SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF THE B SAND (UPPER SAND, LOWER GORU FORMATION) IN THE BADIN AREA: IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT

AND EXPLOITATION
Chris Ebdon, M. Wasimuddin, Arif H. Malik and Shakeel Akhter BP Pakistan Exploration & Production Inc., Islamabad, Pakistan.

ABSTRACT The Badin Blocks operated by BP Pakistan have proved reserves of around 100MMboe, which are currently being produced from over 50 fields. Over 60% of the reserves and production is from the Lower Goru Formation Upper Sand (Early Cretaceous in age), of which the informally named B Sand (part of the Upper Sand, Lower Goru Formation) is the most important reservoir unit. Traditionally the B Sand has been correlated as a lithostratigraphic unit with a sheet like distribution over the area. In places the B Sand has been subdivided into distinctive lower and upper units, but these are not developed everywhere and the controls on the development of these units was not fully understood. A reservoir scale sequence stratigraphic review of the B Sand, based on the integration of core, log and reservoir data, has provided a framework within which the depositional evolution of the B Sand can be explained. The model further highlights implications for field development, particularly reservoir connectivity and the recognition and prediction of persistent stratigraphic barriers, and future exploitation of the Badin Area. INTRODUCTION BP Pakistan operates four separate concessions in the Badin area of the southern Sindh Province of Pakistan. The concession area covers approximately 2,050 square miles. Exploration started in 1977. To the end of 2003, 134 exploration wells have been drilled, making 57 discoveries (Fig. 1). Oil and gas accumulations occur in a complex of Early Cretaceous sandstone reservoirs within the Lower Goru Formation. From top to bottom these are informally termed the Upper, Middle and Basal Sands and are

Aptian-Albian (possibly earliest Cenomanian) in age (Fig. 2). Of these reservoirs, the Upper Sand is economically the most important, hosting 44 discoveries. The Upper Sand itself is further informally divided into three distinct sand units, separated by two regionally extensive mudstones believed to have been deposited during basin margin flooding events. The middle of these sand units is termed the B Sand. It is a high order progradational/ retrogradational cycle 4, 6 bounded below by the Badin Shale and above by the Turk Shale. It is the most prolific of the Upper Sand reservoirs. Historically the B Sand has been correlated as a lithostratigraphic unit across the area. Whilst it was interpreted to have a sheet like distribution, it was also clear that there are significant regional variations in the character and thickness of the B Sand (Fig. 3). The B Sand, where complete, varies in thickness from around 40 to > 300 feet. Local (field wide) stratigraphic compartmentalization was also observed in a number of fields. None of these phenomena could be satisfactorily explained by existing geological models. Detailed studies of core material, integration with wireline log, production and pressure data have provided a sequence stratigraphic model to describe the evolution of the B Sand, explain the regional variations in character and development and predict the presence of barriers and stratigraphic compartmentalization on a local (field wide) scale. REGIONAL SETTING The regional tectonic setting for the Badin area is briefly described by [1]. During the Cretaceous Pakistan and India was part of a northward drifting passive margin, spreading away from the Arabian/African Plate. In the latest Jurassic to Early Cretaceous the Badin area was part of this passive margin (the Thar Platform).

