Hydrocarbon Prospects Of Punjab Platform Pakistan, With Special Reference To Bikaner-Nagaur Basin Of India

Abstract

The present study describes the petroleum geology and rospects of Punjab Platform on the basis of new play concepts utilizing geological, geophysical, geochemical, petrophysical and other relevant geoscientific data of both Punjab Platform and adjoining Bikaner-Nagaur basin of India. The synthesis of data indicates that Punjab Platform has tectonic, structural and sedimentary setting conducive to the generation and accumulation of hydrocarbons in Infra-Cambrian to Tertiary sedimentary succession in various parts of the study area.
The main oil producing Infra-Cambrian reservoir facies of Jodhpur sand and Bilara dolomite, of the Indian side of the platform, also extend into Punjab Platform and have been drilled in a few wells. Sandstones of Jodhpur, Khewra, Kussak, Baghanwala, Warcha, Amb, Datta, Shinawari, Lumshiwal/Lower Goru, Ranikot/Hangu and carbonates of Bilara, Samana Suk/Chiltan and Laki/Sakesar/Chorgali formations of Infra-Cambrian to Eocene age show marginal to very good porosity in Punjab Platform.
Geochemical studies conducted by HDIP on well samples indicate that shales of Salt Range, Amb, Datta, Chichali, Mughalkot, Ranikot and carbonates of Samanasuk, Parh and Dunghan formations ranging from Infra-Cambrian to Paleocene age contain adequate amount of organic matter in some wells.
Deposition of Jodhpur, Bilara and Salt Range formations is controlled by extensional tectonics, which resulted in the development of hydrocarbon traps associated with normal faults, onlap structures and drop folds.Other hydrocarbon traps are salt pushed anticlines formed from Infra-Cambrian to Eocene, normal fault blocks from Cambrian to Mesozoic and truncated Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous strata against Tertiary unconformity.