238142485

8/9/2019 238142485

1/27

SEDIMENTARY BASINS

AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY

OF THE MIDDLE EAST

A S

ALSHARHAN

Faculty of Science

U A E

university

P.O. BOX: 17551 A l A in

U nited A rab E mirates

A E M NAIRN

Earth Science and Resources institute

university of south Carolina

Columbia s.c. 29208

U S

ELSEVIER

A ms terdam Lausanne - New York - Ox ford - Shannon - Singapore - Tokyo 1997

8/9/2019 238142485

2/27

TABLE OF CONTENTS

P A R T O N E

Chapter 1: An Introductory Overview

Geog raphic and Geo morph ologic Sett ing 1

Geo logic Set t ing 4

Sequen ce Strat igraphy 7

Chapter 2: The Geological History and Structural Elements of the Middle East

Int roduct ion 15

Geolog ical History 22

Phase 1 The Con solidation of the Arabo -Nubian Massif 22

Phase 2 Tec tonic Stabili ty 36

Phase 3 The Hercyn ian Even t 37

Phase 4 The Triassic Extensional Phase 38

Phase 5 Jurassic and Cretaceous Events 38

Phase 6 Cen ozo ic Even ts 39

Ma in Structural Elem ents 44

Sedimentary Basins 46

Tabu k sub-basin, Saudi Arabia 47

Widy an sub-basin, Saudi Arabia 47

Sirhan sub-ba sin, Jordan 47

Rub Al Khali and Ras Al Khaimah sub-basins, Saudi Arabia - U.A.E 48

Zag ros Bas in, Iran 48

Palm yra and Sinjar sub-b asins, Syria-Iraq 50

The Mes opotam ian sub-basin, Iraq 50

,Re d Sea and Gulf of Aden sub-basin, Saudi Arabia - Yem en 50

Arches 52

Huqf-Haushi Arch, Oman 52

Hadhram out Arch, Yemen 52

Central Arabian Arch, Saudi Arabia 52

Qata r-Sou th Fars Arch , Qatar - Iran 53

Hail-Ru tbah-G a'ara and Khleissa Arches, Saudi Arabia - Iraq 53

Mardin High, Turkey 53

Transform Faults and Normal Faults 54

South eastern Arabian platform : 54

Masirah Transform Fault , Oman : 54

Ma radi Fault , Om an 54

Saiwan-Nafun Fault , Oman , 54

Dibba Zone, Oman - UAE 54

Oman Line, Oman 54

Owen Fracture Zone, Yemen - Oman 54

Northern Arabian Platform : Central Syrian Fault Zone 54

Northwestern Arabian Platform : Jordan-Dead Sea Fault System 54

Fold Belts: Taurus Mo untains , Turkey 55

Zag ros, Mo untain, Iran 58

Oman Mo untains, Oman - U.A.E 59

Discussion 62

P A R T T WO

Chapter 3: Infracambrian of the Middle East

Introduction 65

Stratigraphy of Infracambrian Roc ks in Om an: 69

Huqf Grou p: 69

Abu M ahara Form ation .- 70

Khufai Format ion 70

Shuram Format ion 70

Buah Format ion 73

Ara Format ion 73

8/9/2019 238142485

3/27

CONTENTS

The Age of the Huqf Group 74

Com parison of the Huqf Grou p with other Outcrops in Oman 76

Mistal Format ion 76

Hajir Form ation 76

M i 'aidan Format ion 76

Kharus Forma t ion 76

Hijam Format ion 76

Com parison of Om an with other Outcrops in the Middle East 77

Com parison with the Republic of Yemen 77

Com parison with the United Arab Emirates 78

Com parison with Saudi Arabia 78

Com parison with Jordan 80

Com parison with Southeast Turkey 81

Com parison with Iraq 81

Com parison with Iran 81

Paleogeo graphy and Geologic History of the Infracambrian 84

Chapter 4: The Early Paleozoic Quiescent Phase in the Middle East: The Sauk Cycle

