X.

KUTAI BASIN
X.1 Introduction
The Kutai Basin is the largest (165,000 sq km.) and the deepest (12,000 14,000 meters) Tertiary sedimentary basin in Indonesia. The basin is bounded
to the north by the Mangkalihat High; to the south the basin hinges on the
Adang-Flexure (Adang-Paternoster Fault); to the west it is terminated by the
Kuching High-part of the Kalimantan Central Ranges; and to the east the opens
into the Strait of Makassar (Figure 1). The accretion of subduction related rafted
terrains onto the Sunda Shield continued through the Jurassic and Cretaceous.
In the west and northwest Kalimantan, basement is a complex accretionary
prism of metasediment, metavolcanic, magmatic arc martial and abducted
amphibolites complexes.
X.2 Regional Geology

X.2.1 Tectonic Setting

The basement under the Lower Kutai Basin is interpreted to be continental in
character and is typed as rafted transitional. The lower Kutai basement docked
with earlier rafted basement segments in the Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene
(70-60 Ma). The suture zone between this latest of rafted segments is the
boundary between the Upper and Lower Kutai Basin. The suture zone trends
NNE in the northern portion of the basin, parallel to the Meratus Ophiolite
Complex to the south. NW-SE trending Adang-Paternoster and Mangkalihat
Fault Zones controlled the north and south of the Kutai Basin boundaries are.
This zone separates the relatively shallow area of the Barito and Makalihat
Platforms in the south and north to the deeper part of the Kutai Basin. Further
northward the Kutai Basin is separated to the Tarakan Basin by the existing of
the Mangkalihat Ridge/Platform. Structurally the Kutai Basin can be divided into
Upper Kutai Basin in west and Lower Kutai Basin in the east (Figure 2).
The onshore portion of the Mahakam Delta overlies a series tightly folded
anticlines

and

Anticlinorium,

broad
which

synclines
resulted

known

from

collectively

inversion

of

the

as

the

Samarinda

Palaeogene

basin

(Chambers and Daley, 1995). Offshore Mahakam Delta areas show at least two
X-1

phases of deformation. Middle Miocene and older rocks exhibit compressional

folding and thrusting, while the overlying Upper Miocene-Pliocene strata are
only affected by extensional faulting (Malecek et al., 1993).
Toward offshore area, the Lower Kutai Basin passes laterally into the North
Makassar Basin. The North Makassar Basin composes of three main subbasins: Mahakam Depocentre, Santan Gravity Low, and Lariang-Karama Subbasin. The offshore Kutai Basin is estimated to have over 9,000 m sediments
fill. However, only the upper 6,000 m, of Neogene sediments are the main
interest for petroleum exploration activities.
In the southeastern part of the section the West Sulawesi Deformation Front
Zone limits the development of the Lower Kutai Basin to the east. The western
Lariang Basin margin is marked by a dramatic structural change from flat-lying,
undisturbed events in the Makassar Straits to a very tightly folded and faulted
region, which is interpreted to contain the same sedimentary section as found in
the Kutai Basin. The high amplitude folds that exhibit a random, episodic style
of movement are an offshore extension of a well-known wrench fault mapped
onshore in Sulawesi (CGG, 1994).

X.2.2 Stratigraphy
The Paleocene to Eocene age of the Kutai Basin inception was initially as
extensional rift-graben. The Lower Eocene-Lower Oligocene Kuaro and Telakai
Formations (equivalent to the Ujoh Balang Formation in the Upper Kutai Basin)
unconformably overlie Cretaceous metamorphic basement and comprise a fine
upward sequence with terrestrial sandstones at the base and marine shales at
the top. On the northern flank of the basin near the Mangkalihat Ridge, a Middle
Eocene-Lower Oligocene sequence composed of volcanoclastics and marine
bathyal shales (Sembulu Formation) has been recognized. Following Upper
Oligocene (N-4) regressive clastic sequence deposition has been started since
the Upper Oligocene (N-4) continuous to the present day (Figure 3).
The occurrence of the Early Eocene syn-rift sediments can be detected in the
North Makassar Basin (CGG, 1994). The Middle Eocene syn-rift deposits can
also be detected in the deep North Makassar Basin, which is equivalent to the

