PROSIDING

PERTEMUAN ILMIAH TAHUNAN IAGI KE-37

HOTEL HORISON BANDUNG, AGUSTUS 2008

GAS GEOCHEMISTRY OF BETARA COMPLEX,

JABUNG AREA, SOUTH SUMATRA BASIN : GENETIC
CHARACTERIZATION AND HABITAT OF NATURAL GASES
Lambok P. Marpaung1, I Nyoman Suta1, Awang H. Satyana2, Johnson A. Paju2
1
PetroChina International Jabung Ltd., Menara Kuningan lt. 19
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Blok X-7 Kav-5, Jakarta 12940, Telp. 021-57945300,
E-mail:Lambok.parulian@petrochina.co.id
2
BPMIGAS, Patra Office Tower, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 32-34 Jakarta 12950
ABSTRACT
Jabung area located in northern part of South Sumatra Basin has been proven as prolific
hydrocarbon in Jambi Province. It is proved by oil and gas production since 1997 after the
discovering of North Geragai and Makmur Fields in 1995 and North East Betara Field in
1997. There has been boosted of growth of gas reserves in Jabung area after subsequent
discoveries of North Betara, Gemah, West Betara, South Betara, Suko and Panen Fields.
This will impact a shift from oil to gas production as oil depleted in Jabung area.
A better understanding of the gas geochemistry, origin, distribution, and habitat is important
for focusing gas exploration that result in more efficient future gas exploration strategy in
Jabung area.
Based on concentration, molecular and isotope data from 25 samples, thermogenic gas type
is commonly observed in Betara complex. True thermogenic gases of Betara complex are
simply characterized by : wet gas methane (CH4) component of less than 80 % or wet gas
components (C2+) are more than 20 % after normalization of hydrocarbon gases (by
excluding nonhydrocarbon gases) and ratios of 13-carbon isotope to 12-carbon (d13CCH4)
values are heavier (more positive) than -48 .
In Betara Complex, high trends (>48 vol %) of nonhydrocarbon CO2 gas mainly occur in
Lower Talang Akar Formation of the eastern compartment of the North East Betara Field.
Based on heavy values of d13CCO2, CO2 gas occurrences are related to inorganic origin by
carbonate thermal destruction in North East Betara Fields. Low trend (<5% vol %) and
medium values of d13CCO2 related to organic matter maturity. Most of the reservoirs are in
Gumai, Upper Talang Akar and Lower Talang Akar Formations of South West Betara, West
Betara and South Betara fields. Concentration of nonhydrocarbon gas of H2S is nil in Betara
Complex.
Sources and reservoirs of natural gases in Betara complex encompass almost whole of
Oligocene to Miocene sediments. Gas habitats of the Jambi sub-basin are strongly controlled
by stratigrapic, structural, and geologic evolution of the basin.

INTRODUCTION
Jabung Block PSC is located in Jambi
province become part of South Sumatra
Basin, Indonesia, one of the most
hydrocarbon prolific Indonesian Paleogene
back-arc basins (Figure 1). It was signed in
1993 by Santa Fe Energy Resources and

found the first discovery of 5052 BOPD, 339

BCPD and 32.659 MMSCFD from North
Geragai-1 well in Air Benakat and Gumai
Formations. The original block encompassed
8,214 square kilometers in the onshore of
Jabung
Block.
Continous
exploration
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HOTEL HORISON BANDUNG, AGUSTUS 2008

