ORIGINAL PAPER

Basin analysis study of block 10 in the Say'un-Masilah Basin,

Yemen, using a 1D backstripping method
Adel Mohammad Al-Matary & Hilal M. Ahmed
Received: 2 November 2010 / Accepted: 3 January 2011
# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2011
Abstract Geohistory analysis was carried out on block 10
in the Sayun-Masilah Basin. The present study is based on
the analysis of the well logs of six exploration wells. In the
Middle Jurassic to the Middle Eocene, Sayun-Masilah
Basin exhibited a complex subsidence history over a period
of about 155 Ma. Backstripped subsidence curves are
constructed by removing the effects of decompaction to the
water column and sediment loads. In the Middle Jurassic,
slow subsidence was driven under the effect of sediment
load as Kuhlan and Shuqra Formations were deposited as
pre-rift deposits. The average total subsidence value of the
basement during the deposition of Shuqra Formation was
276 m. The highest subsidence rates during this time are
observed northeast of the study area. Rapid subsidence
initiated in the Upper Jurassic driven by mechanical
extension of the rift, resulting in the deposition of Madbi
and Safer Formations, or the so-called Syn-rift deposits.
The average tectonic subsidence value of the basements
during the deposition of Madbi Formation was 368 m. The
highest subsidence rates during this time are observed
southwest of the study area. Mechanical extension ceased at
about 145 Ma, being replaced by a phase of post-rift
subsidence, resulting in more widespread uniform sedimen-
tation, with reduced tectonic subsidence rates forming post-rift
deposits represented by Nayfa Formation, Saar Formation,
Biyad Formation, and Mahra Group. The total subsidence
value of the basement during the deposition of the post-rift
sediments increases gradually due to the increase of the
sediment load as the rate of deposition was high especially
northeast of the area.
Keywords Yemen
.
Masilah basin
.
Backstripping
.
Geohistory
.
Basin analysis
Introduction
The Republic of Yemen is geographically located at the
southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, situated between
latitudes 12401850 N and longitudes 42505300 E.
Geologically, Yemen is located on the southwestern corner
of the Arabian plate opposite the Afar depression.
Redfern and Jones (1995) subdivided the interior Yemen
into the following major tectonic units: basement highs,
Jurassic rift basins, Cretaceous rift basins, and intergraben
highs and marginal terraces. The Late Jurassic rifting
between East Africa and West India also caused extensional
tectonics in Yemen, and sediments beginning to fill
Mesozoic grabens thus developed, including the Sabatayn,
Sayun-Masilah, Balhaf, Siham-Ad-Dali, and Jiza-Qamar
basins (Fig. 1).
The two Mesozoic basins of the Sabatayn and the
Sayun-Masilah are currently the only hydrocarbon-
producing basins in Yemen. Both of them are the two
major Jurassic rift basins within interior Yemen, which are
flanked and separated by major basement highs.
The studied block 10 is located in the northern central
part of Sayun-Masilah Basin (Figs. 1 and 3) that has long
been the site of hydrocarbon exploration and production.
However, few studies have investigated their thermal and
burial histories, and the timing of hydrocarbon generation is
therefore poorly constrained.
Backstripping is a quantitative method of estimating
tectonic subsidence, which is defined as the vertical move-
ment of basement in the absence of both sediment loading and
sea level change (Watts and Ryan 1976). It is routinely
A. M. Al-Matary (*)
:
H. M. Ahmed
Earth & Environmental Sciences Department, Sanaa University,
Sanaa, Yemen
e-mail: adelalmatary@yahoo.com
Arab J Geosci
DOI 10.1007/s12517-011-0280-0
performed on 1D borehole or cross-section stratigraphy (e.g.,
Scheck and Bayer 1999; Van Sickel et al. 2004; Carminati et
al. 2007) and on 2D cross-sections drawn on seismic
reflection data (e.g., Steckler et al. 1999; Roberts, et. al
1998 and references therein; Ceramicola et al. 2005).
The goal of this study was to produce a representation of
the vertical movement of a stratigraphic horizon in Sayun-
Masilah Basin as an indicator of subsidence and uplift
history of the basement in the basin since sedimentary
cover is being deposited.
Geology and stratigraphic framework
of the Sayun-Masilah Basin
The Late Jurassic rifting between East Africa and West
India caused extensional tectonics in Yemen (but notably
without rift-related volcanism), and sediments beginning to
fill Mesozoic grabens thus developed, including the
Sabatayn and Sayun-Masilah basins. Both have a predomi-
nant NWSE orientation and are delimited by major bounding
faults, which probably reflect reactivation, or controlled by
preexisting Najd trend faults. These well-explored basins are
filled with syn-rift and post-rift sediments that share many
similarities in source and reservoir rocks, but the Tithonian
evaporate is absent in Sayun-Masilah Basin.
The thickness of the sedimentary succession in the
Mesozoic basins is between 1.8 and 3 km in the western parts
and 46 km in the east parts of Yemen (As-Saruri et al. 2010).
The Sayun-Masilah Basin, as its name implies, is
divisible into two sectors. The western part of Sayun
sector is more rift-like in its configuration and subsidence
manner than the eastern or Masilah sector, where deposits
have intertongued more with open marine conditions.
Lithostratigraphic units in the basin have been studied by
many authors, including Haitham and Nani (1990),
Fig. 1 Map of the outcrop geology, major structural highs, and sedimentary basins of Yemen (after As-Saruri et al. 2010 with modifications)
Arab J Geosci
Bosence et al. (1996), Bosence (1997), Putnam et al.
(1997), Beydoun et al. (1996, 1998), Beydoun and
As-Saruri (1998), Watchorn et al. (1998), and Cheng et al.
(1999). The most current detailed stratigraphic and basin
nomenclature of Yemen is provided by (Beydoun et al.
1998). As backstripping study may be the first in this basin,
another one is carried out in the Sabatayn Basin (Al-Matary
2007). Recent active oil exploration works in Sayun-
Masilah Basin revealed the presence of a subsurface
Jurassic to Recent stratigraphic column (Fig. 2). It can be
summarized below.
