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EXPLORATION CHALLENGES IN TRIPURA FOLD BELT, ASSAM & ASSAM

ARAKAN BASIN, INDIA

Conference Paper · November 2017

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EXPLORATION CHALLENGES IN TRIPURA FOLD BELT, ASSAM & ASSAM ARAKAN
BASIN, INDIA

A.K.Jena*, EdithaMarydhan, V.L.N Avdhani & P.P Deo

CEWELL, ONGC, Makarpura Road, Baroda-390009, India
e-mail: jena_ak @ongc.co.in

Keywords

Discrete Sands, Exploration Challenges

Summary
The Tripura-Cachar fold belt represents the frontal fold-belt Tulamura and Khubal structures have proved the
of Assam and Assam Arakan Basin. The belt comprises of Hydrocarbon potential of Fold belt part of Tripura. The
long linear tight N-S trending anticlines separated by broad Tripura area has Hydrocarbon resources of about
synclinal troughs. There are concealed structures like 600MMT(O+OEG). Recent discovery of Gas in KUP-60
Agartala Dome,Kunjaban etc and exposed structures like paysand of middle Bhuban Formation in well KU-H of
Rokhia, Baramura, Gojalia Tulamura etc. The main Kunjaban structure has a different dimension in exploration
producing formations are paysands belonging to Bokabil, which needs to understand proper entrapment condition in
Upper Bhuban, Middle Bhuban and Lower Bhuban discrete sand bodies with rapid vertico-lateral facies
formations. In this paper some of exploration challenges variation. Axial exploration for mostly un-explored
and play concepts are being discussed. The continuing logistically difficult Tulamura Anticline for deeper Upper
exploration successes in Kunjaban, Konaban, and Middle Bhuban formations is a new challenge where
Manikyanagar have rekindled our perception about the new few new 2D seismic lines have been acquired. The broad
plays in different paradigm. But the exploration challenges flat synclines between anticlines have become target for
are Discrete sand bodies with rapid facies variation, stratigraphic traps and concealed structures. To fulfill the
Determination of axial region of the structures, Synclinal increasing demand of a steady supply of gas to Tripura
exploration, Exploration in Plunge parts of the structures, ,
Difficulties in petrophysical evaluation are some of the
areas which require more focussed approach in Tripura
Fold Belt. Interpretation of Hydrocarbon bearing sands
where resistivity contrast is poor with high resistivity shales
is also an exploration challenge.
This paper discusses some answers to these problems with
a contemporary approach. Only a logical thinking of the
possible entrapment model is the answer. New discovery
KUP-60 paysand in well KU-H which is a discrete sand,
has been mapped precisely with RMS attribute studies
where the sand pack thickness is about 22m and the
entrapment is stratigraphic, narrow axial regions in some
anticlines has been discussed with possible area of
exploration, small culminations and relict features, in
synclinal areas with argillaceous facies as drape is the
entrapment condition. In the low contrast resistivity
reservoir in a Baramura well has been addressed with
suitable petrophysical model using proper mineralogical
suit to identify presence of hydrocarbon which produces @
1,30,000m3/d. These aspects are elaborated in this paper.

Introduction Power Plant, a major challenge lies ahead to step up

exploration/exploitation efforts to accrete more and more
The Tripura-Cachar Fold Belt of the Assam and Assam reserves. An attempt has been made in this paper to answer
Arakan Basin (Figure 1) has attracted the attention of some of the exploration challenges.
Geoscientists for almost a century. The Discovery of gas in
Mio-Pliocene sands in Rokhia, Agartala Dome, Gojalia, Regional Geological setting
Tichna, Baramura, Kunjaban, Sundalbari and of late

