Unveiling Potential Hidden Reserves of Early Syn-Rift Deposits in the Mature Eastern Flank Malay Basin, Offshore Peninsular Malaysia

The continuous quest for hydrocarbon resources has led to a resurgence of exploration activities in mature basins worldwide. The integration of modern seismic imaging techniques, enhanced reservoir characterization, and advanced drilling technologies has played a pivotal role in uncovering previously overlooked or inaccessible hydrocarbon reserves.

The Malay Basin, being a mature basin, has seen extensive drilling targeting large structural traps. The Peninsular Malaysia Venture team is now focusing on the exploration of hydrocarbons within the syn-rift play. The exploration data within this segment is scarce, with few wells having penetrated the early syn-rift strata in the Eastern flank of the Malay Basin. This study aims to delineate and characterize the early syn-rift lithology by integrating analogue outcrop data, well sample cuttings, side wall core analysis, and seismic inversion analysis to assess the potential of early syn-rift reservoirs. The results reveal a transition from sandstones to argillaceous siltstones, with sedimentation styles indicative of conglomerates and debris flows due to rapid uplift along the flanks of newly formed grabens (Whateley & Jordan, 1987), suggesting the potential of early syn-rift as a reservoir in the Eastern flank of the Malay Basin.