The pre-rift sedimentary sequences in these basins are
represented by the Kuhlan Formation (Bathonian/Callovian)
and the Shuqra Formation (Oxfordian). Upper JurassicEarly
Cretaceous syn-rift sediments in the Mesozoic basins consti-
tute the predominant petroleum plays and production in
Yemen. Early syn-rift sediments of the Mesozoic basins are
represented by the Madbi Formation which consists in the
surface section of organic-rich marine shale (Lower and
Upper Madbi Shales Members), debris flow and breccias
(Rafad Member), and well-bedded limestone (Maabir
Member). In the subsurface section, the Madbi Formation
is divided into the rich bituminous shale of the Meem
Member in the lower part and the shale and turbidite of
the Lam Member in the upper part .The turbidities of the
Madbi Formation are overlain by the thick evaporites of
the Sabatayn Formation. The Barremian-aged Qishn
Clastics offer another noteworthy reservoir rock, espe-
cially in the Sayun-Masilah Basin. These sandstones
have high porosity and permeability and are free from
inhibiting authigenic clay or other diagnetic problems
because of their quartz-rich composition and relatively
shallow burial depth (Putnam et al. 1997; Leckie and
Rumpel 2003; King et al. 2003).
The Madbi Formation is overlain by platform carbonates
of the Nayfa Formation (Upper Tithonian) and deepwater
limestone and shale sediments of the Saar Formation
(BerriasianValanginian). The remaining Cretaceous sedi-
ments (mainly shallow marine limestones, marls, and
sandstone) in the Mesozoic basins are sandwiched between
major unconformities at the Hauterivian, Aptian, Cenoma-
nian, and Danian stages, reflecting transgressions due to
eustatic changes or non-deposition/erosion by tectonic
uplifts.
Fig. 2 General columnar sec-
tion for the stratigraphic units
in the Sayun-Masilah Basin
Arab J Geosci
The Sayun-Masilah Basin is characterized by numerous
unconformities which surfaced due to volcanic activation
and deposition of the Jurassic sediments directly on the
basement rocks.
At bock (10), the sedimentary basin fills ranges in
thickness from 4,000 m in the deep centers to 1,800 m on
the structural highs.
The Kuhlan Formation, Amran Group, Saar Formation,
Mahra Group, Hadramawt Group, and Shihr Group are the
main stratigraphic units in the Sayun-Masilah Basin (Fig. 2).
Materials and method
This paper study is based on the data of six boreholes
drilled in block 10 in the Sayun-Masilah Basin. These are
Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells (Fig. 3
and Tables 1 and 2). These data are used for the
achievement of the stratigraphic setting in the study area
and to determine the porosity of each rock unit.
The backstripping method is used for studying the
geohistory of the Sayun-Masilah Basin. It is a technique
used on basin studies such as geohistory analysis that
separates isostatic effects of sediment and water loading
from those of tectonic subsidence (Steckler and Watts 1978;
Van Hinte 1978). It is a method by which successive layers
of basin fill sediment are stripped off the total stratigraphy
during analysis of that basins history.
Mathematical procedures to calculate tectonic subsi-
dence through time from stratigraphic columns have been
discussed, for instance, by Steckler and Watts (1978) Allen
and Allen (2005). This analysis yields a series of curves
that explain the history of sediment accumulation and
subsidence through time as indicated by a single vertical
stratigraphic column via well log or a measured section; the
curves can be compared from place to place within a basin,
or from a basin to another basin. This analysis requires
knowledge of the stratigraphic column showing the present-
day thickness of the stratigraphic units, types of lithologies,
ages of horizons, and estimated paleowater depths. This
Fig. 3 Location of study area and the selected wells
Arab J Geosci
analysis also requires information about the vertical position
of the depositional systems relative to some data, bathym-
etry or topography and absolute sea level.
Geohistory diagrams show the interaction between
sediment supply, eustatic sea level changes, and basement
subsidence through time. Subsidence can be driven by
tectonic movement, compaction of sediment under its own
weight, or some combination of both.
Geohistory analysis of block 10 in the Sayun-Masilah
Basin
The aimof backstripping is to analyze the subsidence history of
a basin by modeling a progressive reversal of the depositional
process. While backstripping may be applied to any sedimen-
tary basin (including platforms and foreland basins), it is most
commonly applied to extensional basins where it is used to
determine the magnitude of lithosphere stretching from post-
rift subsidence rate (Sclater and Christie 1980).
In this paper, the history of vertical tectonic motions
of the basement rocks in block 10 is quantified using
airy (1D) isostasy backstripping and tectonic subsidence
modeling analysis. There are basically three steps in
constructing a subsidence or geohistory curves (Athy
1930; Van Hinte 1978). The first is determining the
sediment thickness and porosity for each unit, then
making the correction of the compaction effect to
reconstruct the original thickness of the unit, and finally
calculating the amount of subsidence and sedimentation
rates.
1. Determine sediment porosities
There are a lot of different ways to calculate
sediment porosity, but most of them rely on the
assumption that porosity decreases with burial depth.
In this study, the porosity of the studied formations is
derived from well logs and Eq. 1.
f
N
f
o
e
cz
1
2. Sediment decompaction
The first step in backstripping is to reconstruct the
original sediment thicknesses (T
O
) of the growing
sedimentary fill from the basin floor up-to-date strati-
graphic boundaries in particular exposures or well logs.