resulted new discovery from NE. Betara-1

(1996), Makmur-1 (1997), North Betara-1
(1998) and Gemah-1 wells (1998). Devon
acquired operatorship in August 2000 and
discovered oil and gas in Ripah-1 Well. It
also found tested gas in Sabar-1 and
Berkah-1 wells. PetroChina acquired this
block with Petronas and Pertamina as a
partner in 2002 with the acreage of 1642 sq
Km. At least found other discoveries of oil
and gas in West Betara, SW. Betara, South
Betara, Panen and Suko. The latest
discoveries such as Panen and Suko mostly
gas in Lower Talang Akar and Gumai
Formations.
The first gas production occurred in North
Geragai Field in May 2001 and keep
producing until now (Figure 2). After
installing the Betara Gas Plant (BGP) in
2005, most of producing gas in West Jabung
delivered to this station while Geragai CPS
continue the gas from North Geragai and
Makmur field. The current total cumulative
production of Jabung Block is over 56
MMBO and nearly 500 BCFG since its
commerciality in 1997. Trend of gas
discoveries and producing are increased
while oil production is gradually decline in
North Geragai, Makmur, North Betara and
Gemah.
Exploration for natural gas is growing in
importance as a result of increased demand
(Katz, 2001). Future exploration program
need a better understanding of gas
geochemistry such as how gas accumulation
form and change through time. However, the
molecular and isotopic composition of gas
can be used to infer its mode of formation
(thermogenic versus biogenic; and primary
versus secondary cracking) and the level of
thermal maturity of the generative sequence.
This paper presents the first gas
geochemistry study of natural gases in
Betara Complex. It is intended to assist
development of focused strategies that result
in efficient and effective gas exploration.

DATA AND METHODS

Gas geochemistry data of natural gases
(hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon gases)
began with inventory of gas database from

exploration and development wells in Betara

Complex, Jabung Block. 25 gas sample
analyses have been collected from drill
steam test that shown in Table 1. These gas
samples were taken from reservoirs in three
different stratigraphic units (Figure 3), The
Lower Talang Akar (Late Oligocene), Upper
Talang Akar (Late Oligocene to Early
Miocene) and Gumai (Early Miocene-Mid
Miocene) Formations.
The concentration (expressed in either mole
or weight percentage) of gas is typically the
first factor considered in the classification of
natural gas. Most natural gases are mixtures
of hydrocarbon gases (methane, ethane,
propane,
iso-butane,
normal
butane,
pentane) and nonhydrocarbon gases
(carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen
and other more rare gases).
The molecular ratios used in this study
consist of C1/ S Cn, S C2+ and C1/(C2+C3)
(Bernard parameter) and gas wetness ratio
(S C2 to C5/ S C1 to C5 x 100 %) after
normalization by excluding nonhydrocarbon
gases. The stable isotope ratios include
carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios of light
hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide (d13CCH4,
d13CC2H6, d13CC3H8, d13CC4H10, d13CC5H12
d13CCO2, dDCH4). The carbon and hydrogen
isotope signature of natural gas can often
provide information about its source rocks, in
addition to identifying the genetic type of
natural gas. The interpretation of the gas
data follows the methods of Schoell (1983)
for natural gases characterization, Whiticar
(1994) for natural gases correlation with their
sources and Katz (2001) for understanding
formation and alteration processes. It should
be emphasized that the available geologic,
geophysical, and geochemical information
are integrated into the petroleum system
investigation to understand the gas habitats.

GEOLOGIC SETTING
The tectonic evolution of South Sumatra
Basin was influenced by the convergent
vector between the Indian and Eurasian
plates. There were three tectonic events that
controlling the structural history in South
Sumatra Basin. First, major extensional
event from Eocene to Early Oligocene times
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resulted in opening up of numerous half

