Abstract: Hydrocarbon Potential Offshore Pakistan

SIDDIQUI, SARFARAZ UDDIN, and ALI, SHAMIM HAIDER

Offshore Pakistan is divided into two major tectonic elements: The Western Makran (Arabian Plate) and Eastern Indus Delta (Indian Plate), separated by a prominent zone of strike slip fault.

The Western Makran offshore is geologically young; Miocene turbidities were deposited on oceanic crust, in an east-west trending subduction zone. Structures are tight folds, overturned with steep south limb. Early Miocene sandstone is potential reservoir. Onshore gas seeps indicates presence of thermally matured source rock.

The Eastern Indus Delta is subdivided into two sub basins: Paleogene Shelf and Miocene Depression.

The Paleogene Shelf is narrow and runs along the present coastline. Fluvial/deltaic clastics followed by carbonate ramp were deposited from Paleocene to Oligocene. Reefal buildups have been interpreted on the seismic. Fair-quality source rock has been identified.

The Miocene depression, located at the trailing edge of the northward drifting Indian Plate, represents prograding deltaic deposition initiated in this subbasin during early Miocene. Late Miocene regression caused large-scale channeling, followed by transgression, which has filled the channels and blanketed the entire area. Source rock of early Miocene age is recognized. Good quality sandstone of delta plain facies is potential reservoir. Growth-fault-related structures are evident on seismic.

Offshore Pakistan has all the ingredients for hydrocarbon habitat; however, exploration activities have been inadequate. Government of Pakistan is offering additional incentive to accelerate exploration activities in offshore.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria