P - 66

Fluvial Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis of Oligo-Miocene Sediments of Upper

Assam Forel and Basin, India using Well Logs and Seismic Data

M.Sahoo* S.M.Abbas* & K.D Gogoi**

* ONGC Ltd, Nazira, Assam ** Deptt. of Petroleum Technology, Dibrugarh University, Assam
*[email protected]

Summary
Oligo-Miocene clastic rocks of the upper Assam basin deposited in an assymetrical foreland basin formed during the
collision of Burma microplate with Indian plate. In this study core, well log and seismic data has been used for interpretation of
fluvial sequence stratigraphic architecture of the basin. The fluvial stratigraphic record of Upper Assam basin is mainly
controlled by eustasy, subsidence, source area upliftment and sediment supply. The Oligo- Miocene tectono-sequences
composed of lower Barail sequence and upper Tipam prograding sequences separated by an unconformity surface. The
stratigraphic section from Barail- Tipam sandstone in this study is divided in to succession of inferred tracts
Transgressive system tracts (TST) and highstand system tracts (HST). Well logs and seismic data show the depositional
environments is deltaic to fluvial during Oligo- Miocene period.

Introduction
The Upper Assam Basin (Fig.1) is a composite foreland
basin which is located between the eastern Himalayn foot
hills and the Assam- Arakan thrust belt. The basin is
terminated to the northeast by the Mishimi Hills block and
to the Southwest it is partly disrupted by the Shilong
plateau basement uplift. In the subsurface, a ridge of
Precambrian rocks known as Brahmaputra arch
roughly bisects the Assam Basin. The arch plunges
northeast ward from outcrops in the Mikir Hills to the
northeastern part of the basin, where the plunge of the arch
becomes northerly. The Paleocene and Eocene units thin
and lap out against the arch, overlying Oligocene and
Miocene units thin over it. Sediments on the south flank of
the arch are cut by normal faults that roughly parallel and
deep away from the axis of the arch (Bhanadari et al.,
1973; Das Gupta and Biswas, 2000).

Fig.1 Location and major structural elements of Upper Assam

Basin

General Geology and Stratigraphy:

Stratigraphy of the region has been dealt with in detail by the distal margin of the basin produces an arch known as
various authors (Mathur and Evans, 1964: Raju, 1968: Brahmaputra arch. Because of the dominance of tectonics
Bhandari et.al, 1973: Dasgupta, 1977: Rao, 1983: Murthy, over eustasy on the basin evolution in the upper Assam
1983: Singh et.al, 1986: Ganju and Khar, 1985, Deshpande basin, the sequences thus formed are called
et.al, 1993 and other authors). tectonosequences and are characterized by extensive
angular unconformity at their base and top (Miall, 1997).
The upper Assam Basin and Naga Hills, which make up the
frontal part of the northern Assam – Arakan thrust belt
share a common Tertiary stratigraphy. The Tertiary
sequence is divided into paleogene and Neogene sequences
that are separated by major Oligocene unconformity (Raju
& Mathur, 1995).

The generalized stratigraphic column of Upper Assam

Basin consists of Archean metamorphic Basement overlain
by Jaintia Group of Paleocene to Eocene age consisting of
Tura, Sylhet and Kopili formations. The Barail group
sediments of Disangmukh, Demulgoan and Rudrasagar
formations of Eocene to Oligocene age overlies pre-Barail
sediments and overlain by Tipam group of Miocene to
Pliocene age consisting of Geleki sandstone, Lakwa
Sandstone, Girujan Clay & Nazira Sandstone. Moran group
of younger and recent sediments of Plio-Pliestocene to
Recent ages comprising of Namsang, Dhekiajuli
&Alluvium formations (Fig.2)