X-2

Toraja/Malawa formation in the Sulawesi Region and Tanjung Formation in

Barito Platform of the South Kalimantan Area.
Following the Palaeogene rift phase, the Kutai Basin developed as a sag basin
on the continental margin prograding progressively eastward throughout the
Neogene in a series of deltaic sedimentary piles (BEICEP, 1982).
The middle of Early Oligocene sediments in the Lower Kutai Basin/North
Makassar Basin was deposited on a marine shelf that regionally transgressed
the top of the Middle Eocene sediment. Generally, the area of the North
Makassar Basin and its adjacent area were quite during this period, limestones
were developed in the shallower part, and deep marine shales were deposited
in the depocentre.
The Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene sediment (equivalent to the Pamaluan
Formation) marks the base of the Neogene section and the oldest sediments
penetrated in the offshore Kutai Basin. The Pamaluan Formation is comprised
of black-black, carbonaceous shales with rare, thin beds of fine sandstones
interpreted as bathyal marine deposit in much of the onshore and all of the
offshore areas.
The Lower Miocene Bebulu Group overlays the Pamaluan Formation and
consists of a shelf edge bioclastic limestones in the onshore area (Maruat Fm)
and a slope to bathyal sandstones, siltstones and shales sequence offshore
(Pulau Balang Fm).
In the Lower Kutai Basin/North Makassar Basin, the Lower Miocene sequence
is mainly formed as carbonate and marine shales deposition. Carbonate was
mainly formed in the shallow part of the basin and laterally passes to the open
marine shales in the offshore part of the Kutai Basin.
The Middle Miocene was marked by eastward an initial out building of the delta
systems over shelf to slope sediment, with carbonates developed locally on the
shallow marine shelf. The Middle Miocene deltaic sediments of the Balikpapan
Group overlays the Bebulu Group and is composed of two units: a paralicdeltaic sequence of massive sandstones with occasional shales interbeds and a
sequence of shales, siltstones with occasional shales interbeds and a sequence
of shales, siltstones, limestones and rare sandstones which represent a shelfX-3

slope-bathyal marine transition in the offshore areas. The Middle Miocene

deltaic sequences that developed in the onshore Kutai Basin laterally change to
the distal outer shelf, slope, and basin floor fan. The development of the Middle
Miocene lowstand sediments the offshore part of the Kutai Basin/North
Makassar Basin were closely related to the major sea level drop in the base of
Middle Miocene (16.5 ma) (Baillie et al., 2000)
During the Late Miocene-Pliocene times, the eastern part of Kutai Basin
contained deltaic to shallow marine facies laterally changes to the distal outer
shelf, slope and basin floor sediments of Late Miocene-Pliocene lowstand
deposits.
The Late MiocenePliocene Kampung Baru Group supersedes the Bebulu
Group and continues the west to east basin fill progradation. Onshore and near
offshore sediments consist of interbedded sandstones, siltstones, shales and
coals, interpreted as a paralic-deltaic sequence (Tanjung Batu Fm). Distant
offshore areas contain shales and siltstones with some thin sandstones and
limestones interpreted as shallow marine shelf sequences (Sepinggan Fm).
The Mahakam Group (Handil Dua and Attaka Formations) overlays the
Kampung Baru Group and its upper surface form the present-day seafloor. The
Handil Dua Fm represents the onshore sub aerial delta plain of mixed fluvial
and tidal-marine delta environments. The lithologic composition is intercalated
sands, silts, clays and lignites. Offshore, the Attaka Formation consists of
interbedded fossiliferous clays, coarse-fine, unconsolidated sands and some
bioclastic shell beds interpreted as an open to restricted shallow marine shelf
deposits (Marks et al, 1982).
X.3 Petroleum System

X.3.1 Source rock

The source rock mainly paralic/delta/restricted shallow marine carbonaceous
mudstones of the Tanjung Formation, shales of the Bongan Formation and the
claystones, mudstones and coals of bay fill estuarine, deltaic and shallow
marine facies of the Miocene section. Geochemical analysis of outcrop samples
indicates the Miocene shales, claystones and coals of the delta and pro-delta
are fair to good waxy oil and gas prone source rock.
X-4

