Subvolcanic Rock Petroleum System Potential in the South Malang Region, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The South Malang Region is located in the south-eastern part of the Southern Mountain Volcanic Arc; it presents different opportunities for hydrocarbon exploration. The stratigraphy of the study area from old to young consists of Oligocene Volcanic rocks (Mandalika, Watupatok, and Arjosari Formation), Early Miocene Carbonates (Campurdarat and Jaten Formation), Middle Miocene Volcanic (Wuni Formation), Late Miocene-Pliocene Carbonates (Nampol, Oyo, and Wonosari Formation), and Holocene alluvial deposits (Kalipucang Formation). The dominance of volcanic rocks makes this area considered an area without hydrocarbon play prospects. Petroleum system potential is revealed by evaluating and analyzing potential source rock and reservoir rock outcrop samples. The study shows that the Nampol Formation can be considered as a gas-prone source rock, with type III kerogen, total organic content ranging from 3.48 -26.18 wt%, and possess the potential to produce good to very good hydrocarbons and a hydrogen index ranging from 43 to 86 mgHC/g TOC. Furthermore, rock core analysis and petrographic studies were carried out on the Nampol sandstone where the rock samples showed good reservoir properties. However, the Nampol and Wonosari limestone that was considered as the secondary target for reservoir possesses a low quality of reservoir properties. This study shows that there is a potential for petroleum system existence in the Southern Mountain subvolcanic arc, which is indicated by the presence of source rock and potential reservoir rock as one of the various elements and processes present in a petroleum system.