern part of
the Sumatran fore-arc (Figures 1 and 2). The PSC was
situated landward of the shelf-slope break which
separates the inner shelfal part of the fore-arc, here
termed the Inner Fore-Arc, from the bathymetric deep
of the Quter Fore-Arc. Consequently, water depths
within the PSC average 50 meters, and only exceed this
near the southwest boundary of the contract area. The
northeastern part of the PSC included part of the
Barisan Mountains, which in turn are bounded to the
northeast by the West Sumatra Fault. The Barisan
Mountains represent an uplifted and folded complex of
sedimentary, igneous and volcanic rocks (Figure 2),
and cannot therefore be described solely as a volcanic
arc. In the Bengkulu area, the boundary between the
Barisan Mountains and the coastal plain is sharply
defined by a dextral oblique-slip fault, which appears
to be a splay from the main trend of the West Sumatra
Fault.
The setting of the PSC suggests two regional factors
which may have influenced initial basin development.
The first relates to the oblique convergence of the
Indian Ocean Plate and Sunda Craton, which may have

commenced prior to the middle Miocene. Evidence for

this are the Neogene pull-apart basins in the
southernmost part of Sunda Straits (Huchon and Le
Pichon, 1984). The formation of these basins has been
explained by the northward movement of the Sumatra
Sliver Plate (Jarrard, 1986), a term which describes the
large region of fore-arc between the West Sumatra and
Mentawi dextral strike-slip faults (Figure 1).
Secondly, it has been noted that the southward trend of
Paleogene back-arc graben such as the Benakat Gulley
(de Costa, 1974) align with the Bengkulu area if it is
assumed that subsequent dextral movement along the
West Sumatra Fault has been of the order of 100
kilometers (eg. Howles, 1986).
Consequently, the development of Paleogene to early
Neogene basins in the Bengkulu area was probably
influenced by both extensional and oblique slip
tectonics.
PREVIOUS EXPLORATION

Between 1970 and 1972 a total of six offshore wells

(Figure 3) were drilled in the Bengkulu area: four by
the Jenny Oil Group and Marathon in the Mentawi
PSC, and two by Aminoil in the Banten-Lampung PSC.
None of these wells reached total depths greater than
about 1960 metres, and in each case the p r o p o s e d
objective of Miocene carbonate build-ups, overlying
what was interpreted to be volcanic or igneous
basement, was water-wet or absent. The only exception
to this is the Bengkulu A-lx well, which encountered
oil shows in a basal carbonate, originally interpreted as
equivalent to the early Miocene Baturaja Limestone of
South Sumatra, but now thought to be earliest middle
Miocene.
Subsequent interpretation has shown that only the
Bengkulu A-lx and A-2x wells were located on valid
structural closures. The Mentawi-A1 and Mentawi-C1
wells were drilled on velocity pull-ups created by
overlying late Miocene (Parigi Formation) reefs,
whereas the Bengkulu X-1 and Bengkulu X-2 wells
were located on a gravity high with no clearly-defined
structural closure. Furthermore, all of the wells were
located outside the main Paleogene depocentres.
It is therefore clear that this first phase of drilling did
not fully evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the area.
DISTRIBUTION OF PALEOGENE- EARLY
NEOGENE BASINS

Four Paleogene to early Neogene basins have been

identified within the limits of the original Bengkulu

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PSC. Their location is shown by the basement depth
structure in Figure 4. Depth to basement within basins
located in the offshore area was estimated from the
combined interpretation of seismic, gravity and
magnetic data. In the onshore area however, seismic
definition of basement structure is ambiguous owing to
surface-related signal-to-noise problems. Basement
interpretation onshore is therefore mostly based on
gravity data.
The onshore North Manna Basin and adjacent offshore
South Manna Basin are located in the southeastern part
of the PSC (Figure 4), and were the prime objectives of
data acquisition during the 1989-1992 exploration
period. Consequently, these basins are the main
subject of this paper. Based on more limited data
coverage, two further depocentres are tentatively
recognized: one located east of Bengkulu and the other
in the northern area of the PSC near Ketahun.
The North Manna and South Manna Basins are broad
half-graben, which thicken to the northeast (Figure 5 ) .
In addition, the North Manna Basin has been tilted
toward the southwest by younger Plio-Pleistocene
inversion. The associated uplift of the Barisan
Mountains has obscured the northern limit of the North
Manna Basin, although the apparent trend of the basin
axis suggests that it may have extended northeastward
at least as far as the West Sumatra Fault. In contrast.
the depositional axis of the South Manna Basin
displays a clear northwest trend, offset to the southeast
relative to the North Manna Basin. The two basins are
separated by a narrow median high which also trends
northwest, below the present coastline. Basement
depths in the South Manna Basin are interpreted to
exceed six kilometers, approximately the same level as
the subduction trench in the Outer Fore-Arc.
The nature of basement underlying the Inner Fore-Arc
Paleogene basin fill remains uncalibrated by drilling or
outcrop exposure. However, in places, a parallel-bedded
seismic facies has been recognized (Figures 5 and 8),
possibly suggesting that the basement has a sedimentary
or metasedimentary rather than crystalline origin.
Possible origins include Cretaceous to Paleocene fore
arc basins or shelfal platform cover sediments deposited
on continental crust. Regardless of origin, it is clear
from the contrasting subsidence histories of the Inner
(shelfal) and Outer (basinal) Fore-Arc that the
boundary between the two area5 coincides with a
significant contrast in basement rigidity.
GENERAL STRATIGRAPHY

