Arabian Intrashelf Basins

Sediments & Rocks > Carbonates > Arabian Intrashelf Basins

Block diagram of the southern margin of the Hanifa Intrashelf Basin

Introduction to Intrashelf Basins

Isolated intrashelf basins (ISBs) are carbonate systems that punctuate the carbonate sedimentary sections of intracratonic plates throughout the Phanerozoic. These intrashelf basins are the product of carbonate depositional systems responding almost instantaneously to fill accommodation space caused by relative sea level change. This means that Phanerozoic platform carbonates commonly contain thick successions of meter-scale aggradational cycles, filling accommodation space and maintaining very low-relief depositional topography landward of a well-defined platform margin. Widespread carbonate platform lithosomes of the geologic record are exemplified by sections of the Cambro-Ordovician of North America, the Khuff Formation (Permo-Triassic) of the Arabian Plate and much of the Mesozoic of the North American Gulf Coast and the trailing margin of the Arabian Plate on the south coast of the Tethys Ocean.

The adjacent figure (click on image) shows how periods of extensive platform carbonate accumulation were interrupted by episodes of rapid relative sea level rise during which the platform margin retreated large distances onto the adjacent platform to form a new margin. Following this, a new margin aggraded and prograded towards the earlier platform margin position while, seaward, local carbonate accumulated and caught up with sea level rise forming a barrier which isolated the newly formed an intrashelf basin (ISB).

Examples of these intrashelf basins have been are captured on the chronostratigraphic chart of the region (click on image). ISBs are the subject of recent studies of carbonate depositional systems of the Arabian Gulf region (see bibliography below). At least four periods of intrashelf basin occurred during the Jurassic and Cretaceous: early Toarcian; Oxfordian to early Tithonian; late Aptian-early Albian; and late Turonian-early Cenomanian.

Similar episodes of widespread intrashelf basin formation can be recognized in the Paleozoic: Silurian (Michigan, Illinois, and Appalachian basins); Devonian (Williston-Western Canadian Sedimentary basin, Canning Basin, Western Australia, and Poland); Early Carboniferous (numerous basins with Waulsortian buildups in North America and NW Europe), and Permo-Pennsylvanian (Permian and Midland basins, Paradox basin, and Sacramento Mts).

Most of these episodes of intrashelf basin formation were accompanied by basin starvation and deposition of organic-rich source rocks which subsequently matured and charged oil and gas reservoirs. In the Middle East, these source rocks include the basinal Toarcian Marrat, the Kimmeridgian Hanifa-Najmah-Naokelekan, the “tar” zone of the Bab Member of the Shuaiba Fm., and the Shilaif Fm. All of these except the Hanifa-Najmah-Naokelekan are also recognized as Oceanic Anoxic events (OAEs).

Larger-than-normal changes in sea level cause the carbonate depositional systems to evolve from a “keep up” mode to “catch up” and then to “give up” (click on image). The area of significant carbonate deposition retreats to shallower portions of the platform, where aggradation gradually forms a new intrashelf platform margin which subsequently progrades and infills the intrashelf basin until the margin returns to its original position. These intrashelf basin histories can be subdivided into distinct stages and recreated in computer simulations that model rates of sediment accumulation, and relative sea level change.

Phelps et al,(2014) have suggested that platform margin retreat can be correlated to changes in the width and length of the ridge system and/or rates of spreading and so a response to changes in the volume of the ocean basin. These reorganizations of the plate tectonic system coincided with larger changes in world wide sea level.

Intrashelf Basins of Eastern Margin of Arabian Plate - Jurassic & Cretaceous Sediment Fill

The Middle Eastern Mesozoic intrashelf basins (ISB) contain the world's largest oil fields (De Keyser and Kendall, (2014), most in the carbonate sediment of the AP 7 Megatectonic cycle of Sharland et al, 2001. These Arabian Plate ISBs developed while rifting occurred in Yemen, the Indian Ocean and Tethyan margin. These ISB were initiated when a rapid sea level rise exceeded the carbonate production and subsequent accumulation over the platform interior. At first the character of the sedimentary fill reflect an organic-rich condensed/starved basin while platform carbonates aggraded on the surrounding a margin then prograded and infilled into water commonly of less than 100 m.

