AAPG InternationaL Conference d &hibition '94

AugUJt 21-24, 1994, Kuala Lumpur, MalaYJia

Petroleum geology of the Nam Con Son Basin

NGUYEN TRONG TIN AND NGUYEN DINH TY
Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI)
Yen Hoa - Tu Liem - Hanoi

Abstract: The Nam Con Son Basin is situated within 6°6'-9°45'N and 106°0'-109°30'E. Its southern
and southeastern boundaries are in the Vietnamese waters which border the neighbouring countries, and
its eastern, northern and western boundaries are on the Vietnamese continental shelf. The exploration
history of the Nam Con Son Basin can be divided into four periods: the Pre 1975 period, the 1976-1980
period, the 1981-1989 period, and the 1990-present period.
The heterogeneous basement of quartz diorite, granodiorite and Mesozoic metamorphic rocks is
unconformably covered by Paleocene-Quaternary sediments composed of the Cau, Dua, Thong-Mang
Cau, Nam Con Son and Bien Dong Formations.
All the geological formations in the Nam Con Son Basin can be divided into two complexes of major
structural elements, the basement composed of Pre-Cenozoic strata and the cover composed of Cenozoic
sediments.
The Nam Con Son Basin can be divided into the following tectonic zones, namely, the Western
Differentiated Zone, the Northern Differentiated Zone and the Dua-Close-to-Natuna Zone.
Good source rock sequences are developed in Oligocene lacustrine claystones and in Miocene fine
grained clastics. Paleogene reservoir rocks include Oligocene clastics and Lower Miocene reservoir rocks.
There are Oligocene and Miocene cap rocks. Potential for both structural and stratigraphical traps are
considered to exist in the N am Con Son Basin.

INTRODUCTION 3. 1981-1989 period

The N am Con Son Basin is situated within
6°6'-9°45'N and 106°0'-109°30'E. Its southern and
southeastern boundaries are in the Vietnamese
waters which border the neighbouring countries,
and its eastern, northern and western boundaries
are on the Vietnamese continental shelf (Fig. 1).
The exploration history of the N am Con Son Basin
can be divided into four periods (Operators for blocks
of Nam Con Son Basin, 1978-1993).
1. Pre 1975 period
During this period, the US Oceanographic
Service undertook an aeromagnetic survey on a
scale of 1:250,000 covering the entire area.
In 1968-1969 a regional seismic survey was
conducted by the British Overseas Development
Department (Alpine). Then during the 1969-1974
period, a number of oil companies such as Mobil
Kaiyo, Pecten etc., carried out geological and
geophysical studies in some concessions.
2. 1976-1980 period
A series of companies such as Geco, Deminex,
Agip, Bow Valley etc. conducted detailed surveys
and drilled 8 wildcat wells in various blocks in the
basin.
During this period, Vietsovpetro - a 50:50
joint venture between Vietnam and the former
Soviet Union - shot a reasonably dense grid of
seismic lines and drilled wildcat and production
wells in some blocks.
4. 1990-present period
A number of oil companies are presently
undertaking geological, geophysical studies and are
involved in drilling activities such as ONGC,
Enterprise Oil, BP, Shell, BG, Petrocanada, IPL,
Cairn, TG, Lasmo, Pedco, AEDC, Astra Petranusa,
BHP and MJC (Le Van Cu et al., 1992; Nguyen
Trong Tin, 1993).
GEOLOGY
Sedimentology and stratigraphy
Pre-Tertiary formations
Out of 36 wells drilled in the N am Con Son
Basin, 19 wells encountered the basement which is
heterogeneous in its composition and composed of
quartz diorite, granodiorite and Mesozoic
metamorphic rocks.

Geol. Soc. MaLaYJia, BuLLetin 57, July 1995; pp. 1-11

 f\.)

