Arabian Platform Tectonic Events and Their Exploration Applications
By
Mohammad I. Faqira1, Khalid M. Shokair1
(1) Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
The long offset 2D seismic data (7,200 m) along with the Deep Gas wells were
a great help to understand the giant oil and gas fields growth history in the
Arabian Platform. The Arabian Platform underwent six major tectonic events; each
one has had a significant impact on oil and gas Field development throughout
geologic history. These tectonic events were the principle contributors to trap
geometry, timing and reservoir development of the giant structures.
These tectonic events are: 1) The Pre-Cambrian extension event, which has
been documented seismically by the Infra-Cambrian Basins all over the Arabian
Platform. These basins have a proven petroleum system in Oman., 2) The Hercynian
Tectonics, represented by E and SE regional tilt in addition to NE-SW
compressional forces, which resulted in NW-SE Haradh-Jawb trending growth
structure. Stratigraphic and fault
bounded traps could be controlled by this
event., 3) The Permo-Traissic growth, which was the initiator of the Arabian
Platform giant structural traps and contributed significantly to the development
of the reservoir facies over these giant structures., 4) The Late Triassic NNW
tilt, which developed a major basin in the Dibdibah Trough. This frontier basin
has a great exploration gas potential especially with the relative deep targets
(13,000 to 16,000 feet), and 5 and 6) The Upper Cretaceous and Neogene’s NNE
tilt, which formed the final hydrocarbon traps for Arabian Platform structures.