Upper Jurassic Tuwaiq Mt to Arab fill of Central Arabian Intrashelf Basin, from well cross section just south of Rimthan Arch beneath borders of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Above table has links to movies of fill of northern margin of central Arabian Hanifa Intrashelf Basin with sediments from the Rimthan Arch that includes the Tuwaiq Mountain to Arab Formation.

Jurassic Arabian Plate ISBs include: Marrat, Hanifa, Najmah, and Gotnia, whose dominant fill is shallow marine arid climate limestones and dolomites with common evaporites and interbedded minor transitional marine shales and basin margin grain carbonates. Cretaceous ISBs include: Garau of Iraq, Kazhdumi of Iran and Bab of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman, that were filled by humotropic carbonate with dolomites and shales but few evaporates, while ISB margins accumulated rudistid clinoforms.

The giant oil fields of both Jurassic and Cretaceous sections occur in grain carbonates these are associated with rudistid buildups in the reservoirs of the Cretaceous intrashelf margins. Source rocks, include the Hanifa Fm. the Najmah Sh., the Naokelekan in Iraq, and the Aptian “tar” of the Bab Member of the Shuaiba Fm. Collectively Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks formed the prolific petroleum systems of the ISBs. Expanding exploration now includes stratigraphic plays in the ISBs, providing new exploration opportunities.

Sedimentary Simulations

The shared geologic history of the Southern Tethys region means similar tectonic and depositional settings and a stratigraphy that can be correlated across the region. Critical conceptual sequence stratigraphic models for exploration and production have been analyzed with sedimentary computer simulations of the sedimentary fill of the Intrashelf Basins (ISB) of the Eastern margin the Arabian Plate (Kendall et al, 2014 & Bourgomano et al, 2014).

For instance Kendall et al, 2014, tracked the Hanifa Basin fill from Jurassic argillaceous carbonates to evaporites. The Hanifa ISB simulation demonstrates that the Lower to Middle Jurassic sediments onlapped the uplifted eastern plate margin of the UAE and Oman as carbonates prograded and filled westward. Uplift ended Middle Jurassic accumulation with subaerial and progressive erosion of the Tuwaiq and Dhruma Formations on the eastern plate margin. Margin collapse caused a drowning unconformity. Westward of the platform margin the intra-shelf basin a base-level fall accompanied Arab and Hith evaporites accumulation.

Both Kendall et al, 2014 and Bourgomano et al, 2014 have modeled the Cretaceous Aptian/Albian fill of the Bab ISB during a glacially induced sea level low (Maurer et al, 2013) . In the Early Cretaceous, the platform extended to North Oman with deposition of argillaceous hemipelagic carbonates of the Habshan. The lack of evaporites supports a climatic change from the Jurassic arid climate to a Cretaceous humid one.

The simulation of the Mid Cretaceous carbonates supports division into Early Aptian and Late Aptian carbonate platform second order supersequences that aggraded and prograded to fill the Bab ISB. An unconformity initiates the sequence with westward prograding lowstand clinoforms onlapping eastward onto the Lower to early Upper Aptian carbonate platform of the SW margin of the Bab ISB. The simulation captures an initial sharp sea-level drop of 35–40 m from the early Upper Aptian shelf break to the topset of the first lowstand clinoform, and the sea-level drop by another 10 m during the progradation of following eight clinoforms. Each progradational pulse of the clinoforms is modeled over 405 k.y. Simulation illustrates the initial sharp sea-level drop of some 40 m followed by continued slow sea-level fall producing lowstand clinoforms prograding towards the ISB. Sedpak, developed at the University of South Carolina assumes clastic transport based on slopes and carbonate production based on water depth.

Output geometries display a sequence stratigraphic framework of erosional and depositional surfaces of the simulated section enabling the extension of interpretation of depositional setting and predictions of lithofacies geometries away from well data.