179

Throughout this time a thick, overall shallowing-upwards clastic sequence was deposited during a series of higher order transgressive/regressive cycles 4. Towards the end of the Albian, at the time of B Sand deposition, a well-established shallow marine shelf was developed. The shoreline was located to the east and south east of the Badin area and deeper water facies towards the northwest. In latest Albian to earliest Cenomanian times a phase of extensional faulting enhanced or imposed the northwest/southeast tectonic grain which provides the tilted fault block structures of the Badin Rift, terminated deposition of shelf sands through rapid deepening and resulted in the development of the regionally extensive Top Lower Goru Unconformity. The Upper Goru Formation mudstones, deposited in deep water, provide a seal to the tilted fault block sandstone plays of the Lower Goru Formation. METHODOLGY The principles of sequence stratigraphy 2, 5 require the recognition of genetically related beds or bed sets (parasequences and parasequence sets) and the key stratigraphic surfaces which bound these genetically related packages 8, 9, 7, 6. The methodology followed in this study starts with the analysis of available core material, which allows the high order identification of individual depositional events, sedimentary structures, bioturbation, trace fossils and interpretation of depositional facies. From successions of facies, parasequences and parasequence sets are recognized and vertical trends in the range of water depths present in successive parasequences are used to identify stacking patterns (Fig. 4). These can also be calibrated with, and interpreted from, wireline log data. Key stratigraphic surfaces are also identified in core. Candidate sequence boundaries are identified based on one or more of the following criteria: clearly defined erosional truncation, direct evidence of sub aerial exposure, or abrupt basinward shifts of facies. Likewise, potential condensed sections should be recognized based on unusual burrowed surfaces, abundant diagenetic minerals, fossil concentrations, closely spaced bentonite beds, or radioactive shales. Condensed sections may, but do not necessarily, lie along the maximum flooding surface. During the course of this study, cores from ten B Sand wells have been examined and core photographs from a further eight reviewed. Wireline log data from in excess of another 100 wells have also been reviewed and incorporated. From the recognition of parasequence sets and key stratigraphic surfaces in cores and on wireline log data the B Sand can broadly be divided

into systems tracts, which have been correlated and mapped over the Badin area. B SAND SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC EVOLUTION: KEY SURFACES AND SYSTEMS TRACTS The Badin Shale Maximum Flooding Surface The Badin Shale, where not truncated or removed by the top Lower Goru unconformity, is well developed over the Badin area, varying in thickness from 50 to >120 feet. The unit is characteristically developed as a mudstone facies. Core material is available from the Badin Shale in only one well, Duphri 2, where it is represented by finely laminated, occasionally bioturbated mudstones interpreted as offshore marine mudstones deposited well below storm wave base. The maximum flooding surface itself, however, is not penetrated by core. On wireline log data a maximum flooding surface is interpreted within the Badin Shale at a gamma maximum (e.g. Zaur 9; Fig. 5, Duphri 2; (Fig. 6). Tangri 8; Fig. 7) which represents concentration of radioactive minerals during sediment starvation. More calcareous rich horizons are also associated with this event, which are consistent with a reduction of clastic depositional rate. Occasionally it can be difficult to confidently pick the exact location of the maximum flooding surface within a 10-20 feet thick zone of maximum flooding. However, on logs an overall fining upwards trend is recognized below the maximum flooding surface (or zone of maximum flooding), and at a finer scale retrogradational parasequence sets can be interpreted (e.g. Tangri 8, (Fig. 7), from 7500 feet to MFS). Above the maximum flooding surface there is an overall coarsening upwards profile and stacked progradational parasequence sets can be interpreted (e.g. Zaur 9, Fig. 5). The B Sand Highstand Systems Tract (HST) The HST represents a period of shelf outbuilding and progradation during a period of relatively stable sealevel following the maximum flooding surface (Fig. 4). In the Badin area core is available from the HST in a number of wells. The best coverage is from well Zaur 9 (Fig. 5), which is selected as the type well. Here one 60 foot core is available, the majority of which is assigned to the HST. The sandstones encountered are variably argillaceous, locally bioclastic and are typically fine grained and well sorted and form a subtle coarsening upwards succession. Bioclastic material is common in the lower parts of the core and the amount of bioclastic material and degree of bioturbation broadly reduce upwards. At the base of