TECTONIC ELEMENTS OF SOUTH VIETNAM OFFSHORE

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 PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF THE NAM CON SON BASIN
Cenozoic formations
The heterogeneous basement is unconformably
covered by Paleocene-Quaternary sediments
composed ofCau, Dua, Thong-Mang Cau, Nam Con
Son and Bien Dong Formations.
Cau Formation (Oligocene, Eocene?, Fig. 2).
This Formation corresponds to the 'A' seismic
sequence composed of the Bawahm, Keras, and
Barat Formations. It is lithologically characterized
from bottom to top by:
• Brownish grey sandstones intercalated with
several beds of silty clay.
• A thick bed of dark grey clay intercalated with
light coloured oilstone, locally fine grained and
calcareous.
• Quartz sandstone intercalated with greyish-
black, firm claystone.
• Dark grey, greenish grey clay, intercalated with
beds of sandstone, and siltstone.
The thickness of this formation varies between
200 m and 800 m.
Dua Formation (Lower Miocene, Fig. 3). The
sediments of this formation, unconformably
overlying the Cau Formation, correspond to the
lower part of the Arang Formation and constitute
the 'BI' seismic sequence. This formation is
composed of .light grey, bright-grey sandstone,
interbedded with blackish-grey silty clay. The main
components of the sandstone are fine to medium
grained, angular, quartz, with carbonate cement,
and glauconite associated with fossil fragments.
The thickness of this formation varies from 200
m to 800 m, locally up to over 1,000 m (Block 05-3).
Thong-Mang Cau Formation (Middle Miocene,
Fig. 4). The sediments of this formation correspond
to the middle part of the Arang Formation and
constitute the lower part of the 'B II' seismic
sequence. The sediments are of clastic origin,
interbedded with biogenic carbonates. The lithology
of this formation can be divided into two distinct
parts:
• Lower part: Quartz sandstone and calcareous
sandstones interbedded with clays and
siltstones. Fine to medium grained sandstones
with carbonate cement and glauconite and fossil
fragments.
• Upper part: Light grey, whitish/grey, locally
reddish brown dolomitized carbonates with
thicknesses varying from 10 m to 100 m.
Intercalated with these carbonates are clays
friable siltstones and fine grained, calcite-
cemented sandstones.
Nam Con Son Formation (Upper Miocene, Fig.
5). This Formation corresponds to the Tereembu
Formation and constitutes the top part of the 'B II'
July 1995
3
seismic sequence. It unconformably overlays the
Thong-Mang Cau Formation. This formation is
composed of:
• Lower part: Clay, calcareous clay and grey
sandstones.
• Upper part: Whitish grey carbonate and quartz
sandstones.
At the western margin of Blocks 12,20,21,11-
1 and 11-2 this formation is mainly composed of
calcareous clastic sediments.
The thickness of this formation varies between
100 m and 500 m, locally up to 600 m (Block 04-3).
Bien Dong Formation (Pliocene-Quaternary,
Fig. 6). Following AGIP this formation corresponds
to the Muda Formation. It constitutes the 'C' seismic
sequence and is developed throughout the basin. It
is Pliocene-Quaternary in age and can be subdivided
into two parts:
• Upper part: Quaternary in age, composed of
quartz sand (angular to rounded) in the lower
section gradually changing to silty clay in the
middle section and quartz sand containing shell
fragments in the top section.
• Lower part: Pliocene in age, composed of
siltstones, friable claystones, and grey
calcareous clays intercalated with white or light
yellow quartz sandstone, rich in carbonate and
containing glauconite.
The sediments of this formation were deposited
under coastal/marine, shallow to deep marine
conditions. Their thickness varies from several
meters to 200 meters.
Tectonic-structural features
Faulting
In the Natp. Con Son Basin the following major
fault system exist:
• N-S Fault System: Concentrated in the
western differentiated zone, sub-zone next to
Natuna
• NE-SW Fault System
• E-W Fault System
• NW-SE Fault System
Structural elements
All the geological formations in the Nam Con
Son Basin can be divided into two complexes of
major structural elements (Nguyen Giao and
Nguyen Trong Tin, 1990).
Basement. The basement is composed of Pre-
Cenozoic strata. The Nam Con Son Basin developed
on the surface of a basement which is heterogeneous,
and it is displaced and strongly incised by faults
into subsidence troughs at various levels.
4 NGUYEN TRONG TIN AND NGUYEN DINH Ty

