Depositional sequences and palynology of Triassic carbonate-evaporite platform deposits in the Palmyrides, Syria

Abstract

This paper describes the results of new stratigraphic correlations and petroleum systems analyses of the Triassic deposits in the Syrian Palmyrides. The correlations are based on well data and new palynological work which reconcile previous lithological and stratigraphic miscorrelations of Triassic sequences from this region. The sequences are subdivided into four Megacycles, which are directly related to the key elements of the petroleum systems of the Palmyrides. The hydrocarbon discoveries within these systems, the fluid contacts and hydrodynamics are explained with reference to the Megacycle subdivision. This subdivision is applied on a regional scale and is used to define the distribution of reservoir seal pairs for volumetric estimations.

DATING AND CORRELATION OF THE BALUTI FORMATION, KURDISTAN, IRAQ: Implications for the regional recognition of a Carnian “marker dolomite”, and a review of the Triassic to Early Jurassic sequence stratigraphy of the Arabian Plate

“…1) in the Kurrachine Formation (Barrier et al, 2014); in the Butma Formation in the Sinjar Trough (Barrier et al, 2014); and in the Mulussa Formation in the Palmyrides (Lucic et al, 2010). Triassic source potential is recognised in the Amanus, Mulussa D2/2, Mulussa C2 and Lower Butma (Vulama, 2012, Lucic et al, 2010). This study shows that the Syrian reservoirs and source rocks correlate with those in Iraq as follows (see Fig.…”

“…Palmyrides area well, modifi ed from Lucic et al (2010); Euphrates area wells, modifi ed from Jamal et al (2000). • Jordan: Risha-1 and Northern Highlands-2, modifi ed from Andrews (1991).…”

“…In areas adjacent to Iraq, Triassic hydrocarbonbearing reservoirs are reported in Syria and Kuwait. In Syria, economic accumulations occur in the Mulussa F clastics (terminology of Jamal et al, 2000), the Butma carbonates, the Kurrachine/Mulussa (C2, D1, D2/2) carbonates (terminology of Lucic et al, 2010), and carbonates within the Amanus Formation (Barrier, 2015;Hips and Argyelan, 2007). Several fields with Triassic light oil or gas/condensate accumulations occur in NE Syria close to the Iraqi border ( Fig.…”

“…Several fields with Triassic light oil or gas/condensate accumulations occur in NE Syria close to the Iraqi border ( Fig. 1) in the Kurrachine Formation (Barrier et al, 2014); in the Butma Formation in the Sinjar Trough (Barrier et al, 2014); and in the Mulussa Formation in the Palmyrides (Lucic et al, 2010). Triassic source potential is recognised in the Amanus, Mulussa D2/2, Mulussa C2 and Lower Butma (Vulama, 2012, Lucic et al, 2010).…”

“…These features are consistent with platform evaporite accumulation in a saltern setting during a TST, with overlying carbonates representing the late TST to HST (see for example the platform evaporite models of Warren, 2016). In the Palmyride Trough, salt deposition was probably initiated earlier, during the preceding lowstand, based on log correlation of the Palmyride wells presented by Lucic et al (2010) (and pers. comm.…”