A K Jena, CEWELL, ONGC, Makarpura Road, Baroda – 390009, India

The Tripura-Cachar fold belt represents the frontal fold-belt Fold Belt exposes different sedimentary units mainly along
of Assam and Assam Arakan Basin. The belt comprises of the narrow linear ranges formed by the anticlines. The
long linear tight N-S trending anticlines separated by broad cores of the anticlines usually expose the Bokabil or
synclinal troughs. To the north the belt is bound by ENE- Bhuban formations flanked by Bokabil and Tipam/Post
WSW to E-W trending fold belt associated with Dauki Tipam formations exposures. The pre-Surma sediments
Transfer Fault which passes to the south of Shillong massif. have not been penetrated in the subsurface and are present
The intensity of folding increases from West to East and beyond this depth. Details of generalized stratigraphy is
Table 1 : Generalised Stratigraphy of Tripura Fold belt
THICK-
LITHO- GENERALISED DEPOSITIONAL
CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY NESS
STRATIGRAPHY LITHOLOGY ENVIRONMENT
(m)
FORMATI
AGE GROUP ON/
MEMBER
Loose sands,silts and
ALLUVIUM
RECENT clays 400
TO Pebble Fluvial
QUARTER- PLEISTOC beds,conglomerates
NARY ENE DIHING
and sandstones with
thin beds of clay
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ U N C O N F O R M I T Y ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
UPPER Coarse, pebbly
PLIOC- DUP-
sanstone & mottled Fluvial
ENE ITALA LOWER clays 1000
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ U N C O N F O R M I T Y ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Varigated soft &
GOBINDP
sticky clays often silty Fluvial
UR 1500-
MIOPLIO with Sandstone
TIPAM 1700
CENE Mainly sandstone
JAIPUR with clays and Fluvial
claystone.
Fine grained
sandstone/ siltstone 700-
NEOGENE BOKABIL
with intervening 1500
Brakish/Shallow
layers of claystone
Marine
UPPER Sandstone & sandy
650-
BHUBAN claystone/ shale layers
MIOCENE SURMA 1200
Shale & occasional
MIDDLE Outer shelf/Open
Fine grained 650-
BHUBAN Marine
sandstone 1200
LOWER Alterations of 700- Brakish/ Marginal
BHUBAN sandstone and shale 1000 Marine

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ U N C O N F O R M I T Y ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Dominantly
RENJI sandstone with thin 700-
shale layers 1000
OLIGOC
Shale and
ENE TO 900-
BARAIL JENAM occasional
LATE 1500
sandstone Brakish/ Marginal
PLAEOGENE EOCENE
Alternations of thin Marine
1500-
LAISONG sandstone and shale
2000
beds
Dark grey shale
EOCENE DISHANG DISHANG with thin beds of 1750
sandstone

the tightly folded belt of Mizoram-Manipur, to the east given in Table-1

separated from the Tripura-Cachar belt by Kaladan Fault.
The Kaladan Fault is interpreted to be the eastern limit of Exploration pursuits to tackle rapid facies variation and
the Surma Sub-basin (Ref Jokhan Ram and Venkat discrete sands
raman,1984).The folds decrease in intensity and amplitude
towards the west and pass below the Ganges-Brahmaputra The hydrocarbon plays of some recently discovered
Alluvium in Bangladesh. In the southern part, the
Chittagong Hill tracts in Bangladesh are contiguous to the
fold belt part of Tripura in an en-echelon pattern. The
major anticlinal structures in the area have associated
thrusts on their flanks. Regionally it is thought that the
thrust fold association has its roots to a decolment surface
either within the topmost part of Barail Group or within the
Lower Bhubans (Kale A.S.et al 2007).

Stratigraphy

The stratigraphy of Assam & Assam Arakan fold belt has

been established and revised by a number of workers like
Evans(1932), Mathur and Evans(1964), Dasgupta et al
(1977), Deshpande et al.(1993) etc. The Tripura Cachar
structures in discrete sands in plunge parts have been producing gas @ 2,03,613m3/d through 10mm bean in
discussed below for a logical analysis and way forward for recent discovery well KU-H. Equivalent of this sand is not
future exploration strategy.