Provided a sedimentary column with the present
thickness (T
N
), the present-day porosity (
N
), and the
original porosity (
O
), thus the original thickness for
any unit (T
O
) is given by:
T
O

1 f
N
T
N
1 f
O

: 2
Table 1 shows the names, total depth, and elevations of the selected
wells
Well name Well symbols Total depth (m) Elevation above
sea level (m)
Kharir 1-37 KHA 1-37 2,953 956.88
Kharir 1-25 KHA 1-25 2,882.5 1000.9
Kharir 1-11 KHA 1-11 2,350 989.5
Kharir 1-15 KHA 1-15 2,580 942.5
Kharir 2-20 KHA 2-20 3,069 951.5
Kharir 1-16 KHA 1-16 2,550 910.5
Table 2 Names of stratigraphic units and the present-day depth to the top of these Formations (in km) at each well
Unit ID Formations KHA 1-37 (km) KHA 1-25 (km) KHA 1-11 (km) KHA 1-15 (km) KHA 2-20 (km) KHA 1-16 (km)
1 UMM ER RASHUMAH 0 0.015 0.015 0.015 0 0.014
2 SHARWAYN 0.26 0.307 0.308 0.26 0.269 0.27
3 MUKALLAH 0.293 0.326 0.338 0.295 0.287 0.29
4 FARTAQ 0.819 0.8595 0.858 0.827 0.78998 0.875
5 HARSHIYAT 0.853 0.894 0.883 0.862 0.82298 0.913
6 UNCONFORMATY 1.551 1.667 1.63 1.593 1.62184 1.575
7 QISHN 1.551 1.667 1.63 1.593 1.62184 1.575
8 BIYAD 1.666 1.774 1.73 1.69 1.73034 1.687
9 UNCONFORMATY 1.964 2.093 1.978 1.965 2.04882 1.983
10 SAAR 1.964 2.093 1.978 1.965 2.04882 1.983
11 NAYFA 2.429 2.529 2.251 2.345 2.49925 2.4
12 MADBI 2.523 2.604 2.27 2.37 2.64659 2.432
13 SHUQRA 2.778 2.8175 2.322 2.562 2.78927 2.48
14 KUHLAN 2.948 2.8782 2.35 2.573 3.06982 2.55
15 BASEMENT 2.953 2.8825 2.35 2.58 3.06982 2.55
Arab J Geosci
3. Sediment accumulation rates
The rate of fill (R
f
) at which the sedimentary rock
accumulated during any interval of time can be calculated.
If the time span (A) of the interval is expressed in
megayears and the original thickness (T
O
) in meters, then
R
f

T
O
10A
cm=1; 000 years: 3
4. Total subsidence
The total depth of a basin is the sum of the thickness
of the sediments and the water depth above that basin
fill. So we can calculate total subsidence as follows:
S
X
i
1
T

WD
i
4
where S is the total subsidence, WD is the water depth,
and T* is the decompacted thickness.
5. Tectonic subsidence
The tectonic subsidence of the basement rocks can
be calculated from the general backstripping equation
of Steckler and Watts (1978):
Z
i
T

r
a
r
s
r
a
r
w
WD
i
5
where Z
i
is the depth to the tracked horizon relative to sea
level (i.e., the amount of tectonic subsidence);
a
is the
density of the asthenosphere (3,330 kg/m
3
);
s
is the
density of the sediment column;
w
is the density of water
(1,030 kg/m
3
); and WD
i
is the water depth for unit i. T*
is the decompacted thickness. The density of the
sedimentary column (
s
) changes as the thickness of the
stratigraphic section changes due to compaction; it must
be calculated after each new unit is deposited. Following
Steckler and Watts (1978),
s
can be calculated for the
column after the deposition of unit i by this equation:
r
si

P
i
i1
f
ir
w
1 f
i
r
g
h i
T

i
S

6
where S

P
i
1
T

i
where
g
is the grain density of unit
and
i
is the porosity of unit i. values for grain density
and the maximum surface porosity
O
are shown in
Table 1.
6. Subsidence rate
It can be calculated by dividing the total subsidence
(S) in meters by age (Ma, Ka, or year) of any unit.
R
s

S
10A
cm=1; 000 years: 7
Input parameters for airy (1D) backstripping
The ages of the chosen stratigraphic horizons (Table 2) in
the studied wells were derived from the International
Lexicon of Stratigraphy (Beydoun et al. 1998). No specific
palebathymetric data were available; instead, the standard
paleowater depth of common lithology is used (Fluegel
2004).
FLEX DECOMP (Badleys Company 2000) is a soft-
ware that deals with the problem of removing a laterally
varying load from a lithosphere exhibiting finite strength by
point sampling the cross-section at a regular interval. This
program is used here to calculate some parameters like
constant, C), initial porosity
O
, and density of units,
s
(Table 3).
Six deep exploration wells (Tables 1 and 2) were
selected to calculate the total subsidence of the basement
rocks in the (block 10) in Sayun-Masilah Basin and plot it
against the age to the base of the studied formation in each
well (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9).
Results and discussion
The resulted subsidence and sedimentation rates for all
units are shown in Tables 4, 5, and 6 and will be discussed
for each formation separately as follows.
Kuhlan Formation
It is the lowest formation of the stratigraphic section in the
studied block. The Kuhlan Formation consists of coarse- to
fine-grained sandstones locally interbedded with non-
calcareous silts and shales. It rests unconformably on the
basement rocks in most of the studied well. The age to the
base of this formation is 165 Ma. Its initial porosity is 49%
calculated using Flex-Decomp software, and the average
present-day porosity is 23% obtained from the well logs.
Kuhlan Formation has a thickness of about 5, 4.3, and
7 m, in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, and 1-15 wells, respectively. The
highest rate of deposition for this formation is 1.4 m/Ma,
which was obtained from Kha 1-25, and the lowest one is
0.86 m/Ma, obtained from Kha 1-15.
The decompacted thickness due to the sequential
removal of compaction effects of this formation in the
studied wells are 8, 7, and 10 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, and 1-
15 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The
highest effect of compaction on this formation is obtained
from Kha 1-15 well.
The tectonic subsidence values of the basements during
the deposition of Kuhlan Formation, calculated using the
1D method, are 7, 4, and 7 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, and 1-15
wells, respectively (Table 3), the highest tectonic subsidence
rates being observed in Kharir 1-15.
