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Microfacies analysis and reservoir evaluation based on diagenetic features and log analysis of the Nammal Formation, Western and Central Salt Range, Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan

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Abstract

The Nammal Formation of Early Eocene age crops out at Nammal Gorge (NG) and Pail (PL) in the Salt Range, Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan. It comprises mainly medium to thick-bedded and rare thin-bedded limestone with mixed carbonate sequences of limestone, marl, and shale. Allochemical constituents and micrite estimated ratio leads in recognizing seven microfacies including Foraminifer wackestone, mudstone-wackestone, Foraminifer mudstone, and Assilina wackestone in the NG section and Foraminifer wackestone-packstone, Foraminifer wackestone, and Bioclastic packstone in PL section. Based on microfacies and fossil assemblages, the Nammal Formation is interpreted to have been deposited in outer to mid and inner ramp settings. The formation is largely transformed by diverse diagenetic episodes comprising micritization, cementation, dissolution, neomorphism, mechanical compaction, stylolitization, fractures, and vein formation. Fractures and dissolution are inferred to augment the prospect of hydrocarbon for reservoir of the Nammal Formation. ImageJ calculated porosities and log estimated average effective porosity range from 4 to 6% and 1 to 2%, respectively. The calculated log values in Dhermund-01 and Pindori-02 wells suggest that at certain limestone intervals of the encountered Nammal Formation, there is a compacted limestone that can be regarded as a tight reservoir for hydrocarbon accumulation.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks are extended to Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions (DGPC) and Landmark Resources (LMKR) Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. for data and software (GeoGraphix) access. The authors are thankful to the editors of the journal, anonymous reviewers, and Prof. Dr. Mehdi Ghaedi who reviewed the manuscript critically and offered fruitful suggestions for its improvement.

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The first author is indebted to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan for granting research program funds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Jabir Hussain, Tahseenullah Khan & Muhammad Zafar

  2. Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Birkhez Aslam Shami

  3. LMK Resources Pakistan (Private) Limited, PTET/Ufone Tower, Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Tassawar Hayat

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  1. Jabir Hussain
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  2. Tahseenullah Khan
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Correspondence to Tahseenullah Khan.

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Hussain, J., Khan, T., Shami, B.A. et al. Microfacies analysis and reservoir evaluation based on diagenetic features and log analysis of the Nammal Formation, Western and Central Salt Range, Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan. Arab J Geosci 14, 976 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-07387-7

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