Lithofacies interpretation and depositional model of Talangakar
Lacustrine Deposits: A Study in the Ardjuna Field, Eastern Sunda
Basin
Aviandy Widya Ismanto1*, Ridho Feraldo1, Afriyan Akbar1, Herry Suhartomo1, Nurul Hasani1, Oki
Trinanda Musakti1, Andi Wasonoaji2, Lulus Ilmiawan Saputra2
1
Pertamina EP
2
PHE ONWJ
ABSTRACT
The Ardjuna Field in the Northwest Corner (NWC) block is located on the eastern side of
Sunda Basin and is adjacent to the Seribu Fault. Producing reservoirs in the Ardjuna Field
are mainly of the Talangakar (TAF) fluvio-deltaic sandstones, however all wells within the
four production platforms of the field had been shut in November 2006. Hence it is
necessary to re-evaluate remaining potential and to seek new reservoirs within the field in
order to reactivate oil and gas production from the structure.
The main focus of our study is to evaluate the remaining potential of TAF fluvio-deltaic
producing zones and identify new potential in the TAF lacustrine deposits. We used a total
of 8 exploration wells, 17 development wells, and a 3D seismic dataset during our
evaluation. Out of the 25 wells, only two wells have penetrated the lacustrine deposits
interval, i.e. W-1 and S-5 wells. The S-5 well proved flowing HC of up to 1,043 MMCFGPD
and 332 BOPD from DST.
The lower TAF lacustrine deposit is characterized by the occurrence of typical freshwater
pollens, displaying a serrated and coarsening upward log pattern, thin succession, and
absence of sediment structures. Seismic interpretation and Acoustic Impedance (AI)
analysis indicate that low AI value (< 7200 gr/cc*ft/s) correlate with high porosity,
interpreted as sandstone. The AI-guided seismic attribute reveals a relatively regular lobate
shape resembling a fan measuring 1.7 km by 2.5 km. Furthermore, low AI values are more
prevalent and widely distributed, particularly on top of the closure.
Keywords: Talangakar Formation, lacustrine, synrift fan, Ardjuna Field, Sunda Basin
Copyright ©2023 by Author, published by FOSI. Author doesn’t retain all rights. This is an
open access article distributed under Creative Commons license (CC-BY-SA 4.0).
Manuscript received: 14 Nov 2023, revised manuscript received: 14 Dec 2023, final
acceptance: 20 Dec 2023. DOI: 10.51835/bsed.2024.49.3.441
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 47
Ardjuna-C platform has 8 development
INTRODUCTION wells, with the peak production rate of
2,856 BOPD and 5.4 MMCFD. When HC
The Ardjuna structure is located in the
production was shut down in November
Sunda Basin, adjacent to the Seribu Fault.
2006, a total of 30.1 BSCF of gas and 7.9
This structure is currently producing oil
MMBO of oil were produced cumulatively.
fields within the Northwest Corner (NWC)
Therefore, the recovery factor (RF) for gas
Block (Figure 1). The first exploration well
and oil were 68.9 % and 15.9%,
in the Ardjuna structure was S-1 well,
respectively.
which was drilled in 1982 and produced
6,500 BOPD with 0% water cut during DST. This study was conducted to summarize the
Previous volumetric calculation indicates remaining potential from existing
that the Ardjuna structure contains approx. production zones, and to evaluate the
43.7 BSCF and 49.9 MMBO of upside potential of the Talangakar
hydrocarbons in place. The field produced lacustrine deposit. Further studies on the
oil from the Talangakar fluvio-deltaic economic and development strategies are
reservoirs through two platforms, namely necessary to determine the appropriate
Ardjuna-A and Ardjuna-C. The Ardjuna-A approach for redeveloping a mature
platform has 13 development wells, with structure with significant upside potential.
peak production reaching a rate of 9,056
BOPD and 16.7 MMCFD in 1986. The
Figure 1: Location of Ardjuna structure within the Northwest Corner Block, eastern Sunda.