180

the core the sandstones are intensely bioturbated and variably bioclastic. Bioclasts are dominated by bivalves and fragmented shell material but also include large calcareous benthonic foraminifera and rare coral fragments. These units are sharp based and are interpreted as storm event beds (Fig.5 E). They pass upwards into bioclastic cross bedded sandstones and ripple laminated sandstones with restricted ichnofabrics which suggest a shallowing upwards succession within an outer shelf setting. Within the core at 6576 feet (drilled depth) a candidate parasequence boundary or high order flooding surface is identified based on an abrupt increase in bioturbation index 3 and slightly finer grained and more argillaceous sediments. This parasequence boundary is also expressed on wireline logs as a gamma peak (Fig. 5 D). Above this parasequence boundary similar facies to those observed at the base of the core are again observed, consistent with the deposition of storm beds within the lower shoreface/offshore transition zone. These intensely bioturbated sandstones occasionally show evidence of the development of firmground substrates through weakly developed Glossifungites ichnofabrics, and some evidence of erosional truncation at the base of some of the storm beds. The cored interval continues to indicate upwards shallowing and progradation of the sand as storm beds pass upward into interbedded cross bedded sandstones and low angle ripple laminated sandstones, showing an overall decrease in bioturbation upwards. The top of the highstand systems tract is picked on a distinctive surface in the core, interpreted as a candidate sequence boundary and which is illustrated in Fig. 5 B and is discussed further in the following section. Wireline log data from the HST in Zaur 9 confirms an overall coarsening upwards profile for the interval, supporting the shallowing upwards facies trend observed in the core. Both within the cored interval, and below, a series of stacked progradational parasequence sets can be interpreted on wireline logs above the Badin Shale maximum flooding surface (Fig. 5). Elsewhere in the basin core is relatively rare in the HST since these deposits are towards the base of the B Sand succession and therefore, commonly below the hydrocarbon water contact. The HST has, however, been cored in Duphri 2 on the eastern margin of the basin. Here a thin highstand is preserved beneath what is interpreted as a sequence boundary. It is developed in finely laminated mudstone facies with evidence of some bioturbation (Fig. 6 C). Overall the package has an upwards-coarsening profile. It is interpreted to have been deposited in a relatively deep marine setting well below storm wave base. The top part of the HST is also cored in the South Mazari 3 well where an overall

coarsening upwards log profile, represented in core by highly bioturbated offshore mudstones and siltstones with occasional storm deposits, is abruptly truncated by a sequence boundary (Fig. 8 F & E). Typically, the HST of the B Sand shows a clear upwardscoarsening profile composed of stacked progradational parasequences as seen in Zaur 9 (Fig. 5). In relatively proximal settings, the HST is severely truncated by the overlying sequence boundary (e.g. Duphri 2, Fig. 6), the process of which is discussed further in the next section, and only a thin preservational remnant is preserved. In settings that are more distal, the HST is condensed, being beyond the position of the HST shelf edge. In some locations, it may also be partly truncated by the overlying sequence boundary (e.g. Tangri 8; Fig. 7). B Sand Sequence Boundary The sequence boundary records a period of relative sea-level fall resulting in a basinward shift in facies and, if the relative sea level fall is large enough, exposure and incision of the highstand shelf which would have formed a broad coastal plain. A sequence boundary is interpreted within the B Sand succession over the entire Badin area and is no where more dramatically seen than at Duphri 2, which occupies a relatively proximal position in the basin. In Duphri 2 the sequence boundary is marked by a rapid downward shift in facies, resulting in a sharp-based sandstone directly overlying finely laminated marine mudstones of the HST. Sandstones above the sequence boundary are coarse grained with low angle planar cross beds (Fig. 6 A & B). They occasionally include laminae rich in shell debris, particularly thick walled bivalves. These sandstones are interpreted to have been deposited in a very shallow marine setting in a foreshore, barrier bar or shallow marine bar setting within the swash zone. The sequence boundary is also cored in the Zaur 9 well where a downward shift in facies is also observed across the surface. Here, in a more distal setting relative to Duphri 2, the downwards facies shift is more subtle with clean, cross-bedded sandstones overlying significantly more bioturbated, locally argillaceous and more poorly sorted sands with little in the form of well defined primary sedimentary structures. The boundary is also marked by a sharp erosive surface, inclined relative to core normal, which is overlain by a thin bioclastic lag (Fig. 5 B). The sands immediately beneath the candidate sequence boundary are also tightly cemented for a thickness of at least 5 feet, severely impacting reservoir quality and best illustrated in ultra violet light (Fig. 5 C). A cemented zone immediately beneath the sequence boundary is commonly observed in the Badin area. Whilst no direct evidence of sub

