JOURNAL OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND APPLIED GEOLOGY VOL.7, NO.

1, AUGUST 2023

SOURCE ROCK EVALUATION BASED ON GEOCHEMICAL DATA AND 1D BURIAL HISTORY

MODELLING IN X BLOCK, SOUTH SUMATERA BASIN
Tiara Intan Dwi Putri1, Dimas Pramudito2, Yoga Andriana Sendjaja1, and Nisa Nurul Ilmi1
1Faculty of Geological Engineering Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung
2Pertamina Hulu Rokan Zona 4

Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted in the South Sumatra Basin using geochemical data consisting of three
exploration wells to determine geochemical characteristics such as richness, quality, level of maturity,
and the setting in which the source rock was deposited. Additionally, the study delved into the one-
dimensional burial history of the study area. Subsequent phases of the research involved the analysis
of three crude oil samples and three rock extract samples. This analytical process encompassed the
utilization of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data.
By scrutinizing the biomarker parameters extracted through GC and GC-MS, the research sought to
discern the specific characteristics of the depositional environment for each sample and establish a
correlation between the source rock and the crude oil. Based on source rock evaluation, the three
source rock wells are potential source rock. Based on biomarker analysis, TAN-1 and TAN-2 have an
oxic terrestrial/fluvio-deltaic characteristics with a dominantly higher plant contributions. Samples RA-
12, RA-17, and RA-61 have a suboxic – anoxic fluvio-deltaic characteristics with contributions of
dominantly marine algae. The oil samples taken from these wells have a negative correlation with the
source rock samples. Maturity analysis of the TAN-1, TAN-2, and TAN-3 wells is still in its immature
phase based on one-dimensional burial history modeling.

Keyword: South Sumatra Basin, Geochemical Source Rocks, Biomarkers, Correlation, Burial History

INTRODUCTION well as to optimize existing discoveries. In

order to optimize the exploration of
The South Sumatra Basin Formation is hydrocarbons, it is necessary to conduct an
attributed to tectonic mechanisms involving evaluation study of the source rock producing
the subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate. the hydrocarbons and the correlation of the
This plate is in motion, moving towards the source rocks to the produced hydrocarbons.
north to northeast direction relative to the Hydrocarbon geochemistry can be used in
Eurasian Plate. This subduction zone narrowing the concentration of exploration
encompasses the region situated to the west areas to reduce exploration risk (Dow, 1994).
of Sumatera Island and to the south of Java Hence, a study was undertaken to assess the
Island. The subduction process influences geochemical attributes of source rocks
various aspects of the South Sumatra region, (including organic material richness, type, and
including the geological conditions, tectonic maturity) within the Gumai, Baturaja, and
activities, land shape, and structural Talang Akar Formations. The aim was to
composition. As a result of this plate ascertain their viability as source rocks and
subduction, distinct features such as a forward establish a link between these formations and
arc, magmatic activities, and a backarc have the crude oil discovered in multiple production
been generated in the area (Bishop, 2000). wells situated within X Block.
The prominence of the South Sumatra Basin The Gumai, the Talang Akar, and the Lahat
lies in being a significant hydrocarbon- Formation contribute to the source rock
producing region within Indonesia. Within this composition within the South Sumatra Basin.
context, Block X occupies a position within the Hydrocarbons in this basin were obtained from
the sub-basin of South Palembang. Notably, lacustrine source rock of the Lahat Formation,
the sub-basin of South Palembang is also having Benakat Shale with Kerogen Types
characterized as a hydrocarbon-rich back-arc I, II (oil prone), III (gas prone), Hydrocarbon
magmatic basin, demonstrating active Index (HI) values ranging from 130 – 290
production of hydrocarbons (Bishop, 2000). mgHC/g, levels of thermal maturation
Progress in the field of oil and gas exploration spanning from 0.64 - 1.40% Ro (Suseno et al.,
is currently increasing rapidly. Various 1992 as cited in Bishop, 2001), and the Total
exploration methods and techniques were Organic Carbon (TOC) content displaying
developed to search for new hydrocarbons as fluctuations between 1.7 and 8.5 wt%.
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(Sarjono & Sardjito, 1989 cited in Bishop,