Basin
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 48
DATA AND METHODOLOGY the oceanic spreading rates in the
Indian Ocean reducing the convergence
In total, 8 exploration wells, 17 velocity along the Sunda Arc subduction
development wells and 3D seismic data system and resulting in a phase of
were utilized in this study. However, only 2 extension in the adjacent fore-arc and
wells were utilized to evaluate lacustrine back-arc areas. Daly et al. (1987)
potential since these were the only wells pointed out that the velocity decrease
that penetrated the lacustrine interval. would cause the subduction slab to
sink, with consequent decoupling of the
This study was conducted to re-evaluate slab and creation of an extensional
the presence and distribution of environment in the arc region.
hydrocarbon in the Talangakar lacustrine
interval by integrating biostratigraphy, core • Stage II (43.5 – 32 Ma) – Major plate
sedimentology, mudlogging & wireline log reorganizations took place, resulted in
data, 3D seismic data and DST result. the formation and active subsidence of
Seismic attribute was analyzed to the younger rifts. This extension
understand facies boundary trend and resulted in the opening up of numerous
porosity distribution i.e., acoustic half-grabens whose geometry and
impedance. Afterward, 3D static model was orientation were influenced by
built to acquire more robust volumetric basement heterogeneity. Hall (1995)
calculation with uncertainty analysis. mentioned that South Sumatra has
been rotated by approximately 15
GEOLOGICAL SETTING degrees clockwise since the Miocene
resulting in a present-day graben
Tectonic and Basin Evolution orientation.
The Northwest Corner (NWC) block is • Stage III (32 – 21 Ma) –
located in the Offshore Northwest Java Contemporaneous with sea floor
Basin (ONWJ) working area, specifically spreading of the South China Sea, was
within the Sunda Basin, adjacent to the a period during which rift ceased, local
Seribu fault. The Sunda Basins reservoirs inversion took place, and a major
are mainly from the syn-rift deposits which marine transgression marked the
are currently positioned in a back arc beginning of postrift development.
setting, but the rift system did not form as
a back-arc basin (Ralanarko, 2020). The • Stage IV (21 – 0 Ma) – Characterized by
history of the Asri and Sunda Basin (as a a maximum transgression followed by
part of Sundaland) can be subdivided into several collision phases that led to
the several stages of tectonic inversions, uplift and the development
megasequences as described below of regressive deltaic sequences. This is
(Longley, 1997): equivalent to the early and late postrift
stages.
• Stage I (50 – 43.5 Ma) – Corresponds to
a period of early continental collision
which led to the formation of many of
the older synrift grabens. The India –
Eurasia collision caused a slow-down in
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 49
Stratigraphy • Main-Massive Formation
The stratigraphy of Sunda Basin (Figure 2) The Main-Massive sequence is dated as
can be subdivided into several formations Early to Middle Miocene in age and
from younger to older as described below consist of outer neritic, locally bathyal
(Eksindo Pratama, 1996): mudstone with sand overlain by
complex of sandstone and mudstone
• Cisubuh Formation deposited in neritic environment. The
upper part of Main-Massive sequence is
Cisubuh Formation is dated as Early mostly dated as Early Miocene in age
Pliocene to Late Miocene age. The and relatively deposited in middle neritic
presence of a diverse palynoflora as calcareous mudstone.
consisting of marine, mangrove, and
peatswamp suggest deposition in an • Baturaja Formation
outer littoral to inner sublittoral
environment, close to mangrove The Baturaja (BRF) limestone is dated
vegetation and near to fluvial sediment as Early Miocene in age and deposited in
provenance. open marine neritic origin, with a
distinct relatively deepwater (middle to
• Parigi Formation outer neritic) facies in upper part.
Parigi Formation is dated as Early • Talangakar Formation
Pliocene to Late Miocene. The benthonic
fauna consist mainly of shallow water Talangakar Formation (TAF) was
similar to Cisubuh formation. deposited during Early Miocene to Late
Oligocene and it can be subdivided into
3 sequences as below (Figure 2):
Figure 2: Stratigraphic column of the Sunda Basin (modified after Aveliansyah et al., 2016)
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 50
1. Talangakar marine consists of and this is a similar event as seen in the
calcareous shale intercalation with West Natuna Sea, within the basal part of
limestone streak and locally Barat Formation (Eksindo Pratama,
carbonaceous shale or coal. This 1996). This event is dated by graphic
interval is the transition between correlation at about 24.5 Ma which
fluvio-deltaic sediment to marine. equivalent to Early Miocene. Granodiscus
Unfortunately, lack of sand deposits staplinii and Bosedinia laevigita are
and no hydrocarbon was detected in observed at 10740’ to 12812’, which is
this interval. usually found within and below Keras
Formation in the West Natuna Sea
2. Talangakar fluvio-deltaic to estuarine (Eksindo Pratama, 1996). This datum is
is characterized by interbedded of dated by graphic correlation at about 27
sandstone and shale with coal deposit Ma which is equivalent to Late Oligocene.