The lithostratigraphy of the North and South Manna

Basins comprises a variety of volcanic-arc derived
sediments interbedded with marine claystones and

minor carbonate intervals (Figure 6). Biostratigaphic

analysis of the Arwana-1 well within the South Manna
Basin indicates a relatively complete Cainozoic section
from the early Oligocene or possibly late Eocene,
which was deposited in an inner to outer sublittoral
environment. The Arwana-1 well provides the only
control of Paleogene stratigraphy in the southern forearc region, as the previous exploration wells drilled in
the early 1970s did not penetrate below the base of the
Middle Miocene. In the North Manna Basin, the
Paleogene section remains uncalibrated because
the onshore outcrop provides no reliable age
determinations older than early Miocene.

In both the North and South Manna Basins, an

important stratigraphic boundary occurs at the base of
the Middle Miocene, representing the downward change
from regional to localized basin geometries. This
boundary coincides with the base of a widespread
carbonate interval informally referred to in this paper
as the N9 Limestone after the equivalent Blow (1969)
foram zone. The section above the base of the N9
Limestone contains a relatively diverse faunal
assemblage,
indicating
essentially unrestricted
access to the open oceanic environment. Below this
level however, the Lower Miocene to Paleogene is
characterized by a less diverse faunal assemblage,
suggesting deposition within a more restricted basin.
SEISMIC STRATIGRAPHY AND
LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY

The Recent to Paleogene stratigraphy of the Bengkulu

area can be further described in terms of four seismic
megasequences (Figures 5 to 8), each characterizing a
major tectonostratigraphic phase of basin evolution
(ie. sensu Hubbard et al., 1985). Megasequences are
bounded by major seismically-defined stratal surfaces
which often correlate with important changes in
external basin controls such as re-organization of plate
movements. Each megasequence is subdivided into
component sequences, the boundaries of which also
form prominent seismic events interpreted as
corresponding to changes in regional relative sea level,
basin subsidence or sediment supply.
Megasequence I (? Late Eocene to early Oligocene)

Megasequence I represents the initial fill of the early

Neogene - Paleogene basins, which was deposited
within a complex mosaic of segmented half graben
depocentres. The only direct evidence of Megasequence
I lithologies comes from. the basal 60 metres of
Arwana-1, which comprise massive volcanogenic
intervals, interbedded with dark brown and grey-green
claystones.

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The volcanogenic lithologies are mainly volcanic
litharenites, which petrographic studies of sidewall
cores indicate comprise welded ignimbrite clasts, lithic
volcanic clasts and vitriclasts. Although diagenesis has
obscured much of the original rock fabric, there are
some reworked intervals with reduced matrix content.
This is inferred both from thin sections and log-based
interpretation of permeability variations. Faunal and
geochemical evidence indicate that the interbedded
dark brown claystones are of organic marine origin,
whereas the grey-green claystones are probably
derived from a volcanic source.
The tentative late Eocene date assigned to the basal
part of thewell is based on the recognition of
nannoflora taxa Diacoster cf. Saipanensis and Dicoaster
cf. barbadiensis and also of palynoflora taxa
Proxapertites sp. As these specimens occur in very low
numbers, the possibility of reworking into sediments of
Oligocene age cannot be excluded. If in situ, the
presence of Proxapertites sp., which is thought to be
derived from a mangrove habitat, together with the
marine nannoflora, indicate a near-shore depositional
environment.
Although the base of Megasequence I was not
penetrated by Arwana-1, seismic data suggest a section
below TD of approximately 2000 metres overlying
acoustic basement. Basement is estimated to be at a
total depth of approximately six kilometers (two way
time 4.50 secs). The internal seismic character of the
Megasequence comprises a series of high amplitude
events, possibly suggesting a downward continuation of
the interbedded volcanoclastic and argillaceous units
penetrated by Arwana-1. However, owing to limited
seismic resolution at these deeper levels, and absence
of well control, it has not been possible to subdivide the
Megasequence into component sequences.
The recognition of Megasequence I in the North
Manna Basin is less certain owing to the limited deep
resolution of the onshore seismic.
Megasequence I is probably, at least in part, equivalent
to the Lahat Formation of the South Sumatra Basin. In
both cases the sediments represent the initial fill of
graben depocentres, although if the late Eocene age of
Megasequence 1 in Arwana-1 is correct, deposition in
the basins of the Bengkulu region may have
commenced earlier than in the South Sumatra Basin. It
is also possible that the Kikim volcanics which occur at
the base of the Lahat Formation are the time
equivalent of the volcanics in Megasequence I.
Megasequence I1 (early Oligocene to early Miocene)