and the Early Part of the Tippecanoe

Cycle

Introduction 87

The Early Paleozo ic of Oman 94

The Sauk Seque nce in Central and South-central Oman 94

Haim a Group (Cam brian? to earliest Silurian): 94

The Karim and Haradh formations :..-. 94

The Amin Form ation 95

The Mah wis/And am formations 95

The Tippecanoe Sequence in Central Oman: 96

Ghudun Format ion 96

Safiq Form ation 96

The Sauk and Tippecanoe Sequences in Southern Oman (Dhofar Province): 97

Murbat Sandstone Format ion 97

The Sauk and Tippecanoe Sequences in Eastern and Southwestern Arabia 98

Oman Mountains (Oman Region): Amdeh Formation 98

Oman Mou ntains (United Arab Emirates Region ): Ra 'an Forma tion 100

Southw estern Saudi Arabia: Dibsiyah Form ation 100

The Early Paleozoic of Northern Saudi Arabia and Jordan 103

The Sauk Sequence in North and Northwestern Saudi Arabia: 103

Yatib Form ation 103

Saq Form ation 103

The Sauk Sequence in Jordan 108

Ram Grou p 108

Subsurface Form ations: 108

Salib Form ation 108

Burj and Abu Khu sheiba formations 110

Ajram Form ation 110

Amud Format ion 110

Surface Form ations : 110

Salib Arkosic Sandstone Formation 110

Umm Ishrin Sandstone Format ion I l l

Disi Sandstone Format ion I l l

Umm Sahm Sandstone Format ion I l l

The Tippecano e Sequence in North and Northwestern Saudi Arabia: I l l

Tabuk G r oup : I l l

Han adir Form ation 112

Kahfah Form ation 112

Ra 'an Format ion 113

Qu warah Form ation (and its equivalent Ordov ician Form ations 1-5) 114

8/9/2019 238142485

4/27

CONTENTS

Zarq a Form ation 114

Sarah Form ation 115

Qalibah Form ation 115

The Tippecano e Sequence in Jordan 115

Khreim Group 116


Sahl as Suwwan Formation 116

Um m Tarifa Formation 119

Trebe el Form ation 119

Batra Form ation 119

Alna Form ation 119

Surface Form ations: 119

Hisw ah Form ation 119

Dubay dib Format ion 120

Mudaw wara Format ion 120

Khu shsha Form ation 120

The Tippeca noe Seque nce in Iraq: Khabour Formation 120

The Tippec anoe Seque nce in Kuw ait: Tabuk Formation 121

The Tippecan oe Sequence in Qatar: 121

Tabuk Format ion 121

Sharaw ra Form ation 121

The Tippecanoe Sequence in the United Arab Emirates: Sharawra Formation 122

The Early Paleozo ic Sequen ce in Southeast Turkey and Syria 123

The Sauk Sequ ence in Southea st Turkey : 123

Sadan Form ation 123

- Zabu k Form ation 123

Koruk Form ation 126

Sosink Form ation 126

Se yd iseh ir Fo rma tion '; 126

The Sauk Sequence in Syria: Zabuk, Burj and Sosink formations 128

The Tippecanoe Sequence in Southeast Turkey: 128

Bed inan Form ation 128

Sort Tepe Form ation 128

The Tippecan oe Sequence in Syria: 128

Kh anasse r Forma tion 129

Swa b Form ation 129

Afandi Form ation 129

Tanf Form ation 129

The Early Paleoz oic of Iran 129

The Sauk Sequ ence 129

Lalun Form ation 129

Dahu Form ation 129

M ila Form ation 130

Kalsh aneh Form ation 130

Derenjal Form ation 130

Ilebeyk Form ation 130

The Tippec anoe Seque nce: 133

Shirgesh t Form ation 133

Niur Form ation 133

Lashkerak Format ion 133

Zard Kuh Formation 134

Paleogeo graphy and Geolog ic History of the Early Paleozoic 134

Chapter 5: The E arly Late Paleozoic of the Middle East: The K askaskia Cycle

Introduction 141

The Kaskask ia Cycle in the Middle East 141

The Kask askia Seque nce in Northern Saudi Arabia 141

8/9/2019 238142485

5/27

CONTENTS

Jauf Form ation 141

Saka ka Form ation 147

Pre-Unayzah Clastics (Berwath Formation) 148

The Kaskaskia Sequence in Southwest Saudi Arabia: Khusayyay n Formation 148

The Kask askia Sequen ce in Qatar: Tawil Formation 149

The Kaskas kia Sequen ce in the United Arab Em irates: 149

Outcrop Form ation: Ayim Formation 149

Subsurface Forma tion: Tawil Formation 149

The Kask askia Sequen ce in Om an: Misfar Group 150

The Kask askia Sequen ce in Kuw ait: Jauf Formation 150

The Kaskaskia Sequence in Iran: 150

Padeh a Form ation 150

Sibzar Form ation 150

Bahram Form ation 150

Geirud Form ation 150

The Kas kaskia Sequ ence in Iraq: 150

Pirispiki Red beds 151

Kaista Form ation 151

Ora Shale Form ation 151

Haru r Form ation 151

The Kask askia Seque nce in Southeast Turkey : 151

Dad as Form ation 151

Hazro Form ation 153

Yiginli Form ation 153

Koprulu Form ation 153

Kirtas Qua rtzite and Hasan beyli Form ations 154

The Kaskas kia Sequen ce in Syria: Markad a Group 154

Paleogeog raphy and Geologic History of the Late Paleozoic Kaskask ia Cycle 156

Chapter 6: The End of the Paleozoic and the Early Mesozoic of the Middle East:

The Absaroka Cycle

The Low er Part of the Absaroka Cycle (Latest Carboniferous-Permian) 161

The Paleo zoic Part of the Abs aroka Cycle 161

Absa roka Seque nce South of the Central Arabian Arch : 168

Absarok a Sequence in Oman 168

Hau shi Gro up: 169

Al Khlata Formation 169

Gharif Form ation 169

Khuff Form ation 171

Saiq Form ation 173

Absa roka Sequen ce in the United Arab Em irates: 173

Subsurface Form ations: Haush i Grou p: 173

Gharif Form ation 174

Al Khlata Form ation 175


Surface Formations:Asfar and Qam ar formations 175

Russ Al Jibal Gro up: 175

Bih Form ation 176

Hagil Form ation 176

Ghail Forma tion 176

Ab sarok a Sequ ence in Qatar: 176

Hau shi Form ation 176


Absaroka Sequence in southwestern Saudi Arabia:Juwayl Mem ber 178

Absaroka Sequence in the Republic of Yemen : Akbra Shale Formation 178

Absa roka Sequen ce North of the Central Arabian Arch: 178

Absaroka Sequenc e in Central and Northern Saudi Arabia 178

8/9/2019 238142485

6/27

CONTENTS

Unayzah Format ion 178


Abs aroka Seque nce in Kuw ait: Khuff Form ation 186

Abs aroka Sequen ce in Bahrain: Khuff Formation 186

Absarok a Sequence in Northwest and Northeast of the Arabian Platform 186

Absa roka Sequence in Jordan 186

Outcrop Section: Umm Irna Formation 186

Subsurface Section: Hudayb Group 187

Anjara Form ation 187

Huw ayra Forma tion 188

Buw ayda Formation 188

Ab sarok a Seq uenc e in Iraq 189

We stern Iraq (Hail-Rutbah Arch area): 189

Nijili Fo rma tion 189

G a'ar a Form ation 189

Northern Iraq (Northern Thrust Belt Are a): Chia Zairi Form ation 189

Ab saroka Seque nce in Southeast Turkey 189

Gom ani ibr ik Format ion 190

Absa roka Sequence in Syria: 190

Do laa Form ation 190

Heil Form ation 191

Am anus Sand Formation 191

Absa roka Sequence in Iran: 191

Southwest Iran: Fara ghan Form ation 192

Dalan Forma tion 192

No rthern and Central Iran: 192

Dorud Forma tion 192

Ruteh Form ation 193

Nesen Forma tion 193

Jamal Forma tion 193

The Upp er Part of the Absa roka Cycle (Triassic) 193

The End of the Absa roka Cycle in Central Arabia 194

Trias sic of Saud i Arab ia: 194

Suda ir Form ation 197

Jilh Form ation 198

Minjur Form ation 198

The End of the Ab saroka Cycle in Eastern Arab ia: 199

Triassic of Un ited Arab Em irates 199

Abu Dha bi and Dubai Region (Subsurface Section) 199

Sudair Formation 199

Jilh (Gulailah ) Form ation 199

Minjur Form ation 199

Northern Em irates Region (Outcrop Section) 201

Milaha Form ation 201

Gh alilah Form ation 201

Triass ic of Oman 201

Central and Southern Oman (Subsurface Section) 201


Jilh Form ation 203

Central Oman Mo untains,(Allochthono us Units) 203

Mahi l Format ion 204

Sum eini Grou p: 204

Maqam Format ion 204

Jebel Wasa Formation 206

Haw asina Assem blage 206

Hamrat Duru Group: Zulla Formation 206

Wah rah Format ion 207

Al Ayn Form ation 207

8/9/2019 238142485

7/27

CONTENTS

Haifa Formation 2 9

Haliw Formation 2 9

Al Aridh Formation 2 9

Ibra Formation

211

Haybi Complex:

211

Hawasina Melange 211

Exotic Limestone 211

Haybi Volcanics 211

Basal Serpentine and Tectonic Melange 211

Batinah Complex: 211

Barghah Formation 213

Sakhin Formation 213

Salahi Formation 213

Batinah Limestone Blocks 213

Triassic of Qatar 213

Suwei (Sudair) Formation 213

Gulailah (Jilh) Formation 213

Minjur Formation

214

TheEnd ofthe Absaroka Sequenceinthe Eastern Arabian

Gulf:

.Southwestern Iran 214

Kangan Formation 216

Dashtak Formation 217

Khaneh

Kat

Formation

217

TheEnd ofthe Absaroka Sequencein theCentralandNorthern ArabianGulf: 217

The Triassic of Bahrain: 217


Jilh Formation 217

The-Triassic of Kuwait: 218


Jilh Formation 218

Minjur Formation

218

TheEnd of the Absaroka SequenceinNorthandNortheastern Arabia: 218

The Triassic of Iraq: 218

Mirga Mir Formation 218

Beduh Shale Formation 218

Geli Khana Formation 218

Mulussa Formation 219

Zur Hauran Formation 219

Kurra Chine Formation 22

B aluti Formation 22

The Triassic of Jordan: 22

Outcrop Formation: 22

Abu Ruweis Formation 22

Um Tina Formation

22

Irq Al Amir Formation 22

Mukheiris Formation

221

Hisban Formation 221

Ain Musa Formation 221

Dardun Formation 221

Ma'in Formation 221

Subsurface Formation: Ramtha Group: 222

Suwayma Formation 222

Hisban Formation 222

Mukheiris Formation 222

Salit Formation 223

Abu Ruweis Formation 223

The

Triassic

of

Syria:

223

Amanus Shale Formation 223


Butmah Formation 224

8/9/2019 238142485

8/27

CONTENTS

Adaiyah Format ion

224

Mus Format ion 224

Alan Format ion

224

The

Triassic

of

Southeast Turkey:

224

Cigl i Group 224

Cudi Format ion 224

Ari l Format ion

224

Beduh Format ion

224

Paleogeography and Geologic History of the Absaroka Cycle 225

The Lower Part

of the

Absaroka Cycle (latest Carboniferous-Permian)

225

The Upper Part

of the

Absaroka Cycle (Triassic)

229

Chapter

: The

Late Mesozoic Part

of the

Zuni Cycle

in the

Middle East:

The

Jurassic

Introduction

235

The Jurassic Section in Central Arabia 245

The Jurassic of Saudi Arabia: 245

Marrat Format ion

245

Dhruma Format ion

245

Tuwaiq Mountain Format ion 248

Hanifa Format ion 25

Jubai lah Format ion

25

Arab Format ion

25

Hith Format ion 252

The Jurassic of Bahrain 254

Marrat Format ion

254

Dhruma Format ion

254

Tuwaiq Mountain Format ion 254

Hanif a Format ion

254

Jubai lah Format ion

254

Arab Format ion 254

Hith Format ion 254

The Jurassic Section

in

Southern

and

Southwestern Arabia:

The

Republic

of

Yemen

254

Kohlan Format ion

255

Amran Group: 257

Shuqra Format ion

258

Madbi Format ion

258

Sabatayn Format ion 258

Naifa Format ion 258

The Jurassic Section

in

Eastern Arabia:

259

The

Jurassic

of the

United Arab Emirates (Subsurface Formations)

259

Marrat Format ion

259

Hamlah Format ion

259

Izhara Format ion

261

Araej Format ion 261

Diyab Format ion 262

Arab Formationand itsequivalents (Fahahil andQatar formations) 263

Hith Formation

and its

equivalents

263

The Jurassicofthe Northern United Arab Emirates (Surface Form ations) :Musandam Grou p 266

The Jurassic of Qatar 266

Hamlah Format ion

266

Izhara Format ion

267

Araej Format ion 267

Diyab Formation

'