that were deposited in fluvio-deltaic The presence of Bosedinia spp.,
to upper estuarine. This interval is Magnastriatites howardi, Pediastrum spp.,
the main production layer. Granodiscus staplinii, and Bosedinia
infragranulata at interval 7860’ – 12812’
3. Talangakar lacustrine consists of
suggests this interval was deposited in
interbedded sandstone and shale,
lacustrine with fluvial swamp influence.
predominantly shale with
Meanwhile, fluvio-deltaic deposition of the
intercalation of coal and limestone.
upper Talangakar is characterized by the
This interval is the focus interval in
occurrences of Sapotaceae pollen,
this study.
Pteridophytes spores, Zonocostites
ramonae, Spinizonocolpites enchinatus,
RESULT AND DISCUSSION and Florschuetzia spp.
Talangakar Lacustrine in the - Core Interpretation
Ardjuna structure
The full 28-foot conventional core from
The lacustrine section of TAF was identified the lacustrine section of TAF, retrieved at
from biostratigraphy, log characteristics, the W-1 well includes various lithofacies
core interpretation and seismic attribute such as shale, sandstone, and coal
analysis. The following section describes (Figure 3). The sandstone lithofacies is
the characteristic of Talangakar lacustrine light grey, well-sorted, very fine-grained
interval within the Ardjuna structure: with ripples indicating syn-sedimentary
deformation. This is followed by lacustrine
- Biostratigraphy Approach shale lithofacies, characterized by dark
greenish, grey mudstone with minor silty
Detailed biostratigraphic analyses such
lamination sand lenses occurring in
as micropaleontology, nannofossils, and
several places.
palynology were performed from cutting
samples of the W-1 and S-5 wells to - Wireline Log Characteristics
determine the age and depositional
environment (Eksindo Pratama, 1996). In the 8150’ – 12745’ interval in W-1 well
Bosedinia infragranulata type ‘C’ is and 8200’ – 9767’ interval in S-5 well, a
abundant in the interval of 8850’ – 10710’ pattern of serrated, coarsening upward
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 51
Figure 3: Core description on lacustrine sandstones and shales at W-1 well.
and frequent thin sands (3 – 20 ft) its total thickness of 755 ft. This smaller
suggested lacustrine deposits. The sand to gross ratio within the lacustrine
serrated log pattern, indicative of section is as expected because in general
laminated muds and thin, very fine- there is less sand in a deep lake compared
grained sandstones implies a deposition to it is in the fluvio-deltaic setting.
in a low-energy system. In contrast, the
fluvio-deltaic interval shows a blocky to - Seismic Attribute Analysis
fining upward log signature with relatively
The 3D seismic data revealed a three-way
thick (5 – 40 ft) of coarser sand bedding
dip fault structural trap resembling a fan
(Figure 4), indicating relatively higher
bounded by a major N-S trending fault
energy of deposition. Comparatively, the
(Figure 5A). Prior to delineating the lateral
TAF lacustrine section, with up to 863 ft
distribution of sand bodies, a crossplot of
of total thickness and 24% sand to gross
p-impedance versus porosity in W-1 well
ratio, predominantly contains more
indicated a noticeable separation between
shales than the TAF fluvio-deltaic section
sand and shale lithologies (R2 > 0.7 and
that has 30% sand to gross ratio despite
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 52
Figure 4: Well correlation of W-1 and S-5 wells comparing the deltaic and lacustrine sections
of the TAF.
sand value < 7200 gr/cc*ft/s). Granodiscus staplinii, and Bosedinia
Consequently, acoustic impedance (AI) infragranulata), a serrated log signature
inversion displayed the lateral with relatively thin sand, and a fan
distribution of sand and porosity. Slicing geometry revealed by seismic interpretation
the AI volume unveiled sand (yellow to and AI inversion indicate that the deposits
bright red colors) and shale (dark blue to are of shallow subaqueous fan of lacustrine
black colors) distribution emphasizing the system (Figure 6). The final product,
fan-like geometry in close proximity to the incorporating the depositional model
major fault (Figure 5B). cartoon and the AI-guided seismic attribute
of sandstone, is then modeled in the 3-
Depositional Model dimentional facies model to facilitate
volumetric calculations.