181

areal exposure (such as a rooted horizon) is observed in the core it is suggested that the sequence boundary was sub aerially exposed over wide areas of Badin and that the widespread cementation immediately below the surface represents an early cement, possibly a caliche horizon. A third core, in South Mazari 3 also records the sequence boundary. In this well, located in the northern part of Badin, the surface is also marked by a characteristic downwards shift in facies. Below the sequence boundary highly bioturbated mudstones and siltstones with occasional storm beds deposited within the offshore transition zone (Fig. 8 F) are immediately overlain by a sharp based coarse grained sandstone, characterized by low angle, parallel laminations indicating a very shallow marine foreshore or backshore setting. The surface is also marked by a granule lag at the base of the overlying sandstone and boring of the surface indicating lithification and providing some support to the formation of early caliche cements during sub areal exposure (Fig. 8 E). B Sand Lowstand Systems Tract (LST) LST deposition is initiated by the phase of relative sealevel fall and becomes established with a period of sealevel stability during relative sea-level lowstand. In the Badin area thick LST deposits are recorded in distal locations. The Jagir 2 well has the most complete cored interval with around 80 feet of core available (Fig. 9). The core provides a record of an overall upwardsshallowing succession of stacked parasequences. Highly bioturbated mudstones and siltstones deposited below storm wave base are interbedded with sharp based, fine-grained sands with some primary laminations (Fig. 9 C & D). These are storm beds deposited below fairweather wave base but above storm wave base. The succession remains in a similar facies throughout the cored interval. Towards the top of the LST intensely bioturbated fine grained sands and silts are consistent a low energy environment below fair weather wave base (Fig. 9 A & B). A shallowing upwards profile is, however, reflected in the wireline log data, indicating an overall coarsening upwards succession of stacked progradational parasequences. The base of the LST is not seen in the core but is expressed on wireline logs as a sharp based, fining upwards sand, which in Jagir 2 could represent a mass flow sandstone and the proximal limit of a submarine lowstand fan complex. The upper part of the B Sand in Jagir 2 is faulted out, but in the nearby well Tangri 8 a complete LST is preserved with core available from the upper part. The base of the LST in Tangri 8 is also marked by a sharpbased sand suggesting a sharp downwards shift in facies. The LST is represented by two large scale

coarsening upwards packages (Fig. 7). The lower of these (cored in Jagir 2) is characterised by stacked coarsening upwards and thickening upwards progradational parasequences. Core from the top of this unit confirms the upwards shallowing of facies with the shallowest facies indicating deposition in a lower shoreface setting. The top of this unit is terminated by a more mudstone rich argillaceous unit informally termed Shaley B Sand (Fig. 3) which is represented by intensely bioturbated, very fine grained sands and mudstone facies in core (Fig. 7 C), interpreted to be parasequence boundary (flooding surface). Above the parasequence boundary a second upwards shallowing, coarsening upwards parasequence is present with sands deposited in an upper shoreface setting (Fig. 7 B). The top of the LST is marked by the transgressive surface, which is described in the following section. B Sand Transgressive Surface The transgressive surface marks the end of the LST and the onset of a period of relative sea-level rise. In distal settings, where the LST is preserved, the surface is difficult to pick in core due to the conformity of facies across the surface. In the Tangri 8 well the surface occurs within a succession of cross bedded sandstones deposited in an upper shoreface setting (Fig. 7 A), and the surface is more reliably picked on wireline log data. The transgressive surface is placed at the boundary between the coarsening upwards, stacked parasequences of the underlying LST and the aggradational and retrogradational stacked parasequence sets of the overlying Transgressive Systems Tract (Fig. 7). This characteristic change in stacking patterns is widely recognized as marking the position of the transgressive surface 8, 7, 9 (Fig. 4). Over much of the Badin area the transgressive surface is coincident with the sequence boundary. Wide areas of the former highstand shelf system were exposed during lowstand and were not submerged again until inundated by the diachronous transgressive surface. In these locations the transgressive surface is characteristically marked by a thin lag deposit as observed in Zaur 9 (Fig. 5 B) and South Mazari 3 (Fig. 8 E). It marks the return of B Sand deposition in these areas. B Sand Transgressive Systems Tract (TST) The TST records a prolonged period of relative sea level rise culminating in the Turk Shale flooding event, which terminates deposition of the B Sand. In distal locations (e.g. Tangri), deposition of shelf sand deposition continues into the TST across the transgressive surface. The key change noted in distal