The Miocene shales, claystones and siltstones have a Total Organic Content
(TOC) varying from 0.14% to 15.37% with the majority between 0.5% and 1.0%.
The sediments contain only terrestrial derived organic matter and are waxy oil
and gas prone from mixed kerogen types or exclusively gas prone. It is
concluded that terrestrially derived organic matter within the Miocene deltaic
sequences have generated hydrocarbons prior to the section being uplifted
4,500 feet and eroded away.
In the Oligocene section, only few samples have TOC between 0.65% and
0.85%, this is generally considered as an organic lean source. Kerogen types
are oil and gas prone sapropelic/humic kerogen.
The Eocene samples yields poor to fair TOC (0.06% to 0.60%) for marine
shales/claystones and poor to excellent (0.08% to 16.96%) for the deltaic/non
marine shales/claystones. A few samples in the mature areas with Ro 0.45 to
1.2 have poor to good TOC. Kerogen types generally range from gas prone
vitrinitic kerogen to mixed oil and gas prone liptinitc/vitrinitic kerogen. From the
data available it is concluded that the Eocene section contain mature to over
mature oil and gas prone source rocks.

X.3.2 Reservoir
From the sedimentary section present in the Kutai Basin the following facies
from the Eocene Tanjung Formation are prone to hydrocarbon accumulation;
they are the basal sands of fluvial channel, high energy and coarse-grained
sandstones of estuarine/deltaic environment and shallow marine sandstones
and limestones. Shallow core samples have measured porosity of 13 to 25%
and permeabilities of up to 450 mD suggesting that these sands may have
excellent reservoir properties for both oil and gas (Guritno & Chambers, 2000).
Other Palaeogene reservoir interval is the Oligocene deep-water sediments,
which consists of monotonous grey mudstones with thin sandstones, siltstones
and limestones. Surface porosity of litharenithic sands range from less than 5%
to 25%, and permeability ranging from less than 10 up to 200 mD.
The main productive reservoirs in the East Kutai Basin are fluvial deltaic and
near-shore marine sandstones of Middle Miocene-Pliocene age. These sands
are part of a series of prograding deltaic sequences that filled an ancient deepX-5

water basin. Petrographically, the sandstones are classified as feldspathic

sandstones in the young reservoirs. Porosity and permeability show a linear
decline with depth due to physical diagenesis.

X.3.3 Seal
The Oligocene shales provide an effective and regional vertical seal. However,
the fact that all Oligocene sands seen Tengkawang-1 had oil and gas shows
must indicate that the seal in the seal has leaked. The Possibility of an
intraformational seal in the Beriun Formation is unlikely due to a high sands
percentage, hence only areas with an intact Oligocene to Miocene cover section
are considered prospective.

X.3.4 Trapping Mechanism

Exploration plays for the Miocene and Eocene objectives are dominated by
structural trap particularly four-way closure bounded by fault. However, on flank
of major structures or basement high or even along monoclinal dips
stratigraphic traps may occur in fluvial-deltaic reservoirs of the Miocene and
Eocene. The late Miocene tectonic movement that thrust the basement and the
sedimentary cover westwards against the stable Barito shelf is responsible for
the current structural configuration. In the Bangkanai area the thrust resulted in
a major uplift of up to 10,000 feet and eroded most of the Miocene and
Oligocene sequences. Therefore it is presumed that traps formed prior to the
uplift might not have survived and have been breached except the Oligocene
carbonate build-up, which is principally a stratigraphic/structural trap. Therefore,
carbonates build-ups or clastic stratigraphic traps are primary target that
promises a higher chance of success than the structural traps.
X.4 Hydrocarbon Play

Palaeogene Play
The main play type with the area involves structural closure containing MiddleUpper Eocene deltaic sediments that make a shelf sourcing system. Basement
involved faults also act as migration pathway from the kitchen areas to traps
stratigraphically higher in the section, but the value of such targets are

X-6

discounted in light of the poor reservoir properties in limestones and Oligocene

turbidites throughout the region.
Primary migration hydrocarbon from the Middle to Upper Eocene source rocks
occurs vertically and laterally. In the offshore part of the Kutai Basin vertically
migration pathway from the mature Palaeogene kitchen occurs through network
of the NNE-SSW trending faults to the Middle and Upper Miocene lowstand
reservoirs. The lateral migration from the mature kitchen area can also be
facilitated through eastward dipping lowstand reservoir to either stratigraphic or
structural traps that are available in this area.