Through various approaches, it is
demonstrated that the lithology of the A modern-day analog for the lacustrine
targeted interval in the W-1 and S-5 wells is section of TAF in the Ardjuna Field probably
predominantly mudstone with exists in Lake Singkarak, West Sumatra. At
intercalations of siltstone and fine the lake, the Malalo alluvial fan delta
sandstone. The occurrence of bio-event exhibits an irregular, lobate shape with
(Magnastriatites howardi, Pediastrum spp., dimensions of 2.1 km by 2.3 km (Figure 7).
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 53
Likewise, the lacustrine section of TAF in similarities to the sandstone interval of
Figure 5: (A) Seismic section of Lacustrine Deposits. (B) The fan-like geometry of slicing AI.
the Sunda Basin is approximately 2.5 km Malalo Fan in Lake Singkarak.
wide and 1.7 km long displaying a relatively
regular lobate shape. According to DST tests further confirm the potential of
Sihombing et al. (2016), the Malalo alluvial the lacustrine petroleum system. Tight,
fan delta comprises five distinct facies thin sand packages serve as reservoirs,
associations: upper, middle, lower, while shale/mudstone facies act as both
subaqueous fans and lacustrine shale. This source rock and seal rock. Hydrocarbon,
study suggests that the lower and predominantly oil, are present in almost all
subaqueous fans are favorable reservoir sand-packages penetrated by W-1 and S-5
locations characterized predominately by wells in the lacustrine interval.
medium to coarse-grained sandstone with
moderate to well-sorted fabric, indicating CONCLUSIONS
good porosity and permeability. However,
TAF lacustrine in the study area, The Talangakar Formation (TAF) exhibits
characterized by olive-black, well-sorted, three distinct depositional environments,
very fine-grained sandstone may also be from older to younger: TAF Lacustrine, TAF
deposited in subaqueous locations showing Fluvio-Deltaic, and TAF Marine. The TAF
Lacustrine section in the study area was
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 54
Figure 6: 3D facies model based on conceptual geological model and seismic attribute.
Figure 7: Modern-day lacustrine deposits in Malalo Alluvial Fan Delta, Lake Singkarak
(Sihombing et al., 2016).
Berita Sedimentologi, 2024 V. 49(3) 55
deposited in a freshwater lake with several Murphy (Eds.), Petroleum Geology of SE
alluvial fans along a major N-S trending Asia, Geological Society of London, Special
fault. Analyzed data indicate that lacustrine Publications, 126, 311-339.
sandstone tends to be thin and composed
predominantly of shale facies compared to Primadani, G.S., Watkinson, I.M.,
its fluvio-deltaic sandstone counterparts. Gunawan, H., and Ralanarko, D., 2018.
Despite this, the thinly bedded sandstones Tectonostratigraphy of the Asri Basin, SE
of the lacustrine section are favorable for Sumatera, Indonesia: Unlocking the hidden
hydrocarbon accumulation, as evidenced potential of Oligo-Miocene reservoirs and
by Drill Stem Test (DST) results in this implication for hydrocarbon prospectivity.
interval. Seismic interpretation reveals that Proceedings, Indonesia Petroleum
the study area resembles a relatively Association, 42nd Annual Convention &
regular lobate shape of a fan delta with Exhibition, IPA18-19-G, 14p.
dimensions of 1.7 km by 2.5 km, similar to
Ralanarko, D., Wahyuadi, D., Nugroho, P.,
the modern analogue in Lake Singkarak.
Rulandoko, W., Syafri, I., Almabrury, A.,
Additionally, low Acoustic Impedance (AI)
and Nur, A.A., 2020. Seismic expression of
values, indicative of sandstone, are more
Paleogene Talangakar Formation – Asri and
frequently and widely distributed, primarily
Sunda Basins, Java Sea, Indonesia. Berita
occurring on top of the closure.
Sedimentologi, 46 (1), 21 – 43.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Sihombing, E. H., Oetary, N., Fardiansyah,
I., Waren, R., Finaldhi, E., Fitris, F.,
The authors wish to thank the Management
Semimbar, H., Graha, S., Talib, A.F., and
of Pertamina EP and PHE ONWJ for their
Paksi, W. R., 2016. Modern Fluvio-
permission to publish this paper.
Lacustrine System of Lake Singkarak, West
Sumatra and Its Application as an
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