269

Darb Formation 269

Hanifa and Jubailah Formations 269

Arab Formation and its equivalents: 269

Fahahil Formation 269

8/9/2019 238142485

9/27

CONTENTS

Qatar Formation 271

Arab Formation 271

Hith Formation 271

The Jurassic Section in Extreme Eastern Arabia: Oman 271

The Jurassic of Northern Oman: Musandam Group 271

The Jurassic of Central Oman 273

Subsurface Form ations: Sahtan Group: 273

Mafraq Formation 273

Dhruma Formation 273

Tuwaiq Mountain Formation 273

Hanifa Formation 273

Jubailah Formation 274

Surface Form ations: Sahtan Group: 274

Saih Hatat Formation 275

Mayhah Formation 277

Guweyza Sandstone Formation 278

Guweyza Limestone Formation 278

The Jurassic of South Oman: Kohlan Formation 279

The Jurassic Section on the Eastern Side of the ArabianGulf:Southwestern Iran 279

Neyriz Formation 279

Adaiyah Formation 279

Mus Form ation 279

Alan Formation 279

Sargelu Formation 279

Najmah Formation 279

Gotnia Formation .-.- 279

Hith Formation 280

Surmah Formation 280

The Jurassic Section in Northeastern Arabia: 280

The Jurassic of Kuwait:

;

280

Marrat Formation 280




Gotnia Formation 283

Hith Formation 283

The Jurassic of Iraq 283

1. Liassic Section of Iraq: 283

Ubaid Form ation.... 283


Baluti Formation 283


Mus Formation 284

Alan Formation 284

Sarki Formation 284

Sekhanian Formation 284

2.

Dogger Section of Iraq: 285

Muh aiwir Formation 285


3.

Malm Section of Iraq (Early Sub-Cycle): 285


Gotnia (Anhy drite) Formation 286

Naokelekan Formation 286

Barsarin Formation 286

4. Malm Section of Iraq (Late Sub-cycle): 286

Makhul Formation 286

Chia Gara Formation 286

Karima Mudstone Formation 287

Sulaiy Form ation 287

8/9/2019 238142485

10/27

CONTENTS

The Jurassic Section in Northwestern and Northern Arabian Platform: 287

The Jurassic of Jordan 287


Deir Alia Formation 287

Zarqa Formation 287

Dhahab Formation 288

Umm Maghara Formation 289

Arda Formation 289

Muaddi Formation 289

Subsurface Formations: 289

Azab Group 290

Hihi Formation 290

Nimr Formation 290

Silal Form ation 290

Dhahab Formation 290

Ramla and Hamam Formations 290

Mughanniya Formation 291

The Jurassic of Syria: Qamchuqa Formation 291

The Jurassic of Southeast Turkey: Cudi Group 291

Jurassic Paleogeography and Geologic History 291

Chapter 8: The Late Mesozoic Part of the Zuni Cycle in the Middle East: The Cretaceous

Introduction 297

The First Cycle: The Early Cretaceous . . 311

Ea rly. Cretaceous of Saudi Arabia: 311


Yamama Formation 316

Buwaib Formation 317

Biyadh Formation 317

Shuaiba Formation 319

Early Cretaceous of Eastern Arabia: 319

Early Cretaceous in the United Arab Emirates 319


Rayda and Salil Formations : 319

Habshan Formation 320

Lekhwair Formation 321

Kharaib Formation 321


Surface Section: Musandam Group Unit 4 321

Early Cretaceous in Qatar 324



Ratawi Formation 324

Kharaib Form ation 324

Hawar Shale Formation 324


Early Cretaceous of Bahrain 325





Hawar Formation 325


Early Cretaceous of Oman 325

Western Oman Mountains (subsurface formations) 325

Rayda Formation 325

Salil Form ation 327

8/9/2019 238142485

11/27

CONTENTS


Lekhw air Formation 327

Kha raib Form ation 327


Central Oman Mountains (Allochthonous Units) 327

Sidr Form ation 327

Nayid Formation 327

Mayhah Formation C Member 328

Mayhah Formation D Mem ber 328

Northern Oman Mountains (Musandam Peninsula) 329

Musandam Mem ber G 329

Mu sandam Mem ber H and I 329

Early Cretaceous on the eastern side of the Arabian

Gulf:

southw estern Iran 329

Fahliyan Formation 329

Gadvan Form ation 330

Dariyan Formation 330

Garau Formation 330

Early Cretaceou s in the Northern, Northwestern and Northeastern Arabian Platform: 330