Kunjaban Structure
Kunjaban structure is a concealed structure in northern
plunge part of Agartala Dome. Kunjaban structure got its
prominence in the year 2007 with significant exploratory
lead in well KU-B in KUP-35 paysand belonging to Upper
Bhuban Formation. Though earlier in first well KU-A,
KUP-40paysand belonging to Upper Bhuban Formation has
produced about 1200m3/d gas with water, the major

found in nearby KU-A well. This type of rapid facies

variation and discreteness of the sand bodies poses grave
exploration challenges. (Figure No2,3) But this discrete
sand, has been mapped precisely with RMS attribute
studies where the sand pack thickness is about 22m and the
entrapment is stratigraphic(Figure 2a). This type of sand
bodies are typical of tidal bars, channels and tidal flats.
There are discrete sand bodies belonging to tidal bars or
channels. Clay filled abandoned channels or drapes with
argillaceous facies in tidal/mud flats. Sometimes the sand
bodies are thinly laminated as in the case of KUP-56. The
thicker sand bodies like KUP-30(Figure No 4) could be
possibly resoluted with attribute analysis. But thin sand
bodies like KUP-35 sand found in well KU-B is difficult to
delineate with 3D attribute analysis. Understanding the
breakthrough was well KU-B in which KUP-35 paysand depositional environment and sand geometry analysis is
belonging to Upper Bhuban formation produced gas @ some answer to delineate these discrete sand bodies. For
2,25,000m3/d. But the same sand was not found in two example a thick sand unit like KUP-30 could not be traced
updip wells. Gas producing KUP-56 paysand of Middle in adjacent areas, particularly in updip direction so that this
Bhuban formation found in KU-C found water bearing in sand unit which is mostly water bearing except the top 1m
KU-A. Similarly thick KUP-30 paysand (about 25m) could could be totally gas bearing. This sand extention with RMS
not be found in any of the nearby well. Peculiarity of this attribute could not be mapped due to data gap in acquired
paysand is that it produced gas @ 53,664m3/d along with 3D seismic data due to rapid urbanization in Agartala City.
water @140m3/d. The top 1m of this paysand is Gas
bearing and rest portion is water bearing. A new paysand Khubal Structure
KUP-60 belonging to middle Bhuban Formation was found Gas discovery in Khubal Structure in eastern Tripura was
the biggest news in the year 2009. A 52m thick sand(KHL-
60) belonging to Lower Bhuban formation in well KH- the Tipams are exposed along the flanks. Exploration in
D(the fourth well in this structure) produced gas @
1,54,000 m3/d through 8mm bean. Already 9 wells have
been drilled in this structure and the 10th one is under
drilling. But except KH-A where KHL-60 paysand
produced commercial gas @ 1,54,000 m3/d and KH-G
where KHL-10 paysand produced sub commercial gas @
40,000 m3/d, success has eluded us in other wells. In three
wells HF was attempted in different sand units with
geomechanical studies but to no avail. The sand units are
found to be discrete in nature and look to be deposited as a
complex system of stacked tidal bars/Channels with Mud
flats. In well KH#D, the 52m producing Lower Bhuban
sand pinches out towards KH#E and in KH#F, it becomes
shaly. So a careful exploration strategy should be adopted
to identify the vertico-lateral dispersal of discrete sands and
their entrapment model . Petrophysical evaluation of sands
is also a challenge due to bad hole conditions and paucity
of good quality logs. So developing a proper petrophysical this logistically difficult anticline started quite late in 2009
model will also guide in future for formation evaluation.3D when the first well drilled in this structure TLM-X
seismic data has been acquired in this area though the data
qulity is not upto mark. Attempt has been made to map the
sand bodies by attribute analysis. But it is found that
though there is no dearth of sand units in these wells, but
there is no HC entrapment. So proper understanding the
extent of these sands, sand orientation pattern and proper
entrapment condition is a challenge. So this type of discrete
sands which are stratigraphic nature can be explained with
shale draping or in small culminations.We should
remember that the sand units in Konaban and Agartala
Dome area are extensive like KP-55 or KP-65etc found in
produced gas from a shallow reservoir TS-20 belonging to
Konaban structure. They are distributary mouth bars and Upper Bhuban formation. Earlier with few 2D lines and
channels. But same is not the case in Khubal or Kunjaban
area.