Fig.3 Schematic Upper Assam foreland basin showing the source

of clastic sedimentation and relative rate of subsidence

The Oligo- Miocene clastic sediments represents the

interplay between four regime variables (subsidence,
tectonic upliftment, eustasy and sediment supply) and for
applying stratigraphic concepts to both flooding surfaces
(Galloway, 1989) and sequence boundaries (Vail et al.,
1977) in tectonically active basin. The Oligo- Miocene
clastic sediments deposited in the basin by upliftment and
erosion that coincides middle Oligocene global – eustatic
lowstand system tract. From the stratigraphic record of
upper Assam, the Naharkatiya group unconformably
overlying the Barail group is largely of fluvial origin and
contains the heavy minerals ( Bhandari et al., 1973)
indicates that are derived from metamorphic complex of
rising Himalayas.The stratigraphic configuration of
tectonosequence is mainly controlled by subsidence,
upliftment to a lesser extent by sediment supply and
eustasy. The eustasy and sediment supply controls the
Fig.2 Generalised Stratigraphic column of upper Assam stratigraphic geometries of (<3 m.y). Two distinctive zones
Basin of subsidence and sedimentation described in foreland
basins ( Posamentier and Allen, 1993) that is applied to
Theory and Concepts: Assam foreland basins (1) Zone A is the area adjacent to
the thrust belt where the rate of subsidence exceeds the rate
of eustatic fall; and (2) zone B is the area near Brahmaputra
The fluvial stratigraphic record of Upper Assam basin is arch rate of eustatic fall exceeds the rate of subsidence.
mainly controlled by eustasy, subsidence, source area The subsidence history of various fields indicated that rapid
upliftment and sediment supply. In the Assam foreland subsidence takes place in late Eocene to early Oligocene
basin, high rates of subsidence characterize the main thrust time in the basin (Fig.4). This subsidence will determine
controlled depocentre is formed by downwraping of the over all geometries of depositional sequences and also
foreland plate by tectonic loading (Fig.3). As an elastic controls the types of sequence boundaries produced.
response to thrust loading, peripheral upwraping occurs at
 Fig.5 Lithologic facies used in Oligo – Miocene clastic rocks from
core data

The age control in wells relies on biostratigraphic analysis

indicates in Geleki and Nazira structures , the Disangmukh
Fig.4 Subsidence history of various fields in the basin The main formation contains arenaceous foraminifera comprising
objective of this paper is the presentation of the fluvial records,
its interpretation, depositional facies association environment Ammobaculites sp., Miliammina sp., Spirillonoids sp.,
using well logs and available seismic data. The Oligo- Spiroplectammina sp., Lituola sp. and Gaudryina sp..
Miocene tectonic sequence is controlled by higher subsidence Rudrasagar Formation contains arenaceous foraminifera
rate zone A over most of the basin, the recognition of flooding
which includes Cyclamina sp., Ammodiscus sp.,
surfaces (Galloway, 1989) is adopted for the analysis.
Haplophragmoides sp., Miliammina sp. and
Ammobaculites sp. etc and Neogene sediments are devoid
Well Data and Facies Association: of foraminifera(Un pub. Report, ONGC, Doc. – X, 1993)
Core data and its description in (Oligocene age) Barail
formation level and (Miocene age) Tipam formation level Depositional environment:
was very helpful for the reconstruction of fluvial facies
architecture. Drill cutting samples and its description along Gamma-ray facies associations were adopted using
with log data provide valuable information where core data gammaray and core description correlations. (1) Cylindrical
is limited. The observations of core along with calibrations and fining upward indicated high energy environment
of log curves to provide the age and boundary control. braided river processes (2) Blocky and fining-upward
Facies in cores are classified into three main facies (Fig.5) indicate delta plain environment (3) Bell shaped fining
( 1) Sandstone Facies range from coarse to fine grained upward sequences (4) Spiky fining upward sequences of
sandstone and having low angle current bedding, ripple delta plain environment (Fig.5).
cross lamination, trough cross bedding and crossbedding (
current and ripple action). (2) Heterolithic facies with Sequence Stratigraphy:
contorted bedding composed of sandy mudstones
containing small to large clasts and thin mud drapes, Fig.6A and Fig.6B shows the stratigraphic analysis
structureless medium to fine sandstones and slumped performed in this study using stacking patterns. The Oligo-
intervals, inverse grading is observed. (3) Silty shale facies Miocene tectono-sequences composed of lower Barail
composed of dark gray, hard and compact, feebly sequence and upper Tipam prograding sequences separated
calcareous, fissile shale. Shales are sideritic and silty lenses by an unconformity surface. The stratigraphic section from
of fine sandstones are present. Barail- Tipam sandstone in this study is divided in to
succession of inferred tracts, transgressive system tracts
(TST) and highstand system tracts (HST). These sequence
tracts bounded by flooding surfaces (FS). These
stratigraphic surfaces and tracts are inferred primarily from
lithologic data and gamaray log profiles.The Oligocene
tectono-sequence is characterized by progradational
sequence followed by retrogradational sequence of shale
and at the top succession of progradational sequence of
Tipam group. The intra Barail (Oligocene) include 6
flooding – surfaces . These surfaces are the main bounding
surfaces that together define 7 parasequence sets. The
maximum flooding surface is chosen based on the stacking
patterns. The top of the Oligo- Miocene tectonosequence
that is Geleki sandstone is of progradational sequence
where the sediment influx is higher than the
accommodation space created due to tectonics or
subsidence. The middle Lower clay Marker is believed to
be deposited in aggradational sequence followed by Lakwa
sandstone again is of progradational in nature (Fig.7).