Early Cretaceou s in Kuw ait: 330

Sulaiy/Makhul Formation 330

M inagish Formation 330


Zubair Formation 332


Early Cre taceo us in Iraq: 332

1. Sou thern Iraq: 332

Rataw i Form ation 333

Zuba ir Form ation 333

Shuaiba Form ation 334

2. N orth ern Iraq .* 334

Garag u Form ation : 336

Low er Balam bo Formation 336

Lower Sarmord Formation 336

Lower Qamchuqa Limestone Formation 336

Early Cretaceou s in Syria: 336

Qam chuq a Form ation ; 336

Rutbah Formation 336

Hayane Formation 336

Early Cretaceou s in Jordan: Kurnub Group 336

Early Cretaceo us in Southeast Turkey : 337

M ardin Grou p 337

Areban Formation 338

Early Cretaceous in Southern and Southwestern Arabia: 339

The Republic of Yemen: Qishn Formation 339

The Second Cycle : The M id-Cretaceous , 340

Mid -Cretaceous in Eastern Arabia: The United Arab Em irates 340


Nahr Umr Formation 341

Mau ddud Formation 341

Shilaif/Khatiyah Form ation 341

Mishr if Formation 341

Outcrop Form ations: Nahr Um r and Maud dud formations 344

M id-Cretaceous in Eastern Arabia: Oman 344

W estern Om an M ountains (subsurface formations) 344

Nah r Um r Form ation 344

Natih Formation 344


M ishrif Form ation 345

Central Om an Mo untains (Allochthonous Un its): Qum ayrah Formation 346

8/9/2019 238142485

12/27

CONTENTS

Northern Oman Mou ntains (Musandam Peninsula) 347

Outcrop Section: W asia Group 347

Subsurface Section : 348

Kazdhum i Formation 348

Mauddu d Formation 348

Khatiyah /Mishrif formations 348

Southern Om an (Dhofar Region) 348

Qam ar Formation 348

Harshiyat Formation 348

Fartaq Formation 348

M id-Cretaceous in Southwestern Iran 349

Bangestan Group : 349

Kazdhum i Formation 349

Sarvak Formation 349

Surgah Formation 349

M id-Cretace ous in Central and Eastern Arabia: 349

Mid-C retaceous in Central and Eastern Saudi Arabia: W asia Formation 350

Mid -Cretaceous in Northwestern Saudi Arabia: Wasia Formation 352

Mid-C retaceous in Kuwait: Wasia Group 352

Burgan Formation 352

M auddud Formation 352

W ara Formation 353

Ahm adi Forma tion 353

M agwa Formation 353

Mid-C retaceous in Qatar: . Wasia Group 354

Nahr Um r Formation 355

- Mauddud Formation 355

Ahm adi Formation 355

Khatiyah Formation 355

Mishr if Formation 355

Mid-C retaceous in Bahrain: Wasia Group 355


M auddud Formation 355

W ara Formation 355

Ahm adi Forma tion 355

Rum aila Formation 355

M id-Cretaceous in Northern Arabian Platform: 355

M id-Creta ceous in Iraq 356

1. Southe rn and Southw estern Iraq: 356



W ara Formation 356

Ahm adi Formation 356

Rum aila Formation 356

Mishrif Form ation 356

2.

W estern Iraq: 356

Rutbah Formation 356

M 'sad Formation 356

3. Northern and North eastern Iraq: 357

Rim Siltstone Forma tion 357

Jawan Formation 357

Upper Qam chuqa Limestone Formation 357

Upper Sarmord Formation 357

Upper Balambo Formation 358

Kifl Form ation 358

Dokan Limestone Formation 358

M id-Cretaceou s in Jordan 358

Ajlun Gro up: 358

Nau r Form ation 358

8/9/2019 238142485

13/27

CONTENTS

Fuheis Formation 359

Hum mar Formation 359

Shuayb Formation 359

W adi As Sir Formation 359

Khureij Form ation 360

M id-Cretaceo us in Syria 360

Judea Formation 360

Massive Limestone Formation 360

M id-Cretaceous in Southeast Turkey 360

Sabunsuyu Formation 360

Derdere Formation 360

Mid-Cretaceous in Southern and Southwestern Arabia:The Republic of Yemen 362

Harshiyat Formation 362

Fartaq Formation 362

The Third Cycle: The Late Cretaceous 362

Late Cretaceous in the southern Arabian Gulf:United Arab Em irates 363

Arum a Group 363

Laffan Form ation 363

Halul Form ation 363

Ham Formation 363

Fiqa Forma tion 363

Simsim a Formation 365

Mu ti Formation 365

Juweiza Formation 365

Qa hlah For ma tion ...-. 365

Late Cretaceous in Eastern Arabia: Oman 365

1.

Western Oman Mountains 365


Fiqa Form ation 367

Muti Formation 367

Juweiza Formation 367

Qahlah Formation 367

Simsim a Formation 367

2. Central Oman Mou ntains (Allochthonous Units): 367

Sem ail (Op hiol ite) Nap pe .-. 367

3.

Northern Oman Mountains (Musandam Peninsula) 370

Outcrop Section: Muti Formation 370

Subsurface Section: Laffan For m atio n 370

Ham Form ation 370

Gurpi Form ation 370

Late Cretaceous in Eastern Arabian Gulf: Southw estern Iran 370

Ham Formation 370

Gurpi Formation 371

Tarbur Form ation 372

Am iran Formation 372

Late Cretaceous in W estern and Northwestern Arabian Gulf 372

Late Cretaceous in Qatar: 372

Aruma Group 372


Halul Form ation 372

Fiqa/Ruilat Formation 372

Simsim a Form ation 372

Late Cretaceous in Bahrain: Aruma Group 373

Late Cretaceous in Kuwait: 373

Khasib/M utr iba Formation 373

Sa 'd i Formation 373

Hartha Formation 373

Bahrah Formation 373

8/9/2019 238142485

14/27

CONTENTS

Tayarat Formation 373

Late Cretaceous in Central and Southwestern Arabia: 373

Late Cretaceous in Saudi Arabia: Aruma Formation 373

Late Cretaceous in the Republic of Yemen: 374

Mukalla Formation 374

Sharwain Formation 374

Taw ilah Group 374

Ghiras Formation 374

Medj-Zir Formation 374

Late Cretaceous in the Northern Arabian Platform: 375

Late Cretaceous in Iraq 376

1. Southe rn Iraq: 376

Khasib Formation 376

Tanuma Formation 376

Sa'd i Formation 376


Qurna Formation 376


2.Western Iraq: Digma Formation 376

3.High Folded Zone of Iraq: 377

Gulne ri Formation 377

Kometan Formation 377

Shiranish Formation 377

Bekhm e Formation 377

Hadiena Formation 377

Tanjero Formation 377

Aqra Formation 377

Late Cretaceous in Jordan: Belqa Group 377


Wadi Umm Ghudran Formation 378

Amman Formation 378

Al Hisa Formation '. 378

Muw aqqar Formation 379

Subsurface Formations: 379

Rajil Form ation 379

Hamza Formation 379

Hazim Formation 379

Amman and Al Hisa formations 379

Usaykhim Formation 379

Muwaqqar Formation 379

Late Cretaceous in Syria 380

Soukhne Formation 380


Late Cretaceous in Southeast Turkey 380

Karababa Formation 380

Karabogaz Formation 380

Sayindere Formation 380

Korkand il Formation 380

Kastel Formation 380

Terbuzek Formation 381

Besni Formation 381

Germav Formation 382

Cretaceous Paleogeography and Geologic History 382

Tectonic Events 382

Paleogeography and Cyclicity: 384

Early Cretaceous Cycle 384

Mid-Cretaceous Cycle 388

Late Cretaceous Cycle 390

8/9/2019 238142485

15/27

CONTENTS

Chapter 9: The latest part of the Zuni and Tejas cycles of the Middle East: The Cenozoic