The total subsidence values of the basement during the
deposition of Kuhlan Formation, calculated using the 1D
backstripping method are 8, 7, and 10 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25,
Arab J Geosci
and 1-15 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The
sedimentation rate of this formation in this region was low.
Shuqra Formation
The Shuqra Formation is the basal formation of the Amran
Group, and it predominantly consists of carbonates deposited
in a shallow marine neritic environment of a wide inner shelf.
The carbonate succession of the Shuqra Formation is highly
fossiliferous, well-bedded, and commonly oolitic limestones
(sandy at base), with interbedded marls, dolomites, shales, and
occasional sandstones (Redfern and Jones 1995; Beydoun et
al. 1998). The age to the base of this formation is 154 Ma. Its
initial porosity is 70% calculated using Flex-Decomp
Fig. 4 Matrix calculation of the decompacted thickness and initial porosities of the studied formation and the subsidence curves obtained from
Kharir 1-37 well in block 10
Unit name Age to the base (Ma)
O

N
C (km)
UM ER RADHUMAH 48 0.7 0.63 0.71 2,710
SHARWAYN 65 0.6447 0.55 0.55 2,720
MUKALLAH 70 0.5181 0.42 0.35 2,660
FARTAQ 93 0.6615 0.39 0.6 2,720
HARSHIYAT 96 0.5345 0.35 0.35 2,670
UNCONFORMATY 108 0 0 0 0
QSHIN 112 0.6545 0.25 0.58 2,720
BIYAD 130 0.5338 0.28 0.35 2,670
UNCONFORMATY 135 0 0 0 0
SAAR 137 0.6755 0.15 0.64 2,710
NAYFA 142 0.6772 0.14 o.64 2,710
MADBI 147 0.6825 0.13 0.66 2,710
SHUQRA 155 0.7 0.10 0.71 2,710
KUHLAN 167 0.49 0.23 0.27 2,650
Table 3 Required geohistory
parameters used to calculate
the subsidence rate of the
basement at each deposition
stage of new unit
Arab J Geosci
software. The average present porosity of Shuqra Formation
is 10% obtained from the well logs. The present thickness of
Shuqra Formation in the selected wells are a 170, 61, 28, 11,
281, and 48 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-
16 wells, respectively. The highest average rate of deposition
for this formation is 2.43 cm/1,000 years, observed in Kharir
1-37 south of the study area, and the lowest one is
0.16 cm/1,000 years, obtained from Kharir 1-11 in the north.
The decompacted thickness due to the sequential removal of
compaction effects of this formation in the studied wells are
453, 175, 134, 32, 699, and 195 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-
11, 1-15, 2-20, and1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, and 9). The highest effect of compaction on this formation
is obtained from Kha 2-20 well where about 415 m of
sediment is compacted under effect of sedimentary loading
above this formation and tectonic subsidence. The tectonic
subsidence values of the basements during the deposition of
Shuqra Formation, calculated using the 1D method, are
348.2, 139.8, 61.87, 31.85, 518.5, and 151 m in Kharir 1-37,
1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively (Table 5);
the highest tectonic subsidence rates are observed in Kharir
2-20 in the northeast of the study area.
The total subsidence values of the basement during the
deposition of Shuqra Formation, calculated using the 1D
backstripping method are 460, 181, 79, 42, 699, and 195 m
in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells,
respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The highest
subsidence rates are observed in Kharir 2-20 northeast of
the study area.
Madbi Formation
It deposited conformably overlying the Shuqra Formation.
The formation is generally rich in organic content and is
considered as the principal source rock for all the hydro-
carbons so far discovered in the Sabatayn and Sayun-
Masilah basins (Beydoun et al. 1998). It consists of about
76% limestone and 24% shale. The age to the base of this
formation is 150 Ma. The initial porosity of the formation is
68% calculated using Flex-Decomp software, and the
average present porosity is 13% obtained from the well
logs. Its present thickness in the selected wells are 255, 214,
52, 192, 143, and 48 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20,
and 1-16 wells, respectively. The highest average rate of
deposition for this formation is 6.4 cm/1,000 years, observed
in Kharir 1-37 south of the block, and the lowest one is 1.2 cm/
1,000 years, obtained from Kharir 1-16 in the east.
The decompacted thickness are 603, 519, 134, 462, 363,
and 126 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16
wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The highest
Fig. 5 Matrix calculation of the decompacted thickness and initial porosities of the studied formation and the subsidence curves obtained from
Kharir 1-25 well in block 10
Arab J Geosci
effect of compaction on this formation is observed in Kha
1-37 well where about 348 m of sediment is compacted
under effect of sedimentary loading above this formation
and tectonic subsidence.
The tectonic subsidence values of the basements during the
deposition of Madbi Formation are 592.2, 363, 149.5, 363,
536.2, and 206.9 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and
1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The
highest tectonic subsidence rates are 592.2 m in Kharir 1-37
southwest of the study area.
The total subsidence values of the basement during the
deposition of Madbi Formation, calculated using the 1D
backstripping method are 862, 626, 198, 491, 806, and
280 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16
wells, respectively (Table 6). The highest subsidence rates
are observed in Kharir 1-37 southwest of the study area.
The Madbi Formation is deposited during the initial and
main periods of Jurassic rifting. The relatively confined nature
of the Jurassic basins that developed in Yemen is reflected in a
distinctive restricted facies of the Madbi within these basins.
Nayfa Formation
It is overlying Madbi Formation with conformable contact.
The Nayfa Formation exhibits two different facies within
Sayun-Masilah Basin. One of these facies was deposited in
a more restricted but pelagic rift setting and characterized
by porcellanites, condensed sequences, and calci-turbidites,
whereas the other is a pelagic but more open-marine facies.
The age to the base of this formation is 144 Ma. Its initial
porosity is 67% and the average present porosity is 14.3%.