In the South Manna Basin, deposition of Megasequence

I1 occurred within an elongate northwest-trending

depocentre, which was superimposed on the underlying

system of segmented half graben. Megasequence I1 is
also recognized within seismic traversing the North
Manna Basin, and at outcrop within the Barisan
Mountains (Brown Series of Elber 1938). Detailed
depositional relationships within this onshore basin
however are not as clearly defined owing to poor
seismic resolution and imaging.
Megasequence I1 can be subdivided into the following
four sequences:
Sequence 11.1 (early Oligocene): The basal Sequence
11.1 is confined to the deeper parts of the basin, and has
a transparent seismic character. In Arwana-1, the
sequence comprises regular interbeds of dark brown
and grey-green claystone, with juvenile volcanoclastic
lithologies. Evidence from sidewall cores and
interpretation of logs indicate that the interbedding of
these different lithotypes ranges from millimeter scale
laminations to beds a few metres thick. The
volcanoclastics in Core 3 of Arwana-1 contain a variety
of lithologies, including vitric crystal tuffs, tuffaceous
sandstones, dark brown mudstones and polymict
conglomerates, which based on sedimentological
evidence are interpreted as being deposited as
submarine mass flow deposits. However, there is no
evidence from micropaleontology that deposition of
these mass flows took place in a deep environment or
that sediments were transported any significant
distance. Although globigerine forams were recovered
from the core, they were concentrated in discrete
horizons and could have been washed into a shallow
marine environment. A silled basin with limited open
marine access is one possible interpretation of this.

On the basis of age equivalence, Sequence IP.1 can be

correlated with the upper part of the Lahat Formation
of the South Sumatra Basin (Benakat Member).
Sequence 11.2 (late Oligocene to earliest Miocene): This
sequence contains a number of clearly-defined, parallel
seismic events corresponding to volcanoclastic
interbeds which are thicker than those present in the
underlying Sequence 11.1. A further significant contrast
between the two Sequences is the absence of dark
brown claystones in Sequence 11.2. In Arwana-1, the
upward change in lithology across the lower boundary
of Sequence 11.2 is abrupt. It is associated with an
upward change from a slightly overpressured section
into siltier beds which display a characteristic invasion
separation on the resistivity logs.

The boundary between Sequences 11.1 and 11.2 in

Arwana-1 is also approximately coincident with the top
of the early Oligocene which, in turn, is based

323
primarily on palynological evidence (last appearance
of ? Corrudinium incompositum). The late Oligocene
to earliest Miocene age assigned to Sequence I1 is
based on the combined evidence of palynology and
micropaleontology .
Within Sequence 11.2, reworked early Cretaceous
marine palynomorphs were also recognized within a
thin calcareous unit. These perhaps suggest the nature
of pre-rift basement lithology in the Bengkulu area.
Results from sidewall cores indicate that the
interbedded volcanoclastics are comprised of tuffaceous
deposits with variable matrix and crystal content. The
gamma-ray curve defines probable sediment supply
cycles, characterized by an upward-coarsening motif
into the main clastic bed, overlain by an upward-fining
unit. These cycles probably reflect variations in
volcanic activity, and are probably independent of
changes in relative sea level.

Arwana- 1, this boundary possibly accounts for missing

section between the nannofossl NN2 and "4
zones
(in terms of the Blow foram zonation, the missing
section would correspond to the N6 to basal N7
zones). The lithostratigraphy comprises a continuation
of claystones with occasional interbeds of feldspathic
arenites.
Within the South Manna Basin, the seismic facies
associated with Sequence 11.4 displays low-angle,
progradational clinoforms.
The dark brown claystones of Sequences 11.3 and 11.4
can be correlated on the basis of both biostratigraphy
and lithostratigraphy with the Gumai Formation of the
South Sumatra Basin. Furthermore, the sandstones in
the uppermost part of Sequence 11.3 and within the
lower part of Sequence 11.4 can be correlated with
similar age sandstones in the South Sumatra Basin.
Megasequence 111 (middle to late Miocene):

