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Geological setting:
SW1
Seismic Interpretation
SW2
Seismic Interpretation
Eight regressive for its sedimentary cycles have been distinguished in the Sarawak
basin (Figure SW-4). In Central Luconia carbonate deposition started during Early
Miocene Cycle III, but it was most prolific during Cycles IV and V (Middle to Late
Miocene). A four-fold sub-division was made into depositional facies: protected, reefal,
shallow marine off-reef and deep marine off-reef (Figure SW-5).
SW3
Seismic Interpretation
• rapid relative sea-level rises either induced a build-in (submerged bank) stage, or
even a termination of carbonate accumulation;
Figures SW-8a and 8b show the seismic expression of an initial build-up growth
followed by a build-out stage. During the submerged bank stage the environmental
stress caused the reefal framework to disappear and a different and diversified deeper
water fauna and flora colonised the bank. Several bank stages with excellent lateral
continuity were encountered in the E.11and the F.6 build-ups (Figure SW-10 and SW-
11).
The areas between build-ups were filled with open marine and prodelta clastics that
onlapped the carbonate flanks. Interbedded layers of allochthonous carbonate breccias,
termed “stringers”, were derived from exposed areas of the build-ups, mainly during
sea-level low stands. These layers produce strong reflections on seismic (Figure SW-7
and SW-10).
The growth of most build-ups was terminated by a fast relative sea-level rise and/or
by a high content of clastic fines causing turbid waters. Another group of build-ups
stopped carbonate production during drastic fall in sea-level in the Late Miocene.
During the final stages of growth some of these build-ups developed steep flanks
characterised by non-deposition and erosion (Figure SW-10a).
The majority of the build-ups are now covered by some 1000 to 2000 metres of
progradational deltaic clastics (Figure SW-4). In the areas closer to the deltas the build-
ups are covered by clastic sediments belonging to Cycle V, whereas seawards the
clastic overburden becomes progressively younger. The northernmost build-up, G-10,
situated at the edge of the Sarawak shelf, has not yet been covered and is still growing.
SW4
Seismic Interpretation
SW5
Seismic Interpretation
SW6
Seismic Interpretation
Figure SW-5. Four main stages during growth of Central Luconia build-ups.
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Seismic Interpretation
SW8
Seismic Interpretation
SW9
Seismic Interpretation
Figure SW-8a
SW10
Seismic Interpretation
Figure SW-8b
SW11
Seismic Interpretation
The basin modelling programme BASMOD has been used to model the gross features
of Miocene gas-bearing carbonate build-ups E.11 and F.6 of Central Luconia (Figures
SW-9 and SW-10). Assuming increasing rates of tectonic subsidence away from the
present day coastline, a reasonable carbonate growth potential and a sea-level history
this is similar to the available “eustatic curves” (see Haq et al, 1987), BASMOD is able
to reproduce the overall build-up architecture and the timing of subaerial exposure
surfaces which are often associated with secondary porosity. Sea-level changes are
known to exert a fundament control on the geometry of, and the reservoir distribution in
the carbonate system. While periods of rapidly rising sea-level often lead to partial
drowning and deposition of argillaceous, non-reservoir carbonates, sea-level lowstands
may cause subaerial exposure and leaching porosity. The reconstruction of the
carbonate features using BASMOD indicates a strong eustatic signal, which has also
been independently concluded by Hageman (1985, internal Shell report).
SW12
Seismic Interpretation
E.11 build-up: qualitatively comparing the well defined architecture of E.11 (Figures
SW-8b and SW-9a) with the “eustatic chart” (SW-11) suggests that the good reservoir
properties and the subaerial exposure surface recorded at the top of the middle “build-
up phase” would be consistent with a lowstand in the “eustatic chart”: subaerial
exposure evidently caused freshwater leaching and dolomitisation. A BASMOD-
generated reconstruction of E.11 is shown in Figure SW-9b. Parameters used for
modelling include uniform tectonic subsidence (30 metres/Ma), carbonate growth
potential of 450 metres/Ma lowered to 100 metres/Ma for 0.5 Ma after each sea-level
lowstand to account for increasing clastic input slowing down carbonate production
(argillaceous intervals in cores).
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Seismic Interpretation
SW14
Seismic Interpretation
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Seismic Interpretation
Figure SW-10c. Density log correlation of 4 wells penetrating the upper part
of the F-6 build-up.
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Seismic Interpretation
SW17