The present thickness of Nayfa Formation in the selected
wells are 94, 75, 19, 25, 147, and 32 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-
11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively. The highest
average rate of deposition for this formation is
2.45 cm/1,000 years. It is observed from Kharir 2.20 north of
the study area. The lowest one is 0.31 cm/1,000 years, which is
obtained from Kharir 1-11 northwest of the study area. The
deposition of the Nayfa Formation took place during a new
phase of transgression probably associated with the erosion of
the marginal barriers that were present during Madbi times that
resulted in a partial reintroduction of open-marine sedimenta-
tion into Sayun-Masilah Basin (Redfern and Jones 1995).
The decompacted thickness in the studied wells are 236,
162, 49, 65, 362, and 83 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15,
2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9).
The highest effect of compaction on this formation is
observed in Kha 2-20 well where about 215 m of sediment
is compacted under the effect of sedimentary loading above
this formation and the tectonic subsidence. The tectonic
subsidence values of the basements during the deposition of
Nayfa Formation are 592.2, 458.3, 170.5, 329.8, 641.5, and
Fig. 6 Matrix calculation of the decompacted thickness and initial porosities of the studied formation and the subsidence curves obtained from
Kharir 1-11 well in block 10
Arab J Geosci
Fig. 8 Matrix calculation of the decompacted thickness and initial porosities of the studied formation and the subsidence curves obtained from
Kharir 2-20 well in block 10
Fig. 7 Matrix calculation of the decompacted thickness and initial porosities of the studied formation and the subsidence curves obtained from
Kharir 1-15 well in block 10
Arab J Geosci
243.6 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16
wells, respectively (Table 5). The highest tectonic subsidence
rate is 641.5 m in Kharir 2-20 northeast of the study area.
The total subsidence values of the basement during the
deposition of Nayfa Formation are 919, 678, 230, 472,
1,001, and 335 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20,
and 1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The
highest subsidence rate is observed in Kharir 2-20 northeast
of the study area.
Saar Formation
This formation represents the basal sequence of the
Cretaceous successions. It is unconformably overlain by
Fig. 9 Matrix calculation of the decompacted thickness and initial porosities of the studied formation and the subsidence curves obtained from
Kharir 1-37 well in block 10
Table 4 Rate of fill (R
f
) or the rate of sedimentation for each formation in the studied wells
Formations Kha 1-37
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 1-25
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 1-11
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 1-15
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 2-20
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 1-16
(cm/1,000 years)
UMM ER RAdHUMAH 1.53 1.72 1.72 1.44 1.58 1.51
SHARWAYN 0.66 0.38 0.60 0.70 0.36 0.40
MUKALLAH 2.29 2.32 2.26 2.31 2.19 2.54
FARTAQ 1.13 1.15 0.83 1.17 1.10 1.27
HARSHIYAT 5.82 6.44 6.23 6.09 6.66 5.52
UNCONFORMATY 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
QISHN 0.64 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.60 0.62
BIYAD 5.96 6.38 4.96 5.50 6.37 5.92
UNCONFORMATY 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
SAAR 9.30 8.72 5.46 7.60 9.01 8.34
NAIFA 1.88 1.50 0.38 0.50 2.95 0.64
MADBI 3.19 2.67 0.65 2.40 1.78 0.60
SHUQRA 1.42 0.51 0.23 0.09 2.34 0.58
KUHLAN 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00
Arab J Geosci
Qishn Formation, the basal formation of the Tawilah
Group. The succession of the Saar Formation is composed
of limestones interbedded with marls, claystones, and shale,
where the upper part is dolomitic. The age to the base of
this formation is 134 Ma. Its initial porosity is 67% and the
average present porosity is 15%. The present thickness of
Saar Formation in the selected wells are 465, 436, 273,
380, 450, and 417 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20,
and 1-16 wells, respectively. The highest average rate of
deposition of this formation is 4.65 cm/1,000 years. It is
observed in Kharir 1-37 southwest of the study area. The
lowest one is 2.7 cm/1,000 years, obtained from Kharir 1-
11 northwest of the study area. The decompacted thickness
due to the sequential removal of compaction effects of this
formation in the studied wells are 946, 898, 609, 804, 922,
and 867 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16
wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The highest
effect of compaction on this formation is observed in Kha
1-37 well where about 481 m of sediment is compacted
under effect of sedimentary loading above this formation
and tectonic subsidence. The tectonic subsidence values of
the basements during the deposition of this formation are
978.9, 867.8, 533.5, 741.9, 990.9, and 725.6 m in Kharir 1-
37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively
(Table 5). The highest tectonic subsidence rate is 990.9 m
in Kharir 2-20 northeast of the study area.