Introduction 393

Part 1: The Paleog ene of the Middle East 396

The Paleogene of the Central, Eastern and Northeastern Arabian Platform 408

Paleogene of Saudi Arabia 409

Umm Er Radhum a Formation 409

Rus Form ation 411

Damm am Format ion 411

Paleo gen e of Qatar 412


Rus Form ation 412


Paleo gene of Bahrain 414


Rus Form ation 414


Paleogene of Kuwait 415

Radh uma Formation 415

Rus Format ion 416


Paleogen e of Southern and Western Iraq 417

Um m Er Radhum a Formation 417

Rus Form ation 417


Paleogene of Southwestern and Southeastern Iran and adjoining areas 418

Pabde h Forma tion 418

Jahrum Formation '.- 419

Shahbazan Form ation 419

Taleh Zang Formation 420

Kashkan Formation 420

Asm ari Forma tion 420

Paleogen e of the United Arab Emirates 420


Rus Form ation 421

Dam mam Format ion 421

Asm ari Formation 422

Pabdeh Formation '. 422

Paleogene of Oman 423

Central and Western Om an Mou ntains (outcrop formations) 423

Jafnayn Lim estone Form ation 423

Rusayl Form ation 423

Seeb Lim estone Formation 424

Ruw aydah Formation 425

Fahud Form ation 425

Mutha ymim ah Formation 425

Southern Oman (Dhofar Region): (outcrop formation) Hadhram out Group 426


Rus Form ation 426

And hur and Qara formations 426

Taqa Form ation 426

Central and Southern Om an: (subsurface formations) Hadhram out Group 426


Rus Form ation 427


Fars Group : Taqa Formation 427

Northe rn Offshore Om an 428

Pabdeh Form ation 428

8/9/2019 238142485

16/27

CONTENTS

Lower Fars Formation 428

Guri Formation 428

Mishan and younger formations 428

The Paleogene of Southern, Southwestern and W estern Arabia 428

Paleogen e of W estern Saudi Arabia (Red Sea Region) 428

Suqah Group : 428

Pre-Usfan Form ation 428

Usfan Form ation 429

Matiyah Formation 429

Paleo gene of the Repu blic of Yem en 429

Paleogene of East and Southeast Yem en: Hadhram out Group 429

Umm Er Radhuma Formation 429

Jeza Formation 429

Rus Formation 429

Habshiya Formation 429

Paleogene of West and Northwest Yemen 429

Yemen Volcanics (Aden Trap Series) 430

The Paleog ene of the Northern Arabian Platform: 430

Paleog ene of Northw est Saudi Arabi: Hibr Group 430

Paleo gene of Jordan 431

Subsurface Formation: Um m Rijam Form ation 432

Wadi Shallala Form ation 432

Surface Formation: Um m Rijam Form ation 433

Wadi Shallala Form ation 433

Taiyiba Formation .. . . . : 433

Taqiye Marl Form ation 433

Sar 'a Chalk-Flint Forma tion 433

M a'an Numm ulitic Limestone Formation 434

Dhahk iye Chalk Formation 434

Paleog ene of Syria 434

Aalij i Formation 434

Palm yra Formation 434

Kermav Formation 434

Sinjar Form ation 434

Jaddala Formation 434

Chilou Formation 434

Mid yat Formation 434

Pale ogen e of Northe rn Iraq 435

Kolosh Formation 435

Sinjar Form ation 435

Khurm ala Formation 435



Avanah Formation 435

Gercus Formation 436

Pila Spi Lim estone Formation 436

Kirkuk Group: Shurau Limestone Formation 436

Sheikh Alas Formation 436

Tarjil Form ation 436

Bajawan Form ation ; 436

Baba Formation 436

Anah Formation 437

Azkan d Form ation 437

Ibrahim Form ation 437

Paleoge ne of Southeast Turkey 437

Part 2: The Neog ene of the Middle East 437

The Neog ene of the Central and Eastern Arabian Platform: 439

Neog ene of Saudi Arabia 439

8/9/2019 238142485

17/27

CONTENTS

Hadrukh Format ion 439

Dam Format ion 439

Hofuf Form ation 439

Kharj Form ation 439

Neo gene of Qatar 439

Low er Fars Form ation 439

Dam Format ion 439


Neo gene of Bahrain 439

Jabal Cap Form ation 439

Ras al Aqr Form ation 439

Neo gene of the United Arab Em irates 441

Gach saran Form ation 441

Misha n Form ation 441


Neo gene of Oman 441

Mioc ene Cong lomerate and Younger Depo sits 441

The Neog ene of Southern and Western Arabia: 441

Neogen e of Western Saudi Arabia (Red Sea Region) 441

Tayran Group: Mu sayr Form ation 442

Yanbu Formation 442

Al Wajh Forma tion 442

Jizan Volcanic Formation 442

Burqan Form ation 442

Magna Group: Kial Form ation 442

Jabal Kibri t Formation 442

Man siyah Form ation 442

Ghawwas Format ion

'..