Fig.7 Well log Correlation in W-E direction showing different

parasequences and maximum flooding surface (MFS)

Seismic Stratigraphy:
Fig.8, Fig.9, Fig.10, Fig.11 shows seismic section in NW-
SE, N-S and NW-SE direction in different fields of the
study area.. Well data is calibrated with the seismic data
and it has been observed that Oligocene – Miocene
tectono-sequence is an asymmetrical wedge and is thinning
in NW direction and thickening in SE direction. An attempt
is made to apply the maximum flooding surface and
sequence boundary concept in the study area. Reflection
pattern suggest pronounced lateral variations of
depositional environments and lithologies in the study area.
Fluvial and deltaic facies are dominant on well logs
Fig.6A Stratigraphic interpretation showing vertical stacking patterns and expressed as continuous reflections in seismic
pattern of progradation and retrogradation in Oligo- Miocene sections as shown in (Fig.9). This interpretation supports
sequences and para sequences. that the main source of clastic sedimentation from NW in
Oligo - Miocene time in the study area.

Fig.8 Seismic Line D-58 with interpretation

Fig.6B Stratigraphic interpretation showing vertical stacking

pattern of progradation and retrogradation in Oligo- Miocene
sequences and para sequences
 (Fig.6B). The unit comprises of shale with thin bands of
coal and sand and considered a fluvial point bar deposit.

Parasequence-III
This parasequence is demarcated by persistene coal bed and
sand bodies and characterized by initial transgressive sytem
tract(TST) and highstand system tracts at the top and
deposited in meandering channel process (Fig.6B).

Parasequence-IV
This parasequence consists of silty sand and fining upward
Fig.9 Seismic section along NW-SE direction of Geleki field sequence with progradational trend at base and
retrogradational trend at top and also considered to be a
point bar deposit and deposited in meandering channel
processes (Fig.6B).

Parasequence-V
This parasequence is demaracated with top and bottom
flooding surfaces and characterized cross bedded fine
grained sandstone with sigmoidal crossbedding shown in
(Fig.6B). This unit is deposited under tidal channel
environment.

Parasequence-VI
The parasequence shows combination of fining upward
silty sand and clean sand sequence with progradation at
Calibration of well data with seismic data
base and retrogradation at the top (Fig.6B). The log
characteristics indicates a point bar meandering channel
processes.

Parasequence-VII
This parasequence is the topmost unit consists of shale,
coal and sandstone and separated from the other sequence
with a maximum flooding surface(MFS) (Fig.6B). This unit
is demarcated itself as a channel fill deposit and bounded
by the sequence boundary at top.

Depositional progradational sequence

Fig.11 Well log calibrated with seismic data
This sequence comprises mainly fluviatile sediments and
Parasequence –I are classified on the basis of their stratal relations and
lithologies (Fig.6A). The base part is valley fill deposit and
The parasequence-1 tend to be progradational near the base are coarse clastics of Safrai member and are distinguished
and retrogradational near the top (Fig.6A & Fig.6B) and are on seismic section (Fig.10 & Fig.11). The top of the
characterized by mainly of sandstones with minor shales formation (LCM) is a continuous high amplitude surface
and separated from parasequence-2 significant flooding and is in aggradational trend where sediment supply is just
surface (FS1). This unit is deposited in delta front matched with rate of subsidence. The Geleki and Lakwa
environment. sandstones are progradational in nature (Fig.6A) where
sediment supply exceeded the rate of subsidence.
Parasequence-II
Implications for Hydrocarbon Exploration and
The contact between parasequence1 and parasequence2 is Reservoir modeling:
gradational and characterized by transgressive system
tract(TST) and highstand system tract (HST) at the top
 L.,1993, Lithostratigraphy of Indian Petroliferous Basins,
The application of sequence stratigraphic principle has Document – X,Unpublished report of ONGC.
considerable predictive value addition to define the
distribution and internal heterogeneity of reservoir bodies. Galloway, W., 1989, Genetic stratigraphic sequences in
The classification of the reservoir into separate flow basin analysis: I. Architecture and genesis of flooding
compartments, their relationship to each other and their surface bounded depositional units: AAPG Bulletin, v.73,
internal facies composition are determined by balance p. 125 - 142
between sediment supply and accommodation space. The
stacking patterns and internal geometry of reservoir units Ganju, J.L. and Khar, B.M., 1985, Structure, tectonics and
provides valuable clue for reducing risk to wildcat drilling. hydrocarbon prospects of Naga Hills based on integrated
Further, the relationship of the sequence stratigraphic remotely sensed data, Petroleum Asia Jour.8, 2, p.142 -
architecture to regional tectonic events is a critical 151.
component of basin analysis. The subsidence and
maturation history investigation and use of appropriate Kent, W.N., Hickman, R.G., and Dasgupta, U., 2002,
sequence model is critical understanding basin architecture Application of a ramp/flat fault model to interpretation of
and reservoir modeling. the Naga thrust and possible implications for petroleum
exploration along the Naga thrust front, v.86, No.12,
Conclusions: p.2023-2045.