Table 5 Calculated values of tectonic subsidence of the basement at each well
Formations Kha 1-37 (km) Kha 1-25 (km) Kha 1-11 (km) Kha 1-15 (km) Kha 2-20 (km) Kha 1-16 (km)
KUHLAN 0.004889 0.004178 0 0.006628 0 0
SHUQRA 0.3482 0.139842 0.061873 0.031859 0.518489 0.151071
MADBI 0.592239 0.451568 0.149493 0.363079 0.536246 0.20686
NAIFA 0.592182 0.458341 0.17054 0.32979 0.64147 0.243561
SAAR 0.978948 0.867834 0.533541 0.741939 0.990935 0.725624
UNCONFORMATY 0.978948 0.867834 0.533541 0.741939 0.990935 0.725624
BIYAD 0.933894 0.848951 0.567462 0.729378 0.959525 0.710299
QISHN 1.005593 0.920579 0.650705 0.798856 1.026606 0.792593
UNCONFORMATY 1.005593 0.920579 0.650705 0.798856 1.026606 0.792593
HARSHIYAT 1.240734 1.206228 0.979286 1.086638 1.300509 1.052395
FARTAQ 1.244492 1.207129 0.976284 1.090535 1.30002 1.060643
MUKALLAH 1.390908 1.360758 1.148753 1.251511 1.436783 1.241129
SHARWAYN 1.401277 1.365535 1.159087 1.263284 1.441413 1.246262
UMM ER RAdHUMAH 1.514566 1.495079 1.281597 1.368601 1.563269 1.357158
Table 6 Rate of total subsidence (cm/1,000 years) of the basement during the deposition of each formation in the selected wells
Formations Kha 1-37
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 1-25
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 1-11
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 1-15
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 2-20
(cm/1,000 years)
Kha 1-16
(cm/1,000 years)
KUHLAN 0.0136 0.0116 0.0000 0.0184 0.0000 0.0000
SHUQRA 2.9017 1.1654 0.5156 0.2655 4.3207 1.2589
MADBI 7.4030 5.6446 1.8687 4.5385 6.7031 2.5857
NAIFA 11.8436 9.1668 3.4108 6.5958 12.8294 4.8712
SAAR 19.5790 17.3567 10.6708 14.8388 19.8187 14.5125
UNCONFORMATY 48.9474 43.3917 26.6770 37.0970 49.5467 36.2812
BIYAD 18.6779 16.9790 11.3492 14.5876 19.1905 14.2060
QISHN 5.5866 5.1143 3.6150 4.4381 5.7034 4.4033
UNCONFORMATY 25.1398 23.0145 16.2676 19.9714 25.6652 19.8148
HARSHIYAT 10.3394 10.0519 8.1607 9.0553 10.8376 8.7700
FARTAQ 41.4831 40.2376 32.5428 36.3512 43.3340 35.3548
MUKALLAH 6.0474 5.9163 4.9946 5.4414 6.2469 5.3962
SHARWAYN 28.0255 27.3107 23.1817 25.2657 28.8283 24.9252
UMM ER RAdHUMAH 8.9092 8.7946 7.5388 8.0506 9.1957 7.9833
Arab J Geosci
The total subsidence values of the basement during the
deposition of Saar Formation, calculated using the 1D
backstripping method are 1,584, 1,349, 756, 1,112, 1,620,
and 1,067 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-
16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The
highest subsidence rates are observed in Kharir 2-20
northeast of the study area.
Biyad Formation
The Biyad Formation rested unconformably above Nayfa
Formation. It consists of about 69.5% sandstone, 23%
shale, and 7.5% limestone. The age to the base of this
formation is 133 Ma. A time span of about a million years
is represented by a surface of unconformity, erosion, or
non-deposition before the deposition of Biyad Formation is
commenced. The initial porosity of the formation is 53%
calculated using Flex-Decomp software and the average
present porosity is 28%. The present thickness of Biyad
Formation in the selected wells are 298, 275, 248, 319, 318,
and 296 m, and the decompacted thickness are 433, 469,
365, 401, 466, and 431 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15,
2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9).
The highest average rate of deposition for this formation is
5.31 cm/1,000 years, observed in Kharir 1-15 in the center of
block 10. The lowest one is 4.1 cm/1,000 years, obtained
from Kharir 1-11 northwest of the study area. The highest
effect of compaction on this formation is observed in Kha 1-
37 well where about 194 m of sediment is compacted. The
tectonic subsidence values of the basements during the
deposition of Biyad Formation are 933.9, 848.9, 567.5,
729.4, 959.5, and 710.3 m, and the total subsidence values
are 1,690, 1,493, 916, 1,238, 1,751, and 1,202 m in Kharir 1-
37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively
(Tables 5 and 6). The highest tectonic subsidence rate
observed is 959.5 m in Kharir 2-20 northeast of the study
area.
Qishn Formation
It is the most important formation in the Sayun-Masilah
Basin because it is the main oil reservoir. It is deposited
conformably overlying the Biyad Formation. The Qishn
Formation is composed of three members, namely, the
Saaf Member, Qishn Clastic Member, and the Upper Qishn
Carbonate Member. The age to the base of this formation is
127 Ma. Its initial porosity is 65% and the average present
porosity is 25.2%. The present thickness of Qishn Forma-
tion in the selected wells are 115, 107, 100, 97, 109, and
112 m, and the decompacted thickness are 233, 221, 206,
199, 223, and 227 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20,
and 1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The
highest average rate of deposition for this formation is
0.95 cm/1,000 years, observed in Kharir 1-37. The lowest
one is 0.8 cm/1,000 years, obtained from Kharir 1-15 north
of the study area. The highest effect of compaction on this
formation is observed in Kha 1-37 well where about 118 m
of sediment is compacted. The tectonic subsidence values
of the basements during the deposition of Qishn Formation
are 1,005.6, 920.6, 650.7, 798.8, 1,026.6, and 792.6 m, and
the total subsidence values are 1,821, 1,622, 1,052, 1,359,
1,876, and 1,342 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20,
and 1-16 wells, respectively (Tables 5 and 6). The highest
subsidence rates are observed in Kharir 2-20 northeast of
the study area.
Harshiyat Formation
It rests unconformably above Qishn Formation. The age to
the base of this formation is 112 Ma. A time span of about
three million years is represented by a surface of uncon-
formity, erosion, or non-deposition before the deposition of
Harshiyat Formation is commenced. The lithology of this
formation consists of sandstone with interbedded shales and
marls. The initial porosity of the formation is 53% and the
average present porosity is 34.7%. The present thickness of
Harshiyat Formation are 698, 773, 747, 731, 799, and
662 m, and the decompacted thickness are 860, 952, 920,
898, 972, and 824 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20,
and 1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The
highest average rate of deposition is 5 cm/1,000 years,
observed from Kharir 2-20, and the lowest one is
4.1 cm/1,000 years, obtained from Kharir 1-16 in the
southeast. The highest effect of compaction is observed in
Kha 1-25 well where about 179 m of sediment is
compacted. The tectonic subsidence values of the basement
during the deposition of Harshiyat Formation are 1,240.7,
1,206.2, 979.3, 1,086.6, 1,300.5, and 1,052.4 m, and the
total subsidence values are 2,376, 2,265, 1,725, 1,981,
2,516, and 1,907 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20,
and 1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The
highest tectonic subsidence rate is 1,300.5 m in Kharir 2-20
northeast of the study area.
Fartaq Formation
It lies conformably above Harshiyat Formation. It is
consists of 55% shale, 29% limestone, and 16% dolomite.
