Late Palaeocene to Early Eocene biostratigraphic framework from Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan, Eastern Tethys

Abstract

Basin, was selected for this purpose. Lithologically, the Patala Formation is composed of shale and limestone interbeds. Three different fossil groupssmaller benthic foraminifera, planktic foraminifera, and calcareous nanno-planktonsare used to establish a biostratigraphic framework for the Patala Formation. The biozones recognized in this study include: (a) bathyal benthic biozones, BB1 and BB2 of the Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene, respectively; (b) planktic biozones, P4 and P5 of the Late Palaeocene, while E1 and E2 of the Early Eocene; and (c) Calcareous Nannoplanktons biozones: the NP9, which is further divided into NP9a and NP9b of the Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene, respectively. These biozones have been integrated to identify the Palaeocene-Eocene (P-E) boundary interval by applying widely used biostratigraphic criteria (i.e., Rhomboaster-Discoaster [RD]-assemblage of calcareous nanno-planktons). In this study, we have considered the lithological interval between ChN/TP-16 and ChN/TP-17 as a marker horizon for the P-E boundary

Unconventional Reservoir Characterization of Patala Formation, Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan

“… (a) Geological map with index map of Pakistan showing the position of Minwal-Joyamair with adjoining fields (modified and updated from refs 24 and 25 . (b) Base map of the study area with 2D seismic profiles and wells.…”