The literature related to the geology of the intrashelf basins of the Arabian Plate is immense and ever growing. The most comprehensive collections of papers are those of GeoArabia and the AAPG and some of these are listed in the annotated Bibliography below. For more illustrations and conceptual ideas you should visit the Search and Discovery pages of the AAPG website. Links to some of these pages include:

Links to Pdf files of Recent Posters of Arabian Plate ISBs

Borgomano Jean, Lanteaume Cyprien, Ridet Olivier, Rousseau Mathieu, and Vilasi-Marmier Nadège, 2014, 3D Stratigraphic Forward Modelling for the Prediction of carbonate Platform Architectures: Evaluation of Stratigraphic Trap Potential in Middle East Mesozoic carbonate sequences; Search and Discovery Article #41328 AAPG.
De Keyser Tom, Kendall Christopher G., 2014, Jurassic and Cretaceous sedimentary fill of intrashelf basins of the Eastern margin the Arabian Plate, 2014 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, 6-9 April, 2014, Search and Discovery AAPG Posters,#30322 (2014)
Kendall, Christopher G., Moore, Phil; Viparelli, Enrica; Alsharhan, Abdulrahman S., De Keyser, Tom; and Kloot, Cameron: Simulation and analysis of sequence stratigraphic models for the Jurassic Cretaceous sedimentary fill of the Eastern margin the Arabian Plate; 2014 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, 6-9 April, 2014, Search and Discovery AAPG Posters, #30326 (2014)
De Keyser Thomas, and Kendall, Christopher, 2014, Intrashelf basins respond to plate tectonic movement and paleogeographic position, Proceedings of SEPM Research Conference Autogenic Dynamics of Sedimentary Systems, August 3-6, 2014, Grand Junction, CO, USA ; Abstract, p 35.

Bibliography Related to Arabian Plate ISBs (Many sourced from van Buchem publications)

Ahr, W. M., 1973, The carbonate ramp: an alternative to the shelf model: Transactions of the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, v. 23, p. 221–225.

Alsharhan, A. S., 1995, Facies variations, diagenesis, and exploration potential of the Cretaceous rudist-bearing carbonates of the Arabian Gulf: AAPG Bulletin, v. 79, p. 531–550.

Alsharhan, A. S., and A. E. M. Nairn, 1988, A review of the Cretaceous formations in the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf—part II: mid-Cretaceous (Wasia Group) stratigraphy and paleogeography: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 11, p. 89–112.

Alsharhan, A. S., and A. E. M. Nairn, 1997, Sedimentary basins and petroleum geology of the Middle East: Amsterdam, Elsevier, 843 p.

Alsharhan, Abdulrahman, & Kendall, C.G.St.C., 1986, Precambrian to Jurassic rocks of the Arabian Gulf and adjacent areas: Their facies, depositional setting and hydrocarbon habitat: AAPG Bull., v. 70, p. 977-1002.

Alsharhan, Abdulrahman, & Nairn, A. E. M., 1988. A review of the Cretaceous formations in the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf, Part II. Mid-Cretaceous (Wasia Group) stratigraphy and paleogeography: Jour. Petr. Geol., v. 11, p. 89-112.

Alsharhan, Abdulrahman, 1989. Petroleum Geology of the United Arab Emirates: Jour. Petr. Geol., v. 13, p. 253-288.

Arthur, M. A., S. O. Schlanger, and H. C. Jenkyns, 1987, The Cenomanian–Turonian oceanic anoxic event: II. paleoceanographic controls on organic matter production and preservation, in J. Brooks and A. Fleet, eds., Marine petroleum source rocks: Geological Society Special Publication, v. 26, p. 401–420.

Azzam, I., 1997, Exploration model for the middle Cretaceous Mishrif carbonate platform along Shilaif basin in Abu Dhabi,U.A.E. (abs.): GeoArabia, v. 2, p. 480.

Be´chennec, F., R. Wyns, J. Roger, J. Le Metour, and S. Chevrel, 1992, Geological map of Nazwa (including explanatory notes): Sultanate of Oman, Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, scale 1:250,000, sheet NF 40-07.

Burchette, T. P., 1993, Mishrif Formation (Cenomanian–Turonian), southern Arabian Gulf: carbonate platform growth along a Cratonic basin margin, in J. A. T. Simo, R. W. Scott, and J. P. Masse, eds., Cretaceous carbonate platforms: AAPG Memoir 56, p. 185–199.

Burchette, T. P., and P. Wright, 1992, Carbonate ramp depositional systems: Sedimentary Geology, v. 79, p. 3–57.