182

sections is a change from an upwards coarsening, progradational log profile in the LST (where sediment supply exceeds relative sea-level change or creation of accommodation space) to an aggradational stacking pattern as sediment supply can only keep pace with the accommodation space created by relative sea-level rise. Once the transgression had inundated the previously exposed highstand shelf shallow marine sand deposition was re-established across the majority of the Badin area. In Zaur 9 the TST is characterised by fine grained, moderately to very well sorted sands with rare small mudstone intraclasts and rare fragments of robust shell fragments. The most distinctive characteristic of these sands is the presence of moderately well defined cross bedding. Cross bed sets are typically preserved as 26 inch units, but intervals up to 2 feet thick with a consistent dip orientation have been identified (Fig. 5 A). The sandstones are typically unbioturbated but small, simple unlined burrows and small vertical traces of possible Skolithos are occasionally identified. Bioturbation and shell debris, together with cross bedding is consistent with a reasonably high-energy, marine, inner shelf setting as part of a tidal sandwave complex. Shallower marine facies (e.g. evidence of the shoreline) are not preserved in Zaur 9, presumably reworked shoreward as the transgression proceeded. The type of section and facies seen in Zaur 9, however, is typical of many wells and fields in the Badin area as the peneplained sequence boundary was transgressed to form an extensive shallow marine shelf area. In proximal settings, however, shoreline deposits are preserved. At Duphri the TST rest directly on distal offshore mudstones of the truncated HST and is represented by coarse grained sands, characterized by low angle planar bedding and layers rich in shells including thick walled bivalves (Fig. 6 A). These deposits are typical of very shallow water deposition within the swash zone and mark the position of the shoreline, a barrier complex or possibly a shallow shoal feature on a topographic high. In Duphri 2 these foreshore deposits are also aggradational with 26 feet of the same facies preserved in stacked aggradational parasequence sets, which are also clearly manifested on logs (Fig. 6). The South Mazari 3 well also records the TST in a relatively proximal setting and displays a log profile that it is clearly progradational. This is different to the typically aggradational/retrogradational profiles observed in the TST in the majority of wells in Badin. Core from the well indicates transgression of the sequence boundary by relatively coarse grained, low angle parallel laminated sands which pass upwards into a rooted horizon, mudstones encasing thin cross bedded

sandstones and finally coarse grained sands with high angle unidirectional beds. This section is interpreted as a prograding barrier bar complex with backshore deposits, passing upwards through a rooted soil horizon, into a lagoon with tidal channels preserved and, at the top, records deposits close to a fluvial discharge (Fig. 8). The record of fluvial sediments at the top of the South Mazari 3 section clearly indicates proximity to a local sediment source which provided sediment at a greater rate than accommodation space was created by the transgression and, therefore, allowed the development and preservation of a progradational, shallowing upwards succession in the TST. In Duphri 2 the top of the TST is truncated by the Top Lower Goru Unconformity, created by a phase of rifting in the basin, which cuts deeper into more proximal areas, which were uplifted at this time. Elsewhere the termination of B Sand deposition is very rapid as the transgression continues, inundates sediment source areas and effectively outstrips sediment supply. This is marked on logs by a rapidly upwards-fining parasequence set, which culminates in a gamma maximum (e.g. Zaur 9; Fig. 5, Tangri 8; Fig. 7, South Mazari 3; Fig. 8). Turk Shale Maximum Flooding Surface The period of relative sea-level rise, which created the accommodation space for the deposition of the TST, culminates in a maximum flooding surface within the Turk Shale. This is marked everywhere by a prominent gamma ray maximum, above which the stacked progradational parasequence sets of the succeeding highstand can be seen (e.g. Zaur 9, Fig. 5). Sequence Stratigraphic Summary Deposition of the B Sand cycle was initiated by a period of relative sea-level highstand following inundation of shelf areas by the Badin Shale Maximum Flooding Surface. A highstand systems tract prograded basinwards, passing upwards from marine shales, through offshore transition zone and lower shoreface sands. The shallowest facies recorded within the HST are from an upper shoreface setting. (Fig. 10 A). This HST shelf system was established in the eastern part of Badin and passes westwards into distal marine mudstone facies. A period of relative sea-level fall resulted in the exposure and erosion of the highstand shelf system. During this period it is likely that there was also some incision of the shelf as river systems re-equilibrated to the new base level. No evidence of incised valleys has been seen either in wells or on seismic, though due to their scale incised valleys are likely to be at the limits of

183

seismic resolution. There is, however, interpreted evidence from wireline log data of lowstand fan deposition, which would have been fed into the basin via incised valleys (Fig. 10 B). Any incised valleys are likely to be aligned perpendicular to the shelf and would have been oriented approximately northwestsoutheast. This is similar to the current tectonic grain in Badin. Though the major movements on these faults is generally believed to postdate reservoir deposition, any early development of these faults may have influenced the orientation and position of the incised valleys. As relative sea-level fall culminated, a period of relatively stable sea-level at the lowstand ensued. Depositional systems became re-established and a lowstand shelf developed basinwards of the previous highstand shelf system. Two large-scale progradational parasequences or lobes are developed (Fig. 10 C). Local sediment supply was plentiful from the widely exposed highstand shelf (in excess of 25 miles wide) where greater than 100 feet of section is estimated to have been removed in proximal locations (e.g. Duphri 2). As relative sea-level began to rise at the onset of the Transgressive Systems Tract progradational shelf deposits of the LST give way to largely aggradational and retrogradational shelf deposits of the TST. As the transgression developed wide tracts of coastal plain (exposed HST) were inundated and a broad shallow shelf around 25 miles wide was established across the Badin area. Extensive reservoir deposition occurred in an inner shelf setting. Towards the margins of the basin and on structural highs, shoreline and beach barrier complexes are preserved (Fig. 10 D). Where sediment supply was high, progradational (shallowing upwards) barrier island and back barrier complexes developed locally. B Sand deposition was finally terminated by the Turk Shale Maximum Flooding Surface, which marks a further landward migration of depositional systems. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PETROLEUM GEOLOGY Correlation The regional sequence stratigraphic correlation of the B Sand illustrated in Fig. 11 provides an explanation for the variations in thickness and character of the B Sand in the Badin area (Fig. 3). Only the TST is widely developed across the area. At the distal margins of the HST and the proximal margins of the LST caution should be exercised correlating sands beneath the transgressive surface, as they are likely to have been deposited in different systems tracts.

Reservoir Connectivity The sequence stratigraphic correlation presented here has obvious implications for reservoir connectivity at a regional scale. Previous models interpreting the B Sand as a sheet like deposit are superceded by the model presented in this paper and explain the spatial and temporal evolution of the B Sand. On a local scale there are further implications for reservoir connectivity. One of the most significant, with implications on a local field-wide scale, is the development of a cemented horizon at the top of the HST, interpreted as an early (?caliche) cement formed during the lowstand sub areal exposure following the period of sea-level fall. This horizon forms a significant barrier within the B Sand (stratigraphic compartmentalization). It is present in the Zaur Field (Fig. 5 C) and is prominent in many other B Sand Badin Fields, where it can also control the position of the hydrocarbonwater contact (e.g. Ghunghro, Rind and Sonro Fields). In core data other potential stratigraphic barriers which may also have field wide extent, or at least provide barriers locally within a field, must be considered in reservoir zonations and field development. These include significant parasequence boundaries or flooding surfaces (e.g. Tangri 8, Fig. 7 B) and less prominent parasequence boundaries (e.g. Zaur 9, Fig. 5 D). Locally cemented horizons, resulting from a concentration of shell debris such as the storm beds observed in Zaur 9 (Fig. 5 E) can be correlated over a distance of over half a mile and provide pressure barriers. In back barrier settings such as those seen in South Mazari 3 some of the sands, particularly the tidal channel facies encountered within the lagoonal setting, are likely to be of limited lateral extent and may also be poorly connected, with implications for reservoir energy and sweep. Reservoir Quality Reservoir quality within the B Sand is primarily controlled by depositional facies. The best quality reservoirs are the upper shoreface cross-bedded sandstones, which are most widely developed during the TST. As a result the TST provides the best quality reservoirs seen within the B Sand. Alternative Play types As well as refining correlations and predicting possible stratigraphic barriers within the reservoir, this sequence stratigraphic model also highlights the potential of additional play types within the B Sand, which are yet