DISTIRIBUTION OF OLIGOCENE SEDIMENTS

NAM CON SON BASIN
N

CAMBODIA
,
VIETNAM

26

27
z
38 33
20

28

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PEDIASTRUM
WELL CONTROL
W MAGNASTRIATITES = MANGROVE P·.t \) I ALLUVIAL, COASTAL

DRAW No AM03IP OZ.COA

Do.. 2 August 94

Figure 2. Distribution of Oligocene sediments, N am Con Son Basin.

Ceoi. Soc . Ma laYJia, Bulletin 37
 PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF THE NAM CON SON BASIN 5

DISTIRIBUTION OF EARLY MIOCENE SEDIMENTS

NAM CON SON BASIN
lOON lOON

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

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D MIXED CLASTICS AND LIMESTONES 0 WELL CONTROL ()RAW No AM03POI COR

Date 2 Al.CJUlI c:w

Figure 3. Distribution of Early Miocene sediments, Nam Con Son Basin.

JuLy 1!J!J5
6 NGUYEN TRONG TIN AND NGUYEN DINH Ty

DISTIRIBUTION OF MIDDLE MIOCENE SEDIMENTS

NAM CON SON BASIN
N N

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

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I I I I LIMESTONE o WELLCONTROL DRAW No AMOJ P 03 COR

Oa,'" 2 AUJUSI 9-'

Figure 4. Distribution of Middle Miocene sediments, N am Con Son Basin.

GeoL. Soc. MaLaYJia, BuLLetill .17
 PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF THE NAM CON SON BASIN 7

DISTIRIBUTION OF LATE MIOCENE SEDIMENTS

NAM CON SON BASIN
HEN '(liN

CAMBODIA
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DRAW No AM04.P 01 CC*1
Dale 2 AlIJUSI 94

Figure 5. Distribution of Late Miocene sediments, Nam Con Son Basin.

Ju Ly 1995
8 NGUYEN TRONG TIN AND NGUYEN DINH Ty

DISTIRIBUTION OF PLIOCENE SEDIMENTS

NAM CON SON BASIN
N N

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

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Figure 6. Distribution of Pliocene sediments, Nam Con Son Basin.