Axial Exploration

Tulamura Structure
Tulamura structure was put on the gas map of Tripura Fold
belt for the first time in 2009 when a shallow reservoir TS-
20 of well TLM-X(the first well) produced gas @
50,000m3/d in Northern plunge part of Tulamura anticline
(Figure No5,6,7) in axial region. Tulamura Anticline is a
linear, NNW-SSE trending doubly plunging, asymmetric
anticline. The western limb of the anticline is gently
dipping and relatively undisturbed. The eastern limb is
steep and faulted with a major reverse fault. The anticline is geological map subsurface mapping was done. Recently
also dissected by number of cross faults. Bokabil and after acquiring few 2D lines in the southern part of
Tipam formations are exposed in this anticline. Bokabil structure, subsurface mapping has been done to a greater
Formation is exposed in the core of the anticline, whereas extent. However 3D seismic data acquiring still remains a
difficult proposition because of logistics problem. Two Tichna field and is structurally down w.r.to nearby main
released locations are there for deeper prospects. From the Tichna anticline, the commercial gas production from
seismic sections the axial part looks to be promising from SD#BB has proved that the structurally lowest fault blocks
HC point of view. So axial exploration in the southern part of Sundalbari structure have suitable HC entrapment
of the anticline should be taken up for deeper prospects in condition in northern most plunge part of structure. It can
Upper and Middle Bhuban formations. Prospectivity of be observed in the seismic section AA’ (Figure 8b) that the
Lower Bhuban formation can not be ruled out in relatively erosional relict feature in well SD#DD has arenaceous
shallower depth. The southern plunge part of Tulamura bands with claystone/shale drapes which act as an effective
Anticline falls in Bangladesh. Some authors seal in the eastern synclinal part of Sundalbari Structure
(Roychoudhary et al) believe that southern plunge part of (Jena A.K. et al 2011) and has trapped hydrocarbon. So
Tulamura Anticline will be promising from HC point of exploration haunt should be for similar stratigraphic traps
view in proximity of small Hatibari Depression flanked by in the flat inter-structural synclines.
Gas Fields like Feni and Semutang of Bangladesh unlike
southern plunge part of Baramura Anticline which proved Petrophysical Challenges
dry.
Realistic estimation of shale volume and water saturations
Gojalia Structure is a challenge in structures of Tripura fold belt like
Gojalia is one of the major structures in South Western Baramura, Sundalbari etc because of complex lithology.
Tripura. Part of the anticline falls in adjoining Bangladesh Challenges are related to low contrast of resistivity in gas
where as major part of the NNW part of anticline falls in bearing sands and shale. Shale resistivity (≈ 10-12 Ωm) is
India. It is a doubly plunging anticline trending NNW-SSE observed to be higher than that of the adjacent water
direction. It can be observed in structure contour maps at bearing sands (≈ 6-8 Ωm). Therefore, the computed volume
Upper Bhuban (Close to MFS) that most of the wells of shale using the resistivity log appears to be higher. Both
falling on the axial region are hydrocarbon producing. the Gamma Ray and SP logs are quite erratic at several
Similarly the southern culmination is prospective at both places. Apparent Neutron shale porosity is observed to be
upper and Middle Bhuban levels. in the range of 24-30 p.u. and close to that of sandstone
reservoir. Gas effect is not visible on density-neutron log.
Very low contrast between shale density and sand matrix
Synclinal Exploration density is observed. Sonic porosity is low and gas effect is
not identifiable on sonic log. It can be observed in Figure
Sundalbari Structure 9a that the sand of well BRM#Y which is producing @
Sundalbari structure got its discovery in the year 2007 with 1,30,000 m3/d gas though there is poor gas effect on the