2001). Most of the Lahat Formation produces Organic Matter Quality
oil, while producing oil and gas at deeper The analysis was performed by discerning the
deposited locations. Hydrocarbons are kerogen type and the inclination towards
extracted from terrestrial coal and coaly shale specific hydrocarbon types, determined
source rocks that are commonly found along through the Hydrogen Index (HI) content as
the half-graben boundary within the Talang outlined by Peters and Cassa (1994). Rock
Akar Formation, containing organic material Eval Pyrolysis analysis was performed on
types I, II, III, TOC content of around 1.5 – 8 three wells, namely TAN-1, TAN-2, and TAN-
wt% (good – very good), and within the Lower 3, yielding the respective HI content (Table 1).
Talang Akar, the HI value ranges from 150 to
Table 1. Hydrogen Index Value and its
310 mgHC/g, and thermal maturity levels vary
Kerogen Type
between 0.54 to 0.60% Ro and 0.82 to 1.30%
Ro. The significant potential for hydrocarbon Formation Hydrogen Kerogen Type
production exists in both the Baturaja Index (HI) (Peters and
Formation and Gumai Formation, attributed to mgHC/g Cassa, 1994)
the occurrence of limestone and shale within
Gumai 53 – 209 III and II/III
each respective formation (Bishop, 2001). The
temperature gradient in the South Sumatra
basin is around 49℃/km, so that oil will tend Baturaja 80 – 237 III and II/III
to be in deeper places than the Central
Sumatra basin, which has a higher Talang
temperature. In certain deep areas of the 57 – 407 II/III
Akar
basin, the Baturaja Formation and Gumai
Formation have reached a level of maturity
The Hydrogen Index data is then plotted into
ranging from mature to early ripe, indicating
a Van Krevelen Diagram by comparing HI and
the potential for thermal gas generation within
Tmax. The results of the plot in the diagram
the petroleum system (Bishop, 2001).
show (Figure 2) that the Talang Akar
Formation and the Baturaja Formation tend to
RESEARCH METHOD have Type II/III kerogen (oil and gas prone)
which is a mixture of organic materials from
Three source rock wells underwent the sea such as marine algae, plant fat and
geochemical analysis to discern the potential organic materials from land such as higher
of the source rock. This assessment hinged on plants or wood, characterizing sediment
specific criteria: the abundance of organic deposited in a transitional environment. The
matter, the makeup of organic constituents, Gumai Formation has type III kerogen, which
and the level of organic material maturity is derived from terrestrial organic material
(Peters & Cassa, 1994). Subsequently, such as higher plants or wood or also knows
biomarker analysis was conducted on both as gas prone because it generates gas and a
rock extract samples (three in total) and crude small amount of oil (Waples, 1985).
oil samples (also three in total). This endeavor Organic Matter Maturity
aimed to establish the attributes of the crude Analysis of the maturity of the organic
oil, crucial for facilitating a correlation with the material was carried out by comparing the
source rock through techniques such as an vitrinite reflectance data (% Ro) to depth
analysis using gas chromatography (GC), gas (Figure 3), and Tmax data to depth (Figure 4).
chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC- The results of the plot of %Ro and Tmax data
MS), and liquid chromatography (LC) against depth and by drawing a trend line of
methods. thermal maturity in Block X shows that the
Gumai, Baturaja and Talang Akar Formations
RESULT AND DISCUSSION have not yet entered the depth of the oil
window, in this case they are classified as
• Geochemical Analysis source rocks that have the potential to
Organic Richness produce hydrocarbons (Waples, 1985).
The results of the analysis of the quantity of
organic material in X Block (Figure 1) showed • Biomarker Analysis
that the Gumai Formation showed a TOC value Oil extract biomarker analysis was carried out
of 0.7 wt% (fair) and S2 value 0.6 (poor). The on rock extract samples, namely TAN-1 (TAF),
Baturaja Formation shows a value of 0.79 TAN-2 (TAF) and crude oil samples, namely
wt% (fair) and S2 1.05 (poor). The Talang RA-12 (TAF), RA-17 (BRF), and RA-61 (TAF).
Akar Formation 1.63 wt% (good) and S2 3.34 Pristane/phytane ratio parameter is used as
(fair). All of these results show that they are an indicator of the level of oxygen presence
classified as source rock potential (Waples, during diagenesis (Waples, 1985). Results of
1985).
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the Ph/C crossplot18 vs Pr/C17 (Figure 5) shows The liquid chromatography method is used to
that the source rock samples are in a determine quality aspects by separating
terrestrial oxic environment, while the crude saturated, aromatic, NSO components