The age to the base of this formation is 96 Ma. Its initial
porosity is 66% and the average present porosity is 39.8%.
The present thickness of Fartaq Formation in the selected
wells are 34, 35, 25, 35, 33, and 38 m, and the
decompacted thickness are 59, 61, 44, 61, 57, and 67 m
in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells,
respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The highest average
rate of deposition is 1.26 cm/1,000 years, observed from
Arab J Geosci
Kharir 1-16, and the lowest one is 0.8 cm/1,000 years,
obtained from Kharir 1-11 north of the study area. The
highest effect of compaction is observed from Kha 1-16
well where about 29 m of sediment is compacted. The
tectonic subsidence values of the basement during the
deposition of Fartaq Formation are 1,244.5, 1,207.1, 976.3,
1,090.5, 1,300, and 1,060.6 m, and the total subsidence
values are 2,394, 2,281, 1,732, 2,000, 2,530, and 1,931 m
in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells,
respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The highest tectonic
subsidence rate is 1,300 m in Kharir 2-20 northeast of the
study area.
Mukalla Formation
Mukalla Formation is the largest formation in the Mahra
Group. It mainly consisted of sandstone with little siltstone
and shale. The age to the base of this formation is 93 Ma.
Its initial porosity is 51% and the average present porosity
is 42.5%. The present thickness in the selected wells are
526, 534, 520, 532, 503, and 585 m, and the decompacted
thickness are 572, 583, 570, 576, 546, and 632 m in Kharir
1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively
(Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The highest average rate of
deposition for this formation is 2.25 cm/1,000 years,
observed in Kharir 1-16. The tectonic subsidence values
of the basements during the deposition of Mukalla
Formation are 1,390.9, 1,360.8, 1,148.8, 1,251.5, 1,436.8,
and 1,241.1 m, and the total subsidence value of the
basement are 2,753, 2,651, 2,116, 2,375, 2,869, 2,349 m in
Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells,
respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) and (Tables 5 and 6).
The highest tectonic subsidence rate is 1,436.8 m in Kharir
2-20 northeast of the study area.
Sharwayn Formation
It is deposited conformably overlying the Mukalla Forma-
tion. It consists of 71% limestone and 21% dolomite. The
age to the base of this formation is 67 Ma. Its initial
porosity is 64% and the average present porosity is 55%.
The present thickness of Sharwayn Formation are 33, 19,
30, 35, 18, and 20 m, and the decompacted thickness are
41, 24, 38, 43, 22, and 25 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-
15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
and 9). The highest average rate of deposition is
0.58 cm/1,000 years, observed in Kharir 1-15. The lowest
one is 0.3 cm/1,000 years, obtained from Kharir 1-11 north
of the study area. The tectonic subsidence values of the
basements during the deposition of Sharwayn Formation
are 1,401.3, 1,365.5, 1,159, 1,263.3, 1,441.4, and
1,246.3 m, and the total subsidence values are 2,773,
2,662, 2,136, 2,398, 2,879, and 2,360 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-
25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively (Figs. 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and Tables 5 and 6). The highest tectonic
subsidence rate is 1441.4 m, observed in Kharir 2-20
northeast of the study area.
Umm Er Radhuma Formation
It is the last formation in the stratigraphic section of block
10. It represents the first formation of Hadramawt Group. It
is deposited conformably above Sharwayn Formation and
composed mainly of limestone. The age to the base of this
formation is 61 Ma. The initial porosity of the formation is
70% and the average present porosity is 63.5%.
The present thickness in the selected wells are 260, 292,
293, 245,269, and 256 m in Kharir 1-37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15,
2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively. The highest average rate
of deposition for this formation is 1.7 cm/1,000 years,
observed in Kharir 1-25 and 1-11 wells, and the lowest one
is 1.4 cm/1,000 years in Kharir 1-15 in the central of the
block. There is no thickness correction made for this
formation due to the compaction. The tectonic subsidence
values of the basements during the deposition of Umm Er
Radhuma Formation are 1,514.6, 1,495, 1,281.6, 1,368.6,
1,563.3, and 1,357.2 m and the total subsidence values are
2,953, 2,868, 2,335, 2,565, 3,070, and 2,536 m in Kharir 1-
37, 1-25, 1-11, 1-15, 2-20, and 1-16 wells, respectively
(Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and Tables 5 and 6). The highest
tectonic subsidence rate is 1563.3 m observed from Kharir
2-20 northeast of the study area.
Conclusion
Geohistory Analysis is carried out on block 10 in the
Sayun-Masilah Basin. The present study is based on the
analysis of the well logs of six exploration wells.
Backstripped subsidence curves, constructed by remov-
ing the effects of processes such as sediment loading,
loading due to the water column, and sediment compaction,
allow the subsidence histories of the basin to be examined
in terms of the tectonic drivers that caused the subsidence
of the basins.
The rates of sediment accumulation for the studied
formations are shown in Table 4. The highest accumulation
rates are 9.01, 6.66, and 6.37 cm/1,000 years for the Saar
Formation, Harshiyat Formation, and Biyad Formation,
respectively.
The rates of the total subsidence of the basement during
all stages are shown in Table 6. From the Middle Jurassic to
the Eocene, the Sayun-Masilah Basin exhibits a complex
subsidence history over a period of about 100 Ma. The
highest rate of tectonic subsidence commenced at 150 Ma
associated with the extensional rifting of the basin.
Arab J Geosci
In the Early to Middle Jurassic, slow subsidence was
driven under the effect of sedimentary weight, when
Kuhlan and Shuqra Formations were deposited and formed
the pre-rift sediments. After that, rapid subsidence happened
in the Middle to Late Jurassic that was driven by mechanical
extension and rifting at this time, forming the Syn-rift
sediments, represented by Madbi Formation.
In the Middle Jurassic, the dynamic loading was over-
whelmed by static loading, caused by the developing huge
accumulative sediments, leading to very high rates of
subsidence, and the development of Sayun-Masilah Basin.