Burchette, T. P., and S. R. Britton, 1985, Carbonate facies analysis in the exploration for hydrocarbons—a case study from the Cretaceous of the Middle East, in P. J. Benchley and B. P. J. Williams, eds., Sedimentology, recent developments and applied aspects: Oxford, Blackwell, p. 311–338.

Coakley, B., 1995, Far-field tilting of Laurentia during the Ordovician and constraints on the evolution of a slab under an ancient continent: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 100, no. B4, p. 6313–6327.

Connally, T. C., and R. W. Scott, 1987, Shelf and intrashelf basin facies of the middle Cretaceous, Rub-Al-Khali Basin, southern Arabian Peninsula (abs.): SEPM midyear meeting, v. 4, p. 17.

Cortis, A. L., A. Wenche, and J. R. Borgomano, 2001, Comparative seismo-stratigraphic architecture of two Cretaceous carbonate platform seqences: influence of local tectonics and sea-level fluctuations on development of reservoir architecture: Society of Petroleum Engineers paper 68145.

Cross, T. A., et al., 1993, Applications of high-resolution seqence stratigraphy to reservoir analysis, in R. Eschard and B. Doligez, eds., Proceedings of the 7th Exploration Production Research Conference: Paris, Editions Technip, p. 11–33.

Daniel, J. M., and J.-M. Mengus, 2000, Outcrop study of fracture patterns in the Natih Formation, foothills of the northern Oman Mountains, in F. S. P. Van Buchem, J. M. Daniel, J.-M. Mengus,P. Homewood, and H. Droste, The Natih carbonate petroleum system (Cenomanian/Turonian; N. Oman)—an integrated study of reservoir facies, source rocks and fracture patterns in a high resolution seqence stratigraphic framework: AAPG Field Seminar Guidebook, unpaginated.

de Matos, J. E., & Hulstrand, R. F., 1995, Regional characteristics and depositional sequences of the Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian, Abu Dhabi: In M. I. Al-Husseini (Ed.), Middle East Petroleum Geosciences, GEO’94. Gulf PetroLink, Bahrain, v. 1, p. 346–356.

Demaison, G. J., and B. J. Huizinga, 1991, Genetic classifications of petroleum systems: AAPG Bulletin, v. 75, p. 1626–1643.

Droste, H., 1990, Depositional cycles and source rock development in an epeiric intra-platform basin: the Hanifa Formation of the Arabian Peninsula: Sedimentary Geology, v. 61, p. 281–296.

Droste, H., and M. van Steenwinkel, 2000, Strata geometries and patterns within Cretaceous platform carbonates, the Natih Formation of Oman (abs.): GeoArabia, v. 5, p. 83–84.

Eberli, G. P., K. D. Rawnsley, and W. Kolkman, 2001, Combining high resolution seqence stratigraphy and mechanical stratigraphy for improved reservoir characterisation, Fahud field, Oman, (abs.): AAPG Annual Convention, Program with Abstracts, v. 10, p. A55.

Gale, A. S., 1995, Cyclostratigraphy and correlation of the Cenomanian of western Europe, in M. R. House and A. S. Gale, eds., Orbital forcing timescales and cyclostratigraphy: Geological Society Special Publication 85, p. 177–197.

Gale, A. S., H. C. Jenkyns, W. J. Kennedy, and R. M. Corfield, 1993, Chemostratigraphy versus biostratigraphy: data from around the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary: Journal of the Geological Society, v. 150, p. 29–32.

Glennie, K. W., M. G. A. Boeuf, M. W. Hughes-Clarke, M. Moody- Stuart, W. F. H. Pilaar, and B. M. Reinhardt, 1974, Geology of the Oman Mountains (parts 1, 2 and 3): The Hague, Martinus Nijhoff, Verhandelingen Koninklijk Nederlands Geologisch en Mijnbouw Genootschap, v. 31, 423 p.

Goldhammer, R. K., P. A. Dunn, and L. A. Hardie, 1990, Depositional cycles, composite sea level changes, cycle stacking patterns, and the hierarchy of stratigraphic forcing—examples from platform carbonates of the Alpine Triassic: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 102, p. 535–562.

Grabowski, G. J., and I. O. Norton, 1995, Tectonic controls on the Stratigraphic architecture and hydrocarbon systems of the Arabian plate, in M. I. Al-Husseini, ed., Middle East petroleum geosciences, GEO ’94: Selected papers from the Middle East Geosciences Conference and Exhibition in Bahrain, Manama, Gulf Petrolink, v. 1, p. 413–430.

Granjeon, D., and F. S. P. van Buchem, 2000, 3-D stratigraphical modeling of the Natih Formation (Upper Cretaceous, northern Oman) (abs.): GeoArabia, v. 5, p. 95–96.

Grantham, P. J., G. W. M. Lijmbach, J. Posthuma, M. W. Hughes Clarke, and R. J. Willink, 1987, Origin of crude oils in Oman: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 11, p. 61–80.

Gurnis, M., 1992, Rapid continental subsidence following the initiation and evolution of subduction: Science, v. 255, p. 1556– 1558.

Haq Bilal U., and Al-Qahtani Abdul Motaleb, 2005, Phanerozoic cycles of sea-level change on the Arabian Platform, GeoArabia, Vol. 10, No. 2, Gulf PetroLink, Bahrain

Haq, B. U., J. Hardenbol, and P. R. Vail, 1988, Mesozoic and Cenozoic chronostratigraphy and cycles of sea-level change, in C. K. Wilgus, H. Posamentier, B. S. Hastings, J. van Wagoner, C. A. Ross, and C. G. St. C. Kendall, eds., Sea-level changes— an integrated approach: SEPM Special Publication 42, p. 71– 108.

Hardenbol, J., J. Thierry, B. Martin, Th. Jacquin, P.-Ch. de Graciansky, and P. R. Vail, 1998, Mesozoic and Cenozoic seqence chronostratigraphic framework of European basins, in P.-Ch. de Graciansky, , J. Hardenbol, Th. Jacquin, and P. R. Vail, Mesozoic and Cenozoic seqence stratigraphy of European basins: SEPM Special Publication 60, p. 3–14.

Harris, P. M., and S. H. Frost, 1984, Middle Cretaceous carbonate reservoirs, Fahud field and northwestern Oman: AAPG Bulletin, v. 68, p. 649–658.

Harris, P. M., S. H. Frost, G. A. Seiglie, and N. Schneidermann, 1984, Regional unconformities and depositional cycles, Cretaceous of the Arabian Peninsula, in J. S. Schlee, ed., Interregional unconformities and hydrocarbon accumulations: AAPG Memoir 36, p. 67–80.

Hassan, T. H., Mudd, G. C., & Twombley, B. N., 1975. The stratigraphy and sedimentation of the Thamama Group (Lower Cretaceous of Abu Dhabi): 9th Arab. Petr. Congr., Dubai, 11 p.

Herbin, J. P., E. Masure, and J. Roucach, 1987, Cretaceous formations from the lower continental rise off Cape Hatteras: organic geochemistry, dinoflagellate cysts, and the Cenomanian/ Turonian boundary event at sites 603 (Leg 93) and 105 (Leg 11), in J. E. van Hinte and S. W. Wise, eds., Initial reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project: Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, v. 93, p. 1139–1162.

Homewood, P. W., 1996, The carbonate feedback system: interaction between stratigraphic accommodation, ecological succession and the carbonate factory: Bulletin Societe´ Geologique de France, v. 6, p. 685–700.

Homewood, P. W., and G. P. Eberli, eds., 2000, Genetic stratigraphy: case studies from the Carboniferous of the Paradox basin, and the upper Devonian of western Canada: Bulletin Centre Recherche Elf Exploration Production, Memoir 24, 290 p.

Homewood, P. W., P. Mauriaud, and F. Lafont, 2000, Best practices in seqence stratigraphy for explorationists and reservoir engineers: Bulletin Centre Recherche Elf Exploration Production, Memoir 25, 81 p.

Homewood, P., F. Guillocheau, R. Eschard, and T A. Cross, 1992, Correlations haute resolution et stratigraphie genetique: une demarche integre: Bulletin Centre Recherche Elf Exploration Production, v. 16, p. 357–381.

Hughes Clarke, M. W.,1988, Stratigraphy and rock unit nomenclature in the oil-producing area of interior Oman: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 11, p. 5–60.

Immenhauser, A., A. Creusen, M. Esteban, and H. B. Vonhof, 2000, Recognition and interpretation of polygenic discontinuity surfaces in the middle Cretaceous Shuaiba, Nahr Umr, and Natih formations of northern Oman: GeoArabia, v. 5, p. 299–322.

Jenkyns, W. J. Kennedy, and R. M. Corfield, 1993, Chemostratigraphy versus biostratigraphy: data from around the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary: Journal of the Geological Society, v. 150, p. 29–32.

Jordan, C. F., T. C. Connally, and H. A. Vest, 1985, Middle Cretaceous carbonates of the Mishrif Formation, Fateh field, offshore Dubai, in P. O. Roehl and P. W. Choquette, eds., Carbonate petroleum reservoirs: New York, Springer-Verlag, p. 425–442.

Kendall, C. G., A. S. Alsharhan, and L. Marlow, 2014 Straigraphy and depositional systems of the Southern Tethyan Region In: Petroleum Systems of the Tethyan Region - Lisa Marlow, Christopher C. G. Kendall, and Lyndon A. Yose, (Eds.), American Association Petroleum Geologists Memoir 106, p 29-58

Kennedy, W. J., and M. D. Simmons, 1991, Mid-Cretaceous ammonites and associated microfossils from the central Oman Mountains: Newsletter in Stratigraphy, v. 25, p. 127–154.

Kerans, C., and S. Tinker, 1997, Seqence stratigraphy and characterisation of carbonate reservoirs: SEPM Short Course Notes 40, 130 p.

Kolkman, W. H., R. J. Berkhout, and C. N. Nicholss, 2001, Integrated fracture modelling as the key to re-moving the limits in the appraisal and development of the Fahud field: Society of Petroleum Engineers paper 68191.

Le Me´tour, J., J. C. Michel, F. Be´chennec, J. P. Platel, and J. Roger, 1995, Geology and mineral wealth of the Sultanate of Oman: Directorate General of Minerals, Oman Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, 285 p.

Loucks, R. G., and J. F. Sarg, eds., 1993, Carbonate sequence stratigraphy, recent developments and applications: AAPG Memoir 57, 545 p.

Marlow, Lisa; Christopher C. G. Kendall, and Lyndon A. Yose, (Eds) 2014 Petroleum Systems of the Tethyan Region, American Association Petroleum Geologists Memoir 106, pp 757

Massaferro, J. L., E. Morettini, and G. P. Eberli, 2001, Stratigraphic control on reservoir heterogeneity in cyclic carbonates— examples from the upper Thamama Group and Natih Formation, Abu Dhabi and Oman: Society of Petroleum Engineers paper 68196.

Maurer,Florian, Frans S.P. van Buchem, Gregor P. Eberli, Bernard J. Pierson, Madeleine J. Raven, 2013, Late Aptian long-lived glacio-eustatic lowstand recorded on the Arabian Plate, Terra Nova Volume 25, Issue 2, pages 87–94.

Montenat, C., H.-J. Soudet, P. Barrier, and A. Chereau, 1999, Karstification and tectonic evolution of the Jabal Madar (Adam Foothills, Arabian platform) during the Upper Cretaceous: Bulletin Centre Recherche Elf Exploration Production, v. 22, p. 161–183.

Murris, R. J., 1980, Middle East: stratigraphic evolution and oil habitat: AAPG Bulletin, v. 64, p. 597–618.
Pascoe, R. P., N. P. Evans, and T. L. Harland, 1995, The generation of unconformities within the Mishrif and Laffan formations of Dubai and adjacent areas: applications to exploration and production, in M. I. Al-Husseini, ed., Middle East petroleum geosciences: GEO ’94, v. 2, p. 749–760.

Patton, T. L., and S. J. O’Connor, 1988, Cretaceous flexural history of northern Oman Mountain foredeep, United Arab Emirates: AAPG Bulletin, v. 72, p. 797–809.

Phelps, Ryan M., Charles Kerans, Robert G. Loucks, Rui O.B.P. Da Gama, Jason Jeremiah and David Hull, 2014 Oceanographic and eustatic control of carbonate platform evolution and sequence stratigraphy on the Cretaceous (Valanginian–Campanian) passive margin, northern Gulf of Mexico, Sedimentology, 61, 461–496

Philip, J., 1994, Seqences and systems tracts of a mixed carbonatesiliciclastic platform basin setting: the Cenomanian–Turonian of the Provence (south-eastern France): Geologie Mediterrane enne, v. 21, p. 149–152.

