Tectonic Evolution of the Tarera Audina Fault, Aru Trough and Adi Trough, Indonesia

Abstract

The West Papua – Aru area is located between the Banda-Arc, to the west, and the Arafura Shelf, to the east. This structurally complex area is comprised of three main tectonic events which are believed to have occurred recently through an analysis of the high resolution bathymetry information. The West Papua area is dominated by strike-slip fault movement, meanwhile the Aru and Adi Troughs are dominated by extension. An interpretation of the seismic data provides additional information that allows a more detailed model to be developed of the tectonic evolution from Miocene to present day. The timing of the events can be refined even further using biostratigraphic data acquired in an exploration well drilled in the beginning 2013 in West Papua. A simple model of tectonic evolution has been developed to illustrate how these three different tectonic events are related to each other through time eventually forming present day seafloor topography. Massive hydrocarbon potential still exists in Eastern Indonesia. The West Papua and Aru area holds much promise. This area is still of immense size and a thorough understating of the tectonic timing is of great importance in identifying the areas of highest prospectivity. This paper is presented as an opening statement in what we expect to be a long discussion of the complex tectonics in eastern Indonesia.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90217 © 2015 International Conference & Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, September 13-16, 2015