After sea level rises during the Early Cretaceous, upper parts of the Khami Group sediments (Fahliyan, Gadvan, and Dariyan Formations) deposited over Jurassic sediments. The Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Dariyan Formation (equivalent to the Shu'aiba Formation and Hawar Member of the Arabian Plate) carbonates, which have hydrocarbon reservoir potential, form the uppermost portion of the Khami Group that unconformably overlays the Gadvan Formation and was unconformably covered by the Kazhdumi Formation and Burgan sandstones. Detailed paleontological, sedimentological, and well log analysis were performed on seven wells from Qeshm Island and offshore in order to analyze the sequence stratigraphy of this interval and correlate with other studies of the Dariyan Formation in this region. According to this study, the Dariyan Formation contains 14 carbonate lithofacies, which deposited on a ramp system that deepened in both directions (NE-wells 5, 6 and SW-wells 1, 2). Sequence stratigraphy led to recognition of 5 Aptian third-order sequences toward the Bab Basin (SW-well 1) and 4 Aptian third-order sequences toward Qeshm Island (NE-wells 5 and 6) so these areas show higher gamma on the gamma ray logs and probably have higher source rock potential. Other wells (wells 2-4 and 7) mainly deposited in shallower ramp systems and contain 3 Aptian third-order sequences. On the other hand, rudstone and boundstone lithofacies of studied wells have higher reservoir potential and were deposited during Apt 3 and Apt 4 sequences of the Arabian Plate. The Dariyan Formation in Qeshm Island (well 6) and adjacent well (well 5) was deposited in an intrashelf basin that should be classified as a new intrashelf basin in future Aptian paleogeographic maps. We interpret that salt-related differential subsidence, crustal warping, and reactivation of basement faults of the Arabian Plate boundary were responsible for the creation of the intrashelf basin in the Qeshm area.
The Kopet-Dagh Basin is located in northeastern Iran and southern Turkmenistan. The Late Maastrichtian Kalat Formation caps the Cretaceous interval in this Basin. Based on eight measured stratigraphic sections, the depositional environments and the sea-level history of the Kalat Formation have been interpreted. Petrographic and field observations led to identification of four major carbonates (A-D) and two siliciclastic lithofacies types. Carbonate rocks were deposited on a ramp setting within three zones including restricted and semi-restricted lagoons, bars, and open marine environments, while the siliciclastics were deposited at the shoreline. Sequence stratigraphic analysis identified two depositional sequences in the western and eastern parts and three depositional sequences in the central parts of the study area. Comparing the sea-level curve of Late Maastrichtian time in the Kopet-Dagh Basin with the global sea-level curve for the same time interval, there are some geometrical similarities and differences. The variations in the Basin are related to regional tectonic settings and sediment loading of the study area. Reconstructions of depositional environment during eight time slices of the Late Maastrichtian are presented. These results could be used for comparison with other localities worldwide and provide additional data for Late Cretaceous paleogeographic reconstructions.
Despite the previous interpretations of the evolutionary scenarios of the Qatar Arch, the present study aimed to present a new complementary scenario to lay out the probable effects of another basement fault, corresponding to the physical shape of the Arch. A remote sensing study was carried out based on geological and geophysical data interpretations, obtained from some national and international databases, including GIS-based global geology data of Harvard University, the free-air gravity anomaly data from the World Gravity Map (WGM), and the airborne geophysical project of the National Geosciences Database of Iran (NGDIR). Results revealed that offshore extrapolation of the Trans Arabian-Bostaneh Fault (TABF) lineament through the morphological boundary of Hauterivian–Barremian (HB) formations and the offshore extrapolation of the Kazerun fault could produce a new complementary model for the Qatar Arch evolution. Based on the particular shape of the Arch (i.e., narrowing and uplifting to the south influenced by the Kazerun basement fault and the rotation of TABF), we can propose that these faults crossed each other after the Barremian age, created a particular shape of the Qatar Arch, and influenced beneath the Fars hinterland. The obtained geophysical gravity data also showed a good match between structural units and faults with maximum values corresponding to the Qatar Arch and minimum values relating to the thick sediment field in the Fars region. In conclusion, the present study contributes to a new proposition about exploring the possible faults and a new gas field situated in the interior territory of Iran. All of these interpretations will provide a new insight to improve the extant knowledge in the geology and petroleum evolution of the study area, such as the Plate tectonic events and the creation of possible reservoirs in future.
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