Neogene Play
The timing of hydrocarbon migration from the Early-Middle Miocene source
rocks is post Middle Miocene. Traps formation has been formed since Middle
Miocene to present day. Migration pathway primarily vertical, and may have
some moderate horizontal migration from basin centres (Figure 4).

X-7

References
Darman H., and Hasan Sidi F., 2000, An Outline of The Geology of Indonesia,
Published by IAGI-2000, pp 73-75.
Fukasawa H., R. Sunaryo, and P.H. Napitupulu, 1987, Hydrocarbon Generation
and Migration in the Sangatta Area, Kutai Basin, Proceed. Indon.
Petrol. Assoc.16h Ann. Conv. pp 123-139.
Guritno E.E., and Chambers J., 2000, North Runtu PSC: The First Proven
Eocene Petroleum Play in the Kutai Basin, Proceed. Indon. Petrol.
Assoc.27th Ann. Conv. pp 361-380.
LEMIGAS, 2000, East Kutai-North Makassar Basins: Regional Geology Study,
unpublished report.
Marks E., Sudjatmiko, L. Samuel, H. Danutirto, T. Ismoyowati, and B.B. Sidik,
1982, Cenozoic Stratigraphic Nomenclature in the East Kutai Basin,
Kalimantan, Proceed. Indon. Petrol. Assoc.11th Ann. Conv. pp 147179.

X-8

N
0

250

Kilometers

Kutei Basin
Pontianak
Samarinda

Palu
Balikpapan

Palangkaraya

Banjarmasin

FIGURE1. Location Map of Kutei Basin

115 E

120 E

LEGEND :
STRUCTURALHIGH
BASINMARGIN/TERRACE
STRUCTURAL/BASINALLOW
ULTRABASICTERRAIN
IGNEOUSTERRAIN
FAULTZONE

NORMALFAULT
TRUSTFAULT
STRIKESLIPFAULT

Samarinda

Palu
Balikpapan

Palangkaraya

125
Kilometers
o

115 E

FIGURE2. Tectonic Element of the Kutei Basin

120 E

LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY
W

AGE/
SERIES
0

LANDWARD
1.0

S Source S Seal R Reservoar

N23

HANDILDUA

1 PLEISTOCENE N22

GLOBALRELATIVECHANGEOF
COASTALONLAP
VAILETAL(1977)

ATTAKA

N21

0.5

BASINWARD
0
(0.8)
(1.65)
(3.0)

N20
N19
N18

(4.2)

KAMPUNGBARU

(5.5)

N17

R
N16
10

N15
N14
N13
N12
N11
N10
N9

(10.5)

S
(12.5)

(13.8)

15

PULAUBALANGS

N8

N7
20

N6

(21.0)

N5

(22.0)

N4

25

(25.5)

P22/
N3

PAMALUAN

(26.5)

S
30

P21/
N2

MARAH

(30.0)

(33.0)

P19

SEMBULU

P18

KEDANGO

P17
P16
P15
40

(28.4)

P20/
N1

35

(15.5)
(16.5)

(36.0)
(37.0)

S
ATAN

P14

(38.0)
(39.5)

P13

P12

(42.5)

P11
45

(44.0)
P10

BERIUN
(48.5)

50

P9
P8

P7

(51.5)
(52.3)

P6
55

P5

MANGKUPA

P4

(54.5)

(58.5)

P3

FIGURE3. Regional Stratigraphy of Kutei Basin

Tambora

Tunu

Sisi

Migration paths
Hydrodynamicflow

FIGURE4. Hydrocarbon Play Model of Kutei Basin