Print this pageABSTRACT: The Petroleum Geology of Myanmar (Burma)
Kyaw Nyein, Sang Lyeng, San Lwin, U. A. Min
The Union of Myanmar (formerly Burma) has 261,228 mi2 of land and 148,000 nautical mi2 of continental shelf from shore base line to 200 m water depth. The bordering countries are Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. The outer volcanic arc extends from Myanmar through Andaman Islands, Sumatra, and Java Islands.
The oldest rocks exposed are Precambrian in the eastern part. Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Paleogene, Neogene, and Quarternary rocks are present.
Crude oil has been discovered and produced from Oligocene and Miocene sediments in the western Yakhine area and the Central Myanmar Tertiary basin. Only in a few places have hydrocarbons from upper Eocene sediments been explored.
Most of the reservoirs are sandstone reservoirs. Recent discovery of gas from limestone reservoirs--both on land and offshore--has drawn attention to further study of carbonate rocks.
At present, oil and gas are being produced from 16 fields. Different basins and exploration plays are presented. Source rocks, reservoir rocks, maturation, migration, and traps are discussed.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91003©1990 AAPG Annual Convention, San Francisco, California, June 3-6, 1990