grabens whose geometry and orientation
was influenced by basement heterogeneity.
This process was followed by deposition of
fluvio-lacustrine Lahat Formation.
Second, rifting ceased approximately 29 Ma
ago and the continental crust continued to
subside under South Sumatra Basin. High
subsidence rates and high relative sea level
resulted in a long-live transgression of the
basin. This process was followed by
deposition of the following syn- and post- rift
of Talang Akar, Baturaja and Gumai
Formations. Lower Talang Akar, Upper
Talang Akar and Gumai Formation are
demonstrated economic reservoir in Jabung
block. Baturaja carbonates is not uniformly
developed in the area of study to the west
and east due to increased sediment input
northwards of the South Sumatra Basin and
more pronounced exposure of bioherms
enhancing secondary porosity to the south
and east (Ginger and Fielding, 2005).
The regressive distal delta front to marginal
marine fluvio-deltaic facies of the Air
Benakat Formation was deposited as a
result of an increased sediment load from
the Sunda landmass to the northeast and the
emerging Barisan Mountains to the west.
The regressive lower to upper delta plain
Muara Enim Formation fluvio-deltaic facies
were deposited in this environment, and
consist of thick channel sands alternating
with interdistributary shales and coals.
A widespread orogenic event, the Barisan
Orogeny, occurred across South Sumatra
from 5 Ma to present. Numerous
hydrocarbon-bearing structural traps were
from at this time with northwest-southeast
direction that controls oil fields in the basin at
the present. The youngest Kasai Formation
is essentially a continuation of the regressive
fluvio-deltaic Muara Enim, except for a
substantial increase in volcanic extrusives in
the form of tuffs and tuffaceous sandstones.
Stratigraphy of Jabung area is shown in
Figure 4 and its correlation to seismic and
well log profiles.

GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION AND

HABITAT OF NATURAL GASES
Hydrocarbon Gases
Large quantities of natural gas have been
discovered in Jabung area since North
Geragai discovery since the early 1995. The
source rock of gas considered to be the
Talang Akar formation (Marpaung, 2005).
Coal and shale of Talang Akar Formation
derived from type II and III kerogens with
type III being more predominant (Figure 4).
Shales of Gumai Formation were marine
deposit, anoxic to suboxic environment,
indicating a good preservation of organic
materials, being rich of marine algae,
although some inputs of terrestrial organic
materials were recognized. Shale of Gumai
Formation also identified as potential source
rock (Marpaung, et. al. 2006).
Based on compositional analysis and
carbon-13 and deuterium isotopes, the
gases in Betara complex are thermogenic.
Bernard plot of gas dryness (C1/C2+C3)
versus methane isotope value indicates the
gases are also thermogenic in origin (Figure
5). The gases are generally wet with CH4
content of 54-79 % wet gas components
(C2+) are more than 20 %. A Schoell diagram
reveals that methane in Betara complex
gases is consistent with source rock within
the late oil to wet gas window (Figure 6, left),
though the relatively high concentration of
wet gas (C2+) components is more consistent
with expulsion below peak gas generation for
labile kerogen (Figure 6, right). The thermal
maturity based on d13CCH4 and dDCH4 ranges
from 0.8-1.2 %Ro VRE in the Betara
complex and WB-2 up to 2 %Ro VRE.
Values of d13CCH4 and dDCH4 of these fields,
-48.21 to -34.23 and -179 to -148 ,
respectively, confirm that the gases are
thermogenic in origin mostly oil associated
and condensate-associated in WB-2 (Figure
7). Deuterium isotope analysis shows the
mixed gas field in SB-1 and K-1 wells (Figure
7, left), suggested has a mixed provenance.
Ethane versus methane isotopes also
consistents with mixing of mature wet gas

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with methane of slightly lower maturity

(Figure 7, right).
Thermogenic gas may be derived directly
from kerogen (primary) or through oil
cracking (secondary). Lorant et al. (1998, in
Katz, 2001) has suggested that the
relationship between the C2/C3 ratio and the
difference in the carbon isotopic composition
of ethane and propane can be use to
differentiate between primary and secondary
cracking. A review of available data in Betara
complex reveals that both primary and
secondary cracking are active in the region
(Figure 8). Primary cracking were dominated
in Betara complex in various reservoirs while
the secondary cracking most likely occurred
in shallow reservoired of Gumai Formation.
Chung et al.s (1988, in Katz, 2001)
proposed natural gas plot to identify the
presence of multiple sources for a gas where
the carbon isotope ratio is plotted against the
inverse carbon number. If unaltered, a gas
accumulation in which all of the gas
components are co-generated results in a
linear plot. Betara complex reveals that
theres no biogenic contribution, all gases
are thermally from mature source (Figure 9).
NEB-1 and SB-1 DST-5 gases display
isotopically heavier (more mature) ethane
and propane, but isotopically lighter (less
mature) methane than the West Betara Gas
field.This is likely the result of complex
mixing of gases of difference provenance.
Bacterial alteration of wet gases typically
appears as the preferential removal of the
C3+ components, with the normal alkanes
being more susceptible to microbial attack
than the corresponding iso-alkanes (Katz,
2001). Consequently, there was no
biodegradation contribution in Betara
Complex plotted the carbon isotope with gas
carbon number (Figure 10).
The gases of Betara Complex are
concentrated in Oligo-Miocene reservoirs
such as Lower Talang Akar, Upper Talang
Akar and Gumai Formations. The Lower
Talang Akar reservoir is the main objective
for hydrocarbon accumulation in Betara
Complex predominantly as fluvial reservoir.
Gases in younger reservoir (Upper Talang