Ceo!. Soc. MaiaYJia, BuLLetin 57
 PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF THE NAM CON SON BASIN
Cover. Composed of Cenozoic sediments, and
subdivided into three sequences:
• Lower sequence: Composed of the sediments of
the Cau Formation which is Paleogene in age.
• Middle sequence: Composed of the Miocene
sediments of the Dua NIl)' Thong-Mang Cau
(N\), and Nam Con Son (N\) Formations.
• Upper sequence: Corresponding to the Bien
Dong Formation (Pliocene-Quaternary),
composed mainly of clastic and coastal marine
carbonates.
Tectonic zonation
The Nam Con Son Basin can be divided into the
following tectonic zones:
The Western Differentiated Zone. This zone
covers Blocks 27, 28, 29, 19, 21 and 22 and it is
mostly characterized by the presence of narrow
deep troughs, major faults accompanying sub-
meridian trending anticlines. This zone is
subdivided into two smaller structural subzones by
the Hau Giang Fault:
• The western marginal sub-zone
• The western differentiated sub-zone
The Northern Differentiated Zone. To the north
this zone is limited by the Dong N ai Fault, and it
is developed along deep troughs in the east. This
zone is also subdivided into two smaller units:
• The northern marginal sub-zone
• The northern transitional sub-zone in the
southwest.
Dua-Close-to-Natuna Zone. The eastern trough
zone comprising:
• The northern trough sub-zone
• Mang Cau sub-zone
• The central sub-zone
In short the existence of the above mentioned
various structural elements reflects the diversity of
the basement relief and cover structure as well as
the multiphase tectonic activities of the basin.
HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL
Source rocks
Good source rock sequences are developed in
Oligocene lacustrine claystones with a TOC content
of 0.57-1. 78% and in Miocene fine grained clastics
with a TOC content of 0.52-0.84 belonging to the
types II and III kerogen type. Source rocks are
widely distributed throughout the basin (Fig. 7).
Reservoirs
Pre-Cenozoic fractured basement rocks with
porosities of up to 16-20%.
JuLy 1995
9
Paleogene reservoir rocks: Oligocene clastics
deposited under marshy, shallow marine, coastal
marine conditions, and mainly composed of quartz
sandstones with porosity of 12-16%. Reservoir
thickness varies between 2 and 80 m.
Lower Miocene reservoir rocks deposited under
deltaic, coastal marine and shallow marine
conditions, and mainly composed of quartz
sandstones and poly-mineral sandstones
intercalated with thin silt and claystone layers.
Porosity varies between 18% to 25%. Reservoir
thickness varies between several meters and several
dozens of meters.
Miocene limestone reservoir have proved to be
very prospective with porosities of up to 25%.
Cap rocks
Oligocene cap rocks (Cau Formation)
Argillite claystone with shale intercalations and
thin siltstone and fine grained sandstone layers.
Clay and shale thickness is between 100-400
meters, constituting a good local seal.
Miocene cap rocks
Shales intercalated with silt and thin
sandstone beds mainly deposited in deltaic flank,
estuarine/shallow shelf setting providing a good
local seal. The mid-Miocene 45 meters thick shale
sequence can even be considered as a good
regional seal.
Traps
Potential for both structural and stratigraphical
traps are considered to exist in the Nam Con Son
Basin (Nguyen Giao, 1987).
Rollover structures
This trap type is likely to offer one of the most
prospective plays in the eastern blocks of the N am
Con Son Basin.
Tilted fault blocks
These traps are considered to have formed
during the Middle to Late Miocene, and contain
MiddlelLower Miocene and Oligocene sediments
which may all be highly prospective.
Fractured-weathered basement high
Fractured basement is believed to comprise part
of the productive horizon in the Bach Ho Field.
Reefs
Reefal structures of Miocene age have proved
to be very prospective in the Nam Con Son Basin,
particularly in the Blocks 04-3, 05-1, 05-2 and 06.
 PLAY TYPES OF NAM CON SON BASIN

PF
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Figure 7. Play types ofNam Can Son Basin.

 PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF THE NAM CON SON BASIN
The N am Con Son Basin is the largest proven
oil and gas basin in Vietnam offshore with a number
of proven oil fields.
REFERENCES
LE VAN Cu, Ho DAc HOAI AND TRAN LE DONG, 1992. Structural
geology of marine area Thuan Hai-Minh Hai. Petrol.
Vietnam Project Report.
NGUYEN GIAO, 1987. Structural geology and hydrocarbon potential
11
of Tertiary sedimentary basins in East Viet Nam Sea. USSR
Academy.
NGUYEN GIAO AND NGUYEN TRONG TIN, 1990. Structural geology
and hydrocarbon potential assessment of Nam Con Son
Basin. Petrol. Petrol. Vietnam Project Report.
NGUYEN TRONG TIN, 1993. Hydrocarbon potential assessment
of blocks on the Nam Con Son Basin. Petrol. Vietnam
Project Report.
OPERATORS FOR BLOCKS OF NAM CON SON BASIN, 1978-1993.
Geophysical, geological and wells reports. Petrol. Vietnam
Project Report.

----------.~.-~~.+.---------

Manuscript received 23 August 1994

JuLy 1995