Philip, J., and Ch. Airaud-Crumie` re, 1991, The demise of the rudist bearing carbonate platforms at the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary: a global control: Coral Reefs, v. 10, p. 115–125.

Philip, J., J. Borgomano, and S. Al-Maskiry, 1995, Cenomanian–early Turonian carbonate platform of northern Oman: stratigraphy and paleo-environments: Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology and Paleoecology, v. 119, p. 77–92.

Philip, J., J. P. Masse, and H. Bessais, 1989, Organisation et evolution sedimentaire d’une marge de plate-forme carbonatee: l’Albien– Cenomanien de Tunisie centrale: Geologie Mediterraneenne, v. 16, p. 155–169.

Pomar, L., 1991, Reef geometries, erosion surfaces and highfrequency sea level changes, upper Miocene reef complex, Mallorca, Spain: Sedimentology, v. 38, p. 243–269.

Pratt, B. R., and J. D. Smewing, 1993, Early Cretaceous platform margin configuration and evolution in the central Oman Mountains, Arabian Peninsula: AAPG Bulletin, v. 77, p. 225–244.

Pratt, L. M., and C. N. Threlkeld, 1984, Stratigraphic significance of C13/C12 ratios in mid-Cretaceous rocks of the Western Interior, USA, in D. F. Stott and D. J. Glass, eds., The Mesozoic of middle North America: Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 9, p. 305–312.

Rabu, D. 1987. Geologie de l’autochtone des montagnes d’Oman: la fenetre du Jabal Akhdar: la semelle metamorphique de la nappe ophiolitique de Semail dans les parties orientale et centrale des montagnes d’Oman: une revue: These Doctoral d’Etat, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, Document Bureau Recherche Geologique et Miniere, Orleans, v. 130, 582 p.

Read, J. F., C. Kerans, and L. J. Weber, 1995, Milankovitch sea level changes, cycles and reservoirs on carbonate platforms in greenhouse and ice-house worlds: SEPM Short Course Notes 35.

Robertson, A. H. F., 1987, Upper Cretaceous Muti Formation— transition of a Mesozoic carbonate platform to a foreland basin in the Oman Mountains: Sedimentology, v. 4, p. 1123–1142.

Ross, D. J., and P. W. Skelton, 1993, Rudist formations of the Cretaceous: a paleoecological, sedimentological and stratigraphical review: Sedimentology Review, v. 1, p. 73–91.

Schlager, W., 1991, Depositional bias and environmental change— important factors in seqence stratigraphy: Sedimentary Geology, v. 70, p. 109–130.

Scott, R. W., 1990, Chronostratigraphy of the Cretaceous carbonate shelf, southeastern Arabia, in A. H. F. Robertson, M. P. Searle, and A. C. Ries, eds., The geology and tectonics of the Oman region: Geological Society Special Publication, v. 49, p. 89– 108.

Searle, M. P., and J. Cox, 1999, Tectonic setting, origin, and obduction of the Oman ophiolite: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 111, p. 104–122.

Searle, M. P., N. P. James, T. J. Calon, and J. D. Smewing, 1983, Sedimentological and structural evolution of the Arabian continental margin in the Musandan Mountains and Dibba zone, United Arab Emirates: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 94, p. 1381–1400.

Sharland, P. R., R. Archer, D. M. Casey, R. B. Davies, S. H. Hall, A. P. Heward, A. D. Horbury, and M. D. Simmons, 2001, Arabian plate seqence stratigraphy: GeoArabia, Special Publication 2, 371 p.

Simmons, M. D., 1994, Micropaleontological biozonation of the Kahmah Group (Early Cretaceous), central Oman Mountains, in M. D. Simmons, ed., Micropaleontology and hydrocarbon exploration in the Middle East: London, Chapman and Hall, p. 177–205.

Simmons, M. D., and M. B. Hart, 1987, The biostratigraphy and microfacies of the Early to middle Cretaceous carbonates of Wadi Mi’aidin, central Oman Mountains, in M. B. Hart, ed., Micropaleontology of carbonate environments: Chichester, United Kingdom, Ellis Horwood, p. 176–207.