184

to be knowingly evaluated. In brief these are: Lowstand Detached Shoreline: Potential for onlap of the lowstand shoreline on to marine mudstones of the highstand slope (schematically shown in Fig. 10 C). This is a narrow play fairway in a dip sense but is extensive in a dip direction and is approximately defined by the proximal pinch out of the LST. Lowstand Fan: Tentative evidence of lowstand mass flow sands or turbidites deposited at the base of slope is seen in Tangri 8, and other wells located in distal settings in Badin. These would be expected to be of excellent quality having been reworked from an older B Sand shelf and would be sealed by the distal toe sets of the succeeding lowstand prograding shelf. Lowstand Channel Fill: Data from Badin indicates that a shelf area in excess of 25 miles wide was emergent during lowstand and that in excess of 100 feet of section was removed in some locations. It is also highly likely that the shelf was incised as the drainage system reequilibrated to the new base level. Therefore, incised valleys cut to a depth of 100 feet could exist. These deep incised valleys would have been backfilled during transgression with a thick, aggradational succession of high quality shallow marine sands. These channels are likely to have been oriented approximately northwestsoutheast perpendicular to the shoreline and their position may have been controlled by existing structural elements. A key risk with this play fairway would be up-dip and possibly lateral seal. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors acknowledge the management of BP Pakistan Exploration and Production Inc. for permission to publish this data. We are grateful to detailed sedimentological input on the Zaur 9 well from Carl Watkins of Fugro Robertsons Limited and Zahid Mirza in the production of figures. REFERENCES [1] Alam, S.M.M, M. Wasimuddin, and S. Ahmad, 2002. Zaur structure: A complex trap in a poor seismic data area. PAPG-SPE Annual Technical Conference proceedings special publication, pp. 146-163. [2] Emery, D., and K.J. Myers, 1996, Sequence stratigraphy: Oxford, Blackwell Science, 297 p. [3] Goldring, R., 1995. Organisms and the substrate: response and effect. In: Boscence, D.W.J. & Allison. P.A. (Eds), 1995. Marine Palaeoenvironmental Analysis from Fossils, Geological Society Special Publication No. 83, pp. 151-180. [4] Haq, B.U., J. Hardenbol, and P.R. Vail, 1987, Chronology of fluctuating sea levels since the Triassic:

Science, v. 235, pp. 1156-1167. [5] Posamentier, H.W., and D.P. James, 1993, An overview of sequence-stratigraphic concepts: uses and abuses, in H.W. Posamentier, C.P. Summerhayes, B.U. Haq and G.P. Allen, eds., Sequence stratigraphy and facies associations: Oxford, Blackwell, pp. 3-18. [6] Vail, P.R., R.M. Mitchum, and S. Thompson, 1977, Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level, part 3: Relative changes of sea level from coastal onlap, in C.E. Clayton, ed., Seismic stratigraphy - applications to hydrocarbon exploration: Tulsa, Oklahoma, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 26, pp. 63-81. [7] Van Wagoner, J.C., and G.T. Bertram, eds., 1995, Sequence stratigraphy of foreland basin deposits: Tulsa, Oklahoma, AAPG Memoir 64, 490 p. [8] Van Wagoner, J.C., R.M. Mitchum, K.M. Campion, and V.D. Rahmanian, 1990, Siliciclastic sequence stratigraphy in well logs, cores, and outcrops: Tulsa, Oklahoma, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Methods in Exploration Series, No. 7, 55 p. [9] Van Wagoner, J.C., H.W. Posamentier, R.M. Mitchum, P.R. Vail, J.F. Sarg, T.S. Loutit, and J. Hardenbol, 1988, An overview of the fundamentals of sequence stratigraphy and key definitions. In C.K. Wilgus, B.S. Hastings, C.G.St.C. Kendall, H.W. Posamentier, C.A. Ross, J.C. Van Wagoner, eds., Sealevel changes: an integrated approach. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists Special Publication No. 42, pp. 39-45.