well SD#BB. Sundalbari Structure is a separate fault logs and poor contrast in shale resistivity and producing
closure in northern plunge of Tichna Anticline(Figure 8a). sand. In our study based on Lab reports Sandstone has
Though Sundalbari structure is in the northern plunge of
 HC bearing sand bodies and it’s equivalents where 3D
seismic data is acquired.
 The sand bodies of Upper and Middle Bhuban
Formations are discrete in nature sand bodies belonging
to tidal bars/ channels or clay filled abandoned channels
or drapes with argillaceous facies in tidal/mud flats in
Kunjaban structure. The sand units in Khubal structure
are found to be be deposited as a complex system of
stacked tidal bars/Channels with Mud flats.
 Determination of axial region of the structures is very
important particularly in the structures like Tulamura,
Baramura, Gojalia etc to avoid wells falling to water
bearing parts of the reservoirs.
 Synclinal exploration should be stepped up after
success of Sundalbari and Khubal structures
understanding the entrapment condition like small
culminations relict features with shale drapes in
synclinal areaas.
 Proper petrophysical model enabled to identify low
contrast HC bearing sand in Baramura-Y. So proper
petrophysical model is the answer integrating with
detailed core studies and mineralogical model to avoid
missing zones where gas effect is not visible properly
calcareous cement, feldspar & mica. Heavy minerals like on logs.
Garnet, Tourmaline, Epidote and main clay minerals Illite
& Kaolinite present in the formation. Working
petrophysical model has been framed up with Quartz,
Orthoclase and a special mineral which can represent gross References
log properties of heavy minerals and also high radioactive
effect of some tracer elements. Illite & Kaolinite have been Dasgupta A.B. 1977, Geology of Assam-Arakan Region:
incorporated as clay minerals while Gas and water is Oil Commentary, v. 14(17), pp. 4-35.
introduced as fluids in the model. Dual water model has
been used for saturation computation and accordingly Evans P.1932.Tertiary succession in Assam: Trans. Min.
petrophysical parameters a=1, n=2 and ‘m’ is related to Geol. Inst., India V.27.p.1-155
average porosity which turned out to be mDWA=1.99.
With this petrophysical model, the low resistivity contrast Jena A.K., Das N.C., Saha G.C and Samanta Asim, 2011,
sands have been interpreted as hydrocarbon bearing(Figure Exploration in synclinal areas of Tripura fold belt, India : A
9b). But it is recommended to closely monitor the gas re-found opportunity : Proceedings of AAPG Annual
shows/activity during drilling and take number of SFTs to Conference & Exhibition at Houston,Texas,USA.
ascertain the hydrocarbon potential of these type of sands.
A proper petrophysical model should be formulated with Kale A. S., Saha P.K., Agrawalla R.C., Ray G.K. and
appropriate log derived petrophysical parameters Baruah R.M., 2007, Miocene-Pliocene sequence
integrating detailed core studies to avoid missing zones. stratigraphy of Tripura, India and it’s Implications on
Hydrocarbon Exploration : APG Bulletin v.I p.75-84

Conclusions Acknowledgement

 Understanding the depositional environment and sand The authors express their sincere gratitude to Shri
geometry analysis is some answer to delineate the A.K.Dwivedi,Director (Exploration) ONGC for his kind
discrete sand bodies found in Kunjaban Structure as permission to publish this paper. The authors are also
well as Khubal structure. thankful to Shri R.V. Rao, Chief of Logging Services for
 For thick sand packs RMS attribute study has enabled encouragement and support. The telephonic discussions
to map pay sands like KUP-60 of KU-H. Proper with colleagues particularly shri D.Pooniya of AAFB
attribute analysis should be carried out to identify the Block, A&AA Basin Jorhat is highly acknowledged. The
authors thank all the CEWELL colleagues for their support.

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