The stratigraphic architecture of the Oligo- Miocene period was Mathur, L.P. and Evans, P., 1964, Oil in India,
controlled by variable tectonic subsidence rates and variable International Geological Congress, 22nd Session, p.1-85.
degree of sediment supply and it has been observed that Miall, A., 1997, The geology of stratigraphic sequences:
eustasy has limited role during this period. The Oligo-Miocene Berlin, Springer – Verlag, p.433.
facies are interpreted as fluvial braided process in Miocene time
and delta plain of meandering river channel process of
Murthy, K.N., 1983, Geology and hydrocarbon prospects
Oligocene time. The genetic sequences were interpreted when
rate of subsidence higher than eustatic sealevel fall in zone A of Assam Shelf. Recent advances and present status,
and depositional sequence interpreted formed when rates of Petrol. Asia, Jr.5, p. 1-44.
eustatic sea level fall were higher than subsidence rates in zone
B.The application of Gamma ray log profiles along with seismic Natrajan, M., Bhatnagar, P.K., Kakoti, M., Sahota, S.K.
data yield a reliable geologic model provide better and Dhawan, H.C., 1999,Source rock development in
understanding of the foreland stratigraphy of the area. Upper Assam Shelf of Northeastern India, Proc. 3rd.Int.
Pet. Conf. and Explo. Petrotech – 99, p. 145 – 192.
Acknowledgement:
Posamentier, H., and Allen, P., 1993, Siliciclastic
The authors are greately acknowledged ONGC sequence stratigraphy patterns in foreland ramp – type
management for providing necessary support and help for basins: Geology, v.21, p.455 – 458.
accessing field data and facilities for preparation of the
manuscript of the paper Raju, A.T.R., 1968, Geological evolution of Assam and
Cambay Tertiary basins of India,Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.
Note: Views expressed in the paper are authors only Bulletin, 51, 12, p. 2422 – 2437.

References: Raju, S.V., and Mathur, N.,1995, Petroleum Geochemistry

of a part of upper Assam basin, India: a brief overview:
Bhandari, L.L, Fuloria, R., and Sastry, V.V., 1973, Organic Geochemistry, v.23,p.55-70.
Stratigraphy of Assam Valley, India,Am,Assoc.Pet.Geol.
Bulletin.57, 4, p. 642 – 652. Rao, A.R., 1983, Geology and hydrocarbon potential of a
part of Assam – Arakan Basin and its adjacent region,
Berger,P., et al., 1983 Assam – Arakan basin: Petrol. Asia. Jr., 6, 4, p. 127 – 158.
Schlumberger Well Evaluation Conference India, p.1134 –
1170. Singh, N.P., Boruah, R.M. and Daye, A., 1986,
Biostratigraphy of the Eocene sequence of Upper Assam
Dasgupta, A.B., 1977, Geology of Assam – Arakan Shelf, Bull. Oil & Natural Gas Commission, 23, 2, p. 45-
Region, Quart. Jr. Min.Met.Soc.Ind., 49, p. 1-50. Das 66.
Gupta, A.B., and Biswas, A.K, 2000, Geology of
Assam: Bangalore, India, Geological Society of India, Unpublished Report, Document- X, 1993, Assam –
p.169. Arakan basin Vol.I

Deshpande, S.V., Goel, S.M., Bhandari, A., Baruah, R.M., Vail, P.R., Mitchum Jr., Todd, R., and Sangree, J., 1977,
Deshpande, J.S., Kumar, A., Rana K.S., Chitrao, A.M., Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level, in C.
Giridhar, M., Chowdhuri, D., Kale, A.S. and Phor, Payton, ed., Seismic stratigraphy – Application to
hydrocarbon exploration: AAPG Memoir 26, p.49 – 212.