Akar and Gumai Formations) developed in

West Betara and South Betara Fields.
Hydrocarbon occurrence related to the
nearest graben as the kitchen in the east of
the Betara Complex known as Betara Deep
(Figure 11), the proven kitchen generated oil
and gas in Betara Complex (Marpaung et. al,
2005). Most of the traps were already
present during the initial phase of
hydrocarbon generation in Miocene and
during inversion already reach the gas
generation.

Nonhydrocarbon Gases
Nonhydrocarbon gases consist of CO2, H2S
and N2. H2S and N2 have no significant
number in Betara complex compare to CO2
in lower reservoir. Carbon dioxide may be
introduced into a petroleum system through
a number of different means. These include
derivation from an organic source, the
decomposition of carbonate minerals
through catalysis with clays, hydrolysis, high
temperature processes, as well as through
mantle degassing. The source and means of
formation are considered important because
it has been suggested that volumetrically
important carbon dioxide typically derived
from outside of the petroleum system (Katz,
2001).
Lower concentrations of the gas (0.28-8.8 %
mol CO2) in Betara complex are associated
with isotopically lighter values suggesting an
organic origin except in North East Betara
(10-56 % mol CO2) suggested with
inorganic origin of carbonate decomposition
(Figure 12). High CO2 in eastern of NEB is
located in Lower Talang Akar Formation and
different with another field contained lower
CO2 concentration. The origin of high CO2 in
NEB related with pre-tertiary carbonate
decomposition in Basement. This carbonate
distributed along the compressional horst in
Betara complex especially in North East
Betara. The absent / or significantly low
content of CO2 in reservoir of Gumai sands
in the existing fields of the area support a
good sealing capacity in Formation such as
Upper Talang Akar and Gumai Formation.

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CONCLUSIONS
1. Based on concentration, molecular and
isotope data, natural gases of Betara
complex can be genetically characterized
into thermogenic gas.
2. True thermogenic gases of Betara
complex are simply characterized by :
wet gas methane (CH4) component of
less than 80 % or wet gas components
(C2+) are more than 20 % after
normalization of hydrocarbon gases (by
excluding nonhydrocarbon gases) and
ratios of 13-carbon isotope to 12-carbon
(d13CCH4) values are heavier (more
positive) than -48 .
3. Primary cracking were dominated in
Betara complex in various reservoirs
while the secondary cracking most likely
occurred in shallow reservoired of Gumai
Formation.
4. Betara complex gases reveal no biogenic
and biodegradation contribution.
5. High
trends
(>48
vol
%)
of
nonhydrocarbon CO2 gas mainly occur in
Lower Talang Akar Formation of the
eastern compartment of the North East
Betara Field. Based on heavy values of
d13C CO2, CO2 gas occurrences are
related to inorganic origin by carbonate
thermal destruction in North East Betara
Fields. Low trend (<5% vol %) and
medium values of d13C CO2 related to
organic matter maturity. Most of the
reservoirs are in Gumai, Upper Talang
Akar and Lower Talang Akar Formations
of South West Betara, West Betara and
South Betara fields. Concentration of
nonhydrocarbon gas of H2S is nil in
Betara Complex.
6. The gases of Betara Complex are
concentrated in Oligo-Miocene reservoirs
such as Lower Talang Akar, Upper
Talang Akar and Gumai Formations.
Hydrocarbon occurrence related to the
nearest graben as the kitchen in the east
of the Betara Complex known as Betara
Deep.
ACKOWLEDGEMENTS
We acknowledge the management of
PetroChina especially for Jabung Exploration
Department, BPMIGAS, Pertamina and