Sequence 11.2 is likely to be the time equivalent of the

Talang Akar Formation of the South Sumatra Basin.
Sequence 11.3 (early Miocene): In Arwana-1, the basal
part of Sequence 11.3 is characterized by the reappearance of dark brown claystones, which within 70
metres pass upward into an argillaceous dolomite. This
dolomite can be correlated with the Baturaja Limestone
of equivalent age in South Sumatra. Restricted outcrop
of the same limestone in a basin margin, skeletal
wackestone/packstone facies, also occurs close to the
onshore, southeastern boundary of the former contract
area (upper part of the Air Saung river). At outcrop,
the biofacies of the limestone is distinctive, containing
both the key benthonic forams Lepidocyclina and
Spiroclypeus.

The upper part of Sequence 11.3 comprises massive

dark brown claystone, which in turn passes up into a
series of thin (less than 5 metre thick) sandy intervals.
Cores 1 and 2 of Arwana-1 suggest that these
feldpathic arenites were deposited as storm/flood
laminae, or thoroughly mixed by bioturbation with
claystones and siltstones. The sandstones are
commonly cemented by an early pore-filling calcite
cement. Framework grains include bipyramidal beta
quartz, indicating derivation from a volcanic provenance,
and also unaltered sub-angular to sub-rounded feldspars,
suggesting limited transport or exposure to weathering
processes. The framework texture is under-compacted,
owing primarily to the early calcite cementation.
Sequence 11.4 (latest early Miocene): The unconformity
separating Sequences 11.3 and 11.4 is associated
with a phase of mild, localized inversion tectonism. In

Megasequence I11 represents deposition within the

regional fore-arc basin, which in the Bengkulu
platform area occurred from middle Miocene times
onward. The abundance and diversity of middle
Miocene forams within Megasequence I11 clearly
indicate deposition in an open marine environment.
As it is beyond the scope of this paper to discuss the
regional correlation of fore-arc sequence stratigraphy,
we have not sub-divided Megasequence I11 into
sequences as has been attempted for northern areas of
the fore-arc by Beaudry and Moore (1985).
The lower part of Megasequence I11 lithostratigraphy is
characterized by a series of high frequent,
transgressive-regressive cycles, comprising claystones,
siltstones and minor limestones. urthermore, it is clear
from Arwana-1 logs that the periodicity of these cycles
is irregular. possibly owing to contemporary non-linear
subsidence of the Inner Fore-Arc shelf.
In contrast, the upper part of Megasequence I11 is
characterized by more massive shelfal limestones,
including major reefal build-ups (Parigi Limestone
equivalent).
Megasequence IV (early Pliocene to Recent):

Following a major marine transgression in earliest

Pliocene, differential subsidence between the Inner
and Outer Fore-Arc areas increased. Deposition within
the rapidly-subsiding Inner and Outer Fore-Arc areas
comprised marine clays, interbedded with massive,
prograding siltstone wedges derived from the coeval

324
uplift of the Barisan Mountains and associated PlioPleistocene volcanic activity.
TECTONIC HISTORY
We interpret the distinctive lithological character of
Megasequences I, I1 111 and IV, and the spatial
relationships between each of these Megasequences
within the Bengkulu Inner Fore-Arc region to reflect
their deposition as separate tectonostratigraphic units
in four distinct, superposed basin types. At least three
and possibly all four of these units is present in both the
North and South Manna Basins, which should therefore
be regarded as composite basins in the sense of
Hubbard et al. (1985). On the platform areas outside
the North and South Manna Basins, and outside two
other probable Paleogene depocentres tentatively
recognized in the Bengkulu area, only the youngest
basin-forming units, Megasequences 111 and IV, are
present.
The geophysical results and the results from Arwana-1
suggest that Megasequence I was probably deposited
during the Paleogene as a syn-rift unit within a system
of northeast-trending half graben, which were probably
segmented by northwest-trending transfer faults (Figure
5 ) . Tilted fault blocks bounded by northeast-trending
faults are well imaged in some of northwest-southeast
oriented seismic lines over the South Manna Basin
(Figure 8). These growth faults clearly indicate the syntectonic deposition of Megasequence I (Figure 9).
A major unconformity between Megasequences I and
I1 is interpreted as marking a change in the basinforming mechanism from Paleogene extension to
possible pull-aparts associated with oblique slip.
According to this model, some of the northwesttrending transfer faults segmenting the older rift basin
were rejuvenated by right-lateral oblique slip in the late
Paleogene to early Miocene, thereby superimposing
local pull-apart basins on the underlying Megasequence I graben. A transtensional pull-apart origin
for the Megasequence I1 basin-fill within the composite
South Manna Basin is consistent with its narrow,
elongate depocentre (Figures 10 and l l ) , acd the
presence of mild, coeval inversion structures along the
approximately rectilinear, northwest-trending basin
margins. Furthermore, the basal seismic sequence of
egasequence I1 (11.1) is clearly offset in places
by reactivation of the older northeast-trending,
Megasequence I faults (Figure 8), consistent with apullapart interpretation for the younger, superposed basin.
Megasequence I1 is succeeded with strong
unconformity by Megasequence 111, marking
deposition in aunified fore-arc basin.

