Hiati of various duration in carbonates are commonly expressed as discontinuity surfaces. The understanding of processes that form and affect these surfaces leads to an improved sequence-stratigraphic interpretation, a reliable outcrop correlation, and better models for reservoir compartmentalization. Various intraformational discontinuities were analysed and interpreted in a wellexposed study window, 2AE5 km in lateral length and 60 m in height comprising the Barremian-Aptian Qishn Formation (Haushi-Huqf area, central Oman). This study focuses on the lateral extent and morphology of the surfaces, the petrography of the underlying rocks, and the facies changes and geochemical trends across these discontinuities. Furthermore, the lateral variability of discontinuity surfaces was documented. Three genetic types of discontinuities are differentiated: (i) erosion surfaces; (ii) omission surfaces (hard-and firmgrounds); and (iii) composite surfaces with evidence for both subaerial exposure and submarine boring. Field observations, combined with petrographic and geochemical data, suggest that 17 surfaces are laterally extensive for at least 20 km and record relative sea-level fluctuations of regional scale. In contrast, a large number of laterally limited surfaces (<1 km) are related to locally active processes such as waves and current erosion. The lateral variability along extensive surfaces is the result of the depositional environment below the discontinuity, the sea-floor topography, waves and currents and differential erosion. The most pronounced lateral variability is present along six laterally extensive composite surfaces that record terrestrial exposure and subsequent flooding of a tidal flat environment. This variability is caused by spatial variability in the tidal flat environment, meteoric alteration and differential erosion. This study emphasizes the spatial and temporal complexity of processes that form and modify discontinuity surfaces. This variability must be kept in mind when interpretations and correlations are based on one-dimensional sections or cores.
Limestones of the middle Cretaceous Qishn Formation are exposed in the Haushi-Huqf area of Oman. These carbonates preserved reservoir properties due to shallow burial and an arid post-exhumation climate. This characteristic makes the Qishn Formation an excellent outcrop analogue for the Upper Kharaib and Lower Shu’aiba oil reservoirs in the Interior Oman basins. The aim of this paper is to provide a broad overview of results from an industry-oriented field study recently performed in the Qishn Formation outcrops belts. The comparison of these results with studies undertaken in the Northern Oman Mountains and the Oman Interior subsurface is the topic of ongoing research.
The age of the Qishn Formation is middle Barremian to mid-early Aptian, the Hawar Member (equivalent) is earliest Aptian in age. The paleo-environments recorded range from the tidal mudflat to the argillaceous platform setting (outer ramp) below the storm wave base. In terms of sequence stratigraphy, four large-scale transgressive-regressive cycles of Cretaceous age (Jurf and Qishn formations) were distinguished. Sequence I, a dolomitized succession termed Jurf Formation, is the equivalent of the Lekhwair, the Lower Kharaib and possibly older Cretaceous units. Due to pervasive early dolomitization, the Jurf Formation is not further considered here. Sequence II, forming the base of the overlying Qishn Formation represents the equivalent of the Upper Kharaib, portions of Sequence III the Hawar Member, and Sequence IV is the equivalent of the Lower Shu’aiba. At least two lower orders of cycles are superimposed on these four sequences.
Total porosity with a mean of 19.3% (s = 8.74%) and permeability with a mean of 6.36 mD (s = 6.57 mD) characterize the Qishn Formation limestones. Overall, the correlation of porosity and permeability is better for regressive (highstand) deposits than for the transgressive limestones. The lateral variability (>100 m) of porosity and permeability values within specific intervals is substantial and matches or even exceeds stratigraphic variability. Spectral gamma ray logs from Qishn Formation recorded in the outcrops are dominated by the U spectrum and to a lesser degree by the Th spectrum.
Qishn Formation carbonates in the Haushi-Huqf High are extensively fractured. The outcrops studied display very widespread systematic jointing with dominant NW-SE to WNW-ESE trends. A second, subordinate system results in a potentially highly interconnective network. Joints are strictly confined to specific beds or groups of beds and have regular spacing of between 6 and 18 cm. Joints are related to regional stress fields and do not show significant changes (in density or direction) in the vicinity of folds or faults. Faults are typically organized in corridors consisting of up to several metre-wide zones with swarms of discrete fault planes. Fault gauges are very rarely observed, but where present, form discontinuous, 10s of cm long lenses.
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