Petronas for support, permission for

publication and sponsorship of this paper.
We also express my gratitude to Tedi Satria
(PetroChina) and I Wayan Suandana
(PetroChina) for their support data and
valuable comments.
REFERENCES
Ginger, D. and Fielding K., 2005, The
Petroleum Systems and Future Potential
of South Sumatra Basin, Proceedings
Indonesian Petroleum Association 30th
Annual Convention, p. 67-89.
Hunt, J.M., 1996, Petroleum Geochemistry
and Geology, 2nd edition, W.H. Freeman
and Company, New York, 743 pp.
Katz, B.J., 2001, Gas Geochemistry A Key
to
Understanding
Formation
and
Alteration
Processes,
Proceedings
Indonesian Petroleum Association, 28th
Annual Convention, p. 789-802.
Marpaung, L.P., Mulyono, D.H., Satyana.,
A.H. and Subroto, E.A., 2005, Oil Family
Characterisation of Jabung Area, Jambi
Sub-Basin,
Proceedings
Joint
Convention 2005HAGI-IAGI-PERHAPI,
p. 164-172.
Marpaung, L.P., Suta, I.N. and Satyana,
A.H., 2006, Gumai Shales of Jabung
Area : Potential Source Rocks in Jambi
Sub-basin and Their Contributions to The
New Petroleum System, Technical
Program Guide, Indonesian Association
of Geologists (IAGI), 35th Annual
Convention and Exhibition.
Satyana,
A.H.,
Marpaung,
L.P.,
Purwaningsih, M.E.M. and Utama, M.K.
2007, Regional Gas Geochemistry of
Indonesia: Genetic Characterization and
Habitat of Natural Gases, Proceedings
Indonesian Petroleum Association 31st
Annual Convention and Exhibition.
Schoell, M., 1983, Genetic Characterization
of Natural Gases, AAPG Bulletin, 67, No.
12, p. 2225-2238.

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Whiticar, M.J., 1994, Correlation of Natural

Gases with Their Sources, in Magoon,
L.B. and Dow, W.G., eds, The Petroleum

System from Source to Trap : AAPG

Memoir 60, p. 261-283.

TABLE 1. Analysis Data of Gas Fields in Betara Complex, Jabung Area

GAS SAMPLE
G-1
G-2
G-7
K-1
NB-1
NB-5
NEB-1
NEB-2
NEB-3A
NEB-4
NEB-5
NEB-7
SB-1 DST-5
SB-1 DST-3
SB-2 DST-5
SB-2 DST-4
SB-2 DST-1
SWB-1
SWB-2
SWB-3ST
SWB-5
WB-2
WB-3 DST-4A
WB-3 DST-2
WB-3 DST-1

HC GAS Normalised Gas Gravity

C1
C2+
air=1
74.26
25.74
0.83
72.72
27.28
0.98
72.21
27.79
1.03
70.78
29.22
78.37
21.63
79.66
20.34
0.76
71.84
28.16
70.94
29.06
1.20
75.33
24.67
0.85
75.43
24.57
0.88
72.69
27.31
69.76
30.24
1.21
71.38
28.62
1.01
61.33
38.67
0.85
72.41
27.59
0.84
72.95
27.05
0.81
54.26
45.74
1.01
55.26
44.74
1.03
59.81
40.19
0.97
65.47
34.53
0.94
56.21
43.79
1.03
59.18
40.82
66.21
33.79
1.01
74.94
25.06
0.85
54.35
45.65
1.21