The mechanical extension ceased at about 144 Ma, being
replaced by a phase of post-rift subsidence, resulting in
more widespread uniform sedimentation, with reduced
tectonic subsidence rates forming the post-rift sediments
represented by Nayfa, Saar, and Biyad formations and all
Mahra Group formations. This stage was followed by a
high rate of sedimentation during the Late Paleocene to
Early Eocene, forming the Um Er Radhuma Formation with
a high rate of subsidence. This rate of tectonic subsidence
could be interpreted in terms of dynamic re-rifting during
this time.
References
Allen PA, Allen JR (2005) Basin analysis: principles and applications,
2nd edn. Blackwell Scientific, Oxford
Al-Matary AM (2007) Geohistory, microfacies and petroleum assess-
ment of the central part of the Sabatyn Basin, Yemen. PhD
dissertation, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
As-Saruri M, Sorkhabi R, Baraba R (2010) Sedimentary basins of
Yemen: their tectonic development and lithostratigraphic cover.
Arab J Geosci 3:515527
Athy LF (1930) Density, porosity and compaction of sedimentary
rocks. AAPG Bull 14:124
Badley Earth Sciences (Computing) Limited (2000) Flex-Decomp
software, v.1.0. Authored by Baxter K and Kusznir NJ.
Lincolnshire, UK
Beydoun ZR, As-Saruri ML (1998) Phanerozoic depositional basins
and inter-basinal highs of Yemen: their structural framework and
sedimentary cover. Zeitschr Geol Wiss 26(5/6):517529
Beydoun ZR, As-Saruri ML, Baraba RS (1996) Sedimentary basins of
the Republic of Yemen: their structural evolution and geological
characteristics. Rev Inst Fr Ptrol 51(6):763775
Beydoun ZR, As-Saruri ML, El-Nakhal H, Al-Ganad IN, Baraba RS,
Nani AO, Al-Aawah MH (1998) International lexicon of
stratigraphy, VIII, Asia, Fascicule l0b2 Republic of Yemen.
IUGS Publ 34:1245.
Bosence DW (1997) Mesozoic rift basins of Yemen. Mar Petrol Geol
14(6):611616
Bosence DW, Nichols G, Al-Subbary A, Al-Thour KA, Reeder M
(1996) Syn-rift continental to marine depositional sequences,
Tertiary, Gulf of Aden, Yemen. J Sed Res 66(4):766777
Carminati E, Corda L, Mariotti G, Brandano M (2007) Tectonic
control on the architecture of a Miocene carbonate ramp in the
Central Apennines (Italy): insights from facies to backstripping
analyses. Sed Geol 198:233253
Ceramicola S, Stoker M, Praeg D, Shannon PM, De Santis L, Hoult R,
Hjelstuen BO, Laberg S, Mathiesen A (2005) Anomalous
Cenozoic subsidence along the passive continental margin from
Ireland to mid-Norway. Mar Petrol Geol 22:10451067
Cheng ML, Leal MA, McNaughton D (1999) Productivity prediction
from well logs in variable grain size reservoir Cretaceous Qishn
Formation, Republic of Yemen. Society of Professional Well Log
Analysis, Calgary
Fluegel E (2004) Microfacies of carbonate rocks: analysis, interpre-
tation and application. Springer, Berlin
Haitham FM, Nani ASO (1990) The gulf of Aden Rift: hydrocarbon
potential of the Arabian sector. J Petrol Geol 13(2):211220
King WA, Mills BR, Scoot G, Abdillah AA (2003) The Masilah Fields,
Republic of Yemen. In: Halbouty MT (ed) Giant oil and gas fields of
the decade 19901999. AAPG Special Publication 17, pp 124
Leckie DA, Rumpel T (2003) Tide-influenced sedimentation in a rift
basinCretaceous Qishn Formation, Masila Block, Yemen: a
billion barrel oil field. AAPG Bull 87(6):9871013
Putnam PE, Kendall G, Winter DA (1997) Estuarine deposits of the
Upper Qishn Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Masila region,
Yemen. AAPG Bull 81(8):13061329
Redfern P, Jones JA (1995) The interior rifts of Yemen: analysis of
basin structure and stratigraphy in a regional plate tectonic
context. Basin Res 7:337356
Roberts AM, Kusznir NJ, Yielding G, Styles P (1998) 2D flexural
backstripping of extensional basins: the need for a sideways
glance. Pet Geosci 4:327338
Scheck M, Bayer U (1999) Evolution of the northeast German Basin
inferences from a 3D structural model to subsidence analysis.
Tectonophysics 313:145169
Sclater JG, Christie PAF (1980) Continental stretching: an explanation
of the post-Mid-Cretaceous subsidence of the central North Sea
basin. J Geophys Res 85:37113739
Steckler MS, Watts AB (1978) Subsidence of the Atlantic-type
continental margins of New York. Earth Planet Sci Lett 41:113
Steckler MS, Mountain GS, Miller KG, Christie-Blick N (1999)
Reconstruction of tertiary progradation and clinoform develop-
ment on the New Jersey passive margin by 2-D backstripping.
Mar Geol 154:399420
Van Hinte JE (1978) Geohistory analysis application of micro-
pleantology in exploration geology. AAPG Bull 62(2):201222
Van Sickel WA, Michelle N, Kominz A, Kenneth N, Millerw G,
Browningw JV (2004) Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic sea-level
estimates: backstripping analysis of borehole data, onshore New
Jersey. Basin Res 16:451465
Watchorn F, Nicols GJ, Bosence DWJ (1998) Rift related sedimentation
and stratigraphy, southern Yemen (Gulf of Aden). In: Purser BH,
Bosence DWJ (eds) Sedimentation and tectonics of rift basins: Red
Sea-Gulf of Aden. Chapman & Hall, London, pp 165189
Watts AB, Ryan WBF (1976) Flexure of the lithosphere and
continental margin basins. Tectonophysics 36:2544
Arab J Geosci