Sequence Stratigraphy and Depositional Systems in the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (Oxfordian to Valanginian) of the Arabian Plate: Implications for Regional Exploration and Reservoir Description

The Oxfordian to Valanginian succession on the Arabian Plate is dominated by carbonate shelves and intrashelf basin deposits. Evaporites are a major component of Kimmeridgian to Tithonian deposition in both shelf and basinal locations. Siliciclastics are less important, though they increase in the Early Cretaceous. Important petroleum systems reflect the presence of numerous source, reservoir and seal combinations. Local stratigraphy is well understood where there are major petroleum systems but there are considerable stratigraphic, depositional and preservational variations across the Arabian Plate and correlations between more distant areas are not well documented. There is a dearth of comprehensively documented age control. Nevertheless careful sequence stratigraphic analysis means that many correlations can be established, and that a plate-wide sequence stratigraphic framework can be applied. Sharland et al (2001) identified ten plate-wide maximum flooding surfaces in this succession. Further work continues to validate these surfaces world-wide. We use them to discuss the sequence stratigraphy of the interval across the entire Arabian Plate and its importance for future exploration and detailed reservoir description. Our methodology facilitates high resolution Gross Depositional Environment mapping and detailed play fairway analysis. This is fundamental to identifying new stratigraphic trap and continuous play potential across the Arabian Plate.