oil samples are shown to be in an anoxic – (nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen), and asphalt. In
suboxic transitional environment. the rock extract sample, the crossplot diagram
between the values of the saturated,
Triterpane parameters are also used in
aromatic, and NSO+asphalt components
organic facies analysis using the m/z 191
shows that the incidence of increasing
extended terpane distribution (Figure 6 and
maturity, is characterized by a relatively high
7). Each sample has a high concentration of
non-hydrocarbon (NSO+asphalt) content and
C30 hopanes (peak 6), low concentrations of
low saturated/aromatic oil, it can be said that
moretane (peak 7), low concentrations of
the sample rock extract is still in an immature
terpane tricyclics indicate an environment of
state. The results of the source rocks’s liquid
fluvio-deltaic origin (Robinson, 1987).
chromatography are related to the triterpane
Oleanane is also present, which indicates a
maturity diagram which shows the results are
biomarker of organic material commonly
inversely proportional because the high value
found in delta sequences. By looking at these
of NSO+asphalt indicates that the rock extract
parameters it can be interpreted that the
sample has been through biodegradable
natural environment or organic facies of the
phase so that the organic material decreases
rock extract and crude oil samples is fluvio-
in maturity. Meanwhile, the crude oil samples
deltaic.
showed increasing maturity characterized by
Crossplot analysis of the C27, C28, C29 sterane low non-hydrocarbon (NSO+asphalt) content
distribution is used to determine the and high saturated/aromatic oil. It can be
depositional environment of organic material. concluded from the three crude oil samples,
High percentages of C27 indicates organic that the RA-61 well is experiencing a lower
material derived from marine phytoplankton, maturity than RA-12 and RA-17 even though
high percentages of C28 indicates the the three have not yet reached the mature
dominant contribution of lacustrine algae, and phase (Figure 11).
the value of C29 indicates the dominant
contribution of the higher plants of the
• Oil-Source Rock Correlation
terrestrial environment. The crossplot results
It can be concluded from the analysis that has
show that the rock extract sample was
been carried out that there is a negative
deposited in a terrestrial environment
correlation between the source rock sample
according to Huang and Meinschein (1979)
wells and the crude oil sample wells. The
and has a C29 sterane composition which is
difference lies in the contribution of the
more dominant than C27 and C28 so that it can
dominant organic material, in this case TAN-1
be indicated that the type of organic material
and TAN-2 show the dominance of organic
is dominated by higher plants. Conversely,
material of higher plants under oxic
taking into account the distribution of C27, C28,
environmental conditions, while RA-12, RA-
and C29 on the oil samples of RA-17, RA-12,
17, and RA-61 have dominant organic
and RA-61, those indicated an estuarine or
material of marine algae under conditions
shallow lacustrine setting. This inference is
anoxic-suboxic environment. However, these
supported by the prevalence of higher values
two types of samples come from the same
for C27 and C29 compared to C28 (Figure 8).
depositional environment, namely Fluvio-
The hopane/sterane and pristane/phytane deltaic. Differences in environmental
parameter is used to determine the organic conditions between source rock and petroleum
facies. Total Hopanes/Steranes vs Pr/Ph samples are due to sea level rise that occurs
analysis (Figure 9) shows that the rock extract in the Talang Akar Formation so that the
samples were deposited in an oxic depositional environment changes from oxic
environment and were influenced by the input to anoxic. Also characterized by a depth that
of organic material from the terrestrial indicates the higher the surfaces, means it has
environment, while the crude oil samples were the characteristics of a marine depositional
in anoxic – suboxic environment with organic environment. Therefore, a deduction can be
material in the form of algae due to the drawn that the lower side of the Talang Akar
influence of the marine environment. source rock wells comprise of fluvio – deltaic
deposits, while as one moves higher up, the
Then the Triterpane Maturity analysis (C30 depositional environment transitions to
Moretane/Hopane vs Tm/Ts) is employed to marine deposits, aligning with the location of
assess the maturity stage of the organic oil wells.
material. It is known that rock extract samples
have is already in late mature phase, while
crude oil samples is still immature (Figure 10).