Megasequence IV was deposited during Pliocene to

Recent uplift and erosion of the Barisan Mountains,
and can therefore be described as syn-orogenic. The
associated inversion of Megasequences I and I1
increases in intensity from offshore toward this
mountainbelt.
SOURCE ROCK AND RESERVOIR POTENTIAL
Source Rock Potential

Source rock lithofacies are present as dark brown

marine claystones in Megasequences I and 11. Within
Arwana-1, two main intervals are recognized: an upper
unit within Sequence 11.3 and a lower interval,
corresponding to Sequence 11.1 and the uppermost part
of Megasequence I (Figure 12).
The upper source rock interval displays incipient
(threshold) maturity equivalent to a vitrinite reflectance
(VR) of 0.5. This maturity level is consistent with the
estimated thermal gradient in Arwana-1 of 2.8 degrees
celsius/100 metres. Total organic carbon (TOC) values
of selected claystone samples are ca. 2%, hydrogen
index (HI) values range from 300 to 400, and pyrolysis
yields of up to 10 kg/ton were recorded. As most of the
interval is lithologically homogeneous, these richnesses
also represent bulk rock characteristics.
The lower source rock interval is within the oil
window, with a VR of 0.6 estimated at a depth of
3645m. TOC values of selected claystone samples are
between 1% and 2%, with hydrogen index values
decreasing from 300 to between 100 and 200 (Figure
12). On a bulk rock basis however, these richnesses are
significantly reduced by variable interlamination of
volcanoclastic lithologies.
Despite this, the reduction in TOC and HI values
compared with the upper interval suggests that the
lower source rock interval is partially spent. It is
therefore reasonable to assume that the TOC, and HI
of the lower (mature) interval were originally as good
as the upper, incipiently mature interval.
Both the upper and lower intervals can be classified as
Type 11, with oil and gas generation capacity.
The distribution of oil shows in Arwana-1 corresponds
to the main source rock intervals. Biomarker analysis
of an extract from the Baturaja Limestone equivalent
(basal Sequence 11.3) suggests low maturity and
probable sourcing from the adjacent interbedded,
early-mature source rocks. On the other hand, analysis
of an oil show in the voIcanic sandstone near the top of
Megasequence I (Figure 13) indicates derivation from a

325
parent source rock with a maturity of about 0.87% VR.
In contrast, the extract from the deepest source rock in
Arwana-1 indicates a maturity of 0.67% VRE. This
evidence is based on an extract from shows and is
,therefore not conclusive.
However, this contrast in maturities suggests that the
hydrocarbons in the volcanic sandstone may have
migrated a vertical distance of up to one kilometer
from the parent source levels. This in turn suggests a
depth to the top of the oil expulsion window of about
five kilometers. As the maximum depth to basement is
estimated to be greater than six kilometers, it follows
that the gross thickness of the oil expulsion window
may exceed one kilometer in the basin depocentres,
implying the possibility of a substantial hydrocarbon
kitchen.

SUMMARY OF BASIN DEVELOPMENT

Based on the structural and stratigraphic results, basin

development can be summarised as follows (Figures 15
to 17):
Megasequence I Time

Within the South Manna Basin, and probably the North

Manna Basin deposition of pro-delta marine claystones
within the segmented rifts (Figure 15) was periodically
interrupted by the input of reworked volcanic
sandstones, derived from coeval volcanic activity. It is
also possible that the basal sections of some half graben
were isolated from marine influenco, and were
characterized instead by lacustrine deposition.

Although the presence of oil shows is encouraging, the

hydrocarbon prroducing potential of the basins in the
Bengkulu area will depend on bulk rock generative
capacity of source rocks, which in turn will be
controlled by the extent of heterogeneous interbedding
of the source intervals with the non-organic,
volcanoclastic lithologies. Other factors such as the
effectiveness of migration routes also need to be
considered.

The detailed relationship between the North and South

Manna graben and the South Sumatra graben of the
back-arc area is unknown. The Paleogene Bengkulu
and South Sumatra graben may have allowed a
continuous depocentre to develop, with a northward
transition from marine conditions to the paralic/
lacustrine environments of the back-arc basins. It is
however more likely that this trend was segmented by
possible transfer or relay fault systems associated with
the regional northwest trending structural grain.

Reservoir Potential.

Megasequence II Time

The overall quality of the reservoir lithologies

encountered in Arwana-1 is pool'. The volcanoclastic
sandstones in Megasequence I exhibited log porosities
of ca. 10%, and effective permeability was inferred
from a marked invasion profile in the resistivity logs.
Unfortunately, however, effective permeabilities could
not be confirmed by RFT measurements.

Megasequence II time was characterized by arestricted

marine environment in which depositional conditions
were influenced by variations in subsidence rate and
sediment supply, probably within an evolving pullapart basin. These variations in turn are represented in
the contrasting character of the constituent Sequences.

Other clastic intervals exhibited porosities mostly in

the range 10 to 15%. Low permeabilities were indicated
throughout Megasequence II, with the exception of a
crystal-rich tuff bed in Sequence 11.2 and a feldspathic
arenite in Sequence 11.4, both of which delivered RFT
water samples (Figure 14).
Porosities in Megasequence I and the lower part of
Megasequence II in the well were created by an
aggressive secondary dissolution process, which appears
to be linked to oil migration. Good permeabilities in
the volcanoclastics however, depends additionally on
original sorting (textural maturity), or the presence of
extensive fracture systems.
The reservoir potential of early and middle carbonate
build-ups, overlying the Paleogene basin depocentres,
remains under-explored.

Consequently, Sequence 11.1 represents the initial

deepening of the basin, and resulting deposition of
rhythmically-interbedded argillaceous and clastic slope
deposits. The absence in Arwana-1 of marine
claystones in Sequence 11.2 implies that an additional
restriction of the marine environment occurred during
this time, with deposition of volcanogenic sediments
dominating (Figure 16). This is consistent with the
regional late Oligocene sea level lowstand recognized
in Paleogene basins throughout the Sunda Shield.
Sequences 11.3 and 11.4 represent the final infill of the
localized early Neogene basins (Figure 4), and their
deposition was associated with the reworking of
mature volcanoclastic sandstones in a shallow shelf
environment (Figure 17).
The lithological and biostratigraphical similarity of
Sequences II.3 and II.4 in Arwana-1 with the Lower

326
Miocene outcrop in the Barisan Mountains and the
Gumai Shale of the South and Central Sumatra suggests
that by the late early Miocene a continuous
depositional fairway existed between the Bengkulu
area and the South Sumatra Basin.
Megasequences I11 and IV Time (Regional Fore-Arc
Basin)

During the middle Miocene, the Inner Fore-Arc shelf

was a more-or-less uniformly subsiding surface
characterized by the deposition of the transgressive
cycles of Megasequence 111. During the Plio-Pleistocene
the rate of shelfal subsidence increased significantly
coincident with the deposition of the prograding
synorogenic sediments of Megasequence IV.

assumption that heat flow values in fore-arc basins are

insufficient to allow expulsion and migration of
hydrocarbons. However, despite this encouragement,
the volumetric hydrocarbon-producing potential of
these basins remains to be proven. The bulk generative
potential of the source rock prism has been identified
as a critical factor, and this is determined in turn by the
degree of interbedding with non-organic lithologies
derived from volcanic sources.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR

STRUCTURE AND PROSPECTIVITY OF THE
SUMATRAN' FORE-ARC

The presence of reservoir clearly also represents a

significant risk in the further exploration of fore-arc
areas. The reservoir potential of volcanoclastic
sediments depends on processes such as secondary
dissolution and fracturing, as well as the primary
depositional rock fabric. Consequently, these lithofacies
types should not be completely dismissed as reservoir
targets. There also remains the possibility that qonvolcanogenic lithofacies, not penetrated by Arwana-1,
provide good reservoirs elsewhere in these basins.

We have identified two quite distinct Paleogene to

early Neogene basin styles which are superposed
within the present Inner Fore-Arc region of the
Bengkulu area. An earlier, Paleogene basin type
(corresponding to Megasequence I) developed as a
result of northeast-trending rifting, and was probably
tectonically overprinted by a pull-apart basin
(Megasequence 11) when northwest-southeast directed
extension changed to northwest-directed oblique slip
or transtension.

Our understanding of Sumatran fore-arc basin

development and associated hydrocarbon potential is
therefore clearly still at an early stage. In addition to
the uncertainties in hydrocarbon potential, the
distribution of units equivalent to Megasequences I and
I1 in other Sumatran fore-arc basins, including other
basins in the Bengkulu area, requires attention. This
advancement will come from further exploration in
what should still be regarded as an under-explored,
frontier province.