185

186

Fig. 1. Location Map BP Operated Badin Concessions and Oil & Gas Fields in Pakistan.

Fig. 2. Badin Area Generalised Cretaceous Stratigraphy.

187

Fig. 3. Lithostratigraphic Correlation of the B Sand Illustrating Regional Variation in Thickness and Character.

188

Fig. 4. Sequence Stratigraphic Model and Methodology (Modified from Van Wagoner et al. 1990).

189

190

Fig. 5. Zaur 9, Sequence Stratigraphy of the B Sand.

191

Fig. 6. Duphri 2, Sequence Stratigraphy of the B Sand.

192

Fig. 7. Tangri 8, Sequence Stratigraphy of the B Sand.

193

Fig. 8. South Mazari 3, Sequence Stratigraphy of the B Sand.

194

Fig. 9. Jagir 2, Sequence Stratigraphy of the B Sand.

Fig. 10. Sequence Stratigraphic Evolution of the Lower Goru Formation B Sand (for well locations refer Fig-1).

195

Fig. 11. Regional Stratigraphic Evolution of the Lower Goru B Sand.

196

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Ebdon Chris Ebdon received his B.Sc. degree in Geology from the University of Southampton and MSc. in palynology from the University of Sheffield. He started his career in the petroleum industry with Robertson Research in 1982 before joining BP in 1985. He has worked extensively in the UK, Norwegian and Dutch North Sea, Atlantic margin basins, South America and the US, principally as a geologist and sequence stratigrapher. He has recently held positions as Geology Team Leader in BPs technology organization and Field Development Manager at Wytch Farm, Europes largest onshore oil field. Chris is currently Senior Subsurface Mentor for BP Pakistan based in Islamabad. He is author and coauthor of numerous published papers. Mohammad Wasimuddin Mohammad Wasimuddin, received B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. degree in Geology from university of Karachi in 1979 & 1980 and a M.S. Geology degree with specialization in Micropaleontology, Stratigraphy and Petroleum Geology from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1985. Worked as a Cooperative Teacher, Lecturer and Assistant Professor with University of Karachi during 1980 1981 and 1986 1989. Joined BP Pakistan Exploration and Production Inc. (Formerly UTPI) exploration department in October, 1989. Currently working in BP Pakistan Subsurface Team as Badin Geology Team Leader. Active member of AAPG, PAPG, and SPE. Author and co-author of several published and unpublished papers. M. Arif H. Malik Arif Malik received his B.Sc. (Hons.) and Msc. degree in Geology (specialization in Petroleum and Marine geology) from University of Karachi Pakistan. He started his career in the petroleum industry from CGG in 1987 and joined Geoservices mud logging company in 1989 before joining BPP (former UTP) in 1990. He has 14 years working experience in new ventures and exploration mostly as a geologist and open hole log analyst. He started his career with BPP as a junior geologist. Arif is currently Lead Geologist Exploration for BP Pakistan based in Islamabad. Shakeel Akhter Shakeel Akhter received his B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. degree in Geology from University of Karachi in 2000 & 2001with Gold Medal. He joined BP Pakistan in Feburary 2002 as a geologist. He is currently working as a Development Geologist in Islamabad and is an active member of AAPG and SPE.

197