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• Burial History Akar-Cenozoic Total Petroleum System”.

Maturity analysis of the TAN-1, TAN-2, and Open File Report 99-50-S USGS.
TAN-3 wells is seen from two factors, namely Colorado.
the position of the three wells which are at
Huang, W.Y., dan Meinschein, W.G. 1979.
high altitudes so that the temperature below
the surface is not at its maximum to produce Sterols as Ecological Indicators:
mature hydrocarbons and is supported by Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, v. 43, p.
geochemical data which shows an average of 739-745.
Vitrinite Reflectance is 0.43% Ro which shows Magoon, L.B., dan Dow, W.G. 1994. The
that the three wells in the study area have Petroleum System form Source to Trap.
immature source rock. AAPG Memoir 60: USA.
There were no oil shows in the three wells Peters, K. E., & Cassa, M. R. 1994. Applied
considering that the three wells are potential Source Rock Geochemistry. The
source rocks. However, it is interpreted that petroleum system - from source to trap.
the depths that have the potential to be oil AAPG Memoir 60, 93-120.
kitchens are the depths that are in the TAN-1,
Robinson, K.M. 1987. An overview of source
TAN-2, and TAN-3 wells because they have
reached the appropriate pressure and rock and oils in indonesia. In Proceeding
temperature conditions to produce Indonesia Petroleum Assoc. Sixteenth
hydrocarbons. Annual Convention Jakarta 211-256. IPA.
CONCLUSION Sarjono, S. Dan Sardjito. 1989. Hydrocarbon
Source Rock Identifcation in the South
Based on the geochemical analysis of the Palembang Sub-basin. Proceedings
source rock, it can be classified according to Indonesian Petroleum Association, 18th
Waples (1985) that all the source rock in the Annual Convention (pp 427- 467).
TAN-1, TAN-2, and TAN-3 wells is potential Jakarta.
source rock.
Waples, D. W. 1985. Geochemistry in
Biomarker analysis shows that source rock Petroleum Exploration. D. Reidel
and crude oil wells originate from fluvio- Publishing Company.
deltaic with the contribution of higher plants
(TAN-1 and TAN-2) and marine algae (RA-12,
RA-17, RA-61). Biomarker analysis showed
that there was no correlation between rock
extract and crude oil samples but both were of
fluvio-deltaic origin.

Based on one dimensional burial history

modelling, it has been established that in
comparison to the Gumai Formation and the
Baturaja Formation, the Talang Akar
Formation exhibits a greater potential as a
source rock. This conclusion is underpinned by
the prevalence of shale lithology and the
presence of sea level rise. This is indicated
within Talang Akar formation that has higher
TOC value.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to thank Pertamina
Hulu Rokan Zona 4 for the opportunity to do
our research. We also thank our fellow
researchers for their discussions.
REFERENCES
Bishop, M.G. 2000. South Sumatera Basin
Province, Indonesia: The Lahat/Talang
Akar-Cenozoic Total Petroleum System.
USGS Open File Report, Denver.
Bishop, M. G. 2001. “South Sumatera Basin
Province, Indonesia: The Lahat/Talang
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Figure 1. The Relationship between S2 vs TOC (Peters and Cassa, 1994)

Figure 2. Kerogen Type Diagram which represent the plot Tmax vs HI

(Peters and Cassa, 1994).

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Figure 3. Maturity Diagram through the plot of Depth vs Ro

Figure 4. Maturity Diagram through the plot of Depth vs Tmax

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Figure 5. Pristane/nC17 vs Pristane/Phytane Diagram Crossplot

Figure 6. Triterpane (m.z 191) Chromatogram on Rock Extract Samples

Figure 7. Triterpane (mx/z 191) Chromatogram on Crude Oil Samples

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Figure 8. The Composition of Sterane from the Rock Extract and Crude Oil Samples

Figure 9. Hopanes/Sterane vs Pristane/Phytane Crossplot

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Figure 10. C30 Moretane/Hopane vs Tm/Ts Crossplot

Figure 11. Crude Oil Composition

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Figure 12. Burial History Modelling of TAN-1

Figure 13. Burial History Modelling of TAN-2

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Figure 14. Burial History Modelling of TAN-3

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