CO2
13
o
d CC1 ( /oo)
(%)
7.43
24.62
30.99
0.28
-48.21
2.90
-47.83
2.57
54.60
-43.63
54.76
13.23
14.79
56.90
-43.58
54.72
1.61
-45.86
3.07
-46.91
2.36
-44.1
0.56
-41.97
3.02
-44.12
3.87
3.76
6.98
-47.01
4.74
8.80
-34.23
1.06
-43.54
2.34
-40.72
3.07
-43.24

13

d CC02 ( /oo) dD ( /oo)

-6.8
-10.27

-179

-5.01

-5.07
-8.9
-13.79
-11.9
-13.01

-150
-149
-148
-152
-151

-23.91

-159

-13.03
-19.25
-18.9
-20.21

-167
-152
-148
-155

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FIGURE 1. Jabung Block location in Sumatra Island, Indonesia.

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FIGURE 2. Oil and gas production in Jabung Block since July 1997 to 2008.

FIGURE 3. General stratigraphy of the Jabung block, South Sumatra basin and
its correlation to seismic and well log profiles.

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FIGURE 4. Cross plot TOC with HI for organic richness and Tmax with HI for
kerogen type and maturity shows a kerogen type II/III and maturity
of immature to over mature.

FIGURE 5. Bernard plot of gas dryness versus isotope value indicates these
gases are entirely thermogenic.

FIGURE 6.

Genetic types of Betara Complex based on cross plot of d13CCH4 and C2+ of
Schoell (1983). Most of the gases are thermogenic with d13CCH4 values of 48.21 to -34.23 and wet gas component (C2+) of more than 20 %.
Thermogenic gases are both associated and non-associated and both
primary from kerogen cracking and secondary oil cracking.
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FIGURE 7.

Deuterium isotope analysis shows the mixed gas field in SB-1 and K-1
wells (left), suggested has a mixed provenance. Ethane versus
methane isotopes also consistents with mixing of mature wet gas with
methane of slightly lower maturity (right).

FIGURE 8. Relationship between the C2/C3 ratio and the difference in stable
carbon isotope of ethane and propane in Betara Complex shows that
the gas was derived through primary or secondary cracking.
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-20
-25

Isotop C-13

-30
WB-2

-35

WB-3 DST-4A
-40

WB-3 DST-2
WB-3 DST-1

-45

SB-1

-50
-55
-60
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1/Carbon Number

1
(Chung et al., 1988)

Figure 9. Betara complex reveals no biogenic contribution, all gases are

thermally from mature source. If there is a biogenic gas contribution,
the methane will appear isotopically light relative to C2+ components.

-20

-25

K-1
WB-2
WB-3 DST-4A
-35

WB-3 DST-2

13

C ( o/oo)

-30

WB-3 DST-1

-40

SB-1 DST-5
-45

SB-1 DST-3
-50
1

Carbon Num ber

FIGURE 10.

There was no biodegradation contribution in Betara Complex plotted

the carbon isotope with gas carbon number. Bacterial alteration of
wet gases typically appears as the preferential removal of the C3+
components, with the normal alkanes being more susceptible to
microbial attack than the corresponding iso-alkanes.
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WB, SB Field

NEB, NB,
Gemah Field

Betara Deep
Top Basement

Top Basement

FIGURE 11. Migration pathway from Betara Deep to the proven fields in western of the
graben.
CO 2 Distribution

Mantle
de-gassing

K- 1
SB- 1

NEB

NB- 1
WB- 2

-15

SB- 2

WB- 3

-20

Organic Matter
through maturation

13

C ( o/oo ) CO 2

-5

-10

Carbonate
decomposition

SWB- 3ST

-25
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

CO 2 (m ole %)

FIGURE 12. NEB field has high abundance of CO2 that related with carbonate source
derived compared to the other field with low CO2 that related with organic
source derived. Differentiating mantle de-gassing and carbonate
decomposition can only be determined by helium isotopic analysis.

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