It therefore follows that the South Manna Basin cannot

be described simply as a back-arc basin in a fore-arc
setting. Rather, our results highlight the influence of
two distinct tectonic systems: a continuation of
extensional trends within the Sunda Shield, modified
by the onset of right-lateral oblique slip within the
Sumatra Sliver Plate. The superposition of the two
associated basin types and their Megasequences (I and
11) suggests that zones of structural weakness
coincident with the Paleogene graben trends influenced
the initial break up of the Sumatra Sliver Plate.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

These results imply that far from accommodating a

simple, homogeneous fore-arc basin, the Sumatran
fore-arc is tectonically heterogeneous, with
considerable potential for localized Paleogene and
early Neogene depocentres. This in turn has obvious
implications for basin development in other fore-arcs
where the effects of oblique subduction are apparent.
The results of Arwana-1 have a significant impact on
the hydrocarbon potential of fore-arc basins in general.
The presence of mature source rock lithofacies and
migrated oil in this well contradicts the traditional

We wish to thank the management of Petrofina,

Pertamina and Partners British Gas and Enterprise Oil
for permission to publish this paper. Pusat Penelitian
Dan Pengembangan Geologi (GRDC) provided very
helpful assistance and logistical support. We are
particularly indebted to Ir. Nana Ratman and Ir.
Thamrin Cobrie Amin for their help with field
sampling.
We are grateful to all those in Petrofina who assisted
with the Bengkulu project. In particular special thanks
are extended to Dr. Paul Baumann, who provided
valuable technical input during the term of the
Bengkulu PSC, Dr. Ralph Burwood for reviewing the
results of the geochemical analyses and Serge Froment
for his work on the well-site and also for producing the
post-well geological report. Biostratigraphical and
geochemical analyses are based mostly on the work of
P.T. Corelab Indonesia and in particular we would like
to thank .Brown, R.E. Hulsbos, J. Harrington and S.
Hindmarsh. Finally, we gratefully acknowledge the
efforts of Fina Exploration Norway in helping us to

327
produce the manuscript. The interpretations presented
in this paper are those of the authors and do not
necessarily represent the views of all the co-ventures in
the Bengkulu PSC.
REFERENCES

Beaudry, D. and Moore, G.F., 1985. Seismic

stratigraphy and Cenozoic evolution of West Sumatra,
Bulletin American Association of Petroleum
Geologists, 69, 5, p. 742-759.
Blow, W.H., 1969. Late middle Eocence to recent
planktonic
and
foraminifera1 biostratigraphy:
Proceedings of the First International Conference on
Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva (1967) , p. 199-422.
de Costa, G.L. , 1974. The geology of central and south
Sumatra basins, Zndonesian Petroleum Association, 3rd
Annual Convention Proceeding, p. 77-110.
Elber, R., 1938. Geologie des Kuestengebietes von
Benkoelen zwischen Seblat (NW) und Bintoehan (SE),
(Westkueste von Sued-Sumatra): BPM (Shell)
Unpub., p. 24.
Howles, A.C., 1986. Structural and Stratigraphic
Evolution of the Southwest Sumatran Bengkulu Shelf,

Indonesian Petroleum Association, 15th Annual

Convention Proceeding, p. 215-243.
Hubbard, R.J., Pape, J., and Roberts, 1985.
Depositional sequence mapping as a technique to
establish tectonic and stratigraphic framework and
evaluate hydrocarbon potential on a passive continental
margin, in O.R. Berg and D. Wolverton eds., seismic
stratigraphy 11: an integrated approach to hydrocarbon
exploration, AAPG Memoir, 39, p. 79-91.
Huchon, P. and Le Pichon X . , 1984. Sunda Strait and
Central Sumatra fault, Geology, 12, p. 668-672.
Jarrard, R.D., 1986. Terrace Motion by Strike-Slip
Faulting of Forearc Slivers, Geology, 14, p. 780-783.
Karig, D.E., Lawrence, M.B., Moore, G.F. and Curray,
J.R., 1980. Structural framework of the fore-arc basin,
NW Sumatra, J . Geol. SOC.London, 137, p. 77-91.
Matson, R.G. , Moore, G.F. , 1992. Structural Influences
on Neogene Subsidence in the Central Sumatra ForeArc Basin, AAPG Memoir, 53, p. 157-181.
Rose, R., 1983. Miocene Carbonate Rocks of Sibolga
Basin Northwest Sumatra, Indonesian Petroleum
Association, 12th Annual Convention Proceeding,
p. 107-125.

328

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329

cj
c/)

3
3

E
rn
8;

I ARWANA-11

[ MENTAWAI A - I ]

4" s

Bengkulu PSC: Exploration status.

