Seismic stratigraphy and evolution of mesozoic deposits in the central Arabian basin

Abstract

Abstract The Central Arabian Basin is a sedimentary basin that contains a significant number of hydrocarbon reserves. In addition, the Mesozoic succession has the most petroleum system elements. However, publicly available subsurface data for the Central Arabian Basin are scarce. Therefore, our study successfully utilizes wellbore and 2D seismic reflection data from the Central Arabian Basin to reveal the sedimentary processes, depositional environment, and evolution of Mesozoic deposits. Six horizons with onlap and truncation seismic reflection termination, hummocky, subparallel, onlap fill, and chaotic structures with recognizable stratal pattern seismic reflection configurations are interpreted. The lithologies of the Mesozoic deposits are limestone, dolomite, anhydrite, sandstone, and shales. The Mesozoic deposits in the study area were deposited in the shallow marine environment of an intrashelf basin with tidal channels, reefs and transgressive shale depositional elements. Our workflow provides an interpretation of the stratigraphic evolution and depositional environment of Mesozoic deposits in the Central Arabian Basin and could also be applied to a basin with a similar geological setting worldwide.

Keywords

• Seismic stratigraphy
• Seismic facies
• Depositional environment, stratigraphic evolution
• Mesozoic
• Arabian basin