Petroleum Geology of Offshore Indus Basin, Pakistan

Abstract

The project Involves the in-depth study of petroleum system including source, reservoir, seal/cap, maturity, trapping mechanisms, and stratigraphy of Offshore Indus Basin Pakistan. The study helps in the prediction of hydrocarbon accumulations, maturity and extent of source rocks. Offshore Indus Basin, Pakistan is under-explored sedimentary basin of Pakistan. Ten (10) exploratory wells have been drilled by the foreign oil companies but no economic discovery has been made so far, however only gas shows were observed in two wells. Cretaceous and younger stratigraphy is encountered in these exploratory wells. Sembar, Goru, Mughalkot, Pab, Khadro, Bara, Laki- Gazij, Kirthar, Nari, Gaj formations are encountered in wells explored followed by Siwalik Group. Shales, limestones, and argillaceous layers of Gaj, Nari, Laki, Ranikot, and Mughalkot formations are main petroleum source rocks where as sandstones and limestones of Gaj, Nari, Kirthar, and Ranikot formations are acting as the main reservoir rocks in the basin. The intra-formational shales and compact limestones act as seal/cap rock. Isopach maps and migration fairway models are attached for better understanding of hydrocarbon generation and migration.