442

Lisan Form ation 443

Neo gene of Yem en: Aden Volcanic Series 443

The Neo gene of Northeastern Arabia: 443

Neog ene of Kuwait 443

Ghar Format ion 443

Low er Fars Formation , 443

Dibdibba Format ion 443

Ne ogen e of Southern Iraq 443

Ghar Format ion 443

Low er Fars Form ation 443

Uppe r Fars Form ation 443

Zahra Form ation 444

Bak htiari Form ation 444

N eo ge ne of Southwestern Iran 444

Gach saran Form ation 444

Razak Format ion 445

Mishan Format ion 445

Agh a Jari Form ation 446

Bakh tiari Form ation 446

The Neog ene of the Northern Arabian Platform: 447

Neo gene of Jordan 447

Sirhan-Azraq-Jafr Basins (Subsurface Formation) 447

Qirma Format ion 447

Azraq Form ation 447

Jafr Form ation 447

No rtheastern and Eastern Jordan (Surface Outcro p) 447

Tert iary Basalt ic Plateau 447

Surface outcrop in Dead Sea-Jordan Rift 447

Dana Cong lomerate Formation 447

Lisan Marl Forma tion 448

8/9/2019 238142485

18/27

CONTENTS

Neo gene of Syria 449

Dhiban Formation 449

Jer ibe Formation 449


Upp er Fars Form ation 449

Bakhtiar i Formation 449

Neog ene of the Foothills and High Folded Zone of Northern Iraq 449

Euphrates Limestone Formation 449

Serikagni Formation 449


Jeribe Lim estone Form ation 449

Neo gene of Southeast Turkey 449

Part 3: Ceno zoic Paleogeo graphy and Geologic History 451

Paleog ene Paleogeog raphy 458

Neogene Paleogeography 462

P A R T T HR E E

Chapter 10 : Hydrocarbon Habitat of the Middle East

Introduction 467

Surface Oil and Gas Seeps 467

Turkey 468

Iran 468

Iraq 469

Kuwait .'. 469

Sau di -Arabia 469

Bahrain 469

Yemen 469

Syria, Lebanon and Jordan 469

History of Exp loration 470

Current Status of M iddle East Oil 473

Hyd rocarbon Productivity 489

Source Rocks 492

Geoch emistry of Oil and Gas 502

Reservoir Rocks 510

Infracambrian to Paleozoic 511

Triassic and Jurassic 516

Cretaceous 516

Tertiary 517

Cap Roc ks (Seals) 517

Traps 520

Tim ing of Trap Formation 521

The Greater Arabian and Om ani Basins 521

The Zagro s Basin : 521

Potentia l Plays 522

Chapter 11 : Hydrocarbon Habitat of the Greater Arabian Basin

Introduction 525

Kuw ait and the Kuw ait-Saudi Arabia Neutral Zone 525

Stratigra phic History 527

Structu ral History 528

Reservo ir Rocks 530

Low er Cretaceou s Reservoirs 530

M in ag ish Fo rm atio n .- 530


Zuba ir Form ation 530

M iddle Cretaceou s Reservoirs 531

8/9/2019 238142485

19/27

CONTENTS


Mauddud Formation 531

Wara Formation 531

Mishrif Formation 531

Upper Cretaceous Reservoirs 531


Tertiary Reservoirs 531

Radhuma Formation 531

Seals and Seal Formations 532






Ahmadi Formation 532

Mutriba Formation 532


Rus Formation 532


Oil Geochemistry and Source Rocks 532

Middle Cretaceous Source Rocks 534

Rum aila and Mishrif Formations 534

Ahmadi Formation 534

Wara Formation 534



Lower Cretaceous Source Rocks 534

Shuaiba Formation : 534

Zubair Formation i 537


Minagish Formation 537

Sulaiy Formation 537

Jurass ic Source Rocks 537




Kuwait Oil Fields 537

Greater Burgan Field 538

Bahrah Field 540

Raudhatain Field 541

Sabriya Field 542

Minagish Field 542

Umm Gudair Field 544

Khafji Field 544

Wafra Field 544

Dorra Field 547

Hout Field 547

Lulu field 547

Umm Gudair South Field 547

South Fuwaris Field 547

Bahrain 548

Structure 549

Stratigraphy 551

Reservoirs 551

Khuff Formation 553

Arab Formation 554


8/9/2019 238142485

20/27

CONTENTS

Seals 554

Source Rocks and Hydrocarbon Migration and Accumulation 554

Production and Reserves 558

Qatar

559

Structure 559

Stratigraphy 559

Reservoir Characteristics 561

Tabuk Formation 561

Sharawra Formation 562

Tawil Formation 562

Haushi Formation 562


Izhara Formation 562

Araej Formation 562

Arab Formation 563





Mishrif and Khatiyah formations 564


Tabuk Formation 564


Tawil Formation 564



Izhara and Araej formations 564

Hanifa and Lower Jubailah formations 564

Arab Formation 564

Hith Anhydrite 564

Hawar Formation 565


Khatiyah Formation 565

Laffan Formation 565

Source Rocks : 565



Hanifa Form ation 565




Mishrif/Khatiyah formations 565

Oil characteristics and hydrocarbon maturation 566

Oil and Gas Fields 566

Dukhan Field 566

Idd El Shargi Field 568

Maydan Mahzam Field 571

Bui Hanine Field 571

North Field 574

United Arab Emirates

575

Regional Stratigraphy 575

Reservoirs 576

Haushi Group 578

Khuff Formation 578

Sudair-Gulailah-Minjur formations 578

Araej Formation 578

Diyab Formation 579

Arab Formation 579

8/9/2019 238142485

21/27

CONTENTS

Thamama Group 579


Lekhw air Formation 579




Aruma Group: 580

Ham Formation 580

Halul Formation 580

Simsima Formation 580

Asmari and Gachsaran formations 580

Seals and Seal Formation 580

Source Rocks and Oil Geochemistry 580

Traps 585

Oil and Gas Fields 590

Zakum Oil Field 590

Asab Oil Field 590

Bu Hasa Oil Field 591

Margham Gas-Condensate Field 594

Fateh Oil Field 595

Bab Oil Field 595

El Bunduq Oil Field 595

Sajaa Gas-Condensate Field 596

Jordan

