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Sequence stratigraphic framework and distribution of potential reservoirs: Early Cretaceous Qishn Formation, Dhofar, Southern Oman

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Abstract

Field and petrographic studies of the Qishn Formation provide insights in to sequence stratigraphic and reservoir attributes of the formation. The reservoir properties are controlled by complex interaction between depositional textures and diagenetic products. The Barremian-Aptian Qishn Formation was deposited between Precambrian basement rocks and marl-dominated Albian Kharfort Formation. The Qishn Formation consists of lower sandstone (Shabon Member), middle unit dominated by lime mudstone (Hinna Member), and upper bioclastic limestone with dolostone interbeds (Hasheer Member). The formation defines a transgressive-regressive sequence with maximum flooding surface (MFS) at the top of the Hinna Member. The petrographic and diagenetic analyses indicate that Shabon and Hasheer members constitute good reservoirs. The Shabon Member is dominated by friable medium- to coarse-grained arkose to lithic arenite with porosity as high as 20%. Despite a burial depth of ~ 5 km, the sandstone maintains most of its intergranular pores. The diagenetic features include early calcite cement followed by burial compaction. However, since most of the pores were already filled by calcite cement, volumetric reduction due to compaction was minimal. Post-compaction dissolution of the early calcite cement resulted in restoration of the intergranular pores. The Hasheer Member consists of extensively cemented bioclastic packstone to rudstone with porosity < 6% and sucrosic dolomite with intercrystalline and vuggy pores reaching up to 15%. The mud-dominated Hinna Member can be considered as potential cap rock for any fluids within the Shabon Member, whereas the marls of the Kharfot Formation constitute potential caprock for the preservation of fluids in the Hasheer Member.

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Acknowledgements

This project stemmed from His Majesty Grant, Sultan Qaboos University. Data integration, field and petrographic analysis, interpretation, and manuscript preparation were mostly carried out at the University of Regina with the support of the senior author’s start-up grant received from the University of Regina. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Hilal Al-zidi and Bader Al-Waili for their assistance during field work, as well Hamdan Al-Zidi for thin section preparations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada

    Osman Salad Hersi

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat, Oman

    Iftikhar Ahmed Abbasi & Mohammed A.K. El-Ghali

  3. Petroleum Development of Oman, Muscat, Oman

    Abdulrahman Al-Harthy

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  1. Osman Salad Hersi
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Hersi, O.S., Abbasi, I.A., Al-Harthy, A. et al. Sequence stratigraphic framework and distribution of potential reservoirs: Early Cretaceous Qishn Formation, Dhofar, Southern Oman. Arab J Geosci 17, 171 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-024-11928-1

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