LOCATION OF SEISMIC PANELS (FIG.7+8)

O F B 9 0 - 6 7 @ FB90-83

LOCATION OF REGIONAL
CROSS-SECTIONS (FIG.5)

SEISMIC 1990-91

EXPLORATION WELL 1992

WELLS DRILLED DURING 1970-72

33 1

. . ..
m r

d l

v,

PF.

FIGURE 5
~

sol

-n A
TH

BASIN

NORTH MANNA BASIN

10km

BARISAN UPLIFT

South and North Manna Basins: Regional cross-sections (for location see fig. 3).

:"8ASEMENT" PAPALLEL FACES

PROBABLE
TRANSFER FAULTS

I, II, IU,a: BASIN-FOPMING MEGASEQUENCES

NW

SOUTH MANNA BASIN

69

NE

sw

,.=

SE

w
N

333

STRATIGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF NORTH

AND SOUTH MANNA BASINS

SOUTHMANNA
BASIN

MEGA
SEQ.

NORTH MANNA
BASIN

El

3
a
a

\...........................................................................
--c
- - + -

1-:::::-::'
.::::.::.-.~::::-::::::::::-.:::::-:~
:.-. :::.-:::.-:

..

::::2 ::::

~ . .

---c

- - t -

---.....:::::v v

~~

::::::

- - c -

:::I

--......v..........v...

@
@

(u

t=i

N9 LIMESTONE
BATURAJA LIMESTONE EQUIVALENT

/// PROGRADING CLINOFORMS

F
I

ORGANIC (DARK BROWN)

CLAYSTONES

FIGURE 6

.,

F
]
ORGANIC LEAN
- - CLAYSTONES
0COALS
I

Stratigraphical summary of North and South Manna Basins.

334

0.0

1.o

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

FIGURE 7

Seismic panel from line FB 90-67 showing position of Arwana-1

and main sequence boundaries (for location refer to Fig. 3).

335

m
M
X
3

336

:I
w
0

=+-

v,

/a

ahl

337

338

3500

4000

3000 -

2500

*
4
I

DARK BROWN
CLAYSTONES

T.O.C.
0

-1-1

100 200 300 400

&

HYDROGEN INDEX *

-.-

'"1

.................
.- .... .......
..................
-- .........
:::::
::
T
---c
................
................
-

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

.................
.................
-.-.
.-

.................
.................
-._
-.-

1 -.:_.I +--c

.................
.................
..................
- ..................
+ +
.................
-c.................
- +

FIGURE 12

Summary of source rock characteristics.

11 . 1

Ir. 3

SEISM. SEQ.

* TOC AND HI VALUES FOR SELECTED DARK BROWN CLAYSTONE LITHOLOGIES.

SOURCEROCK
EXTRACT
DARK BROWN
CLAYS2'ONE
VRE 0.7

OIL SHOW
EXTRACT FROM
VOLCANIC SST.
VRE 0.87

BATURAJA LIMESTONE
EARLY MATURE
VRE 0.5

EXTRACT SAMPLES

OIL SHOWS

ARWANA # 1 SOURCE ROCK SUMMARY

OIL SHOW
EXTRACT FROM
VOLCANOCLASTIC

131 Lt. EOC. SOURCE ROCK 4155 M

SOWICE ROCK
EXTRACT FROM
DARK BROWN CLAYSTONE

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

MATURITY (VI+RINITEREFLECTANCE (%) E

FIGURE 13

.o

t.1

M.)

Arwana-1, Megasequence I: Biomarker comparison of oil show and adjacent source rock.

341

LITHOLO6Y ]

( ~ Av

(~o)

ENVlRO~IENT

SEQ.

II! 1

OPEN
MARINE

II . 4

RESTRICTED

S. SUMATRA
BASIN EQUIV.

2500

12 % (L)

SUBLITTORAL
"--"'?i ~

THIN
BEDS

-'-_._.

VARIABLE
:ul,2

11% (c)

3000

SEDIMENT
INPUT

II .3B

BATU -

11.3A

RA3A

-V

RESTRICTED

V-

--I

1 2 % (L)

HIGH

11.2

SEDIMENT
V

3500

INPUT
~ V -

/-

.....
.....

:13

: THIN

RESTRICTED
SUBLITTORAL

. - . . . . . - .

. ' ~ . - 7 . ".~

BEDS

13% (C)

VARIABLE
SEDIMENT
INPUT

I1.1

4000

:T ~

12% (L)

</

/5

RESTRICTED

0~
O

SUBUTTORAL
E

TO LITTORAL

CORES
CALCULATED FROIV] CORES(C)

O~

O R LOGS {L)

PERMEABIUTY INOICATED BY RFT.

FIGURE 14 - Arwana-1, Early Neogene to Paleogene reservoir stratigraphy.

[-,

342

343

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344

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