.-. 598

History of Exploration 602

The Sedimentary Basins and their Hydrocarbon Potential 604

Dead Sea-Jordan Valley Basin 604

Azraq Basin .; 605

Sirhan Basin : 605

North Jordanian Highlands 605

Al Jafr Basin 607

Risha Basin 607

Basa lt Plateau 607

Saudi Arabia 608

Tectonic and Stratigraphic Framework 608

Hydrocarbon Systems 611

Source Rocks 613

Paleozoic Formations 613

Jurassic Formations 618

Cretaceous Formations 621

Cenozoic Formations 622

Reservoir Rocks 625

Saq Form ation 626

Tabuk Formation 626

Jauf Formation 626

Unayzah Formation 626

Khuff Formation 627


Dhruma Formation : 628

Tuwaiq Mountain Formation 628



Arab Formation 629

Hith Formation 631

Sulaiy Formation 631




8/9/2019 238142485

22/27

CONTENTS


Wasia Formation 633

Lower Aruma Formation 633

Tertiary Formations 633

Cap Rock 633

Hanadir Shale Member 633

Ra 'an Shale Member 634

Qusaiba Shale member 634

Unayzah Formation 634


Lower Sudair Formation 634





Arab Formation 634

Hith Formation 634



Wasia Formation (Ahmadi Mem ber) 634

Wasia Formation (Rumaila Mem ber) 634

Aruma Formation 634

Dam Formation 634

Mansiyah Formation 634

Ghawwas Formation 634

Structure and Trap Mechanisms 634

Oil Field Examples 637

Superg iant Ghawar Oil Field 637

Harmaliyah Oil Field ; 638

Qatif Oil Field : 638

Khursaniyah Oil Field 639

Abqaiq Oil Field 639

Yemen 642

Structural and Stratigraphic Framework 643

Hydrocarbon Parameters 644

Ma'rib-Jawf-Shabwa-Balhaf Graben System 644

Eastern Tableland 644

Northern Flank 644

Hadhramout-Jeza-Qamar Basin 644

Sayhut Basin 647

Red Sea Coastal Area and the Tihama Sub-basin 647

Gulf of Aden Basin 647

Chapter 12: The Hydrocarbon Habitat of the Zagros Basin

Introduction 651

Southeast Turkey 653

Introduction and History of Exploration 653

Structure and Traps 653


Paleozoic 659

Bedinian Formation 659

Handof Formation 659

Hazro Formation 659

Mesozoic 659

Aril Formation 659

Mardin Group: 659

Sabunsuyu Formation 659

8/9/2019 238142485

23/27

CONTENTS




Raman Formation 659

Garzan Formation 659


Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic 660

Sinan Formation 660

Crude Oil Geochemistry 661

Source Rocks: 662

Paleozoic Formations: 664

Bedinian Formation 664

Dadas Formation 664

Triassic-Jurassic Formations 664

Cretaceous Formations: 664


Ortabag Formation 664

Kiradag Formation 664




Tertiary Formations 665


Telhasan Formation

:

667


Mardin Group 667

Karabogaz, Sayindere and Beloka formations 667

Kiradag Formation

.-.

667


Gercus formation 667


Raman and Bati-Raman fields 667

Garzan Field 669

Dodan Field 669

Syria

670

Introduction and History of Exploration 670






Dolaa Group 681

Cherrife Formation 681

Qamchuqa Formation 681

Soukhne Formation 681

Massive Limestone 681



Chilou Formation 681


Jeribe Formation 681

Source Rocks 681

Crude Oil Geochemistry 683





Alan Formation 689

8/9/2019 238142485

24/27

CONTENTS


Cherrife Formation 689






Oil Field Exam ples 690

Iraq

691

Introduction 691

Stratigraphy 694



Khabour Quartzite Formation 698

Alan Formation 698

Gotnia Anhydrite Formation 698

Najmah Limestone Formation 698






Nahr Imr Formation 700

Rumaila Formation 700



Lower Fars Formation/Ghar Formation 702

Zagros Basin Reservoir Formation 702




Chia Gara Formation 702

Garagu Formation 702

Sarmord Formation 702

Jawan Formation 702

Dokan Limestone Formation 702

Upper Balambo Formation 702

Kometan Formation 702

Mushorah Formation 702


Asmari Formation 702

Kalhur Formation 702

Serikagn i Formation 702

Euphrates Limestone Formation 702

Jeribe Limestone Formation 703

Qamchuqa Group 703

Kirkuk Group 703



Cap Rocks in the Arabian Basin 710




Nahr Umr Formation ; 710




8/9/2019 238142485

25/27

CONTENTS

Cap Rocks in the Zagros Basin 710

Pirispiki Redbeds 710

Baluti Formation 710


Naokelekan Formation 710



Aaliji Formation 710



Ain Zalah Field 710

Butmah Field 711

Kirkuk Field 711

Bai Hassan Field 712

Qaiyarah Fields 712

Buzurgan Field 712

Nahr Umr Field 713

Rum aila Field 713

Zubair Field 713

Iran 716

Introduction 716

Stratigraphy 716



Zagros Basin Reservoir Formations 720

Faraghan Formation 720

Dalan Formation (Khuff equivalent) 721

Kangan Formation 721

Surmeh Formation -. 721


Garau Formation 721


Bangestan Group 721

Sarvak Formation 721

Ham Formation 721

Asmari Limestone 721

Mishan Formation 722

Arabian Basin Reservoirs Formations 722

Khuff Formation 722

Khami Group 722

Arab Formation 722


Gadvan Formation 722


Kazhdhumi Formation 722


Jahrum Formation 722

Ghar Formation 722


Asmari Formation 723

Pabdeh Formation 723

Gurpi Formation 723

Kazhdhumi Formation 724

Garau Formation 724


Paleozoic source rocks 726

Oil Geochem istry 726

8/9/2019 238142485

26/27

8/9/2019 238142485

27/27

CONTENTS

Nimr Field 770

Saih Rawl Field 770

Qaharir Field 771

Rima Field 772

Bukha Field 772

References 775-811

Index 813-843

Appendices A2-A99

238142485

Documents