Smith, A. B, M. D. Simmons, and M. B. Hart, 1990, Cenomanian echinoids, larger foraminifera, and calcareous algae from the Natih Formation, central Oman Mountains: Cretaceous Research, v. 11, p. 29–69.

Terken, J. M. J., 1999, The Natih petroleum system of north Oman: GeoArabia, v. 4, p. 157–180.

Vahrenkamp, V., 1996, Carbon isotope stratigraphy of the upper Kharaib and Shuaiba formations: implications for the Early Cretaceous evolution of the Arabian Gulf area: AAPG Bulletin, v. 80, p. 647–662.

Vail, P. R., F. Audemard, S. A. Bowman, P. N. Eisner, and C. Perez- Cruz, 1991, The stratigraphic signatures of tectonics, eustacy and sedimentology—an overview, in G. Einsele, W. Ricken, and A. Seilacher, eds., cycles and events in stratigraphy: Berlin, Springer-Verlag, p. 617–659.

van Buchem, F. S. P., P. L. de Boer, I. N. McCave, and J. P. Herbin, 1995, The organic carbon distribution in Mesozoic marine sediments and the influence of orbital climatic cycles (England and the western North Atlantic), in A. Y. Huc, ed., Paleogeography, paleoclimate, and source rocks: AAPG Studies in Geology, v. 40, p. 303–335.

van Buchem, Frans S.P., Rémi Eschard, Guy M.J. Desaubliaux, Philippe Razin, Jean-Pierre Platel, Jack Roger, Peter W. Homewood, Thierry Boisseau, Jean-Pierre Leduc, Richard Labourdette, Solange Cantaloube, Jean M. Philip and Gregor P. Eberli, 1996, High resolution seqence stratigraphy of the Natih Formation (Cenomanian–Turonian) in northern Oman: distribution of source rocks and reservoir facies: GeoArabia, v. 1, p. 65–88.

van Buchem, F. S. P., J. M. Daniel, J.-M. Mengus, P. Homewood, and H. Droste, 2000, The Natih carbonate petroleum system (Cenomanian/Turonian; N. Oman)—an integrated study of reservoir facies, source rocks and fracture patterns in a high resolution seqence stratigraphic framework: AAPG Field Seminar Guidebook.

van Buchem,F.S.P., M.I. Al-Husseini, F. Maurer and H.J. Droste (Eds), 2010, Barremian – Aptian stratigraphy and hydrocarbon habitat of the eastern Arabian Plate, GeoArabia Special Publication 4, 2010, Gulf PetroLink, Bahrain , 2 volumes,614 pages, 5 charts. ISBN 978-99901-10-59-3.

van Wagoner, J. C., H. W. Posamentier, R. M. Mitchum, P. R. Vail, J. F. Sarg, T. S. Loutit, and J. Hardenbol, 1988, An overview of the fundamentals of seqence stratigraphy and key definitions, in C. K. Wilgus, H. Posamentier, B. S. Hastings, J. van Wagoner, C. A. Ross, and C. G. St. C. Kendall, eds., Sea-level changes—an integrated approach: SEPM Special Publication 42, p. 39–45.

van Wagoner, J. C., R. M. Mitchum, K. M. Campion, and V. D., Rahmanian, 1990, Siliciclastic seqence stratigraphy in well logs, core and outcrops: concepts for high-resolution correlation of time and facies: AAPG Methods in Exploration, v. 7, 55 p.

Whyte, S. J., 1995, Natih field, Oman: the use of 3-D seismic in a mature, fractured carbonate reservoir, in M. I. Al-Husseini, ed., Middle East petroleum geosciences: GEO ’94, v. 2, p. 917–925.

Wilgus, C. K., H. Posamentier, B. S. Hastings, J. van Wagoner, C. A. Ross, and C. G. St. C. Kendall, eds., 1988, Sea-level changes— an integrated approach: SEPM Special Publication 42, 407 p.

Witt, W., and H. Gokdag, 1994, Orbitolinid biostratigraphy of the Shuaiba Formation (Aptian), Oman—implications for reservoir development, in M. D. Simmons, ed., Micropaleontology and hydrocarbon exploration in the Middle East: London,Chapman and Hall, p. 221–252.

** Page generated by Christopher Kendall **